"The Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the American Triple Crown, known as the [Triple Crown Killer]!"
"Countless two-crown Uma Musume have fallen at this final hurdle."
"But does Big Red truly possess absolute confidence? Instead, she invites me to attend this tense, critical third race…"
Faced with Secretariat's invitation, how could Lin Anran, moved by the prize money… no, by that sincere emotion, possibly refuse?
Back when he was still in the U.S., after learning that winning the Triple Crown could permanently enhance medical skills, Lin Anran had specifically researched Triple Crown events from various countries.
After understanding the American Triple Crown—its influence and prestige ranking first in the world, arguably the foremost and supreme Triple Crown in the entire Uma Musume racing world—Lin Anran fell silent.
It seemed… just a tad too intense!
For the American Triple Crown, within just five weeks from May to June each year, one must consecutively win the 2000-meter Kentucky Derby, the 1900-meter Preakness Stakes, and finally, the most challenging 2400-meter Belmont Stakes!
Five weeks, three consecutive G1 victories!
Aside from "absurd" and "terrifying," there are hardly any other adjectives to describe it.
Even in the U.S., whose dirt track training standards are world-class and not one bit inferior to the combined level of European nations, over the past century, the number of American Triple Crown Uma Musume born there can be counted on one hand!
In other words, it's a genuine once-in-a-decade feat, achievable only by the king among kings through this nightmarish, hellish schedule.
It's important to remember that in most international G1 events, the majority of Uma Musume challenge a high-intensity race every two to three months or so. Running four or five G1 races a year is already considered putting in great effort.
And maintaining a frequency of one race every two months—three G1 races in half a year—is already considered "Frequent Campaigning".
After all, G1 races are not like G2 or G3 events; their intensity and physical toll are exceedingly high.
Some Uma Musume even run a G1 race and then go "fishing" in a G2 to boost confidence, recover form, or easily earn prize money.
But the American Triple Crown requires three consecutive wins in less than two months, a mere five weeks!
"From the data I checked earlier, there aren't too few two-crown Uma Musume in the U.S."
"But among those powerful contenders who secured the first two crowns, up to two-thirds fell at the final Belmont Stakes!"
"Big Red! Secretariat!"
"Will she be among the two-thirds, or the once-in-a-decade one-third?"
Wait a second!
Lin Anran suddenly remembered.
He would, at that time, be transformed into another Kuranta Uma Musume to run on dirt, right?
If Secretariat truly turned out to be such a monster that she could conquer even the American Triple Crown…
Would his own future final schedule include something like the American Triple Crown, or maybe the Breeders' Cup?
If such a nightmarish schedule, such terrifying difficulty, really appeared, he might truly have to face off against Secretariat in the future.
"Just who will I draw?"
"Can I even win?!"
Even the unscrupulous young doctor felt slightly apprehensive.
By then, it might really turn out like this:
Himself, potentially having won the Dirt Triple Crown, becoming the strongest of this generation, facing the previous Dirt Triple Crown winner, Secretariat—hailed as surpassing Man o' War, the strongest of all generations?
The Strongest of Today vs. The Strongest in History?
Although the likelihood of this happening seems very low, it's not impossible, right?
After a light laugh, Lin Anran tapped out a reply.
"I'll be there to watch!"
After sending it, he prepared to put his phone down.
But the moment he tossed it onto the bed, another phone call notification chimed.
"Huh?"
After texting with Secretariat for so long, surely they'd covered enough ground; why call now?
Puzzled, Lin Anran picked up his phone again.
Then, he saw the name of another Uma Musume he was somewhat familiar with, one he'd met more than once not long ago.
"Galileo?"
Seeing the caller ID, Lin Anran immediately recalled that Galileo had indeed entered the Dubai Sheema Classic this time.
However, he'd been solely focused on the highest-prized, most fearsome opponent-filled Dubai World Cup (Dirt), so he'd almost forgotten…
Promptly, Lin Anran answered the call.
"Dr. Lin, how are you? Have you arrived in Dubai yet?"
"Yeah, I just got here."
As soon as Lin Anran answered, Galileo's voice carried a hint of delight and anticipation.
"Taking advantage of this rest time after landing, before Platinum immediately dives into training, you must still have some free time, Dr. Lin."
"Then… would you like to come out and stroll around with me?"
The Monarch of Charm, immensely popular in the European Uma Musume racing world, extended an invitation to the young doctor who had captivated both her and her sister, Sea the Stars!
To be precise, in her view, this was actually—a [Date]!
Although a certain unscrupulous young doctor might not see it that way.
On the phone, listening to Galileo's invitation, Lin Anran pondered for a few short seconds.
Now, he had received a hefty budget from the Dubai event organizers. If he just holed up in his temporary accommodation without going out to spend and enjoy himself, wouldn't that be a waste?
Might as well be a bit of a budget thief and go out for a stroll with Galileo.
Lin Anran promptly treated it as a sightseeing trip and accepted Galileo's invitation.
"Sure, let me finish unpacking. Probably in about half an hour."
"See you then!"
--+--
Nearly half an hour later.
On a bustling Western-style street.
A stunning black-haired girl was happily squinting her eyes slightly, her sleek, dark tail swaying gently behind her due to her cheerful mood.
"Finally… I managed to ask Dr. Lin out!"
"Date plan, great success!!"
Currently, Galileo had changed into a dress that showed off her figure, rather than her most common training outfit.
Her exquisite features and curvaceous figure now radiated immense charm on this quiet street.
Even a few passing Uma Musume in training outfits, heading to the training ground, turned to look at Galileo for several seconds, their steps unconsciously slowing before returning to normal pace and moving on.
This was the striking charm unique to Galileo; the so-called [Monarch of Charm] lived up to her name, her rarity perhaps even surpassing that of historical-level Uma Musume!
But what Galileo found regrettable was that during her two months in Japan, she had only managed to build a good relationship with Dr. Lin, failing to take it further, not yet becoming close, intimately familiar best friends.
Though in a way, that could also be considered good news.
Because it meant Dr. Lin had strong moral character as a man!
Once successfully won over, there would be no worry about him being stolen away.
She was no sleeping party from those Japanese videos, unawarely letting her lover be "horsed" or "cowed away" by other Uma Musume!
She was no foolish little sister, Sea the Stars!
But thinking that far ahead was premature. For now, she needed to make a deeper impression on Dr. Lin during this date and strive to advance their relationship.
Thinking this, Galileo mused to herself.
But suddenly, she noticed some Uma Musume around her stopping in their tracks as they reached a point ahead, yet there was no training ground at the street corner ahead.
"S-so fragrant…"
"Gulp, is he here to watch the Dubai races too? Wonder if he's a trainer, a regular person, or part of some Uma Musume team?"
"Ugh, trouble. I don't speak any Asian languages; it's hard to go up and ask for his contact info."
Those few Uma Musume were murmuring to themselves.
Though soft, these voices weren't hard for Galileo, who far exceeded ordinary people in various aspects and was world-class, to hear.
Huh?
A puzzled Galileo looked up, following their gaze.
The next second, she understood: it was the familiar black-haired young man, Dr. Lin Anran, whom she was waiting for!
No wonder!
Even she, with her strong Horse-Mint aura and extremely high charm, could only make other Uma Musume slow down and take a few extra looks.
Yet Lin Anran had just arrived and directly caused these several Uma Musume to subconsciously halt, even wanting to get to know him or ask for his contact information!
If she was a nearly once-in-a-century Monarch of Charm with a Horse-Mint score upwards of 90,
Then the current Lin Anran had a simple, brute-force Horse-Mint score of 100, a Stallion King above her!
It wasn't that Lin Anran could only score up to 100; it was that the upper limit was 100!
'As expected, he has the same constitution as me.'
'No, even stronger than me! So… as an ordinary person, it's best for Dr. Lin to be closely protected by an excellent Uma Musume.'
'He's in too much danger out alone.'
Galileo immediately stepped forward, greeting the black-haired young man ahead.
"Hi, long time no see!"
She chose not to habitually call him "Dr. Lin" right away.
For now, let's find a quiet, safe place without other Uma Musume around.
"Yeah, it has been a while."
"Where should we go now?"
Lin Anran asked the black-haired girl before him.
The next moment, something slightly unexpected happened: the young horse girl Galileo looped her arm through his.
Before Lin Anran could react, he felt the delicate, soft touch of Galileo's arm.
Then, that seemingly smaller, fair arm displayed superhuman strength, guiding him toward another direction.
"Let's go, I found a café with great coffee."
"We'll have a drink before strolling!"
--+--
A short while later, inside a café.
"I don't drink coffee much, so I'll have the same as you."
After saying this, Lin Anran soon received the coffee brought by the server.
Lin Anran's impression of the young Uma Musume Galileo was quite good.
From any perspective, she was an excellent, commendable Uma Musume.
Firstly, as a top contender for the British Epsom Derby, her strength lived up to her favorite status. If not for a certain Pegasus descending from the skies, the Derby would undoubtedly have been hers.
After defeat, she promptly won the Irish Derby, then traveled to Japan seeking revenge, even daring to spend a full month—a huge cost—to adapt to the course.
Even in the end, after realizing how terrifying the Silver Pegasus Platinum's strength truly was, confirming she would face Platinum a third time in the Dubai Sheema Classic, she still chose not to avoid the challenge.
From an Uma Musume and racing perspective, this itself marked her as a courageous, bold genius young girl.
From another angle—a money-making perspective—Galileo actually shared his mindset, also targeting high-prize races, from the British Derby, Japan Cup, to the Dubai races!
However you looked at it, she was a somewhat kindred spirited young filly.
Plus, as the eldest daughter of the Sea family, her personal coffers certainly weren't small; she was a very valuable young filly!
And in Dubai, with nearly a hundred Uma Musume scattered across various races, she was the only one he knew.
Therefore, considering multiple aspects, he accepted Galileo's invitation without overthinking it.
Unaccustomed to drinking coffee, Lin Anran picked up his cup, raised it gently, and took a small sip.
Upon tasting it, Lin Anran immediately sensed the most primal flavor: namely… it was very bitter.
He promptly set the cup down, picked up a sugar cube nearby, and added it in.
As Lin Anran added sugar, he didn't notice the black-haired girl across from him lowering her head with a slight frown, tapping her phone while quickly drinking her coffee.
A perfectly good date, just starting, and now some clueless little sister keeps interrupting with questions and texts?!
Soon, Galileo, seeming somewhat anxious, finally ended the phone conversation!
But she had also, unconsciously, finished her coffee in a very short time.
[Galileo: …That's roughly the situation! Dr. Lin just landed and isn't with Platinum.]
[SeatheStars: It seems their relationship probably isn't particularly intimate or dangerously close yet.]
[SeatheStars: I'm relieved, thank you, sis!!]
[SeatheStars: Now I can finally focus on training.]
Reading this, Galileo, ready to end the chat, casually typed a final line.
[Galileo: Mhm, no need to thank me. What are older sisters for, if not to look after their little sisters?]
After sending it, she turned off her phone and put it away.
Finally breathing a sigh of relief, the black-haired girl looked up at Lin Anran.
Yet the next moment, she noticed the young doctor turning his head, glancing outside the café.
Outside, a few Uma Musume in training outfits were passing by, headed to the training ground.
These Uma Musume, compared to most turf racers, appeared taller, more voluptuous, and powerful.
Even their training outfits differed from the common styles in Japan and Europe. On their clothes were traces of mud splashes.
Clearly, they were dirt track Uma Musume, here to prepare for dirt races.
Lin Anran noticed this and looked a bit longer.
After all, later, the Pegasus would be running the highest-prized [Dubai World Cup (Dirt)]!
But what he didn't know was that his coincidental glance outside was caught by Galileo…
In this black-haired beauty's heart, it stirred a strange feeling, one she couldn't quite articulate, but it made her somewhat uncomfortable.
'Does Dr. Lin… prefer the tall type? Or the curvaceous type?'
'If it's about figure, I'm not bad either, right? Better than Little Star even.'
Was this…
Jealousy?
On her first date with Dr. Lin, he looks at other unfamiliar Uma Musume before her?
In a daze, Lin Anran felt an intense gaze. Turning back, he saw the black-haired girl staring at him intently, expressionlessly.
Even the unscrupulous young doctor knew that when alone with someone, paying attention to others first was impolite.
The Dr. Lin who, initially in the U.S., deemed everyone "small fry," yet managed to build good relationships with Big Red, Dahlia, and Sunday Silence, earning their trust, wasn't completely clueless about a young girl's heart.
Lin Anran wasn't skilled at grasping deeper emotions—the so-called intricacies of romance—nor was he particularly interested, but he could perceive straightforward affection.
After all, to make valuable young fillies trust him, he at least needed to handle relationships to a point of closeness.
As for beyond closeness… Lin Anran didn't pay attention or understand much.
But he could at least confirm that the Galileo before him, like her sister, was a somewhat adorable young Uma Musume who trusted him.
It wouldn't do for her to think he was more interested in other dirt track Uma Musume than her.
Lin Anran immediately smiled slightly and offered a response.
"Sorry, you know, I moved from U.S. dirt tracks to being a doctor on Japanese turf."
"Since it's been a long time since I've seen dirt track Uma Musume, I looked a bit longer; it felt novel in a different way."
"And then I couldn't help wondering how charming you'd look in that training outfit popular in the U.S…"
Such an explanation, followed by what seemed like a pivot to praise, made Galileo freeze.
This exquisitely beautiful girl, long accustomed to compliments, was hearing words of praise from Lin Anran for the first time.
Her brain short-circuited momentarily. From her cheeks to her ears, a faint pink blush spread. This bold, proactive Monarch of Charm, upon being complimented by Lin Anran, instead revealed a flash of maidenly shyness.
'Dr. Lin is… finally praising me?'
'Little Star told me Dr. Lin's past praises for her were always about being cute or something, never about figure or charm! It was like treating her like a child!'
But now, after seeing dirt track Uma Musume, Dr. Lin thinks that style of training outfit would suit me?
Does that mean… he has me in his heart?!
Dr. Lin also sees this as a date?
'No, can't lose composure. I'm Little Star's older sister; I need to show a more mature style, completely different from hers!'
'I'm a mature big sister now; can't be like Little Star, a clueless small fry who wants to make a move but doesn't know how.'
Losing the initiative and becoming shy like this was a first for Galileo. Being complimented by same-sex friends or confidantes was entirely different from being complimented by a member of the opposite sex she was interested in!
Galileo's breathing quickened slightly; her full thighs clenched subconsciously. She strove desperately to calm down quickly, suppressing the pleasant surprise in her heart.
Not wanting to appear flustered or shy, she hurriedly picked up her coffee cup again, intending to bring it to her small cherry mouth to hide her face.
But upon raising it, she realized she'd already finished it earlier!
This made the blush on her face, which hadn't faded, persist.
The exquisitely beautiful black-haired girl then reached out and took the other coffee cup on the table.
Then, without even tasting it, she downed it in one go to cover her loss of composure.
"This is mine, I just drank from it…"
Witnessing this, it was the unscrupulous young doctor's turn to be flustered, his expression slightly awkward, hesitating to speak.
After Galileo set down this second cup—Lin Anran's coffee—her stalled brain finally rebooted, and she heard Lin Anran's hesitant words.
"This cup… I already drank from."
Two people sharing one cup—wasn't that practically an indirect kiss?
The seemingly strong, aggressive eldest daughter of the Sea family, whose inner shyness had just peaked, lingered without subsiding.
Her slightly flushed face turned completely red. She buried her head low, apologizing in a small voice.
"Sorry, I just wanted a drink of water to calm down immediately…"
"Then… for the rest of the stroll, leave it to me. Speaking of which, I haven't seen you wear clothes other than your white coat much. Can I pick out a few sets for you?"
This apology, both shy and brimming with the style of a noble young lady, genuinely amused Lin Anran, making him laugh.
Even an unscrupulous young doctor wouldn't mind a few gifted outfits—after all, they weren't high-stakes race prizes, shares, or medical fees.
Simply, the contrast between the usually confident and assertive European noble young lady before him and her current state felt fresh to him, prompting a genuine laugh.
"Then I'll trouble you."
"As a return gift, could you give me a training outfit you think suits me later, Dr. Lin?"
"Only fair."
With that, they stood up, preparing to continue their stroll.
--+--
Meanwhile, in Japan.
Inside the URA building, even though it wasn't work hours, the meeting room was brightly lit!
And in the meeting room, it wasn't just a few executives; even mid-level staff were present in significant numbers, collectively attending this meeting.
Almost all wore grave expressions, the atmosphere oppressive. On the table lay the latest materials.
These were… the recent changes in ticket sales for the upcoming Osaka Hai, online and overseas attention and reviews regarding the Osaka Hai, and heat projections for the next major G1 after it, the Spring Tenno Sho.
After repeatedly reviewing the materials, some executives who had been stationed overseas and just returned to attend the emergency meeting couldn't help but let out more than one or two groans.
Some staff working abroad felt like they woke up to find the sky had fallen!
"What's going on…? The super high heat brought by the Pegasus, how did it plummet to record lows, record-breakingly low, the moment she left for the Osaka Hai?"
"Mess it up, go on, mess it up! Mess it up so badly that after Platinum runs the Dubai World Cup, she extends her campaign abroad instead of returning to Japan! Mess it up so that years of development in Japanese G1s become in name only!"
"Seriously, why are the rewards less now that the Pegasus has reached historical level compared to during the Kikuka Sho? She's no fool; she won't accept this!"
One thing was now basically certain.
This Osaka Hai… is done for!!
There's no saving it now!
The most famous and popular middle-distance champions, namely Pegasus Platinum, Tokai Teio, and Agnes Tachyon.
Result? One went abroad, two suffered fractures. Other excellent Uma Musume just entering their older horse years, like Kurofune, Jungle Pocket—they hadn't even won a G1 race yet; their fame and influence were far too lacking; they were "small fry" in the eyes of the outside world.
Not to mention, most of these reasonably excellent Uma Musume were already experimenting with other distances; many had abandoned middle distance.
For instance, Kurofune was already intensely trying grass mile races or dirt races, with pretty good results, diving right in and never looking back at middle distance!
There were several examples like Kurofune, leading a whole group of Uma Musume to completely give up on middle distance.
As for Mejiro Dober, that excellent daughter of the Mejiro family, she was better off but chose to prepare for fillies' G1s…
In short, there was no one left to use; the Osaka Hai was declared utterly hopeless!
Holding this Osaka Hai would engrave URA into the pillar of shame.
Many had finally woken up, realizing that the flourishing of the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen… had nothing to do with URA!
Even if you replaced them with ordinary people, as long as Platinum was racing, business would boom.
But the moment Platinum was gone, it would inevitably plummet!
"In terms of heat and attention, this Osaka Hai has maybe 20% of the recent Arima Kinen…"
"No, it definitely won't even reach 15%! A historical low!"
In other words, they might hold several G1s, struggle for half a year, and the combined effect… might only match that one Arima Kinen where Pegasus Platinum participated!
Now they'd really offended the top sales performer to save resources.
One staff member then offered a perspective.
"For the Spring Tenno Sho, we have Mejiro McQueen aiming for a [Three-peat]!"
"Isn't there a chance Tokai Teio returns by the Spring Tenno Sho? These are two popular star Uma Musume, right?"
"Maybe without the Pegasus, relying on Mejiro McQueen's streak and their rivalry, we can recover a significant portion of the heat?"
"If the Spring Tenno Sho still can't turn things around, then we can try to beg for the Pegasus' forgiveness and invite her to the Takarazuka Kinen?"
But as soon as he said this, the room fell silent.
Many looked at him with unexpected, almost dumbfounded gazes.
"The Spring Tenno Sho, a three-peat? That's it?"
"Leaving aside whether Teio can even make it in time, remember how Teio fractured last year? Their rivalry is pointless, devoid of suspense; it absolutely cannot carry the event."
"What are these compared to Platinum's Zone, her music, her transcendent special effects??"
"If we wait until the Spring Tenno Sho fails before going to Platinum to beg her to join the Takarazuka Kinen, isn't that like treating terminal cancer only after it's advanced? Why not start treatment at the mid-stage?"
"Don't even talk about a three-peat for the Spring Tenno Sho; even a four-peat, five-peat wouldn't work!"
"Can Japanese racing keep turning without Platinum? Just barely surviving!"
Several rebuttals immediately followed.
And the facts were indeed so.
After witnessing that rain-soaked front-running dash, that last-to-first incredible comeback, and that unprecedented Zone special effect, the mysteriously deployed Zone music!
Compared to all that!
A conventional long-distance race, typically lacking any final kick duels, with no other buzzworthy, highly popular Uma Musume besides Mejiro McQueen…
Those who have tasted delicacies from land and sea might find dessert not too bad occasionally.
But making dessert the staple food replacing those delicacies… that would be utterly foolish.
So, hoping to rely on a single long-distance race to recover that lost ground, to catch up to the heat and influence lost without Platinum?
After much heated discussion, they soon reached a unanimous conclusion:
"Such a thing is impossible outside of dreams!"
Go to Dubai and invite the Pegasus!!!
"Lost sincerity, wanting to make up for it, the difficulty factor doubles."
"Next, we must offer unprecedented benefits that demonstrate sincerity and move the Pegasus."
And so…
Currently, URA had once again entered a gambling mood.
A traditional skill—go all in!
As for how they got into this mood, don't ask.
Just go all in!
--+--
Several days later, World Cup day.
Dubai. The sky above the luxurious racecourse, gathering countless spectators, was unusually overcast with oppressive dark clouds!
It seemed to announce that rain could fall at any moment.
In a place like Dubai, the probability of rain, especially heavy rain, was even lower than that of drought.
But on this very day of the Dubai World Cup… it came! Who knew if this was good or bad news!
The Silver-White Maiden had changed into her race outfit, slung the long narrow bow case on her back, and turned to look at the sky outside the window.
This?
Rain? Heavy track?
A flicker of surprise passed over the Silver-White Maiden's exquisite, calm face.
Normally, even a heavy track wouldn't bother her.
But today was exceptionally special.
Because—she would be charging forth in a frequently campaigned state!!
And the current heavy track seemed like an ill omen?
The world's top-tier prize money events, the Dubai Sheema Classic (Turf) and the Dubai World Cup (Dirt), had deeply motivated Platinum to come work overtime.
According to the Dubai World Cup schedule, races started during the day, all concluding within a single day.
The heavier the event, the later it was, with the highest-prized Dubai World Cup (Dirt) scheduled for evening, the grand finale of grand finales.
This also meant that if one wanted to undertake a frequent campaign, running two races in one day, rest time would be extremely short, the difficulty exceedingly high!
But Platinum was here to work overtime!
Since she was here, not taking away the most prize money wouldn't make sense, right? Wouldn't that mean working overtime at a loss?
"On this heavy track, running two races consecutively… can I win?"
Without a doubt, the softened turf turning into a heavy track alone made running difficult, an extreme test for any Uma Musume.
Not to mention, running one race versus two in this heavy rain were completely different concepts.
One was difficult; the other was hellish!
The Pegasus, attempting to compete in two races consecutively for the first time, running on turf then dirt, never expected…
Right after making her decision, this rare weather would turn up the intensity, seemingly discouraging this extremely bold decision.
But even so, the silver-white girl felt no urge to retreat!
The Dubai event organizers promised her an extra high percentage share of the already astronomical prize money! In other words, the more she won, the more she earned!
A rare opportunity not to be missed. So even as those dark clouds began to drizzle, it didn't dampen Platinum's fighting spirit.
"Good, first defeat Galileo, then take on Dubai Millennium!"
Before setting off, the silver-white girl suddenly wondered: would it be possible that…
Right after she defeated Galileo in the first half, one of their names might be inscribed in her [Hall of Fame] during the second half?
How was this like the Investiture of the Gods?
Those on the list weren't happy; only the victors avoided it.
Surely, witnessing this, even someone as steady and powerful as Dubai Millennium would be stunned, likely going all out to avoid being ranked in the Pegasus's hall of fame, right?
"Interesting…"
From the prize money to such a scenario, it all suited the Pegasus' taste.
"Alright, let's go!"
"Time to showcase the Hall of Fame special effect, give Dubai Millennium and the others a surprise!"
Thinking this, Platinum stepped out of the room.
Headed for the racecourse, her heart filled with seriousness, knowing that on a heavy track, no opponent was simple; she couldn't afford carelessness.
So…
For the two races, use her two most proficient running styles in order?
Rain-soaked great comeback from behind!
Rain-soaked great front-running dash!
Kazimierz's Idol knight, Platinum of the Armorless Union, was aroused to a serious war.
"...It's Raining."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.