(I got Scarlet Christmas in 64 pulls, she really looks good in that. But is she good in race though?)
After Mejiro Dober's winning live performance ended, the Goodwood Racecourse officials still hadn't announced the final detailed margin of lengths for the Nassau Stakes. According to the staff,
"This is the first time we've seen such a large margin of lengths, so we need to make a comprehensive judgment based on replays from various angles to get the most accurate result possible."
Shuta An didn't encounter any strange questions in the post-race interview, and the interview session ended uneventfully.
"Today's reporters were quite sensible."
The young man commented to Teio after leaving the media area.
"They didn't ask any questions that would make Ann uncomfortable? Like about my next race or something?"
Tokai Teio raised her eyebrows.
"Indeed, they didn't ask. Anyway, everyone knows it's the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, so asking now would just be wasting a question."
Shuta An took her hand and started walking.
"They should rather think carefully about what questions to ask us in France in early October."
"It's nothing but pre-race preparations, how I view other opponents." Teio pouted. "Basically, those are all the questions. It wouldn't be good for me to answer privacy questions, would it?"
The young man couldn't comfort her about this.
After the winning live performance ended and Mejiro Dober came off the stage, she saw Teio and the young man and simply linked her other arm with his.
"Let's head back to Ascot!"
"We do need to go back early, otherwise it will be hard to catch the ride back."
Shuta could feel Mejiro Dober's strong grip and quickly spoke.
"Let's go, let's go. We still need to have a small celebration for Dober-senpai back at the hotel."
Teio, completely oblivious, suggested with a cheerful smile.
"Actually, I feel quite surreal." Mejiro Dober gently shook her head, sighing softly. "It feels like I didn't exert much effort in this race, and I just won it like that."
"The strength of the opponents in the Nassau Stakes was inherently low."
Shuta An explained at this point. "If I didn't let Dober enjoy herself, I'm very sorry."
"It's okay." Mejiro Dober's free hand pressed against her lover's chest. "Ann just needs to work harder tonight."
Teio's cheeks flushed red. Her senior mentioning this topic immediately reminded her of the past few nights' interactions.
"The pressure from Dober and Teio combined isn't even as great as Suzuka's."
Shuta muttered to himself.
—
In the early morning, after gazing at the sleeping faces of Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio, the young man yawned and soon fell into a dream.
Tonight, Shuta An arrived at Saratoga Race Course in the eastern United States, where he was to challenge the Personal Ensign Stakes with Hokuto Vega.
As a G1 dirt 1800-meter major race, the first favorite for this race was, of course, Hokuto Vega, who had achieved a dominant victory in her previous race, while the second favorite was Sky Beauty. Link River, the third favorite, had odds that soared to over 20 times.
Only 6 horses were confirmed to participate in this race, and one day before the race, the least popular Miss Pocket Court announced her withdrawal due to foot discomfort, leaving only 5 horses to compete.
"With such a small number of entries, it would be unforgivable not to contend for the leading position, wouldn't it?"
Shuta An muttered to himself.
On the day of the Personal Ensign Stakes, Saratoga Race Course was to host 9 races, and Shuta An casually selected a Maiden Race, also a dirt 1800-meter race, to get a feel for running.
He then rode Alpstein, who had only managed a fifth-place finish in her previous three Maiden Race, easily leading from start to finish, reconfirming that in subsequent races, he needed to contend for a front-running position.
"Playing a hold-up tactic on American dirt tracks is, for the most part, asking for trouble, and it's quite clear that today's Saratoga falls within that majority."
—
Steve Cauthen, in Sky Beauty's saddle, shared Shuta An's view. He also intended to have Sky Beauty contend for the leading position.
"Shuta An must be thinking the same thing."
Steve Cauthen looked at the young man, who was also sitting in the waiting room for the Personal Ensign Stakes.
Although both were considered world-class jockeys, Steve Cauthen had started his career earlier and won more G1 races, but he absolutely dared not underestimate Shuta An. After all, if they were to compare their top honors, Shuta An's victories in several top European G1 races, and his Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic were enough to make Steve Cauthen, who had yet to win a single Breeders Cup Classic, envious to death.
"Hokuto Vega is also an incredibly strong opponent, and her compatibility with Shuta An is excellent. The only chance to contend for the leading position lies in us starting from starting gate 1, while Hokuto Vega starts from starting gate 3."
Steve Cauthen narrowed his eyes, making up his mind.
"It's impossible to defeat Shuta An without leading. Leading might cause both Sky Beauty and Hokuto Vega to burn out their stamina, making it difficult for Sky Beauty to perform, and even lose the race, but I don't think that would be harder to accept than being beaten by Hokuto Vega again."
Shuta An turned to look at Steve Cauthen at this moment. He had just caught a sense of danger, coming from this direction.
"Is Sky Beauty's main jockey trying to make SkyBeauty and Hokuto Vega self-destruct by fighting for the lead?"
The young man muttered to himself after turning his head back.
"If that's the case, then let her lead. As long as I stay close, it won't be a problem. Hokuto Vega's explosive power is still very strong."
Unlike the straightforward Steve Cauthen, Shuta An had more considerations, which made him unwilling to make a decision that could result in a complete loss. Especially considering that the Personal Ensign Stakes was not the kind of race where Hokuto Vega should go all out for victory.
—
When the staff of Saratoga Race Course informed the jockeys to go to the waiting area to meet their partners, Shuta An stood up first and was the first to walk out.
The August sun in Saratoga was scorching. After walking out of the cool jockey waiting room, Shuta An could feel his jockey silks clinging to his body within a minute.
As a jockey in the Dream World, the young man naturally maintained an excellent physique, and when he walked to the waiting area, he could hear the screams of female spectators from the stands.
He could even see female fans who had traveled from Japan holding Japanese cheering banners.
"Shuta-kun is so popular."
Hokuto Vega's Groom also saw the banner and couldn't help but say enviously.
"Ah haha…"
Shuta An gave an awkward laugh.
In the Dream World, he had no intention of dating. He was grateful for the support of these female fans, but he had no further thoughts.
(In 1994, Personal Ensign Stakes was not the name of the race, but it was John Morris A. Handicap)