Satsuki Sho looms; Rice and Tanhoiza grind daily with 5x Shinzan irons. Minamisaka tweaks for stayers—weight isn't everything. Rampage trusts him; she's no stayer.
"What now..."
Arc de Triomphe rematch awaits. May-June races possible for prep—Victoria Mile or Kashima Memorial likely.
"Call?" Nature asks, eyeing Rampage from the sofa, where she lounges regally, Turbo gaming on her lap like a sister.
"Satsuki Sho commentary gig."
"Ah, event stuff," Nature nods, familiar with local gigs.
"Should've been Sakura Sho. Why us for Satsuki? We're Triple Tiara."
"Teio or Ryan fit better," Turbo adds.
"Got rejected?" Nature guesses.
Backup plan, then. Rampage's streaming savvy makes her a talker, but Turbo's unfit. Sakura Sho would've made sense.
"Commentary means neutral. Can't cheer. No way. Rice and Tanhoiza need support."
"Rice… wants Sis's cheers," Rice mumbles.
"Me too! I'd cheer anyway!" Turbo grins.
"Totally would," Ticket laughs.
Turbo's predictable chaos earns odd trust.
"Satsuki odds?" Nature points to the newspaper: Mihono Bourbon favored, Rice second, Tanhoiza third.
"Bourbon first? Rice broke Hopeful Stakes' record!" Laurel protests.
"Bourbon beat Tanhoiza, same team as Rice. That's why—hopeful math," Rampage sips Air Groove's tea. "Good brew."
"Thanks, Mom'll love hearing."
"Fair odds. Rice's undefeated, matches Bourbon. But Bourbon's got Tanhoiza's scalp, so they bet she'll top Rice. Still, Bourbon's legit."
Bourbon's undefeated, an escape artist. Eyes liken her to Rampage, Turbo—hopes for a new Triple Crown stir.
"Middle distance is our turf. We'll win!" Air Groove cheers.
"Thanks! Futurity Stakes revenge!" Tanhoiza pumps.
"Ei, ei, mun!" Rice echoes.
Rampage sips, warmed but wary. Middle distance suits stayers, but 2000m's short for them. Bourbon thrives there. Strategy's key.
"No easy win. Bring it."
"Yes!" Rice nods.
"I'll do it!" Tanhoiza vows.
Canopus rallies, Rampage included. Yet, Bourbon's growth outpaces Rice and Tanhoiza's, she senses.
"Yo, Tressen's dragon uncle, delivery!"
"Stop that. I'm legit," Kuronuma grumbles.
"Your look screams otherwise."
"Fair. I'll stop."
Kuronuma ordered via Minamisaka; Rampage delivered.
"Dubai was ace. I'll go overseas someday," Kuronuma says.
"Sweet. This for that?" Rampage hands over new Shinzan irons.
Bourbon's current irons—6x—crash heavily. New ones: 7x, rivaling Ikuno's. Scary junior. Kuronuma's training and Bourbon's synergy skyrocket efficiency.
"Run 2000m, shave 2 seconds," Kuronuma orders.
"As Master commands," Bourbon bolts, testing irons.
Rampage watches; Kuronuma times. Result: exact target time.
"Cool down, do it," Kuronuma says.
Bourbon grips stopwatch, starts it—internal clock training.
"You caught that?" Kuronuma's sharp gaze pierces. "Tell Minamisaka: Bourbon's taking the Triple Crown."
"Gonna be a wild year…"
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