The chestnut-haired girl was beginning to feel a faint sense of bewilderment.
Just moments ago, she had heard her sister, Galileo, announce her decision to switch from the [Breeders' Cup Classic] she had originally intended to challenge to the more suitable [Breeders' Cup Turf]. The younger sister had even nodded in approval.
After all, turf was Galileo's forte, and middle distances were her domain.
Among the many Grade 1 races of the Breeders' Cup, the [Breeders' Cup Turf] was the pinnacle of turf racing, with prize money even higher than most dirt G1s.
This clearly showed that the American racing authorities were keen on developing turf racing, hence maintaining such high purses. Yet, despite this, homegrown American Uma Musume still preferred competing in major dirt races.
Even Dubai Millennium, an excellent dual-surface Uma Musume, when she raced overseas in Dubai, chose a dirt race among the many options, not a turf race!
So, it was obvious. Among the many Breeders' Cup G1s, the [Breeders' Cup Turf] was one with high prize money, significant official investment, and comparatively lower difficulty!
If Galileo could win this [Breeders' Cup Turf] impressively, it would absolutely serve as the perfect finishing touch to her career!
The legendary Dancing Brave had famously stumbled in this very race, suffering an unexpected defeat.
If Galileo could win, it would be a significant achievement—avenging a legendary European senior—and the difficulty wasn't even that high!
All in all, no matter how you looked at it, it was an excellent choice.
But then why…
Why did her sister Galileo's expression turn so grim after ending the call confirming her entry, as she looked down at her phone?
"Sis, did something happen?"
"You're not looking too good."
The perplexed chestnut-haired girl spoke up directly, hoping to get to the bottom of it straight from Galileo.
But even after her question, she could only watch as Galileo's exquisite, charming face remained frozen in a daze for a good while.
Finally…
Galileo wordlessly held out her phone towards Sea the Stars.
The chestnut-haired girl took it immediately and looked at the screen, curious what could possibly stun a world-class, hugely famous European Uma Musume like her sister into such a state.
[Platinum announces entry into the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile!!]
"Huh?"
"What?"
"??"
This time, it was Sea the Stars' turn to be stunned.
Galileo, heading overseas for her retirement race, had avoided Nearl… only to run straight into Platinum?!
No way, sis…
Isn't this… just a tiny bit unlucky?
"Wait, Platinum actually chose to challenge the Breeders' Cup?"
"Then you, sis…"
Sea the Stars didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but being quite perceptive, she held back from bluntly calling it 'unlucky.'
Besides…
"You and Platinum really are fated, aren't you?"
"When it comes to the number of races against Platinum, you're definitely the one who's faced her the most in the world."
Back when Platinum hadn't yet reached such heights, losing to her was undeniably a mark of shame for the esteemed lady of the Sea family, Galileo.
But as Platinum's legendary feats grew more and more exaggerated, firmly placing her atop the world and into the history books…
As the only Uma Musume with more than one statue in the Pegasus Hall of Fame, the frequency with which Galileo was mentioned by Platinum's fans wasn't much lower than that of a certain Crimson Queen, Daiwa Scarlet, who was famous for a legendary five-length victory.
"If I lose to Platinum in this race too, and if I still finish second…"
"That would mean a third statue of me going up."
A deeply conflicted Galileo gritted her teeth.
But she'd already declared her entry. She couldn't just see Platinum was also participating and immediately announce a withdrawal, could she?
Galileo would never live down the shame!
Moreover, the current Platinum was an existence who had surpassed Eclipse and defeated legends, a monster whose story would be passed down as myth.
For her and Platinum to meet in her first [International G1] and then retire together in what was, for both, their final [International G1]… that wasn't just fate…
It was downright cursed fate!
But she was committed now, entry declared. Losing to Platinum wasn't a disgrace anymore; in fact, it was now considered an honor by some world-class Uma Musume.
As for those proud Uma Musume who didn't consider second place or a Hall of Fame statue an honor, most didn't believe they could beat Platinum anyway, preferring to avoid certain defeat rather than face it.
So, in a way, it was practically—[Enemies either flee from Platinum's presence, or are utterly defeated!]
But now, Galileo had already entered. Backing out now felt just as shameful.
Rather than disrupt her own plans… better to accept reality.
So—face the Pegasus once more!!
"Where it began, is where it shall end!"
Galileo clenched her fist. At worst, it was just one more loss. She was used to it by now!
Besides, losing to the Pegasus, Platinum, was no disgrace. In fact, it had even become… an honor.
Some retired, top-tier Uma Musume even made sure to mention it specifically when their careers were evaluated!
[—In the XXX Stakes, finished second to Platinum, honored with induction into the Pegasus Hall of Fame.]
Her fiery gaze was fixed on the Breeders' Cup Turf and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Since Platinum this time… had chosen the same challenge method as in the Dubai World Cup—taking on one turf G1 and one dirt G1 on the same day!
Galileo remembered clearly, back in Dubai, she was the first to be 'interrogated,' with Dubai Millennium getting her turn next.
And precisely because, at that time, Platinum had first defeated her on turf, and should have been at her absolute limit, utterly exhausted…
The Pegasus Platinum still unleashed her unique 'domain' effect and defeated the immensely talented Dubai Millennium in the eyes of the American audience, becoming an overnight sensation across the US.
That single race made her the most famous turf Uma Musume in the dirt racing world of the past decade!
"This time… the only silver lining is…"
"It's reversed. I'm in the later race now."
This time, Platinum would first challenge the dirt G1, then take on the turf G1, the Breeders' Cup Turf, against her.
But as if remembering something, Galileo let out a soft sigh.
"No, wait, that's not really good news either, is it?"
For a Uma Musume with the goal and ability to try and defeat Platinum, facing her in the later race, when she was bound to be depleted, would be preferable.
But… Galileo had pretty much given up hope. This clever, charismatic 'Queen of Europe' knew in her heart that her chances of successfully getting revenge on the Pegasus were probably about the same as the chances of a Japanese Uma Musume other than Platinum winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Maybe even lower!
Long before this Breeders' Cup, Galileo had… been stabbed in the back three times!
To be precise, pierced by Platinum's arrows three times!
That record of defeat, coupled with the fact that even her own sister Sea the Stars—who had beaten her soundly—got utterly demolished by a huge margin, left Galileo with no will for revenge.
So, having already accepted the extreme difficulty of revenge and the high probability of another loss, obviously losing to a fresh, energetic Platinum in the first race would be better. The shame of defeat wouldn't feel as strong.
Losing in the second race, however, carried more pressure. Platinum was the only Uma Musume in the world to have attempted two G1s in one day! Losing in that second race would highlight an absolute gap!
"At the very least, Platinum's condition in the second race definitely won't be as good as in the first."
"Sis, you have a chance to keep the margin to single-digit lengths!"
"If you can manage that, and surpass Daiwa Scarlet, you might even become a legendary [Phantom Super Uma Musume King]!"
The chestnut-haired Sea the Stars suppressed a smile and offered serious encouragement.
"Anyway, do your best!!"
Unconsciously, the goal for top turf Uma Musume had shifted from surpassing the Pegasus to…
—Surpassing Daiwa Scarlet!!
But Platinum only had this one [Breeders' Cup] left before retirement.
Could anyone really do it? Could anyone break Daiwa Scarlet's record?!
"...Alright, I'll give it my all."
--+--
Noon.
Flightline was wearing an apron, like a diligent wife, carrying a plate of steaming hot food.
Seated at the table was Ruffian, a Uma Musume quite a bit smaller and more petite in build than her.
If only Flightline were a bit more mature and curvaceous, and if a certain black-hearted young doctor were also sitting here…
Anyone who didn't know they were Uma Musume might mistake them for a "family of three" in a photo.
No, perhaps Flightline didn't need to be more mature to be seen as part of a family of three; the difference would be whether she and Ruffian were seen as "mother and daughter" or as "sisters."
"Dr. Lin isn't back yet?"
"Did he reopen his clinic? Does he have a patient to treat?"
Ruffian, holding her rice bowl, glanced curiously at the empty seat opposite.
Because of the slip-up she and Flightline had made a few days ago, that accidental… 'nocturnal visit' to Dr. Lin…
Things had devolved into this current complex, awkward, and flimsy surveillance.
Good news: Dr. Lin was in very good health. No need to worry about him getting injured from, ahem, 'horseplay' and ending up in the hospital where other 'thieving cats' might notice something was wrong!
Bad news: Dr. Lin's health was a bit too good. It was Ruffian and Flightline whose bodies were the first to struggle to keep up. And as a result… the sharp-nosed Secretariat seemed to have caught on early!
Was this good news or bad news?
"Right now, we should just be prepared."
"I'm afraid Dr. Lin... might not be coming back."
In an offhand tone, Flightline dropped this bombshell, causing the stunned Ruffian beside her to drop her chopsticks.
"??"
"Huh? Why?"
Flightline, who had already walked over and set the plate on the table, let out a soft sigh.
"That Secretariat... she's probably already figured it out."
These words immediately made Ruffian anxious.
"Then why did you still let Dr. Lin go back to the clinic, Flightline? Isn't that like sending a lamb into the tiger's den?"
Flightline shook her head.
"No. If Dr. Lin wasn't at the clinic, the chance of Secretariat noticing something wrong would be one hundred percent."
"Besides, even if she has figured it out, she can't exactly savor Dr. Lin's presence for long. Secretariat can't split her focus, her body... couldn't handle it."
"After all, the Breeders' Cup is right around the corner. To pursue victory, she has to practice some restraint."
The clever literary girl had already pieced it all together.
"Look at it this way—at least we aren't at a disadvantage. The time we get to spend with Dr. Lin will definitely be longer than what Secretariat gets right now."
"For now, let's just let Dr. Lin suffer a bit, able to look but not touch."
This explanation made Ruffian's expression freeze stiff. After a moment of silence, she wordlessly picked up her bowl and started shoveling food into her mouth.
She chose to use eating to hide her sorrow.
Even Ruffian, who could be a bit of a space cadet and was slower on the uptake, knew that Flightline's words weren't just nonsense. This was the reality.
The current Secretariat was the only super Uma Musume among the active racers who had yet to be defeated by Nearl.
And for Secretariat, her primary goal had to be—[Winning the Breeders' Cup Classic and defeating The Radiant Knight, Nearl]!
The reasoning was simple. That Big Red Monster had an enormous appetite; she was surely 'gluttonous' enough to want [I'll take it all]!
Secretariat wanted to win the [Lin Anran Cup], and she wanted to win the Breeders' Cup, defeat Nearl, and become the [Greatest Dirt Race Uma Musume of All Time]!
Everyone knew that without defeating Margaret Nearl, no matter how many regular G1 races you won, you couldn't become the undisputed greatest of all time.
Man o' War, the original Big Red Monster, set the precedent right there—with an outstanding race record, immense influence, plus the advantages of era and time, there would never be a shortage of audiences who 'worshipped the past'.
And Margaret Nearl, coming later, had even defeated the legendary Flightline, enough to negate Secretariat's advantage of having raced one more year.
A real dilemma—Ancients ahead, newcomers behind!
Ahead, the towering figure of Man o' War was hard to surpass; behind, The Radiant Knight threatened to surpass everything!
This was... the immense predicament Secretariat currently faced.
And the [Lin Anran Cup] went without saying—it was definitely a marathon, not a sprint.
In comparison, the races that would decide the greatest Uma Musume of all time could only be the upcoming [Breeders' Cup Classic], and that legendary [Dream Cup].
Those were the only two opportunities!
And Uma Musume races emphasized seizing the moment, especially between Uma Musume both at their peak. Once a winner was decided in an official race...
In subsequent matchups, the Uma Musume who had won before usually had a slightly higher chance of winning again. This was common knowledge.
To pursue ultimate victory, and that title of greatest of all time, Secretariat must be filled with a terrifying desire to win the Breeders' Cup. She wouldn't be thinking something like 'if I lose the Breeders' Cup, there's still the Dream Cup'!
Both Ruffian and Flightline knew perfectly well what kind of Uma Musume Secretariat was.
That Big Red Monster, with a competitive drive fierce as demons and gods, always loathed the feeling of defeat, treating every single race as one she absolutely must win!
With The Radiant Knight Nearl shining so brightly, if Secretariat wanted victory... she simply had to prioritize training.
"Nearl isn't an Uma Musume she can defeat while splitting her focus."
"Not just Secretariat, but even Eclipse herself, or the Pegasus Platinum, wouldn't have that qualification, right?"
When it came to Nearl, who had defeated her, Flightline held back not a shred of praise, offering only the highest compliments.
Therefore, Flightline had guessed what would follow.
What else would that Big Red dare to do, aside from covering Dr. Lin in drool and maybe leaving a hickey?
This was exactly why Flightline could remain so utterly composed!
Absolutely no lewdness allowed before defeating Margaret Nearl!
"W-wait a second?"
Ruffian suddenly put down her rice bowl, as if she'd thought of something.
"Flightline, you're also entering the Dream Cup, right?"
Ruffian's question prompted a nod from Flightline.
"So that means, to prepare for the Dream Cup from now on!"
"Both Secretariat and you are forbidden from lewdness, right?"
Then, the petite girl's lips curled up slightly at the corners as she continued.
"But I'm different!"
"I'm not ranked in the top twenty historically, I can't enter the Dream Cup!"
Ruffian, who also possessed a strong competitive spirit, felt surprisingly little regret or frustration at this moment.
Instead, she felt an inexplicable, secret delight.
"So, Dr. Lin will be rewarded by me from now on!"
"After all, we're allies. I'll work hard, covering your share too!"
The seemingly delicate, intelligent girl's expression froze stiff.
She hadn't expected this ditzy Ruffian to suddenly get clever, to extrapolate like this?
"Is this 'hard work' of yours... of the yellow variety, or the green variety?"
"Ehehe?"
Wrong on reason, bold on attitude!
--+--
Japan.
Within Tracen Academy.
Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black were watching a [Training Match] on the training field.
It featured a buxom Uma Musume with crimson twin tails, and a youthful-looking girl with black hair and a white star marking on her forehead.
"As expected of Daiwa Scarlet-senpai."
"She looks so effortless, she defeated Equinox so easily."
Satono Diamond voiced her admiration, watching the two figures near the finish line with great interest.
Daiwa Scarlet!
Equinox!
The former was the Crimson Queen, already famous throughout Japan and even enjoying considerable popularity overseas thanks to a certain Pegasus.
The latter was a currently unknown future rising star, a young rookie Uma Musume who somewhat idolized Kitasan Black and Daiwa Scarlet.
Although Equinox was still a talent yet to reach her classic year, in the eyes of Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black, she very likely had the potential to be the next generation's supernova!
The future strongest in Japan seemed a bit distant and uncertain now, but Equinox perhaps possessed the qualifications and potential for it.
And the current Daiwa Scarlet, clearly not going all out, had defeated Equinox with ease.
"And that's... sure enough, another easy victory by five lengths!"
After this exclamation, just as Kitasan Black beside her was about to go comfort the junior rookie Equinox...
Suddenly, Satono Diamond, who had just taken out her phone, saw a message that left her utterly dumbfounded.
It was global news, a bombshell that had already piqued the interest of audiences, fans, and active and retired Uma Musume across the world's racing circles.
[Pegasus Platinum Announces Run in the US Breeders' Cup, Aiming to Replicate Her Same-Day Double Crown Myth!]
"Eh?! Ehh?!"
"Kita-chan, the news about Platinum-san's retirement race is out!"
Kitasan Black's body halted, her footsteps stopping dead.
"What? Which race?"
"Huff... huff..."
Satono Diamond's small face was already flushed crimson with anticipation and excitement.
"Do you remember the famous scene that made the Pegasus famous worldwide back then?"
Hearing this, Kitasan Black immediately replied.
"Pegasus-san's famous scene? That was... the 'Look Back' Galileo?"
"Not that one. It's... the same-day double crown scene!"
"Wha? Not just one race? The Dubai World Cup? Is Platinum-san recreating her Dubai run?!"
Kitasan Black's lively tail started wagging. She balled her fists, overcome with joy.
Two races!
Another same-day double!
Didn't that mean they could... see an awesome fight again?!
"Come on, let's hurry and get ready to buy tickets. This will definitely be even harder to get than for the Queen Anne Stakes!"
The two youngsters left together, already putting the just-finished training match between Daiwa Scarlet and Equinox out of their minds.
The Breeders' Cup was about to begin!
--+--
Time flew by.
USA, the day of the Breeders' Cup.
Inside Secretariat's house.
The crimson-haired girl was coolly observing her winning outfit-clad self in the mirror.
Beside her stood the black-haired young doctor.
"Dr. Lin, I'll make you see that I am the strongest."
"Now, let's go together."
But a certain black-hearted young doctor's expression froze.
Wait a second, he hadn't transformed yet! He couldn't very well transform right in front of Secretariat, could he?
--+--
T/N: might be the first time seeing Equinox mentioned in an Uma Musume fanfic
--+--
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.
There should be... around 70+ advanced chapters?
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.