Several hours after the race.
The Golden Maiden Knight pushed the door open and stepped into her room.
Margaret Nearl's first instinct was to turn and glance toward the open wardrobe.
Originally, a dedicated section of the wardrobe had been set aside for two sets of racing outfits: the [White Coat] and the [Silver Knight's Armor].
"After I 'equipped' it, I changed into a different racing outfit."
"So that original white coat must have…"
As Nearl looked over the moment she returned, she saw that familiar white coat hanging right there in the wardrobe.
Just as expected—!
There was no real surprise in Nearl's amber eyes, only a soft sigh of relief.
So after using [Equip] or [Unequip] to switch to another racing outfit, the previous outfit and the current one simply swap places?
That made sense.
Otherwise… would it mean that after one use, the original outfit would vanish entirely, turning into some kind of [disposable racing outfit]?
This "instant outfit change" on the track, complete with shouting a transformation phrase like a Kamen Rider and donning armor in a flash…
This Equip system, along with the subsequent exclusive Pegasus Hall, hadn't diminished Nearl's interest in the upcoming races in the slightest—if anything, it had grown.
But there was something else that had suddenly caught Nearl's attention…
The Pegasus Hall, Sunday Silence, and Manhattan Cafe.
These weren't three separate things, but rather one interconnected matter.
"Back when Centaurea's Pegasus Hall appeared after the Dubai World Cup, even the horse girls who had lost to her before Dubai could still enter the Hall."
"In that case, Sunday Silence will definitely be able to as well."
Nearl remembered it clearly: the reason why Daiwa Scarlet and Manhattan Cafe, who had never raced outside of Japan, gained some international recognition and were occasionally mentioned by racing fans overseas…
Wasn't due to some minor factor—it was 100% because of the Pegasus Hall and their losses to Centaurea!
For the longest time, Manhattan Cafe had occupied a corner spot in the Pegasus Hall. There, in that dim, shadowy corner, paired with her already dark-themed sculpted appearance…
It wasn't just fitting—it was a perfect match.
It wasn't until Centaurea came to Europe, tore through the Coolmore siege, and embarked on a bit of "payback" with a hint of grudges…
That Silver Pegasus Maiden finally revealed her side as an [Assassin] and [Platinum], apprehending and overwhelming Coolmore's Uma Musume in several major races.
Finally, more Uma Musume appeared behind Manhattan Cafe in the Pegasus Hall, pushing her out of the very last place.
So, recently, the discussions about Manhattan Cafe had finally begun to die down.
But now…
Nearl had her own unique, exclusive Hall!
And the latest addition to that Hall, the most recent defeat, was none other than [Sunday Silence]—who looked exactly like Manhattan Cafe!!
You know, usually, even when a top-tier dirt horse girl—say, someone like the Radiant Knight—achieves an impressive victory…
The impact tends to be limited to shaking up the United States, then spreading to a few other countries where dirt racing is popular, and maybe a small part of Europe.
Overall, the reach overseas isn't that broad, generally falling short of the influence of top-tier turf horse girls.
After all, Europe alone has dozens of countries where turf racing is the main event. Most Asian countries also prioritize turf.
Turf and dirt are completely different worlds. Very few places can truly balance both—even when both are developed, resources often tilt one way, creating gaps.
Take the Japanese Uma Musume scene, for example: even the very best dirt Uma Musume in Japanese history have an extremely hard time making it into the [Japanese Hall of Fame] after retirement. But for turf horse girls, winning the Triple Crown or four or more G1 races almost guarantees a spot.
Even in the United States, the heart of dirt racing, turf development isn't strong. It's rare to see American turf horse girls who succeed domestically and go on to win turf G1s overseas.
Turf and dirt are completely different worlds! This is the huge limitation that horse girls specializing in one side face.
Even a turf legend like Symboli Rudolf didn't get much recognition or popularity on American dirt, and dirt horse girls face the same challenge when switching to turf.
That's why Dubai Millennium, as a dual-surface star, made her mark in history—even if she was only world-class on one surface and not quite as versatile as Centaurea!
And Centaurea, who surpassed Dubai Millennium, remains a [White Moonlight] in the eyes of many American dirt racing fans to this day.
Even now, plenty of people are hoping for Centaurea to dominate the dirt! Because as a turf champion, she outright won the dirt G1 Dubai World Cup!
By comparison, even stars like Sea the Stars, who came incredibly close to legend status, or Frankel, the mile-distance monarch, don't come close to Centaurea's popularity and discussion levels in the U.S.
It's precisely because of Centaurea and her Pegasus Hall that Daiwa Scarlet and Manhattan Cafe gained some attention in American dirt racing, which usually pays little mind to foreign horse girls…
So now, with Nearl unlocking her own exclusive Pegasus Hall, wouldn't that… turn things upside down? Completely reverse the dynamic?
And that so-called limitation of dirt racing will be completely shattered by the Radiant Knight, who has never run a turf race in her life!
The golden-haired maiden knight could already imagine it: when she reveals the Pegasus Hall in her next race, it's bound to become an unbelievable storm sweeping across the world.
Not just limited to the countries and regions where dirt racing is strong, as with usual dirt G1s—this will spread through the turf racing world as well!
Because Centaurea's Pegasus Hall has already swept through the turf, achieving fame far and wide in that other "world," paving the way.
And once Nearl, as the last Pegasus, unlocks a Hall different from Centaurea's… in no time at all, she'll have the attention of Japan, Dubai, the UK, France, Australia, and many other countries and regions.
And once they notice, they'll realize—
"Wait, why are you here too?"
"Huh? She's on dirt now as well?"
"First Centaurea, now Nearl?"
"The world's first Uma Musume to appear in two different Pegasus Halls?!"
When they get a clear look at that dark-haired maiden sculpture, their first reaction will likely be shock and disbelief.
Even after they figure out that [Sunday Silence] and [Manhattan Cafe] aren't the same person, or even sisters…
The discussions probably won't die down much.
The Pegasus Hall—this unique topic—will emerge in the next race!
Thinking about this brought a smile to the tall, steady maiden knight's face. She could hardly wait for the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The next race was the [Preakness Stakes], just two short weeks away.
After that would be the final leg of the Triple Crown, the so-called "wall of despair" that stops Triple Crown hopefuls—the [Belmont Stakes]! Many dual-crown winners have met their end here with regretful sighs.
"Well, that makes the next race even more something to look forward to."
With that, Nearl began removing the heavy knight's armor, still damp from the sleet and rain during the race.
Racing outfits have that peculiar effect of negating weight and touch area when Uma Musume are in the backstage, entering the race, or during the winner's podium ceremony.
But even after the winner's ceremony ended, Nearl carried this heavy armor and the weighty lance back.
Even now, she wasn't thinking about resting. Instead, she looked out the window toward the [training ground] below!
'Since I've already "taken the day off," with a closed sign hanging at the clinic.'
'No point sitting around idle. Can't waste time.'
How about…
Starting training right now?
The race had just ended. She'd just won the Kentucky Derby under historically heavy track conditions. Yet on the delicate face of the maiden Nearl, there was no trace of weariness or fatigue.
It was as if she hadn't even raced—as fresh as could be.
Or perhaps… that race…
To the maiden knight named Nearl, it wasn't a test at all. More like a warm-up that left her energized and invigorated!
"I'll take a shower, then start training…"
Before Nearl could finish her soliloquy, her keen hearing—far beyond ordinary—caught the sound of a phone notification from the bedside table.
That was where she kept the phone she used as a doctor.
It looked like some little foreign Uma Musume was about to make a donation?
Training was important, but donations were important too—no doubt about that!
Nearl's desire for victory was etched into her DNA, that was true. But the dark-hearted young doctor's thirst for gold was no different.
Nearl immediately uttered the final whisper.
"Original self, activate!"
--+--
The next moment.
The dark-haired young doctor picked up the phone, glancing down at the lit screen.
Seeing who the message was from, Lin Anran couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise.
It was… Sunday Silence?
That little filly he'd just apprehended in the race as the horse girl not long ago.
Among the little fillies Lin Anran had first gotten to know, Sunday Silence was the most silent and reticent—bar none. Her presence was so faint he'd once mistaken her for Manhattan Cafe, another foreign Uma Musume.
Even after reeling off three straight major victories leading up to the U.S. Triple Crown races, Sunday Silence's popularity still trailed Easy Goer's by a noticeable margin, all because she just didn't have that standout presence.
Heck, chances were, even heading into the next race, the Preakness Stakes, Easy Goer would still be the crowd favorite over Sunday Silence.
But despite that, Lin Anran knew that petite, dark-haired girl—quiet yet fierce—would keep that burning, almost extreme fighting spirit alive. She'd hold onto that passionate, fiery heart for the U.S. Triple Crown.
It was pretty rare to see someone as "unassuming" as Sunday Silence harbor such an insane will to fight. That kind of contrast didn't come around often.
[SundaySilence: Sorry, Dr. Lin, I lost the Kentucky Derby.]
[Sunday Silence: I wanted to come celebrate with you after winning, but I didn't expect Nearl to be that strong.]
Sunday Silence openly admitted her defeat and acknowledged Margaret Nearl's strength.
After all, putting down the opponent who beat you was like putting down yourself—who lost to them—wasn't it?
Especially since the young doctor she had her eye on happened to be Margaret Nearl's [uncle]!
[Sunday Silence: Just you wait, in the upcoming Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.]
[SundaySilence: I will get my revenge. I won't lose to your niece!]
Reading Sunday Silence's messages, Lin Anran smiled faintly.
'So eager for revenge, huh?'
'Not surprising from a little cash cow I've got my eye on. She's definitely got potential.'
But…
The one who'd come out on top would definitely be him!
After all, even as the contracted personal physician for a sponsor Uma Musume, or having treated her major injuries, all he got was a [cut of the race prizes]—a percentage of the winnings.
But if he stepped onto the track himself, he'd get 100%!
No matter how you looked at it, working double duty—putting in extra shifts himself—was way more profitable.
The best-case scenario would be this: his little niece Nearl takes first, while Sunday Silence ends up with the second-highest prize money!
To make that happen, Nearl absolutely couldn't lose.
With his mind made up, the scheming young doctor lowered his head and typed out a reply.
[Lin Anran: Is that so? I have high hopes for you.]
[Lin Anran: But my little niece Margaret… she doesn't like losing, and she won't go down easily.]
[Lin Anran: I'll be looking forward to your performance in the Preakness Stakes.]
Not even a few seconds after he sent his reply, another message from Sunday Silence popped up right away.
Almost as if that whole earlier exchange was just setting the stage for what came next.
[SundaySilence: After such an intense race, and with another tough battle in the Preakness Stakes coming up soon… I'm not sure if my body can handle this level of strain.]
[SundaySilence: How about I come by in a few days for a check-up, Dr. Lin? I hope it won't be too much trouble.]
The petite, dark-haired girl who was usually so quiet and reserved was tentatively feeling out Lin Anran's response.
And when it came to his little cash cow coming over to shower him with gold—well, Lin Anran was always more than happy to welcome that.
But to maintain his "saintly healer" public image, even if he loved the idea, he never openly suggested they come by for check-ups or treatments.
So when they asked on their own… it was absolutely perfect!
Lin Anran reacted instantly, fingers flying across the keyboard.
[LinAnran: It would be my pleasure.]
Hesitating for even a second would've been disrespectful to both Sunday Silence and all that gold!
Well then…
Now all he had to do was wait for Sunday Silence to show up!
--+--
Meanwhile, somewhere else.
Inside a manor, a red-haired twin-tailed young lady wore an expression of sheer disbelief.
Easy Goer, hailed by the public as the "third-generation Big Red Monster," was seen as a super talent poised to carry on the legendary legacy of Man o' War and Secretariat.
But the recently concluded Kentucky Derby had left her shocked and bitterly disappointed.
"Darn it… my Triple Crown dream is over!"
"I can't follow in Senior Secretariat's footsteps anymore!"
Bad news: she couldn't replicate the second-generation Big Red's achievements.
Good news: she could still match the first-generation Big Red's record.
But if she had a choice—any choice at all—Easy Goer would much rather win the Triple Crown, a feat so rare in dirt racing history that you could count them on one hand, rather than just a dual crown, which came around every few years!
Heck, some dual-crown Uma Musume in the U.S. might not even qualify for the Dream Cup, let alone rank among the top twenty in dirt racing history.
Yet Man o' War, also a dual-crown winner, stood above them all—widely recognized as the GOAT, the greatest dirt racer of all time, and the default top favorite to win the [Dream Cup]!
In other words, it wasn't the dual crown that made her legendary—it was Man o' War herself. She was just that exceptional; even without those two crowns, her status would've remained untouchable.
But now, the scarier part was…
Right now, Easy Goer wasn't even sure she could win the next two races. Her confidence in securing a conventional dual crown had taken a serious hit.
"This is… trouble."
"I knew Sunday Silence and Nearl were strong, but I never expected them to be this strong."
The immensely proud Easy Goer never imagined that among the so-called [Big Three], she would be the only one who hadn't mastered a domain!!
"Not only can I not defeat the second Pegasus, Nearl, I can't even secure the spot as the [closest to her]—the runner-up."
"Since Nearl doesn't possess that terrifying [Pegasus Hall] like Platinum does, I should've at least taken second place…"
In Easy Goer's eyes, finishing third—coupled with being the only one without a domain—was a devastating blow to her pride!
Swallowing her frustration, she suddenly thought of something.
"That's right, there's still the post-race interview…"
"Let me see what questions Nearl answered."
Suddenly setting aside her turbulent emotions, Easy Goer pulled out her phone.
She navigated to the official race website and found the post-Kentucky Derby winner's interview video.
Soon, she heard Nearl's responses.
"Sunday Silence performed quite well—a worthy opponent. I look forward to facing her again…"
"Easy Goer was a bit unlucky. I believe in our next matchup, on a fairer track, she'll show a more graceful…"
The first question was about her impressions of racing against Easy Goer and Sunday Silence.
For Sunday Silence, it was "performed well," "worthy opponent," and even looking forward to a rematch?
But for Easy Goer, it was "a bit unlucky"??
In Easy Goer's view, Uma Musume shouldn't rely on luck.
Having better adaptability to heavy tracks, conquering harsh conditions—that was a skill in itself, not luck!
She wasn't the type to blame her losses on track conditions, environment, or distance.
If she couldn't do it, the problem lay with her. A truly excellent Uma Musume should overcome any adverse conditions and seize victory.
Those negative factors—track, environment—should only affect the winning margin, not determine the outcome!
"Take the legendary [Pegasus Platinum], for example. Even when trapped, she delivered a world-shocking victory by over thirty lengths—an [Awe-Inspiring Domination]."
"And facing nearly legendary performance from Sea the Stars on an ultra-heavy track, despite environmental interference and the toughest opponent, she still won by a dozen lengths."
"I really… am not on their level."
Bitter but resigned, Easy Goer continued watching the rest of the interview.
[About the "challenge" from Ruffian…]
[Not "we," but "I" will be waiting for her!]
[My goal is… to defeat Ruffian, Flightline, and Secretariat.]
[And to win—the Dream Cup.]
After reading that final answer—so domineering, brimming with confidence—Easy Goer was completely stunned.
But the next second, her crimson eyes blazed with concentrated fighting spirit, reaching near-insane intensity.
"I have to make Nearl understand—the Triple Crown… is no easy feat!"
But before that—
Easy Goer looked down at her legs, feeling an unexplained weariness and discomfort.
Maybe she should go get a check-up first?
"Oh, right, I heard… Margaret Nearl has an uncle?"
--+--
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.