The Belmont Stakes, the final and most grand celebration of America's Triple Crown.
An hour or two before the race was set to begin.
On a training field, a tall, stunning beauty with cascading crimson hair gazed with deep scarlet eyes at a younger, smaller junior standing before her, nodding in satisfaction.
"Excellent, your condition is perfect right now."
"This will be the strongest race of your career so far."
"Without a doubt, you now have what it takes to compete even against the conventional Triple Crown Uma Musume."
Hailed as the strongest of her generation, with potential to challenge for the title of greatest in history, the second-generation Big Red Monster was offering Easy Goer exceptionally high praise.
That is to say, the current Easy Goer had improved to the point where she could rival past champions who had won the Belmont Stakes, or even the entire American Triple Crown!
To put it further, Easy Goer's performance in the upcoming race might surpass that of most Belmont winners—it was bound to be an outstanding display.
Such high praise was certainly not empty encouragement.
The current Easy Goer had recovered from her injuries, completely treated by a certain unscrupulous young doctor, and was back to full health.
Not only that, but she had also managed to avoid the second leg, the Preakness Stakes, during her treatment period.
In other words, the notoriously grueling and battle-intensive [Five-Week Triple Crown] schedule had become, for Easy Goer, a [Five-Week Double Crown]!
She had over a full month of rest in between!
Compared to Nearl, Sunday Silence, and past generations of Triple Crown Uma Musume, who only had two weeks to rest and prepare, this was an abundance of time—a huge advantage for Easy Goer's conditioning and strength development.
Two weeks versus five weeks—they were entirely different concepts. One side would struggle just to maintain form and peak condition, while the other could train all-out and reach new heights.
And that wasn't all. Easy Goer had also been incredibly fortunate to secure Secretariat, the Big Red Monster herself, as her mentor.
Perhaps Secretariat, as an Uma Musume and a senior, couldn't provide the steady, gradual improvement plans of a regular trainer.
But when it came to squeezing every last drop of potential from the body in a short time, pushing every possible avenue of growth to its absolute limit in the short term—in this, Secretariat was undoubtedly far stronger than any regular trainer!
Because she was the acknowledged strongest dirt-track Uma Musume of the present day, and she could pinpoint the flaws in Easy Goer's racing from an Uma Musume's perspective.
Not only that, Secretariat could also step onto the track herself, switching from instructor to senior, and show Easy Goer what a dirt-track legend looked like in practice races.
She could identify weaknesses, conduct one-on-one training matches that bordered on torture, and even chase her down in a Jeep!
Taken together, these were things most regular trainers simply couldn't do. After all, trainers were a dime a dozen, replaceable and endless.
But a true legend? That was a once-in-a-century phenomenon, rarer than a national treasure.
And now… the third-generation Big Red Monster was about to face Nearl again, seeking to complete her revenge.
To make the training as effective and rewarding as possible, Easy Goer had chosen extreme, intensive methods, asking Senior Secretariat for help.
It wasn't stable or safe, not gradual—unsuitable for the long-term career of an Uma Musume.
But it was extreme enough to support the quick, short-term power boost Easy Goer wanted most right now, giving her a chance to challenge, even surpass, that Radiant Knight!
Now, judging by Secretariat's calm delivery of such high praise, the results were clearly outstanding!
"This should be… my best chance to defeat Nearl, right?"
"Senior Secretariat, I feel like I've caught up to her!"
Easy Goer, brimming with confidence like Sakura Haruno from Naruto, spoke with unwavering determination.
"No matter what, I have to win!"
The crimson-haired girl gritted her silver teeth, her heart filled with resolve.
For Easy Goer, the Belmont Stakes was a race she absolutely had to win, no matter what.
"Easy Goer, this is indeed your last chance to defeat her. You must seize it."
Secretariat frankly voiced her opinion.
The final opportunity!
"Senior Man o' War said it herself—Nearl is someone who could rival me, with the potential to surpass her."
"Don't underestimate Nearl. Don't forget when I ascended to legend—she absolutely has the potential to replicate that."
In other words, Secretariat acknowledged Easy Goer's strength and talent, but as for who was stronger, who was more likely to win…
Last year's Belmont Stakes was when Secretariat ascended to legend, and also the long-awaited moment when Dr. Lin arrived.
Although, in the end, Dr. Lin Anran, in a display of medical ethics, went to treat the fallen Sham first…
But in terms of victory, Secretariat was utterly successful, becoming the fastest Uma Musume in history to ascend to legend—a terrifying winning machine who shattered nearly every record.
And Man o' War, during her commentary at the Preakness Stakes, clearly stated that Nearl could rival both of them, the two generations of Big Reds!
So, in this Belmont Stakes, they couldn't just view that Radiant Knight as an outstanding, extraordinary Belmont champion—they had to treat Nearl as… a super monster on par with Secretariat, capable of breaking century-old records!
Replication, ascension to legend—all were possible!
"I understand!"
The crimson-haired girl's expression was cold, brimming with authority.
"Wait for my good news!"
With that, Easy Goer, as a competitor, prepared to set off first.
But the next moment—
The long-legged figure beside her also began to move.
"Huh?"
"Senior Secretariat, you… you're heading out this early too?"
In Easy Goer's impression, this second-generation Big Red senior was usually somewhat lazy and lethargic outside of races.
She had an intense desire to win during competitions, but outside of them, she couldn't be bothered to move.
When pushing her during training, she even lazily drove a Jeep, almost entering "Dual Crutches Tyrant" mode with a pair of canes!
So why was Senior Secretariat leaving early now? Shouldn't she be cutting it close?
As Easy Goer felt slightly puzzled, she received a response that left her incredulous.
"Because… I'm the guest commentator for this race."
"???"
She was still an active Uma Musume!
And yet, she could appear on stage as a guest commentator, just like those retired, historically renowned senior Uma Musume?
Well… it made sense!
After legendary seniors like Seabiscuit and Man o' War had served as guest commentators for the first two legs.
With an Uma Musume potentially aiming for the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes would gain immense value. Since the same commentator couldn't do all three legs, and the influence and status had to be comparable…
As the newest legend on the dirt track, Secretariat was inevitably the only choice, becoming the first active Uma Musume to serve as a temporary guest commentator.
'Senior Secretariat… I misjudged her. I thought her Jeep training was strange.'
'But even though she's lazy, she's willing to commentate—she must want to witness the showdown between me, the third-generation Big Red, and Nearl with her own eyes!'
Suddenly, Easy Goer was deeply moved.
'The Jeep training must have had its deeper meaning! I'll have to do the same when I train my own juniors in the future.'
'This race, I have to win it! I can't let down Senior Secretariat's expectations, especially since she specially came to commentate!'
Clenching her fist, the third-generation Big Red Miss felt her thirst for victory peak at that moment.
Meanwhile, the tall girl, Secretariat, starting off as well, was thinking calmly with a touch of anticipation.
This was the final leg of the Triple Crown.
This was her little niece's most important race before the Dream Cup, perhaps of her entire career!
Indeed, the current Secretariat already tacitly assumed that Nearl, even in her classic year, could rank within the top twenty in American history and was destined to reach the Dream Cup.
Even… possibly as a contender threatening her own titles, a worthy and powerful rival.
For Nearl, this was both her chance to claim the Triple Crown and potentially her ascension to legend—immensely significant and valuable.
As Margaret Nearl's uncle, a certain young doctor definitely knew this.
'Dr. Lin, he'll definitely come, right?'
'When he does, he'll surely be surprised to see me on the commentary stage.'
'After the commentary work, maybe I can ask Dr. Lin out for a meal…'
The two generations of Big Reds headed toward the racetrack together, each with their own thoughts!
--+--
A short while later.
A golden-haired girl in a white coat stepped into the racetrack.
Behind her, a massive crowd of spectators erupted into countless cheers and words of support.
"Nearl!! Nearl!! Nearl!!"
"You can't fall here like other dual-crown Uma Musume have!"
"Believe in Nearl and Platinum's pegasus bond—she'll surely win the Triple Crown just like Platinum did!"
"This is reporter Yu Wenbo reporting live—current top favorite Margaret Nearl has arrived…"
"I believe the third-generation Big Red will make a glorious comeback and achieve her revenge!"
"Rejoice, for the greatest Triple Crown Uma Musume in history will be born today at the Belmont Stakes!"
As Nearl had just entered the racetrack…
Before long, she paused slightly in surprise.
Because the various discussions and cheers behind her had shifted, filled with astonishment.
"Huh? The second and third-generation Big Reds came together?"
"Both entering through the official entrance? Miss Secretariat… what is she here for? Definitely not to compete, that's for sure."
"Could it be that, even before retiring, she's following in Seabiscuit's footsteps, preparing to join the official racing organization?"
"Does it even need saying? She's definitely here as a guest commentator!"
Hearing this, an intrigued Nearl stopped completely, turning around to wait for a moment.
Just a short while later, Nearl spotted two familiar figures.
One was tall, lazy yet imposing—a contradictory blend of mature woman and young girl.
The other was the incredibly popular young girl she had defeated at the Kentucky Derby.
Secretariat, and Easy Goer?!
At the same time, as Secretariat and Easy Goer entered, their gazes locked onto the knightly girl carrying a sword and lance standing ahead of them.
It's worth noting that Nearl's eyes landed on Secretariat first.
Her orange eyes met Secretariat's iconic crimson ones.
In the next second, the lazy yet dominant absolute monarch of the dirt track seemed to shake off her lethargy, like a lion stirring from sleep, interested and awakened.
"Not bad, very not bad."
But soon, Secretariat let out a soft sigh, as if settling back down, her laziness once again veiling her authority.
"A shame, truly a shame."
The seemingly lazy Big Red Monster was, in truth, proud to the extreme.
She had every right to say…
[On the dirt track, these mediocrities—more are beneath me, few are my equal!]
And Nearl was precisely the opponent Secretariat had quietly set her sights on, deemed worthy of a challenge.
If only she could face Nearl in a showdown now… that would be ideal. It might even be the glorious achievement that could propel her past Man o' War to become the G.O.A.T.!
But for now, she could only be a spectator, a commentator—not a competitor.
"A shame?"
The knightly girl bearing the sword and lance maintained her composed, faint smile on her handsome, refined face.
"You won't have to wait too long."
With Nearl's exceptional insight, how could she not perceive the regret and almost domineering look in Secretariat's eyes?
There were too many who wanted to hunt her down, to defeat her.
Secretariat might qualify as the strongest among them, but Nearl didn't believe the outcome would be any different.
"I hope so."
"Then, I'll enjoy your showdown properly from the commentary box."
Secretariat then curved her lips into a lazy yet curious smile.
The next moment, she shifted the topic—
"Little Nearl, do you know where your uncle is sitting?"
Secretariat asked the question she most wanted answered right now.
Since the young doctor she wanted to know about was, like Margaret Nearl, a member of the Nearl family…
Then, calling the younger Margaret "Little Nearl" seemed appropriate, didn't it?
These words, however, caused the usually unflappable knightly girl's heartbeat to suddenly quicken.
But soon, Margaret Nearl shook her head.
"I don't know. I didn't ask."
Anyway, he definitely wouldn't be in the regular spectator seats!
Not hearing the answer she wanted, Secretariat maintained a gentle, slightly eager smile, pressing on seriously.
"Then, has your uncle ever mentioned me to you?"
"Or… has he talked about any Uma Musume?"
Just moments ago, Secretariat's gaze, aura, and presence had been intensely intimidating.
So much so that even Easy Goer beside her felt a tremor, making the third-generation Big Red Miss marvel inwardly at her senior's demonic, terrifying presence.
Even Nearl seemed like a delicious little treat before Secretariat!
But then… the demonic Big Red Monster she admired, Secretariat, suddenly started asking Nearl about her "uncle"?
That intimidating aura vanished, replaced by gentleness, even… tenderness!
It was almost like a compatible, passionately involved woman visiting her lover's family, having a friendly, warm chat with her lover's younger relative?
'Margaret Nearl's uncle… that's Dr. Lin, right?'
'W-Wait, Senior Secretariat knows Dr. Lin too?'
Easy Goer had spotted something crucial!
Not long ago, it was Dr. Lin Anran himself who had treated and healed her, leaving an excellent impression.
Easy Goer had even planned to continue seeing him for regular check-ups after future races.
But now… her mentor, the one teaching her, had known Dr. Lin even earlier, and seemed deeply interested?
As she continued watching Secretariat and Nearl converse, the crimson-haired girl's breathing unconsciously grew quicker.
To her, it felt like…
A treasure she had just discovered had actually been found by someone else much earlier?
'N-No, don't dwell on it. Dr. Lin's medical skills are so good; it's normal for Senior Secretariat to know him.'
'I should focus on the race first. After I defeat Nearl, I can think about this later!'
'Besides, Senior Secretariat obviously just knows him; it's not like they're together.'
The treasure had just been discovered by others too.
Not… taken!
Thinking this, Easy Goer, who had felt inexplicably flustered, finally relaxed again, letting out a sigh of relief.
She also pricked up her ears, waiting alongside Secretariat to hear Nearl's answer.
Which Uma Musume could Dr. Lin have mentioned repeatedly, even in front of his niece?
Was it Secretariat?
Or some other American Uma Musume?
"Only one."
The golden-haired girl said expressionlessly, holding up a single finger.
Instantly, both Secretariat and Easy Goer, the two generations of Big Reds, felt their heartbeats quicken.
If it had been several, they might have remained calm and detached.
That would have meant several Uma Musume had a good relationship with Dr. Lin, that he cared about them.
But just one…
The implications behind that were worth pondering deeply.
"Who?"
Secretariat immediately pressed, while Easy Goer beside her restrained herself, continuing to eavesdrop openly as a spectator.
"My senior, Platinum."
Hailed as the Golden Pegasus, the Radiant Knight, Nearl leisurely revealed the name of another self—the Silver White Pegasus, Platinum!
Hearing this, the somewhat excited and serious Secretariat was taken aback.
Platinum??
It was actually Platinum?
Soon, she went from wanting to say more to settling back into calmness.
Then, the lazy mature woman nodded, indicating she understood.
She was already familiar with that mysterious Silver White Pegasus.
After all… she was Dr. Lin's one and only exclusive contract Uma Musume.
Secretariat had once been somewhat worried that she might be a dangerous thief, a little filly stealing Dr. Lin's affection.
But thankfully, that was all in the past!
No matter how close Platinum and Lin Anran were, no matter how deep their feelings.
Now one was racing on the European turf, while the other was practicing medicine on the American dirt tracks.
Even long-distance relationships often ended in breakups.
Let alone the fact that they weren't even in a long-distance relationship; at most, it was a former exclusive contract that had already ended and been dissolved. It meant nothing!
Compared to hearing names like Flightline, Ruffian, or Sea the Stars…
Hearing Platinum's name actually put Secretariat at ease.
It wasn't herself, but at least it wasn't some other American thief!
Not ideal, but not bad either—that was enough.
"Alright, I'll head to the commentary box now."
"May you both perform perfectly in the race and deliver a brilliant showdown."
Finally, Secretariat walked off in a different direction from the competitors' preparation area, waving her hand.
She didn't forget to offer encouragement to Easy Goer.
"Easy Goer, you trained hard coming out of that Jeep… out of the training field. Don't you dare embarrass yourself in the race!"
As the tall Big Red mature woman departed…
Finally, only Nearl and the not-far-off Easy Goer remained.
As they continued walking closer together.
Easy Goer, who had been silent until now, could no longer hold back. She looked deeply at Nearl, her heartbeat growing faster and faster.
"Nearl, I'm different now!"
"Be prepared—I've trained and grown stronger under Secretariat. This will be my revenge!"
The next moment, after issuing her challenge, Easy Goer received a strangely familiar response.
The dual-crown Uma Musume, the Radiant Knight, said thus—
"Welcome to the American Triple Crown."
"But—don't get your position wrong. You are the challenger here."
--+--
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.