All G1 races in the Twinkle Series have preliminary races, mainly G2 and G3 events.
These preliminaries grant priority entry rights. Achieve the required placing and you can go straight into the corresponding G1. First place is the usual requirement, though some races open the door for the top two or top three.
Take the Spring Stakes that Kitasan Black ran earlier. The top three finishers all received priority entry into the Satsuki Sho.
Beyond the entry rights, the preliminaries also serve as genuine rehearsals. The Spring Stakes and the Satsuki Sho are both held at Nakayama Racecourse, and the distances are close—1800 meters and 2000 meters. Running the Spring Stakes gives a real feel for the Satsuki Sho. Looking at past results, Uma Musume who placed high in the Spring Stakes have often done well in the Satsuki Sho as well.
In Yasui's view, though, not every preliminary setup is equally useful.
The two main trials for the Kikuka Sho are the St. Lite Kinen and the Kobe Shimbun Hai. The Kikuka Sho itself is a true long-distance race at 3000 meters. Those two trials are only medium-distance—2200 meters and 2400 meters—and the courses are completely different. The Kikuka Sho is run at Kyoto Racecourse, while the St. Lite Kinen is at Nakayama and the Kobe Shimbun Hai is at Hanshin.
The association explained that the choice of those two races has historical roots and provided plenty of past race data to back it up. Yasui could understand the reasoning, but when it came to actual race preparation, neither trial offered the same direct value as the Spring Stakes did for the Satsuki Sho.
Still, after thinking it through, he realized there weren't many better options.
Kitasan Black's popularity meant entry into the Kikuka Sho itself was never going to be a problem. The real issue was that the other available races were even less relevant. It was already August, and the Kikuka Sho would be run in October. In the meantime, the only long-distance races on the calendar were the Tancho Stakes and the Sapporo Nikkei Open. Both were long-distance, yes, but only 2600 meters, and both were held at Sapporo Racecourse in Hokkaido. The environment there was completely different from Kyoto, and the track used a special overseas grass variety not found anywhere else.
No Uma Musume in recent years had used those races as a stepping stone to the Kikuka Sho.
So the plan stayed the same: use the St. Lite Kinen to test the results of the special training, then shift the focus fully onto 3000-meter work and stamina training for the Kikuka Sho.
That was the arrangement written into Yasui's training-camp schedule.
What he hadn't expected was that Kitasan Black herself seemed just as unaware of the upcoming race as Silence Suzuka and Rice Shower had been.
"Saint Lite… Oh, right…"
At Yasui's reminder, Kitasan Black's expression cleared with sudden realization. She scratched her head apologetically, glancing first at Yasui, then at Silence Suzuka and Rice Shower.
"I'm sorry. I was only thinking about the Kikuka Sho. The St. Lite Kinen… Anyway, I am seriously preparing!"
Seeing how earnest she looked, the two senior Uma Musume simply smiled and nodded. Yasui's earlier speechlessness faded.
Just as Kitasan Black herself had said, even though her mind was fixed on the final Classic Triple Crown race, the nearly month-long special training at Mt. Mitsutou had never once slackened. If anything, that focus on the Kikuka Sho was exactly what kept her so dedicated.
The first two weeks had featured two intensive special sessions each week. This week it had increased to three. Morning basic training, special training and joint runs in both morning and afternoon, plus equipment work at the indoor facility, Lake Okutama sessions, and swimming. Day after day, Kitasan Black's effort was right there for the three of them to see.
"I'm not blaming you," Yasui said with a light chuckle. Then his tone grew serious.
"This race is at Nakayama Racecourse—a track you know very well. The distance is 2200 meters, which is also well within your range.
"My idea is that since the venue is familiar and the distance is manageable, we can treat this race as a full rehearsal for the Kikuka Sho. If everything goes smoothly, we'll be able to lock in exactly what running style and tactics to use on the day."
Kitasan Black nodded with the same serious expression, then suddenly stirred, her voice a little impatient.
"A rehearsal for the Kikuka Sho… does that mean you want me to run Great Escape in the Kikuka Sho?"
Silence Suzuka looked at Yasui thoughtfully. Rice Shower, who had been quiet until now, hesitated.
"Great Escape in the Kikuka Sho… it should be very difficult to win, right? Rice remembers that even without Great Escape, the Uma Musume who won the Kikuka Sho by leading from the front in previous years…"
She stopped halfway, suddenly flustered.
"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Yasui. Rice isn't questioning you… Rice just, just…"
After nearly a month together, Yasui knew Rice Shower's personality well. She was deeply introverted. He spoke quickly, his tone gentle.
"Rice Shower, you don't have to worry. I understand what you mean.
"Actually, it's not only the Kikuka Sho. In long-distance races overall, success with Great Escape—or rather, winning while leading from the front—is rare.
"Let me think…"
He paused, searching his memory.
"Speaking only of the Kikuka Sho, among those who won by leading… I remember Seiun Sky."
He continued after mentioning the name.
"So precisely because it's so difficult for a front-runner to win, I want to expand Kita-chan's range of leading techniques.
"I've already talked this over with Suzuka, and she agrees the approach is sound."
That had been Yasui's original thinking.
For fans, watching a leading Uma Musume run alone at the front is exciting. For the Uma Musume and their trainers, though, winning from the front is harder than any other style. When you're alone out there, every judgment about pace and position rests entirely on you. One small mistake can cost the race. Stamina consumption is higher, and you have to adjust the pace multiple times so you still have something left at the finish. At the same time you have to deal with every challenge from behind—both the physical drain and the constant mental pressure of reading the field.
In shorter races the burden is lighter. In long-distance races every bit of consumption is magnified. Doubling it would not be an exaggeration.
With that in mind, having Rice Shower help further strengthen Kitasan Black's resistance, having Silence Suzuka help expand her leading techniques, and using the St. Lite Kinen as a live rehearsal was the cleanest way to raise their chances in the Kikuka Sho.
"Yes! Suzuka told me the same thing!"
Kitasan Black nodded vigorously.
"She said before that her own leading style isn't something everyone can just copy, and that I should learn as much as I can without forcing it… She said that again just now."
"So that's how it is…"
Rice Shower let out a quiet breath of relief and pressed a hand lightly to her chest. Then a gentle, confident smile appeared.
"Then Rice doesn't have much to worry about. So…
"Rice will continue to work hard to help."
"I am truly grateful to Rice Shower, and to Silence Suzuka as well."
Yasui thanked them sincerely, then smiled and shifted the topic.
"However, after this much special training, it's time to adjust the load.
"Conveniently, there's a race this weekend that Kita-chan has been clamoring to watch.
"We'll just head to the racecourse for a change of pace and some proper relaxation."
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