Sugimoto Kentaro calmly organized the documents in his hands. For someone as seasoned as him in the racing circuit, this was all second nature. It was just another G2-level stakes race, after all—he'd even lost count of how many Classic Triple Crown races he'd commentated on. There was no need to feel rushed.
Noticing the young rookie beside him looking rather nervous, Sugimoto adjusted his glasses thoughtfully before giving the younger man's shoulder a reassuring pat, signaling him to take a break and calm his nerves.
Nodding at the grateful junior, Sugimoto took over the materials he'd prepared.
As he skimmed through the list of Uma Musume participating in this race, Sugimoto habitually began mentally outlining each competitor's name and current form.
"Merci Stage… if I recall, I've commentated on her races before. She won the G3 Arlington Cup and the Daily Hai, and even ran in this year's Satsuki Shō and Japanese Derby."
At that thought, Sugimoto couldn't help but shake his head and sigh inwardly.
'But her performances in both classic championship races were lackluster.'
'Then again, that's hardly surprising. Her opponent was that monstrous filly who blots out the sun. This year's Triple Crown series probably doesn't have anyone who can match her. Looks like we're about to witness another Triple Crown winner.'
Realizing his thoughts were wandering, Sugimoto quickly rubbed his temples and pushed everything unrelated to this race out of his mind. As a professional commentator, he owed it to every race and every Uma Musume to stay focused.
Once he'd recentered himself, he continued flipping through the list.
"Fujino Makken O… if I remember right, she placed third in the Satsuki Shō and fourth in the Japanese Derby this year. A tenacious one, that filly. Maybe she'll put on a noteworthy performance in this race?"
With that thought, he turned to the next page.
"Star Man…"
Sugimoto's gaze lingered on the photo printed on the page—a short-haired Uma Musume with a bright, cheerful smile.
'Her running form is truly exceptional. She must be the most naturally gifted Uma Musume in this year's Kobe Shimbun Hai.'
He flipped through a few more pages, but none of the other entrants seemed to measure up to the first three.
'Seems like the winner of this year's Kobe Shimbun Hai will be one of these three.'
Drawing on years of experience commentating on races, Sugimoto made his early judgment. Picking out the most likely winners beforehand also helped him guide the audience's attention during the broadcast.
Even though he'd already made up his mind, he didn't close the folder just yet. Instead, he continued reading through each profile one by one.
To Sugimoto, this was the most basic respect he could show every Uma Musume on the track.
There could only be one winner, but every single one who set foot on the course was equally courageous in his eyes. On that battlefield of power and speed, every Uma Musume deserved that much respect.
Soon, he'd finished reviewing all nine profiles for this cup race. But just as he was about to set the materials aside, he noticed one more document tucked at the back.
'A late entry? I'm surprised anyone would sign up at this stage.'
Turning to the noticeably newer set of papers, Sugimoto's hands began to tremble the instant he saw the name, nearly dropping the folder altogether.
Staring at the surname, Sugimoto felt his focus waver—a rare occurrence for him.
"Northern… Dreams."
"Northern, huh…"
The moment he saw that name, his mind drifted back to a distant memory.
When he was just a boy, his father had taken him to the racetrack. Held in his father's arms, his young eyes had been captivated by one figure—a breathtaking presence that outshone every other Uma Musume on the field.
Even now, well into middle age, Sugimoto still held that Uma Musume firmly in his heart.
Her surname was Northern.
And it had been a long time since Sugimoto had seen that name on the race program.
His calloused fingers gently traced over that deeply remembered surname as if touching something precious, and he murmured almost unconsciously,
'Only an Uma Musume worthy of inheriting that glory would bear the name Northern. So her appearance must mean the Northern family is ready to reclaim their ancestors' honor on the track.'
Sugimoto felt a surge of joy. The Northern family, which he'd supported since childhood, had finally produced another Uma Musume capable of carrying on their legacy.
But alongside that joy came a thread of unease.
As a professional commentator with years of experience in the racing world, Sugimoto knew a little about the Northern family's current situation.
He'd heard from journalist friends who'd tried to interview them that the Western-style mansion, hidden deep in the mountains, was so neglected that the family couldn't even afford maids to clean it.
The once-grand estate was now overgrown with moss, and the carefully tended forests had long since gone wild. Weeds choked the land, blocking out the sunlight, and the entire Northern property was said to be steeped in decay and neglect.
Rumors even suggested only two Uma Musume remained in the Northern family—a grandmother and granddaughter. The outer grounds were untended, and dust blanketed the interior of the mansion. Only a few rooms showed any signs of habitation.
Could a family fallen so far really produce an Uma Musume worth looking forward to?
Was this new competitor meant to inherit past glories… or was this their last, desperate gamble?
Sugimoto immediately began scanning the filly's details, but found almost no information—she was shrouded in mystery. She hadn't enrolled at Central Tracen Academy, so there were no records of her daily performance.
The only data available was from her debut race last year.
While her performance back then had been enough to dominate her opponents in that debut, it was far from enough to fill Sugimoto with confidence.
After all, in his heart, the glory associated with the name Northern was far too immense, far too brilliant. Coupled with their tradition of staying out of the spotlight until they were ready to stun the world, nearly every Uma Musume who bore the Northern name had gone on to claim her own glory.
But now, Sugimoto found it hard to believe that this Uma Musume—with no professional guidance, no proper equipment, and likely not even adequate nutrition—could, after nearly a year of silence, suddenly burst back onto the scene with stunning power.
If something like that really were to happen…
'It would be nothing short of a miracle,' Sugimoto murmured to himself.
--+--
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.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.