"We've finally reached this moment. We're all standing on the Derby track!" Winning Ticket clenched her fist. This was the track she'd dreamed of. Only one dream stage remained.
"Hehe, losing to Halo and Taishin last time really left a bad taste in my mouth. No matter what, I have to win this race!" Biwa Hayahide pushed up her glasses and spoke bluntly.
"No, the one who wins this race will be me!" Narita Taishin was equally confident.
However the race would go, the momentum had to be established first.
Her condition was still good. She was confident that if she could use the Satsuki Sho tactics again, she'd definitely win.
This track distance was practically made for her running style. If she performed well, her chances of winning were high.
"Hayahide... Taishin..." Winning Ticket watched their confident appearances, her heart wavering slightly, her tail swaying left and right.
This year's Derby top popularity went to the four-time consecutive winner and Satsuki Sho champion, King Halo, and Narita Taishin. Biwa Hayahide and Winning Ticket received third and fourth popularity, respectively.
"The top popularity was taken by that Uma Musume as expected."
"Yeah, this time we definitely have to surpass her." Narita Taishin said confidently.
When King Halo emerged from behind the display platform, all the uma musume involuntarily turned their gazes toward her.
"Aha, if you insist on staring at me with those eyes, I can't help it. Ohohoho..."
Those uma musume quickly looked away. Only Biwa Heidi walked over and greeted her politely. "You're King Halo, right? Hello, I'm Biwa Heidi."
She extended one hand toward King Halo.
"Hello, I am King Halo." King Halo also politely extended her right hand.
Just as Biwa Heidi thought King Halo would be like Silence Suzuka, unable to break free from her grip and looking embarrassed, she suddenly felt her hand tighten.
King Halo's right hand wore a black glove, but she could still feel the warmth radiating through it. When she tried to pull back, she found her hand locked as if caught in a vice, completely unable to break free.
"I know you. You're just Suzuka's defeated opponent." King Halo bluntly exposed the embarrassing fact.
"Being so direct, don't I need face? Let go, let go..." She desperately tried to pull her hand free. King Halo was even stronger than Silence Suzuka. That overwhelming aura of a powerful competitor made her shudder with fear.
What is this Uma Musume? She's already on par with monsters like Narita Brian, isn't she?
Why do I always run into these freaks?
King Halo had no idea what she was thinking. Feeling it was about enough, she released her hand. "Oh my, did I hurt you? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..." She'd done it deliberately after careful consideration.
Biwa Heidi rubbed her reddened right hand with a pained expression. "You've got some nerve saying that."
After speaking, she immediately fled the scene.
King Halo only glanced at her once before withdrawing her gaze, looking toward the BNW trio who'd been eyeing her like predators.
"This race, I will be the only winner!"
"The warm-up time is about to end. Uma musume, please proceed to the gates and take your positions!"
"After a long wait, the race was finally about to start!"
King Halo placed the lucky charm against her chest over her heart, carefully feeling the cool sensation it brought.
Her body heat transferred to the charm. Not only was there no discomfort, but she actually felt more excited.
"Go, King Halo! King Halo!" Kawakami Princess and her followers cheered enthusiastically.
Hayato and the others kept shouting encouragement for her too.
She was now filled with confidence. There was nothing left to worry about. "Come on, the second crown of the Triple Crown." She walked straight toward the gate.
"The Derby!" Winning Ticket said the word once, then also walked toward the gate. The Derby she'd been dreaming of had finally come. Was there any reason to back down now?
Winning Ticket
Condition: 89/100 Good
Speed: 351 Endurance: 323 Power: 414 Guts: 322 Wits: 286
Track Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt G Distance Aptitude: Short G, Mile F, Medium A, Long B
Biwa Hayahide
Condition: 88/100 Good
Speed: 396 Endurance: 368 Power: 283 Guts: 284 Wits: 368
Track Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt G Distance Aptitude: Short F, Mile C, Medium A, Long A
Narita Taishin
Condition: 90/100 Excellent
Speed: 336 Endurance: 366 Power: 388 Guts: 320 Wits: 253
Track Aptitude: Turf A, Dirt G Distance Aptitude: Short F, Mile D, Medium A, Long A
Overall, Winning Ticket's stats were slightly better than the others.
"Uma musume, take your positions...!"
"Start!"
CLANG!
"The race has begun!"
"After a year, we're witnessing the birth of a Derby uma musume at Tokyo Racecourse once again! Who will cross the finish line first? Who will claim the Classic double crown?"
"After the start, almost all the Uma Musume broke from the gates simultaneously. Biwa Hayahide slightly increased her speed from the beginning!"
"Perfect, everything's going according to plan."
She'd already corrected the calculation error from last time. After glancing at King Halo and Narita Taishin's positions, she became even more confident in her judgment.
"As expected, those two are still using the same tactics as the Satsuki Sho. In that case..."
Biwa Hayahide slightly increased her speed, approaching Biwa Heidi.
"Biwa Hayahide?!" Biwa Heidi gritted her teeth, cursing Biwa Hayahide's cunning under her breath. She was currently in first position. To maintain first place, she'd have to speed up. Otherwise, Biwa Hayahide would take the lead by a narrow margin.
If she sped up, just a little wouldn't be enough. She'd get caught up again quickly.
Biwa Heidi always ran mile races. Was she suited to run 2400 meters of medium-long distance? For this race, she'd planned to run more speed without reserving her stamina like Ines Fujin and Silence Suzuka. But if Biwa Hayahide kept pace with her, that would also be quite troublesome on the last corner.
Taking the lead was extremely advantageous for the final corner. An uma musume who could lead generally wouldn't pass up this position.
"Someone passed Biwa Hayahide from behind! Oh! There it is, she's planning to go all-out with front-running tactics!"
"Was she planning to do the same as Ines Fujin?"
"Uma musume, who maintained the lead throughout the Japan Derby could be counted on one hand. Could she become one of them?"
"Biwa Heidi ultimately completed an eight-length lead advantage!"
"Whoa! She completely copied the runaway trainer's tactics, going all-out from the very beginning! Her early speed is incredibly fast!"
"Did she study this tactic after watching Silence Suzuka in action from behind in the previous two matches?!"
"Just commentate on the race. Why mention me?" Hayato felt somewhat speechless. Many Uma Musume and spectators weren't watching the race now but looking at him instead.
Biwa Heidi's escape tactics weren't actually that refined yet. Eight lengths was already her limit. If it were Seiun Sky or Silence Suzuka, they'd definitely exceed ten lengths from the start.
So she'd only recently learned this escape strategy? And she didn't have proper front-running skills? She was a bit stronger than King Halo's initial escape attempt...
But if that was all she had, she was certain to lose against BNW and King Halo.
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Illustration in the comment