"Grand Ekinoks is continuing the race from the neck of Koşturan, the race's favorite."
By the time the first 400 meters had elapsed, I had a rough idea of Grand Ekinoks's plan. Many umamusume tend to chase the opponent they've identified. Grand Ekinoks, however, was following the heavy favorite of this race. If she could match the pace, this tactic might work.
On the other hand, Cannon, who was currently tracking in fourth place, had fallen to fifth. It didn't take me long to notice a problem on Cannon's side.
Apparently the injury from her debut had resurfaced but she continued to run anyway. Because Cannon was falling back, I could see competitors turning inward or outward.
As the race reached its pace and turns approached, Grand Ekinoks moved away from Koşturan and leaned more toward the outer rail.
The further you drift toward the outer rail during the turns, the more you have to run. Cannon made a move on the first turn and tried to pass her rivals.
At this moment Koşturan used the distraction caused by Cannon's move to quickly pass number 8 Orlando and rise to fourth place in the race.
At this point I understood that Koşturan had been following Cannon from a distance throughout the race. In the second turn and the final turn, other umamusumes also made moves. Number 11 Sun Breeze, who chose to follow the leading umamusume, darted from the inside rail and took the lead of the race. In the first half of the race, the stamina of the top three Umamusume seemed to be running low.
Perhaps number 2 Angelos Draw could resist. This umamusume from the England, I could only see in the final straight whether she had the stamina of her homeland.
As we were about to enter the final straight, another Umamusume following Koşturan, number 9 Sailor Man, drifted outward.
"As we enter the final straight, all umamusume are putting forward their full power. Cannon, Angelos Draw, and Sun Breeze are currently in a head-to-head struggle."
Entering the last 400 meters, Grand Ekinoks was the farthest from the barrier and in last place.
"Come on, Grand Ekinoks! You can do this, Grand Ekinoks!!"
For reasons I didn't know, I felt Grand Ekinoks would win.
From the moment she entered the final straight, Grand Ekinoks had started accelerating. She was still in last place in the last 400 meters but she kept accelerating. Moreover, her path was completely clear. There was no opponent to block her.
On the other hand, Koşturan had launched her move and using the momentum she had gained, nearly caught up to the leading umamusume.
"Cannon and Angelos Draw are slowing down and I see Koşturan accelerating and Sailor Man making attacks from the outer rail!"
Until the last 250 meters, Grand Ekinoks dominated the result.
After only 50 meters, she had passed two of her rivals.
There were 8 umamusume left behind.
"Koşturan caught Sun Breeze, the race leader, and together with Sailor Man, who is doing everything she can to reach these two umamusume, we are entering the last 100 meters!!!"
Only 100 meters to go. She needed to pass just 4 more umamusume. Even though I knew the slight hump on her back and the injury in her ribs burned, I could see that she was accelerating further and ignoring the pain.
"As Koşturan passes Sun Breeze... And Grand Ekinoks comes from the outer rail!!!"
"Win this damned race, Grand Ekinoks!?!"
As if she heard what I said, I heard Grand Ekinoks shriek in the last 50 meters.
She was still in third place but her rivals couldn't speed any further.
Grand Ekinoks continued to run with extraordinary strength and moved into second place in the final 25 meters.
At that moment I saw Koşturan glance at her.
Before I could even realize it, Grand Ekinoks had caught up with her, just a few meters to go.
The two umamusume who had run these meters together crossed the finish line side by side.
After crossing the finish line, Grand Ekinoks collapsed to the ground. Koşturan barely managed to stop herself.
"Photo finish! The winner of the race will be determined by a photo finish!!!"