Just after Urara's first-place finish in the Tango Stakes, I jogged over to the paddock. I was relieved to find that the introductions hadn't started yet and quickly secured a spot in the front row of the spectator stands.
From all over the stands, I heard people saying things like, "Did you hear? Haru Urara won and set a new record!" and "She won by a huge margin!"
Fufun, you'd better praise Urara more, a thought like King-chan's popped into my head, but I kept a serious expression and focused on the paddock.
The Spring Tenno Sho can normally accommodate a full gate of 18 horse girls, but this time, perhaps due to the three-way battle between Rice, Toukai Teio, and Mejiro McQueen in the Osaka Hai, only 15 were running.
I was especially wary of five of them: Mejiro McQueen, Toukai Teio, Ikuno Dictus, Matikanetannhauser, and Mejiro Palmer.
Among these five, I was particularly cautious of Mejiro McQueen and Mejiro Palmer. Mejiro McQueen was widely considered the strongest stayer in active competition, having won the Spring Tenno Sho two years in a row. She was going for her third consecutive victory this year, so her determination was probably extraordinary.
And Mejiro Palmer was the one who competed with Rice until the very end in the Arima Kinen. The Arima Kinen was 2500 meters, and this race was 3200 meters, so it would be difficult for her to lead all the way. Still, she wasn't someone I could underestimate.
And then there was Toukai Teio, whom I should also be wary of...
(From the race footage of last year's Spring Tenno Sho, Toukai Teio isn't that much of a threat... No, she's strong, but in the longest of the long-distance races, the Spring Tenno Sho, the biggest threat is... definitely Mejiro McQueen.)
Rice was determined to get her revenge on Toukai Teio, but in a long-distance race of 3200 meters, Mejiro McQueen was the scariest opponent. It was understandable why she was called the strongest stayer in active competition, even over my Rice. No, Rice is the strongest stayer, but still...
(Besides, Toukai Teio was out for a long time with two fractures. It hasn't even been half a year since she fully recovered... In a long-distance race, it would be impossible for her to maintain a middle-distance pace.)
In fact, if Toukai Teio could run a long-distance race at a middle-distance pace, it would be no laughing matter. If she could do that, I'd have to question reality, wondering just how much of a monster the Spica team's seniors were.
I just needed to decide who to mark based on their condition in the paddock...
"Gate 2, No. 3, Rice Shower."
As I was thinking, the paddock introductions began.
Today, Rice was in gate 2, number 3, an inner gate. It was a favorable position for a front-runner like Rice, but as it was the 11th race, the inner course was getting a little rough. So it might not be all that advantageous.
Following the announcement, Rice, in her race uniform, appeared... Huh? Where's my jacket? I just put it on Rice... didn't I? Huh? I did, right? Did she leave it somewhere?
Rice was the second favorite, and she was responding to the crowd's cheers with a confident chest... but seriously, where did my jacket go? Maybe she left it in the waiting room?
"Gate 3, No. 5, Matikanetannhauser."
While I was slightly panicking, Matikanetannhauser from Team Canopus appeared.
She was a cute horse girl with slightly curly chestnut hair that reached her shoulders and a blue hat tilted to the side. Her race uniform was a white long-sleeved shirt with exposed shoulders, cinched by a red corset, and a blue mini-skirt with a floral pattern.
This was my first time seeing her in a live race. She was the one who finished third in the Kikka Sho and got caught in Rice's booing live.
She was a popular horse girl, ranking as the fifth favorite, and her body was in excellent condition, backing up her popularity.
"Gate 5, No. 9, Mejiro Palmer."
For me, it was a feeling of so she's here... The person she was leading with in the Arima Kinen, Daitaku Helios, wasn't here, so I couldn't predict what would happen. Still, I figured she would try to lead with a big breakaway, as usual.
She seemed to be in very good shape, and I couldn't help but furrow my brows.
(Depending on Mejiro McQueen's condition, I might have Rice mark this one...)
I was so impressed that I even considered that. Mejiro Palmer was in such good form. She was also quite popular, ranking as the fourth favorite.
"Gate 6, No. 10, Toukai Teio."
When her name was called, the crowd began to stir. After all, she was the winner of the Osaka Hai and was here to take the second crown necessary for the Senior Triple Crown.
Toukai Teio showed off her "Teio Step" for the crowd, but then, as if she noticed me, she gave me a cheeky grin. So I grinned back.
Toukai Teio also seemed to be in good shape, ranking as the third favorite, surpassing Mejiro Palmer. Despite winning the Osaka Hai, she was only the third favorite, probably because she finished fifth in last year's Spring Tenno Sho.
Perhaps some horse girl fans questioned her aptitude for long-distance racing. Still, being the third favorite was a testament to her greatness.
"Gate 7, No. 13, Ikuno Dictus."
The second horse girl from Team Canopus to enter the race. But... her condition seemed a little off. This horse girl had appeared on the big stage of G1 races many times, but she hadn't quite delivered results.
The horse girl fans must have felt the same way, as she was ranked a low 14th out of 15.
(Today's Ikuno Dictus... yeah, she's not scary.)
I decided to take my eyes off Ikuno Dictus.
"Gate 8, No. 14, Mejiro McQueen."
And the moment her name was announced, a huge cheer erupted from the spectators in the paddock.
Mejiro McQueen appeared in the paddock with a majestic stride, calmly looking around at the crowd. I felt the atmosphere she exuded and couldn't help but smile wryly.
(She seems to be in good shape... Yes, she's the one we're marking.)
The moment I saw her, I knew that Mejiro McQueen would be Rice's biggest rival. The name of the strongest stayer in active competition was not just for show.
Mejiro Palmer was also a serious threat, but not as much as Mejiro McQueen... and honestly, the scariest thing might be the Mejiro family for producing such amazing horse girls.
"Onii-sama."
When the paddock introductions were over, Rice came to my side, on the other side of the fence.
Rice must have also identified who to be wary of today. Her eyes held a quiet but undeniable fire.
"I think you know, Rice... but the one to mark is Mejiro McQueen. Mejiro Palmer is dangerous, but Mejiro McQueen is probably stronger."
"Yes... I agree. Personally, I wanted to mark Teio-san, but..."
Saying that, Rice gave Toukai Teio a sideward glance. Toukai Teio must have felt it, as she shivered and looked around.
"I'll pass them all."
"Yeah, that's the spirit."
She was in perfect condition and full of energy. I gave Rice a little pat on the head and jogged over to the spectator stands for the race.
"The sun is slowly beginning to set, and the spring warmth is starting to fade at the Kyoto Racecourse for the 11th race. The turf is 3200 meters, G1, the Spring Tenno Sho. The track condition is listed as 'Good'."
"Perhaps because of the new race record in the Tango Stakes earlier, the stands are in high spirits. The midway point of the Senior Triple Crown. The Spring Tenno Sho is about to begin."
The fanfare echoed through the Kyoto Racecourse, and the horse girls, in their race uniforms, gathered near the gate.
"Gate 2, No. 3, Rice Shower. The second favorite."
"She finished third in her last race, the Osaka Hai, but her battle with Toukai Teio and Mejiro McQueen was magnificent. This race is suited for her distance aptitude, so we can have high hopes for her."
When Rice was introduced, a huge cheer erupted from the stands. The sound was so loud that it was hard to believe it was for the same horse girl who was booed during the Kikka Sho.
The introductions for Matikanetannhauser, Mejiro Palmer, and Ikuno Dictus followed, and then it was Toukai Teio's turn.
"Gate 6, No. 10, Toukai Teio. The third favorite."
"She finished first and set a new record in her last race, the Osaka Hai. However, perhaps due to doubts about her distance aptitude, she's ranked behind Mejiro McQueen and Rice Shower in popularity. Still, she's a horse girl with a lot of potential."
Toukai Teio did a light step and entered the gate. She glanced at Rice, but Rice was so focused that she didn't seem to notice.
"Gate 8, No. 14, Mejiro McQueen. The first favorite."
"The biggest favorite in this race... Wow, what a cheer!"
The male analyst couldn't help but blurt out as a huge cheer filled the Kyoto Racecourse. It was louder than the cheer for Rice and seemed to shake the entire racecourse.
"She has won the Spring Tenno Sho two years in a row and is going for her third consecutive victory. But Rice Shower is aiming for her third G1 win, and Toukai Teio is aiming for her sixth. Will she battle with these two, like in the Osaka Hai, or will another horse girl break away?"
When the analyst said that as the cheering began to die down, another huge cheer erupted from the stands. It was a cheer filled with anticipation for the upcoming race, and I couldn't contain my own excitement—but still...
(Aren't they being a little too loud? It's taking longer than usual for them to get into the gates...)
I checked my watch and looked at Rice. Rice was incredibly calm, waiting as if she couldn't hear the crowd's cheers, but some of the other horse girls were covering their ears.
Horse girls have amazing physical abilities, but their five senses—especially their hearing—are far superior. Their sense of smell is also better than a human's, and this huge cheer must be very painful for them.
"Ooh... Trainer... my ears..."
Urara, who had joined me, was also covering her ears with her eyes welling up with tears. So I went behind her, put my hands on her head, and covered her ears. She leaned her back on me in relief, so I decided to stay that way until the start of the race.
I really wanted to praise her for her record-breaking win in the last race, but I held back since Rice was about to race. I wanted to stroke her head, hug her, lift her high, and even give her a "dōage" (a celebratory toss in the air), but I held back.
"Please be quiet, the race is about to begin."
They must have thought it was too much. An announcement from the racecourse warned the crowd. The cheering finally began to die down, and about three minutes after they entered the gate, the preparations for the race were complete.
"All horse girls are in the gates—and they're off!"
With the sound of the gates opening, the Spring Tenno Sho began.
"Now, all the horse girls have gotten off to a clean start. No. 2 Zanbarha takes the lead, followed closely by No. 9 Mejiro Palmer. No. 6 Frilled Peach is in pursuit. No. 14 Mejiro McQueen, No. 3 Rice Shower, No. 1 Quartet Accord, No. 10 Toukai Teio, No. 5 Matikanetannhauser, No. 11 Sacoche, No. 8 Cupid's Shoot, and No. 12 Mini Cactus are all running together in the lead pack."
"There are a lot of leaders and front-runners. We'll have to see how this long race unfolds."
"Two body lengths behind the front group are No. 7 Grand Feast, No. 13 Ikuno Dictus, and No. 15 Cymbal Rhythm. The back-marker is No. 4 Oishii Parfait."
No horse girls had a late start. They all got off to a clean start and ran on the turf in their preferred positions.
The Spring Tenno Sho at the Kyoto Racecourse starts in the middle of the backstretch, and they run one and a half laps on the outer course to the finish line.
Starting in the middle of the backstretch means they have to run up Yodo Hill right away.
"The leader has changed to No. 9 Mejiro Palmer. She's smoothly running up Yodo Hill and has taken the lead. But the race has just begun. Who will make their move first?"
"The Spring Tenno Sho is a long race. If you make your move at the wrong time, you might not have enough stamina left for the final stretch."
Rice was in a very good position, in fifth place, right behind Mejiro McQueen. It's true that the Spring Tenno Sho is a long race with a winning time of around 3 minutes and 18 seconds, but Rice could put pressure on Mejiro McQueen while conserving her stamina.
(Toukai Teio is... behind Rice, but she's not marking her.)
I judged that after seeing Toukai Teio's movements. In fact, Toukai Teio seemed to be trying to mark Rice, like in the Osaka Hai, but Rice was so focused that she didn't seem to notice and was just following Mejiro McQueen.
Rice was more focused on Toukai Teio than on Mejiro McQueen when it came to the two of them. However, Urara's run must have flipped a switch in Rice, as she was marking Mejiro McQueen exactly as instructed once the race began.
"They've left Yodo Hill and are now entering the third and fourth corners. The leader is No. 9 Mejiro Palmer. She's widening the gap between her and the rest of the pack. The distance to the second-place horse is about five to six body lengths."
"Her running reminds me of her big breakaway in the Arima Kinen last year. But this time, it's 3200 meters. If she pushes herself too hard at the beginning, she won't have enough stamina left."
"No. 2 Zanbarha and No. 6 Frilled Peach are chasing Mejiro Palmer, but the gap isn't closing. No. 14 Mejiro McQueen and No. 3 Rice Shower, who are right behind them, haven't changed their positions, and No. 10 Toukai Teio has moved up one place to sixth. They're followed by No. 1 Quartet Accord, No. 5 Matikanetannhauser, No. 12 Mini Cactus, No. 11 Sacoche, and No. 8 Cupid's Shoot. A little farther behind are No. 13 Ikuno Dictus, No. 7 Grand Feast, and No. 15 Cymbal Rhythm. The back-marker is No. 4 Oishii Parfait, and the pack is stretched out lengthwise."
The horse girls have left the fourth corner and are now entering the home stretch. The outer course of the Kyoto Racecourse is mostly flat, except for Yodo Hill. What they do in this stretch, before they have to run up Yodo Hill again, will be crucial.
"They've passed the 1000-meter mark. The leader is still Mejiro Palmer. The rest of the pack is chasing her, changing positions, but Mejiro Palmer, who has broken away, has already put more than a 10-body-length gap between her and the second-place horse."
"The time at the 1000-meter mark is... 58.4 seconds!? That's a very fast pace. Mejiro Palmer is over-eager... No, she seems to be running calmly. Will she have enough stamina left at the end?"
The 120,000 spectators are cheering loudly for the horse girls running down the home stretch. As they should, because Mejiro Palmer, who is currently in the lead by herself, is showing off a breakaway run that's reminiscent of the Arima Kinen.
(Don't rush it, Rice. That pace won't last until the end... Just keep marking Mejiro McQueen for now.)
I thought that as I looked at Rice—but then my cheeks twitched.
Rice, who was right behind Mejiro McQueen, was putting out an incredible amount of pressure, keeping Mejiro McQueen in check. Mejiro McQueen must have felt it, as she seemed to be having a hard time running.
"Mejiro Palmer has entered the first corner from the home stretch. There are no major changes in the pack. Has No. 14 Mejiro McQueen, No. 3 Rice Shower, and No. 10 Toukai Teio moved up a little?"
"I don't think Mejiro Palmer can keep this pace up until the end, but she probably wants to widen the gap as much as possible. Those three are strong horse girls from the fourth corner to the final straight. I think how much they can close the gap by the final straight will determine the winner."
"There's a 20-body-length gap from the leader, Mejiro Palmer, to the back-marker, Oishii Parfait. Can they possibly close that gap?"
"The race is still in the middle stages. We can't take our eyes off this, as we don't know if Mejiro Palmer's stamina will last or if the pack will catch up."
If this were the Osaka Hai or the Takarazuka Kinen, Mejiro Palmer might have been able to keep her lead all the way to the finish line. But the Spring Tenno Sho wasn't even halfway over yet.
"Mejiro Palmer has left the second corner and is now entering the backstretch. Her time in the first half of the race is 1:34.1..."
"That's an incredible time... If she keeps this pace up, she'll beat the record by almost 10 seconds."
The commentator and analyst said that, but if she could maintain that pace, she would not only break the race record and the course record, but also the world record with ease.
It was true that Mejiro Palmer was showing off an incredible breakaway run, but a race isn't decided by the time in the middle of it. The winner is the one who crosses the finish line first.
As if to affirm my thoughts, Mejiro Palmer's legs started to slow down as she approached Yodo Hill. She had been pushing herself from the beginning. The steep hill must be a huge burden for Mejiro Palmer.
"Mejiro Palmer is still in the lead, but is Yodo Hill, the heart-breaking hill, too much for her!? Her pace is slowing down! But she's climbing the hill with all her might!"
Mejiro Palmer had indeed slowed down, but she was still climbing Yodo Hill with a desperate look on her face. Seeing that, I couldn't help but murmur.
"What a fighter... She's an amazing horse girl."
She must have been proud of her leading strategy. Mejiro Palmer had indeed slowed down, but she was still running up Yodo Hill at a faster pace than I had expected.
"They've passed the 1000-meter mark... And now Mejiro McQueen has made her move! Mejiro McQueen has sped up and passed No. 2 Zanbarha and No. 6 Frilled Peach! But Rice Shower is right behind her, sticking to her like glue! Toukai Teio is also moving up!?"
"The three who had a three-way battle in the Osaka Hai have made their move. It's a little early to make their move at the 1000-meter mark, but they must have been wary of Mejiro Palmer's breakaway."
Since it was the second time up Yodo Hill, both Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio were showing signs of fatigue. But Rice was still marking Mejiro McQueen with the same expression as before.
"Mejiro Palmer is approaching the third and fourth corners! But the gap between her and the pack has closed to 6... no, 5 body lengths! The strongest stayer in active competition! The ebony stayer! The horse girl with 5 G1 wins! They are speeding up to catch Mejiro Palmer!"
"It's a downhill slope from here to the home stretch. How long can Mejiro Palmer last... huh? Mejiro Palmer has sped up, too! It seems she still has some gas left in the tank!"
Mejiro Palmer really has a lot of grit. She's truly an amazing horse girl to appear on the G1 stage. Tracen Academy really has some incredible horse girls—but...
—My Rice is a more amazing horse girl.
"Now Rice Shower has made her move! It's Rice Shower! The moment she left the fourth corner and passed the 400-meter mark! She has sped up and passed Mejiro McQueen! She's now in range of the leader, Mejiro Palmer! The ebony stayer is speeding up!"
"She's made her move! Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio are also speeding up!"
They had left the fourth corner, and all that was left was the final 400-meter home stretch. Rice, who had made her move there, sped up and was now just two body lengths away from Mejiro Palmer.
"GOOOOOOOO, RICE! GOOOOOOOO!"
"Just a little more, Rice-chaaaaan!"
I shouted with Urara. The spectators were also starting to stand up, cheering with all their might.
"Mejiro Palmer is holding on! Palmer is holding on! But Rice Shower is getting closer! And right behind Rice Shower are Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio! The gap between Mejiro Palmer and Rice Shower is one body length! The gap between Rice Shower and Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio is also one body length! There are still 300 meters left!"
"Just like in the Osaka Hai, we have a battle to the finish line! But this time, we have Mejiro Palmer, who wasn't there in the Osaka Hai! Oh! And right behind Toukai Teio! It's Matikanetannhauser! She's coming up from the outside!"
"Listen to this huge cheer! The Kyoto Racecourse is shaking as if there's an earthquake! The spectators are on their feet! They're all on their feet, watching the race unfold! What about the other horse girls!? Can they not move up!? They're more than five body lengths behind the leading five!"
There were 200 meters left. Rice Shower was now side-by-side with Mejiro Palmer, but Mejiro Palmer had some gas left in the tank and wasn't giving up. Mejiro McQueen was right behind her—
"RICE! YOU! ARE THE STRONGEST STAYEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"
I shouted, hitting the fence that separated the course and the stands.
Yes, she is. My Rice is the strongest stayer. The strongest horse girl in long-distance racing.
I wonder if my shout, filled with those thoughts, reached Rice.
"Rice Shower! She's sped up even more!? She's completely passed Mejiro Palmer!? Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio are also speeding up right behind her—but the gap is widening! It's widening!? Rice Shower! She's completely pulled away! Rice Shower has pulled away!"
Rice's legs pushed her even farther. She was speeding up with every step, leaving Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio, whom she had battled with in the Osaka Hai, behind.
"Mejiro McQueen and Toukai Teio are also chasing her! Matikanetannhauser is also moving up! Is this the end for Mejiro Palmer!? Can she not go any farther!? What an incredible speed from Rice Shower! The ebony stayer! Now, in the lead—she's crossed the finish line!"
"YEEEEEEEEEEEES!"
"SHE DID ITTTTTTTTTTTTT!"
I shouted, raising my fist at the sight of Rice crossing the finish line in first place. Urara also raised her arms and jumped up and down, and then she climbed onto my back.
"We did it, Trainer! Rice-chan! She's first!"
"Yeah! And you were first, too, Urara!"
I moved Urara, who had climbed onto my back, to the front and lifted her up high by her armpits. The spectators around me looked at us in surprise, but when they realized I was lifting Urara, they started to clap for some reason.
"First place is Rice Shower! Second place is Mejiro McQueen! We can't tell who's third between Toukai Teio and Matikanetannhauser, as they're neck and neck! Fifth place is Mejiro Palmer!"
"Rice Shower showed an incredible burst of speed at the end... Mejiro McQueen also sped up, but she didn't have that final push."
"The results board has just lit up... And it's a new record! Just like in the Tango Stakes, we have a new race record!"
Hearing the commentator, I held Urara on my shoulders and looked at the results board. And there, the word "record" was indeed glowing.
"The results are final. First place, Rice Shower, with a winning time of 3:15.8, a new record! Second place, two body lengths behind, is Mejiro McQueen. Third place, one body length behind, is Toukai Teio. Fourth place, a nose length behind, is Matikanetannhauser. Fifth place, two body lengths behind, is Mejiro Palmer."
Hearing the commentator's voice, I looked at Rice, who had crossed the finish line. Rice was breathing heavily, but she took a deep breath, puffed out her chest, and raised her right hand to the stands.
And then, she made a peace sign and put up her ring finger to show her third G1 win.
A huge cheer erupted from the crowd—wait, Urara's eardrums on my shoulders are going to burst.
I quickly put Urara down, and she landed, covering her horse ears with both hands.
I could hear some shouts like, "Mejiro McQueen's third consecutive win is gone—" and "That's unnecessary—" but the cheers for Rice's victory were so loud that they were barely audible.
Rice must have heard those shouts, but she just smiled and ignored them, shook hands with Mejiro McQueen, and then held up three fingers to Toukai Teio. Rice's cute pose, with her hand out and a confident look, was adorable.
As I was watching Rice, Urara tugged on my arm, gave me a huge smile, and said,
"—I knew we could win if I was with you, Trainer!"
Urara was smiling so happily. When I heard her words, my vision suddenly became blurry.
"Oh, come on... How many times are you two going to make me cry..."
I said that and hugged Urara so she wouldn't see me cry.
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