The day of Urara's first GIII race, the Unicorn Stakes, had finally arrived.
The weather was a bit touch-and-go, with rain starting and stopping since morning. However, the rain itself wasn't very heavy, so the race would likely proceed without a hitch.
The Unicorn Stakes is a mile race held at Tokyo Racecourse, scheduled as the 11th race at 3:45 PM. So I had Urara do a light warm-up at Tracen Academy in the morning, fed her an early lunch, and then we headed to Tokyo Racecourse.
No other major races were being held at Tokyo Racecourse today, meaning Urara's first major race was also her first main race.
This would be Urara's ninth race, but her first GIII, so she seemed a little restless this morning, her ears twitching frequently and her tail wagging back and forth.
She wasn't tensing up from nervousness, though. This was the same kind of anticipation she had before her first win in the maiden race, a sign that she was about to perform at her peak.
"Trainer, is Urara-san... okay?"
King asked with a worried voice, seeing Urara's restlessness even as Tokyo Racecourse came into view. I reassured her with a smile and tousled Urara's hair.
"She's fine, she's in top condition. Right, Urara?"
"Yeah... I'm in tip-top shape."
"Are you sure? She did sleep well last night, so I'm sure her physical condition is good, but..."
King sighed in a troubled way, putting her hand to her cheek. What are you talking about? Look at Rice. She's smiling as if to say, "This happens, doesn't it?" seeing Urara's excited shivering.
Rice also has the Takarazuka Kinen next week, but she chose to cheer for Urara instead of practicing alone at Tracen Academy. It's a time when she needs to push hard for a final burst, but at the same time, she also needs to prepare her condition little by little for the race.
For Rice, cheering on Urara is perfect for getting her mind in the right state. She dotes on Urara in a different way than King does... Well, King dotes on her too, doesn't she? Just in a way that makes King want to cry a little bit.
"Alright, Trainer, I'll be going now."
"Yeah. See you later, at the paddock."
When we arrived at Tokyo Racecourse, Urara headed to the locker room to change. Watching her back, I smiled, thinking I've gotten quite used to this.
Urara is challenging her first GIII. And it's a race with a strong opponent, Smart Falcon.
The names of other top Umamusume weren't on the list, but since this is the first major race of the year on the Classic division's dirt route, the other Umamusume must be fired up as well. While Smart Falcon will probably use a front-runner strategy, Urara, who uses a chaser strategy, might be marked tightly by those around her. So it might be better to have her run a little closer to the front today.
Even so, the fact that I can see Urara off without feeling so anxious is probably because we've done everything we can. No, maybe it's because King's addition to the training plan I had originally intended gave us even more options for training.
(They're roommates in the dorm, they're good friends, and they're teammates... Even though their main battlefields are turf and dirt, they're perfect for competing against each other.)
The look of surprise on King's face the first time she ran alongside Urara in training was something else. She knew Urara had gotten stronger, but Urara's growth had exceeded King's expectations.
Well, they were running on a turf course, and the competitive King pulled away from Urara, but it was still a proper race between them.
(However, today's tough opponent is Smart Falcon... She'll probably run away at the front, right?)
The question is when to make a move to overtake the fleeing Smart Falcon. That can only be decided once the race has started, so it's up to Urara's judgment.
She probably won't surprise everyone and change her strategy. While a runaway Smart Falcon is a threat, if she uses any other strategy, Urara will definitely win. I've trained Urara to the point where I can say that with certainty.
(Urara is in Gate 1, Stall 2, an inside gate, and Smart Falcon is in Gate 7, Stall 14, an outside gate. It's a pretty ideal starting position for the race... now it's just a matter of how the race unfolds.)
I take Rice and King with me and head to the paddock.
Despite the occasional drizzle, Tokyo Racecourse is crowded. Even though the Unicorn Stakes is the main event today, there are already nearly 150,000 spectators.
This is a lively crowd, even though the main race isn't a G1 like the Japan Derby, unlike the Meguro Kinen that Rice ran in the other day. People in this world just love Umamusume races so much... well, I love them too.
"Hey, is that..."
"Huh? Is that..."
As we head to the paddock, I hear and feel occasional whispers and glances. What is it? You don't have the right to call me "Big Brother," you know? That's what I was thinking beforehand, but then.
"Look, that's the daughter of the one who won so many G1s in America... yeah, King Halo."
"Ah... I remember her daughter was an Umamusume too."
Oh? I turn my head. It seems they were looking at King Halo, but their way of remembering is a bit off. It seems they recognize King Halo's mother more than King Halo herself. I glance at King from the corner of my eye, and she's biting her lip but still looking forward. It's probably a common occurrence.
Since I heard from King before, I did a little digging and found that King's mother had a pretty crazy race record.
I had heard that she won a G1 overseas, but she was a seven-time G1 winner in America. Her career record was 11 wins out of 24 races, with 7 G1 wins, 1 GII win, and 2 GIII wins, meaning almost all of her wins were in major races.
Also, in the races she lost, she finished within the top 3 in a G1 race 6 times. She finished in the top 3 in nearly 80% of her 24 races, making her one of the top Umamusume in America.
It's understandable why King is so conscious of her and cares so much about being a top-tier performer. America is a major country for dirt racing, and mile races are a popular main battlefield. To win 7 G1s in such a place is truly incredible.
In Japan, she's as famous as Symboli Rudolf.
That girl, including her debut and open races, ran a wide range of distances from short to long, with 13 wins in 16 races, and she was a seven-time winner. She's the kind of girl whose three losses are talked about more than her wins, and she still spouts bad puns when you see her, but she's truly amazing.
Given King's goal of winning major races at all distances, it might be easier for her to surpass Symboli Rudolf than her mother.
"...It's always like this."
King mutters quietly, perhaps having noticed my gaze.
"It was the same when I had my old trainer... Last year, when I was winning, it wasn't this bad. But this year, as I've been losing, people started saying things like, 'As her mother's daughter...' That might have also been a burden on my old trainer."
I thought she was feeling down, but even as she spoke, King's eyes were glinting. Her eyes held a fiery determination that said, "I won't lose, I'll never lose." At the same time, I can see a hint of guilt toward her old trainer.
"Well, even when I was winning, they would say, 'Of course, she's her mother's daughter,'..."
King finishes with a shrug. She's putting on a brave face, but she's probably still hurting inside. Rice, noticing this, quietly moves closer to King and holds her hand.
"...Wait? Isn't the person with King Halo 'Big Brother'?"
"You're right, it's Big Brother. And since Rice Shower is here, it must be him. It's Big Brother."
Oh, the audience's attention has shifted to me now. And you guys, you're not even trying to hide it anymore, are you? Where did a nickname like that even spread from?
"It's my first time seeing Big Brother in person... I see, Haru Urara is running in the Unicorn Stakes today."
"Did King Halo get a new trainer? Huh... This is getting interesting."
Hey, why are you saying "this is getting interesting" instead of "King is going to get stronger"? Why don't we go talk about this in the shadows over there?
Just as I'm thinking that, King Halo suddenly lets out a small laugh. She covers her mouth with her hand, a suppressed chuckle escaping.
"Hehe... Seriously, why are you more famous than I am? And 'Big Brother'..."
"I wonder why... No, I really don't know..."
Is it because of Monthly Twinkle? No, is it because of that magazine? I was asked about it in an interview, and it said that Rice just calls me that because she wants to... And Rice, why are you puffing out your chest so proudly?
(Well, if it helped lift King's spirits, I guess it's okay...)
I give King a light pat on the back and move closer to the paddock. I thought I heard a small voice from behind me say "idiot," but it's probably better not to look back.
"Gate 1, Stall 2, Haru Urara."
As I do, the paddock show begins. Urara appears, having changed into her gym clothes and wearing her bib number.
"Urara-chan! Go get 'em!"
"Win and get a hamburger steak tonight!"
"We're rooting for you!"
Then, the people from the shopping district near Tracen Academy raise their voices. I look over and see that they even have a handmade banner ready.
"Wow! Thank you, everyone!"
Noticing them, Urara, for once, forgets her excited jitters and waves with a huge smile.
"Haru Urara... she's great."
"Yeah, she's great..."
Looking at Urara's smile, there are a few spectators who nod with a deep sense of appreciation. Their eyes have changed to a warm gaze, as if they were looking at a young daughter or niece.
"That girl's cute, and her smile makes you feel so energetic, but she's also strong."
"She gets so serious during races. The gap is just too much to handle!"
The spectators who came to the paddock to see Urara voice their thoughts. Even to hardcore Umamusume fans who make the effort to come to the paddock, Urara seems to make a good impression.
Right, right, my Urara is cute, I nod repeatedly. But the paddock show continues, and finally, Smart Falcon appears.
"Gate 7, Stall 14, Smart Falcon."
"Hello, everyone! It's Falco!"
As soon as she appears, Smart Falcon strikes a cute pose. It's a polished Umadol pose that seems to come with a "kyapi!" sound effect, but the crowd's reaction is strangely subdued.
Cheers erupt because she's an Umamusume who has broken records many times, but that's not the kind of reaction Smart Falcon is looking for, is it...?
"Please cheer for me, okay? ☆"
But Smart Falcon keeps smiling and being charming. Her condition seems... good. If the one racing today wasn't Urara but Rice, I would have decided to have her mark her right away.
"She's... a strange Umamusume."
King, who was watching Smart Falcon, mutters quietly. Rice, who heard her, looks at Smart Falcon with a serious expression.
"That girl is strong... Rice might want to race against her."
Rice's words are probably the highest compliment she can give to a Classic division Umamusume. As I hesitate on how to respond, Urara approaches the paddock fence.
"Trainer."
"Urara, the marking will be tight today, so I think you should move up a little closer to the front than usual. Other than that, just do what you always do. Don't get hurt, have fun—and beat Smart Falcon."
"Okay!"
Urara nods energetically at my words. I feel like Smart Falcon, who is a little ways away, is watching our exchange.
"Under the unfortunately gloomy sky, the 11th race at Tokyo Racecourse begins. The GIII Unicorn Stakes at 1600 meters on dirt. The track condition has been announced as 'slightly heavy'."
"As it's the main race of the day, the stands are almost full. It's drizzling a bit, but it shouldn't have a big impact on the race."
The sound of the fanfare echoes, and the commentators each speak. The rain is just a drizzle, the kind where you wonder if you should use an umbrella. Since the track condition is slightly heavy, the dirt race might be run in a fast time today.
As this is happening, the Umamusume enter the gates.
"Gate 1, Stall 2, Haru Urara. The number one favorite."
"She's an Umamusume who is starting to be called a 'Record Breaker' among Umamusume fans. With a record of 3 wins in 8 races, she has set a new record in every race she's won. Will she add to her number of wins? And if she does, will she set another new record? She's a highly anticipated Umamusume."
When Urara's name is called, a huge cheer erupts from the stands. Urara smiles, waves with both hands, enters the gate, and begins to take deep breaths.
She's the number one favorite over Smart Falcon, but what will happen...?
"Gate 7, Stall 14, Smart Falcon. The number two favorite."
"Just like number 2, Haru Urara, she's also an Umamusume who is starting to be called a 'Record Breaker.' She may have lost the popularity battle to Haru Urara, but she hasn't conceded her ability. She's an Umamusume we can expect a good run from."
Smart Falcon, whose name was called, strikes a cute pose toward the stands, waves charmingly, and then enters the gate. A huge cheer erupts for her as well, but is it a little quieter than for Urara?
"..."
I stare at Smart Falcon. The last time she raced against Urara in the Shoryu Stakes, I was focused on Urara and the crowd's reaction, but today I'm not looking at Urara.
Once the gates are filled, the cheering gradually dies down, and within thirty seconds, silence falls over Tokyo Racecourse—the gates open.
"All Umamusume have entered the gates... and they've started. All Umamusume have a clean start. Who will break away first?"
No Umamusume was late out of the gate. They all have a clean start and burst out of the gates.
The Unicorn Stakes is 1600 meters, and the first 100 meters or so are on a straight turf course. After leaving the turf course, they enter the dirt and run on the straight on the far side of the track from the end of the second corner.
Due to this structure, the Umamusume on the inside have the advantage of entering the dirt earlier. The outside isn't extremely disadvantageous since the straight continues for a while, but the further you are to the outside of the course, the later you enter the dirt, by a few meters.
What happens when Umamusume have a clean start on such a course?
"All Umamusume are trying to take the inside, but they're running side by side. They're about to enter the dirt... and before that, someone has made a move. Smart Falcon bursts out from the outside."
"She probably thought it would be better to get ahead, even if it was a little forceful. Haru Urara is moving up from the inside, after all."
They're not running in a straight line, but since they're lined up unevenly, many Umamusume can't run on the inside. Just as it seems they're about to enter the dirt, Smart Falcon suddenly increases her speed and takes the lead.
"Number 14, Smart Falcon, takes the lead here. Number 12, Heart Caesar, and Number 15, Dragoon Spear, follow a horse length behind. Slightly behind them, Number 2, Haru Urara, Number 3, On Stage Review, Number 4, Kumbhakarna, Number 7, Pristine Song, and Number 9, Insight Catch, form the lead group."
"Oh, Haru Urara is a little closer to the front... No, she's much closer to the front than usual."
"Two horse lengths behind them are Number 11, Gold Chouchou, Number 1, Slow Motion, Number 6, Aqua Lake, Number 5, Mini Lotus, and Number 10, Marine Seagull. Two horse lengths behind them, Number 8, Indian Brace, Number 13, Thrain, and Number 16, Luminous Escudo, are bunched up at the very back."
Urara, who started from an inside gate, had a clean start, and can now run on turf for short distances, is running in a position that's not even a chaser position, but like she's keeping up with a front-runner.
At the head of the lead group, in a position where she can quickly catch the front-runner, Urara's appearance already brings huge cheers from the stands.
"Is that okay? Isn't she getting too hyped up?"
"She's not. For 1600 meters, her stamina will hold up, and she's less likely to be marked in that position. I told her to position herself closer to the front... but she's much closer than I expected."
King raises a worried voice, but I quickly calm her down. But, yeah... I thought she would be at the back of the lead group, but it was an unexpected outcome that she ended up at the head of the lead group because of how clean the start was.
But there's no panic on Urara's face. The fact that she chose that position even though she could have backed off means that she noticed Smart Falcon coming up and decided it was better not to back off.
Urara isn't as skillful as Rice or King, but her instincts are excellent in this area. And Urara is, in a way, Rice's number one disciple. She may have decided that she should stay as close as possible to Smart Falcon to aim for the win.
"They're leaving the far side of the track and heading into the third corner. The leader is still Number 14, Smart Falcon. Number 12, Heart Caesar, and Number 15, Dragoon Spear, follow, but the gap has widened to 5 horse lengths. Right behind them, Number 2, Haru Urara, is following closely."
"Smart Falcon's escape speed is as fast as ever. She's leaving the other front-runners behind and moving forward. But it's not clear if she can get away with it today. That Haru Urara is eyeing her, waiting for a chance."
"The race is stretching out. The lead group is changing positions as they enter the third corner... The focus is on whether they can catch the leading Smart Falcon with 1000 meters remaining."
"The gap from the front to the back is 10... 12, no, about 13 horse lengths. If they don't make a move soon, they might not be able to catch up. The fact that there's this much of a gap at this stage is quite unusual."
The commentators exchange words, but even though not even half of the course has been run, there is an incredible gap from the front to the very back.
Normally, you'd think that even if an Umamusume gets a huge lead, she'd run out of steam at the end, but the opponent is Smart Falcon. The commentators are talking about where and when the others will make a move to catch her, not about whether Smart Falcon can last.
(If she was the kind of Umamusume who would lose speed in the final straight, this would be easy... This is my second time seeing her race live, but she's a great Umamusume.)
Smart Falcon doesn't slow down at all and runs through the corner. Huge cheers erupt from the crowd for her running style, and it even seems like she's speeding up in response.
"The leading Smart Falcon passes the 800-meter marker and heads into the fourth corner! After the corner, a straight stretch of about 500 meters awaits! The Umamusume in the back are trying to close the gap, but she's gradually pulling away!"
"Normally, even if you choose to be a front-runner, you'd take a big lead by the end and then hold on so you don't get overtaken... but Smart Falcon runs to the end with that same speed. If she widens the gap here, it will be even harder to catch her in the final straight."
"The unconventional front-runner, Smart Falcon! She's running alone in the fourth corner! She's about to leave the corner and head into the final straight, and—whoa, she's made a move! Haru Urara has made a move! As if to say she won't allow a solo run, she's starting to accelerate!"
Just before the final straight, Urara begins to gradually accelerate. The gap that had been slowly widening between her and Smart Falcon suddenly stops, and she slowly starts to close the distance.
But there's already a gap of nearly 7 horse lengths between Urara and Smart Falcon. That's about 17 meters. In terms of time, it's a little over 1 second.
The remaining distance is—about 500 meters.
"Now, the leading Smart Falcon enters the home stretch! This is the final straight! A slope of about 300 meters greets Smart Falcon, but how will she do!? Her momentum won't stop—it's not! Smart Falcon! She's running up the slope with incredible speed!"
"She's an unbelievable Umamusume... If she was running at that pace at the front, the final slope should be very tough, but..."
"But she's charging forward to stop her! Haru Urara! It's Haru Urara! She passes Heart Caesar and Dragoon Spear! Haru Urara is also charging forward! The gap with Smart Falcon is about 6 horse lengths!"
There's Smart Falcon, who has been flying since the beginning, and Urara, who has been saving her energy until now.
A front-runner and a chaser. In a race between these two, a 6-horse-length gap in the final straight is not a hopeless distance—but.
"Smart Falcon is getting away! The sand falcon! She's running away with incredible speed! Her legs aren't slowing down!"
Smart Falcon isn't a normal front-runner. Although her speed has dropped a little, she's still running at a speed that's astounding compared to any other front-runner, and she's doing it on the home stretch.
Her running style is on par with, or perhaps even surpasses, Mihono Bourbon, as I told Rice before. In a mile race, her escape speed might even be better than Mihono Bourbon's, let alone in a middle or long-distance race.
But even so.
"But here she comes! Haru Urara! She's running to catch the escaping falcon! The fleeing record breaker and the chasing record breaker! Who will win the day!? Or will another Umamusume—they're far behind! They've left the Umamusume in the back far behind! This is now a one-on-one battle between Smart Falcon and Haru Urara!"
As if to say that she will surpass the Smart Falcon she lost to last time, Urara is closing the distance more and more.
Urara kicks the sand, and the heavy, wet sand flies backward with the rain. Her body accelerates faster and faster on the sand, which is easier to run on than a good track.
It doesn't matter that it's a slope. The only thing Urara can see is Smart Falcon's back.
"Smart Falcon passes the 200-meter marker and leaves the slope! All that's left is the flat ground! It's a straight line to the goal! The gap with Haru Urara is—she's closed in to within 2 horse lengths!"
"Smart Falcon was amazing, but Haru Urara's legs are incredible as well. No, maybe the chasing Haru Urara has a slight advantage?"
"Just a little more!"
"Go, Urara-chan!"
"Pass her! Pass her!"
From the stands, the people from the shopping district are shouting desperately. Other spectators are also shouting Urara's and Smart Falcon's names.
As if to respond to the cheers of the spectators, Urara's eyes sparkle. The power in her legs increases, and she accelerates even more, stepping on the sand more deeply and strongly.
But Urara isn't the only one who responds to the cheers. Smart Falcon also accelerates as if to wring out every last bit of strength, trying to pull away from Urara.
"This time! Win it! URA-RA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A!"
"Do your best! Urara-chan!"
"Win, Urara-san!"
I take a deep breath and yell as if to say, "Reach her!" Rice and King also cheer, and perhaps hearing their voices, Urara grows even stronger.
"With less than 100 meters to go, Haru Urara is alongside her! Haru Urara is alongside her! Can she pass her!? Smart Falcon is also holding on! Can she hold on!? Or will she be passed!?"
With less than 100 meters to go, Urara is alongside Smart Falcon.
"!"
At that moment, Smart Falcon's face contorts in surprise, as if she realized Urara had appeared right next to her. Still, Smart Falcon doesn't give in and runs alongside Urara.
100 meters, a short distance for an Umamusume. It's a distance they can run in just over 6 seconds at full speed, but Urara and Smart Falcon are running it as if they were in a joint practice.
That 6 seconds feels incredibly long to me at that moment. And maybe every spectator here feels the same way.
Urara passes her slightly. But in the blink of an eye, they're side by side again, and now Smart Falcon is ahead. And then Urara passes her again. And finally, they're running side by side.
A huge roar from the crowd, which seems to shake the entire racecourse, pushes Urara and Smart Falcon forward. Urara and Smart Falcon don't give an inch—and the final step that decides their fate is probably the difference in spirit: the will to beat an opponent you've beaten once again, or the will to finally beat an opponent you've lost to once.
"Now! Smart Falcon and Haru Urara cross the finish line side by side! The result is... Haru Urara has a slight advantage!?"
"They were side by side... It might be a photo finish..."
"The trailing Umamusume, who were more than 10 horse lengths behind Smart Falcon and Haru Urara, are now charging to the finish line! Third place goes to Number 13, Thrain, who came from behind! Fourth place is Number 6, Aqua Lake! Fifth place is Number 15, Dragoon Spear!"
The outcome between Urara and Smart Falcon is uncertain. The trailing Umamusume are crossing the finish line one after another, but Urara is gasping for air as if she's about to collapse, and the sweat dripping from her forehead falls to the ground with the rain. Still, she's staring at the results board.
Smart Falcon is also breathing heavily, but she's holding her posture better than Urara and is also looking at the results board. Is it her pride as an Umadol not to show a disgraceful appearance in front of the spectators, or something else?
"The results are—oh!? There it is! A new record! Her 4th win and 4th record! First place—Haru Urara!"
The moment the results board lights up, the commentator yells as he tries to read the order.
On the board are the words "RECORD" and the number 2, indicating that Urara is in first place. Smart Falcon is in second place by a nose, and the word "DAISA" (big gap) is lit up between second and third place.
"Did we... win...?"
My knees give out, and I stumble. King notices and rushes to support me, but... sorry. My legs just don't have any strength left.
When I look at the results board in a daze, Urara is also looking at it in a daze. And then, as if she understands that she has beaten Smart Falcon, her body trembles, and she jumps up and down.
But her body must have reached its limit. Urara, who was jumping, falls to the ground, and Smart Falcon, who was watching, smiles with satisfaction and helps her up.
"The time was 0.5 seconds, a new record. Oh, Haru Urara, who won first place, is waving to the crowd with Smart Falcon."
"It was a race that could have gone either way. What will happen to the Classic division's dirt route in the future? Who will win next time...? With this, Haru Urara and Smart Falcon are tied with 1 win and 1 loss each."
"As a race fan, I'm looking forward to seeing what race they'll compete in next."
The male commentator concludes. I listen to him and look at the results board one more time.
Urara definitely won. Urara won against that Smart Falcon.
But—.
(The next race is in two weeks... The Japan Dirt Derby is 2000 meters... and she only won by a nose at 1600 meters...)
I wonder if things will go this well next time. We were helped by our gate position and the course this time. But even so, with Urara... I'm sure of it.
I shake my head while still being supported by King and start walking, ready to praise Urara to the moon and back.
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