"As the sun sets and the heat begins to subside at Ohi Racecourse, the 11th race, the Japan Dirt Derby, a Grade I race over 2000 meters on dirt, is about to begin. The track condition is officially declared 'good'."
"This is the first Grade I race of the year for Classic-level horse girls on dirt. Overall, it's the third Grade I race this year, following the February Stakes in February and the Teio Sho last month. We're all watching to see who will win."
We moved from the paddock at Ohi Racecourse to the stands on the course and took a spot in the front row, listening to the announcer and commentator. The rainy season hasn't ended yet, but the weather is cloudy, and the track is in good condition. It's a bit muggy, but with the sun setting and the sea breeze, the temperature seems to be dropping. The conditions for running a race aren't bad. The mugginess is to be expected at this time of year.
The horse girls, including Urara, gathered near the gates at the exit of the fourth corner. Each was wearing her own racing outfit, and their faces were filled with determination as they waited for the moment to enter the gates.
"Gate 1, number 2, Smart Falcon. She's the third favorite."
"What a cute, idol-like racing outfit she has. Smart Falcon is a horse girl we all remember from her one-on-one battle with Haru Urara in the Unicorn Stakes a few days ago. This is a middle-distance race, a distance she's never run before, but we're looking forward to seeing her performance."
The announcer's and commentator's words are met with huge cheers from the crowd. Smart Falcon smiles and waves to the crowd, and then blows a kiss before entering the gate.
"Gate 2, number 3, Haru Urara. She's the second favorite."
"Oh... what a cute racing outfit this is, too. The crowd at the paddock was cheering so loudly for her. She's the second favorite, one rank higher than Smart Falcon, thanks to her win in the Unicorn Stakes. However, like Smart Falcon, she's never run a middle-distance race, so that's an unknown."
Next, Urara enters the gate—but just like at the paddock, the crowd's cheers are insane. The expression "explosive" would be the most fitting. In response to the deafening cheers that seem to shake the entire racecourse, Urara smiles her usual big smile, waves her hands, and jumps up and down. That makes the crowd cheer even louder, and I can't help but give a wry smile.
"I'm happy she's so popular, but it's hard to react when the cheers are this loud."
"It can't be helped, Onii-sama. Urara-chan is just so cute."
"I don't know about Rice-senpai's reaction, but... well, I won't deny she's cute."
Rice is puffing out her chest as if Urara's popularity is her own, but I'm too proud to say anything... And King, if you say that to Rice, she'll dote on you again, you know? Is that what you want?
"Gate 2, number 4, Oguri Cap. She's the top favorite."
"She's making her first appearance on a dirt track in a long time. With a record of 9 wins in 11 races in the local leagues, and 5 wins in 6 races since she moved to the central league, the 'Ash-Colored Monster' Oguri Cap is the top favorite, surpassing Haru Urara and Smart Falcon. This is to be expected from the Satsuki Sho winner."
Next, Oguri Cap's name is called. However, for the top favorite, the cheers aren't that loud... Wait, did the last cheer break my ears? Are my eardrums okay? Okay, putting the jokes aside. Maybe the cheers are smaller because she doesn't wave to the crowd like Urara and Smart Falcon.
(I still can't read her... Is she just spaced out, or is she in bad shape? If she's strong when the race starts, that's a problem...)
Neither Urara nor Smart Falcon has run a middle-distance race before. On the other hand, Oguri Cap won the Satsuki Sho, a Grade I race over 2000 meters on turf. She also got second place in the Japan Derby, so it's understandable that she's the top favorite despite this being her first dirt race in a long time.
(Still, I feel like Smart Falcon is aware of Oguri Cap...)
Smart Falcon, who entered the gate first, is looking at Oguri Cap out of the corner of her eye. Urara is between them, but Smart Falcon is clearly looking at Oguri Cap, not Urara. I don't know if Oguri Cap is unaware of Smart Falcon's gaze or is just ignoring it.
(Do Smart Falcon and Oguri Cap have some kind of history? I would understand if she was aware of Urara, who beat her in the Unicorn Stakes...) I thought that while observing Smart Falcon. Speaking of being aware, I feel like some of the spectators are looking at me too, but that's probably just my imagination. I want to believe it's my imagination, so please stop pointing your smartphones at me. No, the smartphones are pointed at the height of my upper arm, not my face, so maybe they're trying to take pictures of Rice or King next to me. I'm just being paranoid, I guess.
As I was observing Smart Falcon, the last of the horse girls in the outermost gates finished entering. The sound from the stands gradually receded. The Japan Dirt Derby is finally about to begin. I take a deep breath to calm myself down and stare at Urara, whose expression has become serious in the gate.
"All horse girls are in their gates—they're off!"
With a loud clatter, the gates open. At the same time, the horse girls in their colorful racing outfits all start off at once.
"All the horse girls are off to a clean start. Now, who will take the lead first... Number 2, Smart Falcon, takes the lead. Following her are number 14, Heart Caesar, and number 15, Indigo Chouchou."
"It's a start from the fourth corner, and the first straight is a little over 400 meters. The gap they create before the first corner will likely change the race's future."
"Following the three runaway horse girls are number 4, Oguri Cap, number 6, On Stage Review, number 8, Shorty Shot, number 12, Kumbhakarna, number 7, Pristine Song, and number 9, Insight Catch, who form a pack. About one horse length behind are a group led by number 3, Haru Urara, followed by number 5, Slow Motion, number 10, Marine Seagull, number 11, Aqua Lake, and number 13, Mini Lotus. Bringing up the rear are number 1, Sleyin, and number 16, Phoenicia Deal."
From the start to the first corner, there's a straight of nearly 400 meters. So each horse girl doesn't try to force her way inside and runs while maintaining a position where she can run easily. Urara is running at the front of the mid-pack, Oguri Cap is at the front of the pack, and Smart Falcon is at the front of the runaway group. Urara is at the front of the mid-pack to conserve her energy for the 2000-meter race. I've trained her as much as I could, but she won't have the stamina to go all out from the start.
"The horse girls are running down the home stretch, and the cheers are incredible. The cheers for each horse girl's name... no, screams, are echoing."
"Uraraaaaaa! Gooooooo!"
"There's an especially loud voice mixed in, cheering for Haru Urara. She must be very popular."
I shout with my hands cupped in the shape of a megaphone. Urara must have heard my voice, as she's running with a smile on her face despite her serious expression.
"Now, the leaders are passing the first straight and entering the first corner. The leader is still number 2, Smart Falcon. About three horse lengths behind are number 14, Heart Caesar, and number 15, Indigo Chouchou. One horse length behind them, the pack led by Oguri Cap is giving chase, changing their positions as they go. Two horse lengths behind that pack is a group led by Haru Urara."
"Smart Falcon has a good runaway speed, but this is a 2000-meter race. I wonder if she has the stamina to last until the end, or if she's trying to gain distance at the beginning."
Ohi Racecourse is a flat course in the shape of a rounded rectangle with two straightaways of about 500 meters and two corners of about 300 meters. Since there are no slopes, it must be an easy course for Smart Falcon to run away on, as it's easy to keep track of her lap times.
That's probably why.
"The leader, Smart Falcon, has passed the second corner and entered the backstretch. She's pulling away from the rest of the pack, and the distance between her and the other runaway horse girls is already about 6 to 7 horse lengths. Heart Caesar and Indigo Chouchou are fighting for second place. The pack led by Oguri Cap is about three horse lengths behind them."
"Is she... going too fast? She's running away alone, but this race is becoming one that makes you wonder if Smart Falcon's legs and stamina will last."
Smart Falcon is running away at an unbelievable pace. She's leaving the other runaway horse girls behind and running down the backstretch, bathed in the light of the stadium's night lighting.
(Is she going too fast? No, her face doesn't look like she is. She's clearly trying to make a big runaway...)
Smart Falcon seems to be all out of fight today. It feels like something she barely managed to keep hidden in the paddock and just after entering the gate has now come out.
"Smart Falcon passes the 1000-meter mark, and her time is 58.8 seconds... 58.8 seconds?! Sh-she's running away at an incredible pace! She's running alone at the front, widening the gap between her and the pack!"
"I would understand if this was a short-distance race, but this is 2000 meters... And this time on a good dirt track is... well, what can I say... she might really be going too fast."
In response to the announcer's and commentator's words, the atmosphere in the stands also changes. The spectators who were cheering for their favorite horse girls now seem to be focusing their attention and cheers on Smart Falcon, who is running alone.
(This is bad... the gap between her and Urara is over 10 horse lengths... I don't think so, but if she can maintain that pace until the end, we won't be able to catch up...)
It's impossible to run a middle-distance race at a short-distance speed. Urara's time isn't slow today; in fact, she's in a very fast group. Her 1000-meter time is 1 minute and 1 second, which is a very fast pace, especially considering that the track is in good condition.
"!" This is bad..."
I think to myself and mumble. It's not just Urara's pace that's fast; the overall pace of the race is fast. They must be getting anxious from Smart Falcon's runaway pace and unconsciously speeding up. I can see a hint of anxiety on Urara's face. This is her first time running in a Grade 1 race, and the distance of 2000 meters is a long one for Urara. It would be unnatural for her not to feel anxious when Smart Falcon is running away in a way that breaks all expectations.
Still, Urara is holding back well. She knows that if she speeds up too much before the final stage, she'll run out of stamina. She's conserving her energy, knowing that she'll run out of stamina if she makes a move now.
"The pack is also speeding up, as if being pulled along by the leader, Smart Falcon. Heart Caesar and Indigo Chouchou are accelerating and slowly closing the gap with Smart Falcon. The pack led by Oguri Cap is also slowly picking up speed."
"If they don't, Smart Falcon will get away. She'll probably slow down at the end, but they must have thought they wouldn't be able to catch up if they didn't get closer."
"In the mid-pack, Haru Urara has fallen back slightly, and the order is Slow Motion, Marine Seagull, Haru Urara, Aqua Lake, and Mini Lotus. Near the rear, Sleyin and Phoenicia Deal are slowly picking up speed."
Even as other finishing horse girls move up, Urara remains calm. But her eyes are constantly moving, as if she's measuring the distance between Smart Falcon and herself. She's probably looking for the right moment to make a move, using her instinct to match her remaining stamina with her maximum speed.
"Smart Falcon passes the 800-meter mark and enters the third corner. The pack is slowly closing in, but there's still a big gap. Who will make a move, or will they let Smart Falcon continue to run alone?"
Smart Falcon's running speed isn't slowing down, and she maintains a beautiful form even as she enters the third corner. But she's clearly using up her stamina, as big drops of sweat are running down her forehead, and she's starting to breathe heavily. The horse girls behind her are running as if pulled along by Smart Falcon. They pass the 800-meter mark after Smart Falcon, and I narrow my eyes as I see them.
(800 meters left... they've already run 1200 meters. This is where the race gets serious for Urara...)
1200 meters is already a short-distance race. Running another 800 meters from there makes stamina management crucial. Thinking about that, I can't help but realize how incredible Smart Falcon's feat is, running 1200 meters at a short-distance speed and still leading the race.
"The horse girls are running down the third corner and heading for the fourth—and she's made a move! It's number 4, Oguri Cap! She's made her move at the 600-meter mark! She's speeding up all at once to catch up to the horse girls in front!"
And at the 600-meter mark, Oguri Cap makes a move. I don't know if she decided that was the right time to make a move or if she decided she wouldn't be able to catch up if she let Smart Falcon run alone any longer. Oguri Cap's body leans forward and sinks slightly. And despite running on a corner, she accelerates and picks up speed.
Urara still hasn't made a move. To be more precise, she can't make a move yet. Rice can start her long spurt from the 600-meter mark, but Urara doesn't have that much stamina.
(Be patient... not yet, Urara...) I call out to Urara in my heart as she conserves her energy without being swayed by the changing race. I know she can't hear me, but I can't help but shout words of encouragement that are like prayers for the hardworking Urara.
"Smart Falcon, who's running alone in the lead, has finally passed the fourth corner! Now for the final straight! Only about 400 meters left! Will her legs last?! Oguri Cap is slowly closing in from behind!"
"Smart Falcon must be slowing down... is what I want to say, but I can't see her limit yet. The crowd is also cheering loudly for Smart Falcon."
"Go, Smart Falcon!"
"Go, Falco!"
"Runaway to the finish!"
Smart Falcon, who had been slowing down a bit, must have heard the cheers from the crowd. Just when it seemed like she was about to slow down, she holds on and runs on the dirt. Smart Falcon, running alone under the spotlight of the night lighting, is trying so hard that it makes you want to cheer for her.
"The horse girls pass the fourth corner—and here she comes! The one who just made a move is Haru Urara! The Unicorn Stakes winner! She suddenly picked up speed as if to target the 'Hayabusa of Sand' and the 'Ash-Colored Monster'!"
The moment she enters the final straight, Urara suddenly shifts gears. She lets out all the energy she had been conserving over the last 400 meters.
"Gooooooooo! Uraraaaaa!"
Seeing that, I shout to encourage her. If not now, then when? Urara's eyes sparkle, and her accelerating body accelerates even more. The dirt she kicks up explodes and flies backward, pushing her body forward.
"Haru Urara passes four horse girls at once and moves up! Oguri Cap must have noticed the threat from behind, as she's accelerating even more! Can Smart Falcon run away until the end—?!"
"The gap between her and Oguri Cap is closing... or not..."
The announcer gasps, and the commentator lets out a dazed sound. That's understandable. Smart Falcon, who was supposed to have slowed down, accelerated again.
"The l-leader is still Smart Falcon! Oguri Cap has moved up to second place! But the gap is still 4 to 5 horse lengths! It's still a big gap?! S-Smart Falcon is showing an incredible runaway speed!"
Oguri Cap passes all the other horse girls besides Smart Falcon, and she leans her already-leaned-forward body even more forward. She puts on a fierce expression and then starts her second acceleration to catch up to Smart Falcon.
"Haru Urara has moved up to third place! But is the distance too far?! They've passed the 200-meter mark, but there's still a big gap between her and the leader!"
Oguri Cap shows her second acceleration and closes the gap with Smart Falcon. Urara, as if following their lead, shifts up another gear, as if to go beyond her limit.
"Go, Urara-chan!"
"Just a little more! Go, Urara-san!"
"Not yet! Go, Uraraaaaa!"
Rice and King shout, and I also shout while pounding the fence between the course and the stands. Urara has already reached her limit. But she hasn't given up. She grits her teeth as if to say she can reach them from here, and she chases after Smart Falcon and Oguri Cap.
"Oguri Cap is behind Smart Falcon! The monster is closing in to tear apart the Hayabusa! But the gap is still three horse lengths! And even further behind them! The spring wind is blowing, not to be outdone by the sea breeze at Ohi Racecourse! Can Haru Urara make it?!"
Urara starts to catch up to Oguri Cap, who has already fully accelerated. But there's less than 100 meters left. Can she pass Oguri Cap and then pass Smart Falcon?
While I'm watching and shouting, Urara's body suddenly sinks.
"Ah—"
A sound of despair almost escapes my mouth. Her body, which has reached its limit against her will, and her exhausted body, has lost strength in her legs, causing her to lose her balance. She couldn't make it. The distance of 2000 meters was too long for Urara, even if she could handle it in training. As if to show me that, Urara's body falls forward—but just before she does, she kicks the dirt.
"Haru Urara falls?! No, she stumbles a bit but recovers! But there's no distance left! Smart Falcon is running away! Oguri Cap is chasing! And from behind them, Haru Urara is moving up! But there's no distance left!"
I cringe as I see Urara's face. Her breathing is rougher than ever, and she looks like she's about to trip and fall at any moment.
—But she never gives up, and she's running with all her might.
"Haru Urara is now side by side with Oguri Cap! But! Now! Smart Falcon runs away and crosses the finish line! First place goes to Smart Falcon!"
Even then, Urara couldn't make it. She went beyond her limit and got within two horse lengths of the leader, but she couldn't make it.
"Second place is... Haru Urara?! Or Oguri Cap?! It looked like they crossed the finish line at the same time, but who is it?! And Sleyin is diving in to fight for fourth place! Heart Caesar and Mini Lotus are also fighting for fifth place as they cross the finish line!"
I look at Urara, who has crossed the finish line, while listening to the announcer's voice. Urara is wobbling as if she has used up all her strength, and she finally kneels on the course as her body gives out. She's holding her chest and breathing heavily. Smart Falcon, who won first place, is also breathing heavily and trembling, although she's not kneeling. Only Oguri Cap, who ended up side by side with Urara, is standing straight, catching her breath and staring at Smart Falcon. However, she's not wiping the sweat from her forehead or brushing away the ash-colored hair stuck to her cheek.
"The order is confirmed. First place goes to number 2, Smart Falcon. Her winning time is 2 minutes and 3.1 seconds. Second place is 2 horse lengths behind, number 4, Oguri Cap. Third place is a nose length behind, number 3, Haru Urara. Fourth place is 4 horse lengths behind, number 1, Sleyin. Fifth place is 1 horse length behind, number 14, Heart Caesar."
"She was only a few tenths of a second away from a record, but the time is unbelievable for a good track. Smart Falcon, who ran away and won, is receiving huge cheers and applause from the stands."
The order is read out, and a huge cheer for Smart Falcon comes from the stands. Smart Falcon takes a big breath and then puts on a happy smile—not a fake one, but a real one.
"Thanks for the support! Falco won!"
And she sings her victory in a clear voice. At the same time, she strikes a cute, idol-like pose, and the crowd cheers even louder.
(She couldn't make it... no, considering it was a 2000-meter race, Urara put up a good fight...)
Above all, Smart Falcon deserves the most praise for this race. Her legs, which ran away from the beginning to the end, were without a doubt worthy of praise. I admire her attitude of still smiling at the crowd despite her trembling legs.
But even so...
(...Damn it!)
I let out a curse in my heart. I'm so frustrated. It can't be helped. The thoughts of how I just wanted Urara to experience the Grade 1 stage, and how it was for her future Grade 1 short-distance and mile races, cross my mind, but I kick them away. Urara tried so hard. She's so exhausted that she can't even stand up, but she still finished the race. And in the end, she even caught up to Oguri Cap. She was so close, but she just couldn't make it, but she went beyond her limit.
I clench my fist. My hand is trembling from clenching it so hard, but I grit my teeth and suppress my frustration. In my line of sight, Smart Falcon, who had been waving to the crowd, turns around. She passes Oguri Cap... and her mouth moves a little? Did she say something? Oguri Cap turns to look at Smart Falcon with a stunned expression.
However, Smart Falcon isn't looking at Oguri Cap anymore. She walks over to Urara, who is kneeling and can't stand up, and without caring about her knees getting dirty, she kneels down and helps Urara stand up, hugging her. She then says something to Urara in a gentle tone, and Urara responds with a smile but a clear hint of frustration, nodding. Did she ask if she was okay and Urara said yes? Urara then says something. It's probably, "I won't lose next time." Smart Falcon's eyes widen, and she puts on the same genuinely happy smile she did earlier.
With Smart Falcon helping Urara up by lending her a shoulder, they leave the course. The crowd gives them a shower of applause and cheers. I run with Rice and King to the course's entrance and wait for Smart Falcon and Urara.
"Oh, it's Urara-chan's trainer! Falco's turn is over now!" Smart Falcon says with a smile. I hug Urara, who is still catching her breath, and bow my head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Smart Falcon. And thank you."
"No need to thank me! Urara-chan and I are friends! Well then, I'll go get ready for the live show, Urara-chan."
Smart Falcon strikes a cute pose and then turns her back and leaves. After seeing her off, I look at Urara, whom I'm hugging.
"Are you okay, Urara? Take your time, and take a deep breath."
"Okay..."
Urara follows my instructions and takes a slow, deep breath. But her legs are still trembling, and she can't stand on her own.
"You're not... hurt... right?"
She's not unable to stand from pain. I concluded that from the way Urara was moving, but I still ask her with a shaky voice. Urara gives a weak smile.
"I'm o-okay... I'm just a little tired..."
"I see... I'm glad..."
I'm relieved from the bottom of my heart. I take out a handkerchief and wipe the sweat from Urara's face, then I pick her up in my arms.
"We have some time before the winning live, so let's go to the changing room to rest."
"Okay... I understand."
Urara nods obediently and relaxes her body, leaning on me. I ask Rice and King to lead the way and start walking.
"Hey, Trainer..."
"What is it?"
I respond gently to Urara's call. She then lifts her right arm and puts it over her eyes to hide them.
"The winning live... in my racing outfit..."
"Yeah... you're right. It's your first Grade 1 race, and you got third place... you have every right to be proud..."
As I say that, my voice cracks. Oh, she does. A third-place finish in her first Grade 1 race is a result to be proud of. And it was a third-place finish in a difficult middle-distance Grade 1 race for Urara. I should be proud...
"Yay... I did it, Trainer... I'm in my racing outfit for the winning live... I'm so, so... happy..."
It's not just me; Urara's voice also cracks. She says "happy" but can't finish the word, and her body trembles.
"I'm so... frustra...ted..."
And the word that comes out is all that's on Urara's mind. Even though she's hiding her eyes, tears are streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm frustrated... I'm so frustrated, Trainer... I couldn't reach them... I couldn't reach Falco-chan or Oguri-chan..."
"..."
I put more strength into the arms I'm using to hold Urara. Oh, damn it, I can't do this. No matter how many times I feel this pain, I never get used to it. I bite my lip to suppress the frustration that makes me want to claw at my chest.
"The winning live... I wanted to stand in the center in this outfit..." Urara says, and her body trembles again. No, maybe it's my body that's trembling. Or maybe both of us.
"I'm sorry, Urara... I'm sorry I couldn't get you the win..." I say, letting out a deep sigh. Urara nods quietly at my words and says something at the same time as me.
"But—"
"But—"
—Next time, we'll win. I'm Haru Urara's trainer, and Urara is my horse girl. We silently vow to each other that we'll win next time, and we both shed tears.
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