Chapter 46. The Unrivaled Japanese Derby Part 2
"We've reached the decisive final straight! After Me is still holding on! Hokusei Ciboulette is right behind her! It seems the slow pace leading has prevented serious slowing down for both of them so far! But Leo Silence and Shin Horisky behind them are starting to slow!" the live commentator shouted loudly.
"It's a good thing; Teio's position means she doesn't need to go around Leo Silence and Shin Horisky to pull ahead,"
Mejiro McQueen was very relieved to see this—the two Uma Musume were very close friends.
"If Leo Durban hadn't gone behind Teio just now, she would be running straight into Leo Silence and Shin Horisky right now," Shuta An interjected.
"By the way, what's the relationship between Leo Silence and Leo Durban?" Kurofune asked curiously.
"Just like Shin Horisky and Student Council President Symboli Rudolf on the track now, they're distant relatives,"
Shuta An had noticed this before and privately checked the Central Tracen Academy's files, finding the answer.
"Relatives won't have any special cooperation on the stage of the Japanese Derby,"
Mejiro McQueen, who probably guessed what Kurofune wanted to say, spoke up.
"Even within our Mejiro Family, if we're in the same race, we won't cooperate or go easy on each other."
"Exactly, so I never worry that she'll affect Teio ahead,"
Shuta An said softly, looking at the group of Uma Musume gradually approaching the finish line.
"Now, let's see how Teio plans to break out."
"Why not just accelerate?" Nishizaki Ryu didn't quite understand Shuta An's meaning.
"That straight is so long, how could she accelerate as soon as she turns in?"
The young man glanced at his friend. "Although Teio's position already gives her a clear view ahead, she doesn't necessarily have to accelerate immediately to overtake After Me and the others. Don't forget, this final straight at Tokyo Racecourse also has an uphill section."
"So Ann-san means for Tokai Teio to wait until the uphill section to accelerate?" Nishizaki Ryu frowned tightly. "By then, it'll only be 200 meters to the finish line; wouldn't that be cutting it too close?"
"In my opinion, before the uphill section arrives, she can temporarily shorten the distance to the leading Uma Musume ahead and gradually start accelerating. Once she steps onto the uphill section, she should go all out immediately and burst out of the group instantly,"
Shuta An offered his idea.
Coincidentally, Tokai Teio was planning the same thing.
After entering the final straight in sixth place, she didn't, as Leo Durban behind her had imagined, instantly burst with an 'electromagnetic catapult' surge the moment she had a clear path ahead.
Instead, although Tokai Teio did accelerate, her acceleration wasn't that fast; she was merely picking up speed slowly, while also overtaking Shin Horisky and Leo Silence, who had entered a state of slowing down.
Leo Durban followed behind Tokai Teio, passing the two opponents together. However, unlike Tokai Teio, who was single-minded, Leo Durban glanced at her relative when she overtook Leo Silence.
Then Leo Durban withdrew her gaze, unwilling to look further.
With 400 meters remaining to the finish line, Tokai Teio was now gradually drawing alongside Hokusei Ciboulette's right side, and because Hokusei Ciboulette was also gradually entering a state of slowing down, Tokai Teio didn't even need a second burst of acceleration to gradually move ahead of her—thus, only After Me remained in front of Tokai Teio.
However, Tokai Teio glanced at After Me and simply withdrew her attention—although After Me had used a slow-paced leading tactic in this race, her distance adaptability, unfortunately, didn't quite reach 2400 meters. After Hokusei Ciboulette slowed down, she also entered a state of slowing down, and her legs were already trembling as she ran.
But Tokai Teio would not pity her opponents. She gradually made her stride length and frequency larger and faster, her center of gravity gradually tilting forward.
"The path ahead is clear; once the next marker appears, I can start my sprint!"
Leo Durban, who had been following closely behind Tokai Teio, naturally didn't miss the details of Tokai Teio's movements. She also judged that Tokai Teio was preparing to start her acceleration when there were 300 meters left.
"How could I accelerate later than Tokai Teio?"
After realizing Tokai Teio's plan, Leo Durban simply took two steps to the right and, preempting Tokai Teio, began her final sprint.
"I've been marking Tokai Teio all this time, so I've definitely accumulated more leg strength than her. Now that I'm sprinting even earlier, the advantage is mine!"
But three seconds later, Leo Durban plunged into the deepest despair.
"Leo Durban has started her sprint! But Tokai Teio is gradually pulling away from Leo Durban! She can't catch up at all! Tokai Teio is even accelerating further! Leo Durban can't keep up!"
"Why?!"
Shuta Ann and others around him—no, it could be said that the spectators in the stands of the nearby racecourse—could all hear this roar filled with unwillingness.
"Is that Leo Durban's Trainer?" Shuta Ann probably guessed the identity of the voice's owner.
"She's going to win!" Kurofune and Rice Shower stood on either side of the young man, each grabbing his wrist. "Teio-senpai is going to win!"
"Yes." Shuta Ann responded softly. "The victory is decided. Now it just depends on how many lengths Teio will win by."
Nishizaki Ryu listened to Shuta Ann's words and thought of Special Week's Japanese Derby.
"I wasn't as calm as Ann-san back then," he thought. "Is it because he won the French Derby before? If you win the Derby a second time, does the joy indeed fade a lot?"
And Kitahara noticed even more: "Ann-san is clenching his hands so tightly now. He's definitely more excited than he looks, isn't he?"
—
As she stepped onto the final Slope Road of Tokyo Racecourse, Tokai Teio had already pulled four lengths ahead of Leo Durban. Because she entered an uphill section, her speed involuntarily decreased.
Leo Durban, who had not yet conceded defeat at this moment, forgot about the terrain and mustered new courage from the bottom of her heart.
"I still have a chance!"
She vigorously swung her legs, wanting to rush forward and close the gap between herself and Tokai Teio—this courage lasted until she, too, stepped onto this Slope Road.
"Leo Durban accelerates again—but Tokai Teio gives her no chance to catch up!"
In the final 100 meters, Tokai Teio could only hear her own breathing and footsteps. The whole world seemed to be left with only her own existence.
"I will prove that I am more than just the strongest Uma Musume of this generation."
She never forgot what she had told her Trainer a few days ago.
"Starting with this Japanese Derby!"
Tokai Teio gritted her teeth. Although there were no opponents left to catch up, she had no intention of conserving her strength here; instead, her speed increased another notch.
Seeing this scene, the live commentator trembled all over, shouting excitedly—
"Tokai Teio has left all her opponents far behind! Four lengths are not enough! Tokai Teio will use this Japanese Derby to lay the foundation for her throne! The door to a new world is right before our eyes!"
"Look at this speed! Look at this power! This will be another undefeated Triple Crown Winner Uma Musume after Symboli Rudolf! Such an impact will surely be brought to Kyoto Racecourse this autumn!"
Accompanied by the commentator's roar, Tokai Teio crossed the finish line first.
"2:24.9! Exactly one second off the race record set by Sunny Brian! The final 200 meters were entirely Tokai Teio's solo performance! Let's congratulate Trainer Shuta on his first Japanese Derby victory! After last year's undefeated Triple Tiara, will this year's Sadalsuud team produce an undefeated Triple Crown Winner?!"
Hearing this, both Nishizaki Ryu and Kitahara simultaneously turned their gaze to the young man.
"Of course, I want Teio to become an undefeated Triple Crown Winner," Shuta Ann candidly expressed his expectations for Tokai Teio.
At this moment, Tokai Teio, who had stopped, turned and looked towards the stands. Catching sight of her Trainer at a glance, she flashed a brilliant smile, raised her right hand to the cheering spectators in the stands, and held up two fingers.
After this pose was struck, the Tokyo Racecourse erupted in thunderous cheers.
Everyone remembered the same pose Symboli Rudolf had struck here years ago.
"Speaking of which" A question arose in Shuta Ann's mind. "How old is Symboli Rudolf?"
Realizing that this question was not appropriate to voice, he quickly dismissed the doubt.
—
Shuta Ann had Kurofune and the others return to the Box first, while he headed to the media area to prepare for interviews.
Tokai Teio was still interacting with the spectators on the racecourse. She would also have to go for interviews with reporters before returning to the lounge to prepare for the winning live.
The young man arrived at the media area, occasionally looking back at Tokai Teio's figure.
Looking at the eager reporters ready to ask questions, Shuta Ann grinned and said, "It's my old habit, I'm sure you all understand."
So the first reporter's question was quite conventional—
"Shuta Trainer, how do you feel about winning the Japanese Derby for the first time?"
"Very happy. Before, some people said that as a Trainer registered in Japan, I hadn't won the Japanese Derby and shouldn't be called a Derby Trainer. Now, there shouldn't be such comments."
Shuta Ann shrugged. "Moreover, after winning this Japanese Derby, Tokai Teio also gained the qualification to challenge for the undefeated Triple Crown—the first undefeated Triple Crown Winner after Symboli Rudolf."
The young man paused here, a smile full of anticipation on his face: "If last year's Mejiro Dober achieved the undefeated Triple Tiara, and then the following year's Tokai Teio achieves the undefeated Triple Crown—"
He scanned the media reporters in front of him, "The Golden Generation is gradually coming to an end, but the new golden age will certainly be no weaker than the golden era, don't you agree?"
"The Golden Generation…" The media reporters muttered to themselves. "Although last year's performance truly lived up to that name, it also faded very quickly. Now, perhaps only Grass Wonder can still be considered in her prime? But even her…"
Among the most dazzling Uma Musume of the so-called Golden Generation, El Condor Pasa and Special Week have retired from the Twinkle Series.
Grass Wonder, after her comeback this year, ran in the Nikkei Sho and the Keio Hai Spring Cup. The former was a G2 over 2500m on turf at Nakayama, and the latter was a G2 over 1400m on turf at Tokyo. She finished ninth in one and sixth in the other, losing by a total of 1.5 seconds to the winning Uma Musume.
Tojo Hana said today that she brought members of Rigil to Tokyo Racecourse to watch the race, but she actually only brought Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa. Speaking of which, El Condor Pasa also plans to sign up with Oguri and the others for the Dream Trophy Series, which was inspired by Shuta Ann's proposal.
However, today she put aside her pre-race preparations and accompanied her good friend to Tokyo Racecourse to watch the Japanese Derby, hoping to help Grass Wonder regain her racing feel.
Tojo Hana had found the reason for Grass Wonder's poor performance, but she was not sure if she could become a miracle doctor and "cure" Grass Wonder's problem.
Having Grass Wonder watch Tokai Teio's race this time was one of the methods.
"I can feel that I want to run on the racecourse." Grass Wonder lowered her head. "I'm sure my fighting spirit hasn't faded, but it was like this during the Nikkei Sho and Keio Hai as well."
Grass Wonder dared not guarantee that she could deliver last year's brilliant performance in the next race, the Takarazuka Kinen.
"It's okay, we still have time, we'll take it slow." Tojo Hana clenched her fist, finally comforting Grass Wonder.
Meanwhile, Shuta Ann was still being interviewed—
"Does Miss Tokai Teio have plans for an overseas expedition next year?"
Everyone knew that Shuta Ann had denied that Tokai Teio would follow Mejiro Dober's schedule from last year and go on an overseas expedition this year. So the reporters decided to shift the timing of the question to next year.
"Of course, she does." Shuta Ann responded without hesitation. "Today, when I was chatting with Trainer Nishizaki and Trainer Kitahara in the Box, I said something to them, and I'll share it with all of you here."
"When Tokai Teio achieves her biggest dream since childhood, crosses the ocean, transcends the sky, and embarks on the path to conquer the world—this is her destiny as an undefeated Triple Crown Winner."
"Destiny…" This was the first time Shuta Ann had used this word in front of reporters.
"So, if Tokai Teio wins the Kikuka Sho, then next year she will choose to embark on an overseas tour and expedition, is that correct?" a reporter pressed on.
"No, Tokai Teio also has race plans domestically next year."
Shuta Ann denied the possibility of a full year of overseas expeditions next year—at least Tokai Teio would absolutely not give up the Japan Cup.
Given the average level of Uma Musume at Central Tracen Academy now, it is still too difficult to defend the Japan Cup every year. As an undefeated Triple Crown Winner Uma Musume, Tokai Teio undoubtedly must defend the Japan Cup next year—this is the honor a Triple Crown Winner Uma Musume must bear.
An Uma Musume achieving the Triple Crown means she is undoubtedly the strongest of her generation, and even the strongest across several consecutive generations, bridging the past and future. She will receive praise that other Uma Musume do not, tolerance that other Uma Musume do not, and all the wonderful treatment that other Uma Musume do not—but if, as a Triple Crown Winner Uma Musume, her strength cannot live up to these privileges, or even further, if she evades her responsibilities.
All blessings will turn into curses, clinging to her.
Therefore, as long as Tokai Teio wins the Kikuka Sho and can compete normally in the second half of next year, then the Japan Cup next year, as a Triple Crown Winner Uma Musume, will be her inescapable duty.
This is a far greater constraint than those placed on Derby Uma Musume.
Tokai Teio wasn't thinking about any of this. She simply dealt with the reporters, declared her full confidence in the Kikuka Sho, and then returned to the lounge to change into her winning outfit.
"Once the winning live is over, I can rest for a while, then win the Kikuka Sho in the autumn…" Tokai Teio hummed a tune as she planned how to spend her summer vacation.
When she arrived at the door of her lounge, she was surprised to find her most respected and beloved Kaichou standing there, waiting for her.
"Kaichou?" Tokai Teio tilted her head, a little puzzled.
"Teio is here." Symboli Rudolf, who had been lost in thought, came back to her senses and gestured for Tokai Teio to lead her into the lounge.
After closing the door, she looked at Tokai Teio, who had a puzzled expression, and explained, "I came to chat with Teio."
"Congratulations, Teio, on winning the Japanese Derby and becoming the new undefeated Triple Crown winner. You're only one Kikuka Sho away from the Triple Crown,"
Symboli Rudolf said, looking at Tokai Teio, her heart filled with nostalgia for the day she first met her after winning the Japanese Derby.
"I still remember when Teio and I first met, you said you wanted to become a Uma Musume like me," Symboli Rudolf mused inwardly, but her lips posed a question—
"Teio, has Shuta-kun said anything about the Kikuka Sho?"