Chapter 52. Overtime Penalty
Because they were assigned to the two outermost starting gate, Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were the last two to go up to the presentation stage.
"Gate 14, Mejiro McQueen, who achieved the rare Spring Tenno Sho consecutive victories this year, but clearly, her goal is never just to become Japan's strongest long-distance Uma Musume. For Mejiro McQueen, winning today's Takarazuka Kinen is her first step towards becoming the strongest active Uma Musume!"
Mejiro McQueen waved to the stands, greeted by deafening applause and cheers. As the young lady of the Mejiro Family, Mejiro McQueen was quite popular.
Tokai Teio, standing below the stage, looked at her friend's back, but there was no envy in her eyes. Because she knew that the cheers awaiting her would be even more enthusiastic than those now.
Mejiro McQueen smiled, responding to the fans' cheers in the stands. But there was no hint of complacency in her heart either. Because she knew that the cheers Tokai Teio would receive later would be far more enthusiastic than what she was getting now—
After Mejiro McQueen stepped off the presentation stage, she extended her hand to her friend.
"Good luck."
"You too, McQueen." Tokai Teio shook her hand back once, then continued to stride forward. "Let's give the fans a race they can remember for a long time."
"I will do my best." Mejiro McQueen stopped, turned around, and looked at Tokai Teio, who was already ascending the steps. "even if it costs my health."
"Then forget it."
Tokai Teio stopped and looked back at her friend.
"Nothing is more important than health. McQueen, you should take care of yourself. We'll have many more chances to compete in the future."
With that, the Undefeated Triple Crown turned her head back, skipped a few steps, and with a leap, landed steadily on the presentation stage.
The moment she stood firm, Mejiro McQueen shivered—not because there was anything wrong with her body, but because in that instant, the entire Hanshin Racecourse trembled from the cheers.
"TEIO! TEIO! TEIO"
"STRONGEST!"
"NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD!"
The cheers gradually became synchronized, which made Mejiro McQueen feel a trace of fear for a moment. This was Kansai, and generally speaking, very few Uma Musume could receive such unified cheers here. But clearly, Tokai Teio was among them.
"Is it the Triple Crown bonus, or the boost from the Dubai expedition?"
Mejiro McQueen, having regained her composure, wondered.
"Should I also consider an overseas expedition?"
—
"GATE 15! TRIPLE CROWN WINNER! TOKAI TEIO!"
No further introduction was needed; just the four short words "Triple Crown Winner" were enough to represent everything.
After the commentator's voice faded, the cheers from the stands became even more fervent.
Tokai Teio smiled and waved to the audience. As long as she was mentally sound, no Uma Musume would dislike receiving such enthusiastic cheers.
"For the fans, for McQueen, and even more so for the Trainer and myself—In this race, I will show you the true Teio!"
Tokai Teio's smile became more strained, even looking a bit forced.
"Teio seems to have made some kind of decision."
Shuta An said at this moment, standing behind the trackside railing.
"Mhm."
Mejiro Dober, being experienced, also noticed.
"What kind of decision?"
Kurofune was a bit confused.
Ayabe glanced at Rice Shower, then at Mejiro Dober, who wasn't going to answer the question, and quietly explained to Kurofune.
"It should be a determination to go all out, right?"
"Didn't Teio-senpai go all out before?"
Kurofune was even more puzzled.
Ayabe was a bit helpless and could only continue to explain.
"Of course, she took a serious attitude before, but going all out isn't just about having a serious attitude."
"Teio, in this race, is aiming to issue penalties to all her opponents on the track."
Shuta An then took over the conversation.
"Issue penalties…"
Kurofune, being a student at Central Tracen Academy, immediately understood the meaning of this phrase—
The Central URA Association generally issues penalties to participating Uma Musume in the following situations: on-track fouls (such as severe interference with opponents by swerving), causing trouble (such as refusing to exit the starting gate, refusing to finish the race, running backward, or going in reverse), and the specific one Shuta An was truly referring to—
"After being left too far behind by the winning Uma Musume, different overtime disqualification penalties will be issued based on the race's grade."
In other words, the young man meant that Tokai Teio would send all her opponents in this race to face overtime disqualification.
"Can she really do it?"
After understanding the statement, Kurofune's first reaction was a bit skeptical.
"With the track so bad today, I feel she can send at least two or three Uma Musume into overtime."
Shuta An judged.
The young man even felt he was being a bit conservative.
The star power of this Takarazuka Kinen largely relied on Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen. Among the remaining 13 Uma Musume, only Daitaku Helios had won a G1, making the field quite dim. With such a lineup, even on a good track, Shuta An believed Tokai Teio would have a chance to pull ahead of one Uma Musume by more than 5 seconds—the overtime disqualification standard for the Takarazuka Kinen is 5 seconds. Being 5 seconds behind the winning Uma Musume at the finish line triggers the overtime disqualification rule, resulting in a one-month suspension.
"Several weaker Uma Musume have run eight or nine races in the first half of this year. If they get suspended for a month, giving them a vacation, Teio would be doing a great service."
The young man thought seriously.
—
After stepping off the presentation stage, Tokai Teio took to the turf with her signature "Teio Step."
Each time she lifted her leg high, mud splattered behind her. But Tokai Teio seemed oblivious, continuing towards the starting gate.
She was the last to arrive near the starting gate. She stood in place and began her warm-up, engrossed.
Having decided to display her full power to her opponents and fans here, Tokai Teio intended to meticulously prepare every detail she noticed.
"My physical condition is really good today; I feel much stronger than that night in Dubai. Has my honkakuka progress increased significantly?"
She mused while exercising her ankles.
Lowering her head, Tokai Teio pouted, clearly seeing the top of her shoes.
"Since the maturation progress has begun why is my figure still—"
She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I've worked so hard, you should work hard too!"