Finally, the last match of the first half of the year has arrived, and it is a match that has garnered nationwide attention in Japan—
Takarazuka Kinen.
Like Arima Kinen in December, the Takarazuka Kinen at the end of June relies on fan votes for its participants.
Those Umamusume competing in this tournament are undoubtedly the most active Umamusume of the year.
The intensity of this year's Takarazuka Kinen is incomparable to previous ones, mainly due to the so-called "M.T. Showdown," a clash between the two strongest active Umamusume: Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio.
Last year's Arima Kinen was the "T.M. Showdown," but this year's Takarazuka Kinen has become the "M.T. Showdown."
The biggest reason for this is that Tokai Teio lost to Mejiro McQueen in the previous Arima Kinen.
Mejiro McQueen's fourth Spring Tenno Sho title further propelled her popularity to new heights.
Everyone was curious.
Last time, three-time champion Tokai Teio lost to Mejiro McQueen in her forte, long-distance races.
So, this time, could Mejiro McQueen defeat Tokai Teio in her forte, middle-distance races?
If Mejiro McQueen wins, then the title "strongest long-distance Umamusume" can be dropped.
Many familiar faces were among the participants.
After the Umamusume presentations, the commentator began introducing each participant's basic information and popularity ranking.
"Now entering the arena is Narita Taishin, ranked 9th in popularity."
...
"Now entering the arena is Matikanetannhauser, ranked 7th in popularity."
"Having achieved an astonishing victory in the previous American Jockey Club Cup (American Jockey Club Cup) with an eight-race winning streak on the straight, how will she perform in this Takarazuka Kinen?"
"Now entering the arena is Nishino Flower, ranked 6th in popularity."
"Nishino Flower, exceptionally active in sprint races, has just been awarded the title of Best Sprinter Umamusume by the URA."
"Now entering, number 5 in popularity, Mejiro Palmer."
...
"Now entering, number 4 in popularity, Rice Shower."
...
"Now entering, number 3 in popularity, Dantz Seattle."
...
After the previous 15 Umamusume had all taken their turns, only the highly anticipated Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen remained.
The two, dressed in their final outfits, stood in the corridor before their entrance.
"Teiō, I'll say it again," Mejiro McQueen said, turning with a smile to Tokai Teio beside her. "If you lose this time at your preferred distance, can you please not cry?"
Tokai Teio chuckled softly, responding to Mejiro McQueen's words with a confident smile.
"The same goes for McQueen. If you lose, don't cry."
After Tokai Teio finished speaking, both of them laughed in unison, then simultaneously extended their inner arms and bumped fists.
"Trainer-san favors McQueen; he hasn't scheduled any matches for me this year~"
Tokai Teio left with these words and walked away.
"Now entering the arena is number 2 in popularity, Japan's fourth Triple Crown Umamusume, Tokai Teio!"
Without even a commentator's full introduction, the audience erupted in incredibly enthusiastic cheers just from seeing Tokai Teio's silhouette faintly appear from behind.
The fervor was more than double that of Dantz Seattle, who was ranked third in popularity.
"Having maintained an undefeated record before Arima Kinen last year, can Tokai Teio defeat Mejiro McQueen today at her preferred distance?"
...
"Then, finally—"
The commentator had barely uttered the words when the crowd erupted in cheers as enthusiastically as when Teiō had entered the arena.
"The number one favorite in this match, the first-ever four-time Tenno Sho champion, the strongest long-distance Umamusume—Mejiro McQueen!"
Amid the increasingly loud and excited cheers of the crowd, Mejiro McQueen, dressed in an incredibly elegant white and green final outfit, finally emerged from behind the stage.
She walked slowly onto the lawn in front of the gate, greeted by the cheers of countless spectators.
"Go, Miss McQueen!!!"
"Go, Miss Teiō!!!"
In the stands, Satono Diamond and Kitasan Black were cheering at the top of their lungs for Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio.
They looked exactly like they did when they were kids.
Smart Falcon listened to the deafening cheers surrounding Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen as they entered the arena and felt incredibly envious.
"I wonder if Falcon will ever get to hear cheers like that from the audience in the arena?"
This time, it was not just the Umamusume trainers and ordinary spectators who came to watch.
Even Maruzensky, Symboli Rudolf, and Mr. CB were there to witness the duel between what was considered the two strongest Umamusume currently active.
Maruzensky watched the Umamusume making their final preparations on the lawn then asked Symboli Rudolf.
"Rudolf, CB, who do you two think will win?"
"It's hard to say, but I'm rooting for Teiō," Symboli Rudolf said.
"In terms of distance, Teiō does have the advantage, but McQueen's aura is far stronger than Teiō's right now, and Teiō hasn't been scheduled to compete for a long time. I feel McQueen has a better chance of winning," CB said.
"What about you, Maruzensky?" Symboli Rudolf asked.
"Me…" Maruzensky smiled, glancing at Rice Shower in all black. "I'm on the side of the Zone."
"You mean Rice Shower…" Hearing Maruzensky's words, Rudolf turned to look at Rice Shower, raising an eyebrow.
"Rice Shower today is different from before…"
"Different." Maruzensky chuckled. "CB is one thing, but Rudolf, you're actually starting to think Teiō and McQueen can beat the Umamusume in our side?"
"After all, it's happened several times before." Symboli Rudolf shook her head with a smile. She was the one who invented the term "Zone," yet she was the first to waver.
Symboli Rudolf finished shaking her head and looked up at Maruzensky.
"If we don't consider the final winner, just between Teiō and McQueen, who do you think will win, Ski?"
"I think it's McQueen too," Maruzensky said. "Teiō beat McQueen at school, but she hasn't faced off against any Umamusume in the arena, and she hasn't competed at all in the last six months, so it's hard to say how strong she is."
Symboli Rudolf nodded, agreeing with Maruzensky's assessment.
But then her gaze was drawn back to Rice Shower.
She felt that Rice Shower was different today.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the Hanshin Racecourse stands, an Umamusume with long, wavy blonde hair tossed a coin in her hand, watching all the Umamusume in the arena with amusement.