Under normal circumstances, before a race, most Uma Musume would look up information on their opponents online.
Compared to the last century, with live broadcasts available now, race videos—including the… eventful ones—were well-preserved and easily searchable online.
They could repeatedly watch every detail of their upcoming rivals' past performances.
Of course, studying the details was one thing, but after researching an opponent, whether you could actually defeat them depended on whether you could devise a counter-strategy—and having the strength to execute it.
It was just like when Barbatos and El Condor Pasa entered their first G3 race.
They faced targeted strategies from all the other competitors, but those marking tactics were useless when there was a sheer difference in ability.
Before all her previous races, Barbatos never bothered studying her opponents.
The only exception was during the relay marathon, when she tried reviewing Oguri Cap's race footage. But in the end, Oguri Cap was taken out by Special Week in a one-for-one trade, so that preparation went unused.
What she had been doing instead was spending more time playing League of Legends, using the time others spent on research to improve her own strength. But this time, with an outing already planned, it was completely necessary to study the footage of the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
Both Silence Suzuka and Air Groove were opponents she had to take extremely seriously.
On the net-cafe's oversized computer screen, a ring spun at the center of the display before transforming into a G1 symbol, with "Tenno Sho (Autumn)" written below.
The video was split into several parts. Barbatos directly clicked on the race section, skipping the pre-race interviews, entrance ceremonies, and winner's stage.
It started right with the Uma Musume entering the starting gates.
The Uma Musume competing in the Tenno Sho—even leaving aside Air Groove and Silence Suzuka—were all G1-level competitors not to be underestimated. They were opponents that required careful handling.
A G1 race at the level of the Tenno Sho was on a completely different plane from the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies she was going to enter.
Unlike the previous Keio Hai Junior Stakes, which, despite the "Junior" in its name, still allowed Uma Musume who had been active for two years to participate, the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies was only for first-year Uma Musume. All participants were from the same generation.
So, even though both were G1 races, the prestige of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies was much lower than the Tenno Sho's—it didn't even match the intensity of some G2-level events.
Still, an Uma Musume who could win the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies was destined to attract attention.
Over the next two years, the winner would undoubtedly remain in the top tier of her generation, even able to compete with seniors from other generations.
"If it's Air Groove-senpai, she'll probably use a front-running strategy," Seiun Sky mused, leaning one hand on the table.
As a legendary Uma Musume, the "Empress" Air Groove's preferred running styles were no secret; even casual fans who didn't know all the intricacies could talk about them.
Her two most skilled strategies were front-running and stalking.
Of course, when it really came to race day, she'd adjust based on her opponents. It wouldn't necessarily be one of those two positions.
As the Uma Musume in the video entered the gates, Barbatos, thinking about Silence Suzuka's running style, remarked, "If she chose a deep stalking strategy, I'd almost suspect even Air Groove could lose to Silence Suzuka."
"So if it were you facing Silence Suzuka, you wouldn't choose to start at the very back either."
"Of course not. Even I wouldn't be able to catch up then. I'd just end up the favorite for second place."
Silence Suzuka's super front-running had left a deep impression on anyone who saw her race.
That extraordinarily dazzling dash could make other competitors feel despair.
If you started out planning to conserve energy, waiting at the back of the pack for a chance to close in later… even Barbatos's closing speed wouldn't be enough to close such a huge gap.
You had to go all out from the start, trying your best to keep the distance from Silence Suzuka from widening, to have any chance of winning.
If both she and Seiun Sky could figure that out, then the Empress Air Groove would naturally realize it too.
As the starting gates in the video flew open, Silence Suzuka seized the lead with an almost perfect start, gradually pulling away from the Uma Musume behind her, giving them no chance for a direct challenge.
Even though there was another front-runner among the competitors, because of Silence Suzuka, that one was forced to shift from a true 'escape' role into a front-runner's pace.
There were still differences among front-runners themselves.
The Fugitive From Another Dimension—Silence Suzuka—was undoubtedly the King of Escapes.
On the opening stretch, Silence Suzuka held the lead. The other front-runner was four lengths behind in second. Air Groove tucked in behind that front-runner, reducing wind resistance, sitting in third.
"If it were me…" Where would she position herself if she were in this race?
Logically, Air Groove's spot would be the best choice. But judging by her own base speed, against all G1-level Uma Musume, she wouldn't be able to reach Air Groove's position in her normal state.
In other words, without using any skills at the start, facing Tenno Sho-level competitors, she'd probably only manage a mid-pack position even while using a front-running style.
But if she made it to next year's Tenno Sho, if she participated, she shouldn't be lagging behind them. She'd be on their level—or even stronger.
If Silence Suzuka also ran in next year's Tenno Sho, maybe they could have a match-up there. But that was just a thought. According to her plan, when the Tenno Sho came around next year, she was supposed to participate in the final leg of the Triple Tiara: the "Shuka Sho."
"I feel like if I met Silence Suzuka, I'd be in quite a bit of trouble."
"True enough," Seiun Sky nodded. She had also mentally put herself in the race just now, and it seemed there wasn't a great solution for her either.
But although both she and Silence Suzuka were front-runners, their strengths were different, and their ways of winning weren't the same.
Next year, her race schedule wouldn't overlap with Silence Suzuka's.
She didn't know what races Silence Suzuka would enter next year, but it definitely wouldn't be the classic-grade events. She wouldn't meet her in the classics.
On the video, Silence Suzuka passed the large zelkova tree, went through the fourth turn, and entered the final straight.
The front-runner in second place, having clearly pushed to keep up with Silence Suzuka, began to tire and slow down.
Air Groove, who had been sitting right behind her, chose that moment to unleash her power, displaying the legendary Uma Musume's formidable late kick.
With ample stamina, she accelerated, overtook the second-place front-runner, and crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Silence Suzuka, claiming victory in the Tenno Sho.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.