"A refreshing autumn day at the Tokyo Racecourse. The 11th race, the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), a 2000-meter turf race, is about to begin. The track condition has been announced as 'Good'."
"The time for the autumn Senior Triple Crown has come again. I'm excited from the very first race to see if an Uma Musume will be born to achieve the great feat that Rice Shower accomplished last year."
"Speaking of Rice Shower, she won first place in a three-way dead heat in this year's Summer Dream Trophy. Her achievements from last year include a long-distance G1 win, the autumn Senior Triple Crown, two consecutive Arima Kinen victories, and, most of all, six G1 wins, second only to Symboli Rudolf. My heart is swelling with anticipation, even as a commentator, to see if an Uma Musume will follow in Rice Shower's footsteps this year."
The fanfare echoed through the Tokyo Racecourse, and the announcer and commentator each spoke... and they were praising Rice at an incredible rate.
Thank you, but you can praise her even more, you know? You can praise Rice, who is blushing next to me and looking down, even more. She's still so weak to compliments, so she gets embarrassed when she's praised in public.
Rice, who is blushing, is turning into red rice... Ah, no, I'm starting to think like Symboli Rudolf sometimes.
This is a race that Rice ran in last year, but the Tenno Sho (Autumn) is 2000 meters. The starting position is on the right side of the spectator stands... or rather, it's a straight start connected to the first corner.
Because of that, the Uma Musume are hard to see from the spectator stands. The position of the gates means they'll be facing away from the crowd.
However, many Uma Musume turn around before entering the gates to wave to the crowd when their names are called. Some dislike such performances, but most Uma Musume will smile at their fans.
They enter the gates in odd-numbered order, but each time their name is called, they wave to the crowd with a smile, bow their heads, or raise a fist before entering the gates.
"Gate 4, Seiun Sky. She is the seventh favorite."
"She's one of the Golden Generation and the Uma Musume who set a world record in last year's Kikuka Sho. This girl's escape speed is phenomenal... huh?"
The male commentator made a sound of surprise. And for good reason, Seiun Sky was waving to the crowd, but she suddenly lost her balance and grabbed onto Oishii Parfait, who was next to her.
"Seiun Sky has made contact with Oishii Parfait. Are they both okay?"
"Did she lose her footing on the turf? Seiun Sky is apologizing to Oishii Parfait, whom she knocked over."
Seiun Sky bowed her head to Oishii Parfait in a flustered manner. The spectators had mixed reactions to Seiun Sky's actions: some laughed warmly, some looked suspicious, and some were worried.
(It wasn't a forceful push, but... is she okay?)
Oishii Parfait, who lost her balance when Seiun Sky suddenly grabbed her, rolled on the turf with her, but she immediately got up and patted Seiun Sky on the shoulder with a smile, as if to say, "Don't worry about it."
So neither of them was injured, but Seiun Sky kicked the turf a few times with her left foot and tilted her head in confusion.
And then she was supposed to enter the gates... but to my surprise.
"For some reason, Seiun Sky is not entering the gates. Is there something on her mind?"
"We sometimes see an Uma Musume who doesn't want to enter the gates, but that didn't seem to be the case just now."
The male commentator's voice was filled with a sense of wonder. I also found it strange, but once she entered the gates, Seiun Sky was docile.
"Gate 5, Special Week. She is the fifth favorite."
"She's one of the Golden Generation. I saw her in the paddock, and she looks to be in great condition today. I think we can have high expectations for her."
Next, Special Week entered the gates. She was smooth and waved to the crowd with a smile when her name was called.
However, her demeanor completely changed once she entered the gates. I could tell from a distance that she was full of fighting spirit.
"Gate 6, Winning Ticket. She is the eighth favorite."
"She's also one of the Golden Generation. She looks to be in great shape. Let's have high expectations for a good run from her."
Perhaps because it took a while for Seiun Sky to enter the gates, the announcer and commentator were speaking a little faster than usual. As I was thinking that, it was King's turn.
"Gate 8, King Halo. She is the first favorite."
"One of the Golden Generation... no, should I say the 'King of the Generation'? She's the Uma Musume who won the Sprinters Stakes last month, her fifth G1 win, and conquered all G1 distances. She is the heavy favorite in today's race."
As the announcer and commentator introduced her, a burst of cheers erupted from the crowd. The cheers were so loud that Urara and Rice flinched and jumped a little.
Of course, King must have heard it, but... King gracefully waved with a calm smile and entered the gates with a determined expression.
"Gate 2, Biwa Hayahide. She is the second favorite."
"If King Halo is the heavy favorite, she is the rival. She has a great track record in the spring Senior Triple Crown, finishing first in the Osaka Hai, fourth in the Tenno Sho (Spring), and second in the Takarazuka Kinen."
At that introduction, another loud cheer flew from the crowd. Biwa Hayahide waved to the spectators and entered the gates, her hair fluttering in the wind.
"Gate 3, Happy Meek. She is the third favorite."
"She's one of the Golden Generation and an Uma Musume who has won in G1 short-distance and mile races. I've also heard rumors that she is aiming to conquer all G1 distances, and she has the ability to do so. I have high expectations for today's race."
Meek bowed her head politely toward the spectators. At her gesture and demeanor, cheers of "So cute!" flew from the crowd, mainly from women. However, some spectators were saying, "Her shoes look like baguettes again today," but that must be an optical illusion.
"Gate 5, Machikane Tannhauser. She is the ninth favorite."
"She's one of the veteran Uma Musume in the Senior Grade. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of run she'll show us today."
Machikane Tannhauser put both of her fists in front of her chest, as if to say, "Mmm," before entering the gates. I wonder if that's some kind of routine for her?
"Gate 6, Nice Nature. She is the fourth favorite."
"She's had a good track record in the spring Senior Triple Crown, finishing third, third, and fourth. I wonder what kind of run she'll show us in this Tenno Sho (Autumn)... Let's have high expectations for a good run from her."
Nice Nature waved with a wry smile and entered the gates as if she were used to it. She has no G1 wins, but her number of G1 races is one of the highest among the Uma Musume in this race. The top is Oishii Parfait.
"Gate 8, Ogre Cap. She is the sixth favorite."
"She's one of the Golden Generation. I heard she was in long-term medical treatment for a suspensory ligament injury, but in her return race, the Mainichi Okan, she competed with Grass Wonder and finished second by a neck. It's safe to say she has recovered. A good run is expected in today's race as well."
Ogre Cap, whom I can see from a distance, doesn't put on any flashy performance. Still, she bows her head slightly to the crowd before entering the gates.
...Speaking of which, Grass Wonder isn't here. She had a good run in the Mainichi Okan, so I wonder if her condition has declined?
While I was thinking about that, the sounds from the Tokyo Racecourse faded away. It was a sign that the race was about to start and also a sign that the spectators were desperately holding back their excitement for the race that was about to begin.
The weather is nice today, and I'd say it's a beautiful autumn day. There's sunlight, but it's not hot, so the temperature is just right for King and the others to run.
The tension at the Tokyo Racecourse grew. And the sounds that had been gradually fading away disappeared completely for a moment.
"All Uma Musume have entered the gates... and they're off!"
And with a thud, the gates opened, and the Tenno Sho (Autumn) began.
"All the Uma Musume got a clean start. The first to burst out is number 1, High Timesun. Followed by number 7, Seiun Sky, who is running to the front. Following them are number 2, Biwa Hayahide, number 4, Happy Meek, number 5, Mini Cactus, number 9, Special Week, number 15, King Halo, number 11, Winning Ticket, and number 14, Ogre Cap."
"There were no stumbles, and they all got a good start."
"Followed by number 3, Frilled Peach, number 10, Nice Nature, number 8, Machikane Tannhauser, and number 12, Magyar Rondo. And at the rear are number 13, Unchanging, and number 6, Oishii Parfait."
The 2000-meter Tenno Sho (Autumn) is a race where they run one lap around the course from the start and then sprint down the home stretch to the finish line. It's short compared to a long-distance race and long compared to a short-distance race. Still, if they stumble at the start, they'll have trouble with their positioning, so everyone must have been focused.
"The Uma Musume are now passing the second corner and running down the backstretch. The leader is still number 1, High Timesun. One length behind her is number 7, Seiun Sky. The leading pack is another one length behind them."
"The race has just begun... It seems each Uma Musume is waiting to see what their rivals will do."
From the start to the middle of the backstretch, it's a downhill slope, and after running up a short, steep hill that's less than 100 meters long, it becomes a downhill slope again. For a human, a 100-meter hill is long enough, but for an Uma Musume, it's so short that they can run through it in just a few seconds, not even ten.
And when they get to the home stretch, there's another uphill slope, but the strain is much smaller compared to Kyoto Racecourse's famous Yodo Hill.
(The strain is small... at least it should be...)
I murmured that to myself as I watched the Uma Musume running down the backstretch.
Seiun Sky got a clean start, but I was worried that she was running in second place without taking the lead. Even if High Timesun, who is in the lead, had a good start in gate 1, the inner rail is rough, so their advantage or disadvantage should be a wash.
Of course, High Timesun's escape speed is good, but it's not so good that Seiun Sky can't catch her. This means that she must have a plan in mind to stay in second place.
"After passing the 1000-meter mark, each Uma Musume is now passing the backstretch and entering the third corner. The leader is still High Timesun."
"The 1000-meter time is 59.1 seconds, which is a good pace. We should start to see some movement from each Uma Musume soon."
King is gradually increasing her pace and running to the front. I furrowed my brow as I watched her.
(Special Week moved at the same time... and Ogre Cap is also moving up to the front.)
The moment King tried to pass Special Week, Special Week also started to accelerate. From the way she's moving, I can tell that she's very conscious of King.
And then there's Ogre Cap... I can't help but wonder if she really had a suspensory ligament injury, as she's moving so well. She should have been banned from training and in long-term medical treatment because of a suspensory ligament injury, but her movements are so sharp that you wouldn't think she just returned.
(Maybe the suspensory ligament injury was a bluff... and that might be the reason why the method to heal it is so vague.)
In that case, having her run in the Mainichi Okan was a return race before a G1 race—and it's possible that this is the real deal. She finished second in the Mainichi Okan after competing with Grass Wonder, but she might show her true strength in the real thing, the autumn Senior Triple Crown.
"After passing the 800-meter mark, the leading High Timesun is entering the fourth corner. She has a lead of about two lengths over the following Seiun Sky. She has a lead of four lengths over the leading pack, seven lengths over the group behind them, and about ten lengths to the rear. She's going at a great pace."
"But the problem is from here. There are a few girls who are slowly moving up."
"Number 9, Special Week, number 15, King Halo, and number 14, Ogre Cap are competing with each other and moving to the front. They are right behind the third-place number 2, Biwa Hayahide. They are about five lengths behind the leading High Timesun."
The third and fourth corners are a gentle curve, but the entrance and exit are relatively sharp. So the moment to make a move would probably be after passing the fourth corner, in the final stretch.
In this race, the final stretch is about 500 meters long. The uphill slope continues until the 300-meter mark, but from there on, it's mostly flat.
However, given the remaining distance, I judged that other Uma Musume besides King would also start to move. In particular, I'm scared of Oishii Parfait, who has been showing unexpected runs in every G1 race lately. Twin Turbo isn't here this time, but what kind of run will she show us? Hmm?
"Passing the fourth corner and into the final stretch! High Timesun is still in the lead! But here comes the G1 five-time winner! The 'King of the Generation' is accelerating all at once! But Special Week, who is not to be outdone, is now side by side with her! And right behind them! Ogre Cap is also moving up!"
"...Some of them are accelerating, but some of them are falling back."
"What's going on!? Oishii Parfait at the rear is suddenly slowing down! Did she forget to fuel her Parfait Engine today!? And the second-place Seiun Sky, and the sixth-place Biwa Hayahide, their legs aren't moving! Are they still holding back!?"
At the 500-meter mark of the final stretch, King made her move. And Special Week and Ogre Cap responded by accelerating, but Biwa Hayahide didn't move. In fact, she seems to be frantically moving her body as if she's flustered...
And Seiun Sky's expression is desperate, but her legs aren't moving. As for Oishii Parfait... she used to be a chase Uma Musume but couldn't chase and was sinking, so I don't know if she's in bad condition or if she's just back to her old self. She might suddenly burst forward from here, though.
"King Halo, Special Week, and Ogre Cap have passed Biwa Hayahide and are now fighting for third place! No, they've also passed Seiun Sky and are now fighting for second place! They are about a length and a half behind the leading High Timesun! Will they catch up!? Or will High Timesun escape... but she's been caught! High Timesun has been caught!"
Using the uphill slope that exists until the 300-meter mark, King suddenly jumped into the lead. She passed the slowing Biwa Hayahide and Seiun Sky, and the leading High Timesun, and is now in the lead. But next to her is Special Week. And right behind her is Ogre Cap.
"Go, go, go, go, go! Win just like that!"
King Halo is running from my left to my right. Her figure, with her long hair fluttering in the wind, is dignified, and loud cheers are flying from the spectators.
"Do your best, King-chan! For your sixth G1 win!"
"Do your best, King-chan! Do your best! Do your best!"
Urara and Rice are also shouting desperately. And as if she heard our voices, King's lips curled into a smile, and she kicked the ground even harder and accelerated.
Seeing that, Ogre Cap also showed a second stage of acceleration. Special Week was being left behind by King and Ogre Cap... no, she wasn't.
"Passing the 200-meter mark, the fight for the lead between King Halo, Special Week, and Ogre Cap is accelerating! They've extended their lead with incredible speed and then accelerated even more! These Uma Musume are amazing!"
Special Week also accelerated, desperately running to cross the finish line before King. The three Uma Musume kicked the turf, sending grass and dirt flying behind them, and fought a fierce battle.
The fourth place and below... they're accelerating, but they probably won't be able to catch up. I confirmed that out of the corner of my eye and watched King's run.
"Is it King Halo!? Is it Special Week!? Is it Ogre Cap!? The three of them are side by side and heading for the finish line! Less than 50 meters left... Ah, it's King Halo who has pulled ahead by a small margin! Has King Halo pulled ahead by a small margin!? No, Special Week has also moved ahead! They are tangled up as they cross the finish line!"
"Their position is... Is King Halo in a better position?"
The male commentator murmured with a lack of confidence. From where I'm standing, I'm looking at the finish line at an angle, so I'm not confident either.
(Ogre Cap is in third place... but as for whether King or Special Week won...)
The three-way dead heat in the Summer Dream Trophy just passed through my mind. Compared to a three-way dead heat, a two-way dead heat is relatively common. As I was thinking that, the results board lit up a short time after the Uma Musume behind them crossed the finish line.
"The results have been confirmed. First place is number 15, King Halo. The winning time is 1 minute, 58.4 seconds. Second place is number 9, Special Week, by a nose. Third place is number 14, Ogre Cap, by a half-length. Fourth place is number 10, Nice Nature, by one length. Fifth place is number 4, Happy Meek, by a neck."
--King won.
The moment I realized that, I let out a sigh of relief. And I almost lost all the strength in my body, but I braced myself with my legs.
"King Halo has now won her sixth G1 race! And she has now conquered both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho! Team Kitalpha has now won both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho for the second consecutive year!"
And hearing the announcer's shout, I clenched my fists.
Following Rice, King also won the spring and autumn Tenno Sho. With this, King has not only conquered all G1 distances but has also accumulated a great achievement. Furthermore, she is now tied with Rice and second only to Symboli Rudolf with six G1 wins.
When I looked past the finish line, I saw King, who was breathing heavily from the fierce battle at the end. But I squinted my eyes at King, who was puffing out her chest as if to say, "I will not show a disgraceful sight."
(The first victory of the autumn Senior Triple Crown... I said she would challenge Symboli Rudolf's record, but King might easily surpass it.)
King has the ability to stably perform at a level that makes me think that. As I watched the spectators applaud and cheer for her dignified stance, I averted my eyes slightly.
(But, what will happen next...)
I thought that as I saw the regret and an intense passion on the face of Special Week, who finished in second place.
And the next morning.
I was planning to read the sports newspaper in the club room as usual, but I saw a message from a colleague and my eyes went wide.
"I heard that Biwa Hayahide, Winning Ticket, and Seiun Sky all have bowed tendons."
At that news, I couldn't help but look up at the ceiling of the club room.
--------------------------------------------
🚀 Want INSTANT Access & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my P4tr3on!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!