[In reality, there are many more stories about Twin Turbo, but I'll save the specifics for his dedicated chapter. He is also a horse that moves people deeply.]
[For now, I'll first mention this 1991 Arima Kinen, which created so many moments that would go down in history.]
[Despite being a relative newcomer at the time, Twin Turbo gained immense popularity due to his "all-out escape" style, which earned him a spot in the Arima Kinen.]
[The way he entered the Arima Kinen is extremely rare in the entire history of the JRA.]
[In the 1991 race, many people who bought tickets for Twin Turbo weren't doing it to win money, they just liked him so much that they bought the tickets as a memento.]
[One can only ask: How strange is a horse like Twin Turbo?]
[From the very start of the race, he captured everyone's attention with an extreme escape, setting the whole venue on fire.]
[Everyone was laughing while discussing just how long Twin Turbo could hold out and at exactly how many meters he would lose speed. The atmosphere was incredibly cheerful.]
[And when he actually did lose speed, there was no sadness, instead, everyone burst into laughter together.]
[Perhaps in Twin Turbo, people saw something beyond just winning a race.]
[He did lose speed time and again, yet in the next race, he would continue to sprint at full speed, burning himself out with a shining spirit to reach the finish line. People realized that he possessed a will to never give up.]
[Even if he failed 99 times, the next time he would still charge toward the finish line with his life on the line.]
[This struggling posture touched countless people, making them willing to believe "Maybe next time?" Maybe next time, he could bring a hearty, century-defining escape victory. Maybe next time, he would succeed.]
[Because of this, many fans bought Twin Turbo's tickets to inspire themselves. Even if their current lives were difficult, as long as Twin Turbo was still running hard, maybe things weren't so bad.]
[They wanted to be like Twin Turbo— it was okay if life was temporarily hard, they just had to keep giving it their all. Perhaps next time, maybe even tomorrow, they could be one step closer to their dreams.]
[The tickets they bought for Twin Turbo were, in a sense, tickets for their future selves.]
[In a way, the energy Twin Turbo brought to everyone was like Haru Urara's never-say-die, uplifting spirit. People didn't mind that they kept losing. It wasn't about victory for their fans, but about watching a race where one gives everything toward victory.]
[Of course, there are many, many more stories about Twin Turbo, but we'll talk about those later.]
[Returning to the 1991 Arima Kinen: As mentioned, there were 15 runners, and it was a star-studded event featuring legendary horses like Mejiro McQueen, Nice Nature, Mejiro Ryan, and Daitaku Helios.]
[Before the race, Twin Turbo was actually unwilling to enter the gate. After struggling for nearly a minute, he finally went in. This kid has been stubborn since childhood. Either he doesn't move at all, or he moves wildly.]
[The Twin Turbo I know is like that too. What a brat.]
[After Turbo got into the gate, this highly anticipated Arima Kinen was about to officially began.]
[However, despite the star-studded field, there was no doubt that once the race started, the one who captured everyone's gaze was Twin Turbo, leading the pack.]
[At the start, Twin Turbo opened up a huge gap, even leading the Front Runners by five lengths at one point, drawing cheers from the whole crowd.]
[The fans said that it it doesn't matter who wins in the end. To them, they'll have one thing to say when asked about that Arima Kinen: Who was it that led the whole field at the start?]
[It was Twin Turbo! The horse that gives his all in every race!]
[Cheers echoed throughout the plaza along with Twin Turbo's sprint. Seeing him continuously pull away from the other horses, this dazzling style of running left a deep impression on countless hearts. Everyone was shouting and cheering, the scene was incredibly lively.]
[However, Twin Turbo was about to reach his limit! He definitely charged hard at the start. In his blue hood, he was the definition of "fierce," but later on, he completely fell apart.]
[At the third corner of the Arima Kinen, a stir suddenly broke out in the venue. It turned out Twin Turbo was done for! He had indeed led at the start, but upon entering the final phase, He finally shifted into "Reverse Jet" mode, entering a state of total deceleration and being overtaken by the other horses one by one.]
[But at this moment, everyone also got tense because the final moment of decision had arrived.]
[Everyone's eyes were gathered on the 1st favorite, the top racer of the prestigious Mejiro house: Mejiro McQueen. People shouted, "Go, McQueen!"]
[In the final phase, Yutaka Take, riding Mejiro McQueen, was fully concentrated. Following his usual leading strategy, he maintained his advantage and smoothly entered the fourth corner.]
[At that moment, entering the final straight, the young genius jockey Yutaka Take finally decided to go all out and began a total acceleration.]
[Yutaka Take was focused, he felt the rush of wind as McQueen sprinted, his gaze firm. In his heart, he believed he would win this time because McQueen was too fast. In this race of JRA powerhouses, he was at the absolute peak. No horse could possibly overtake him from behind at such a speed.]
[Even the commentator was exclaiming: "McQueen is here! McQueen is making his charge for the Arima Kinen!"]
[At this time, Masahiro Matsunaga, riding Nice Nature, didn't think he was out of chances and also began a full sprint toward Mejiro McQueen in the final phase, instantly reaching the front rank.]
[The scene was chaotic. Everyone knew that shortly, the champion of this Arima Kinen would be born, and the audience was boiling!]
[However, just then, a scene occurred that left everyone dumbfounded.]
[The sound of a broadcast caused a stir and exclamations throughout the venue: "It's not just McQueen! Yamanin Global is here too! And Dai Yusaku! Dai Yusaku's yellow cap is charging up as well!!"]
["McQueen is overtaking from the outside! Dai Yusaku is coming too!"]
["Is it McQueen? Or Dai Yusaku!]
["It's actually Dai Yusaku! The mind-boggling Dai Yusaku!"]
["Oh my God, Jockey Kumazawa on Dai Yusaku has raised his arm! The yellow-capped Dai Yusaku, winning in a massive upset as if possessed!"]
["Jockey Kumazawa and Dai Yusaku have won!!"]
(T/N: Just to be clear, this is not a mistranslation of Daitaku Helios. Even though their names are similar and Helios also raced in that Arima Kinen, Dai Yusaku was the actual winner..)
[At that time, the entire racecourse shook. One fan even clutched their head in shock, completely unable to believe this staggering result!]
[The upset of the century! An absolute upset of the century!]
[The crowd went wild. Some new fans didn't even know who Dai Yusaku was. How did it produce such incredible speed at the very end?!]
[Dai Yusaku, are you cheating somehow?]
[Compared to this, Dai Yusaku's upset was ten thousand times more shocking than Cosmo Dream's!]
[As a side note, Cosmo Dream belonged to an earlier generation and was the 1988 G1 Oaks winner. More ridiculously, she was also ridden by Jockey Kumazawa. This guy specializes in pulling off miracle upsets. After that race, Cosmo Dream even earned a new nickname: "Gambling Dream."]
[As long as you dare to bet, miracles happen.]
[The golden rule is: No child cries every day, and no gambler loses every day!]
[Going All-In is an art!]
[However, I still don't condone gambling. I, Miss Mizuki, swear to be irreconcilable with gambling and drugs.]
[That other vice is fine though.]
[Furthermore, after looking at Dai Yusaku's real-life stats, I realized even more how absurd this upset was.]
[In this race, Dai Yusaku was the 14th favorite out of 15 horses, with win odds reaching a staggering 137.9. Before this, it hadn't even won a G2 event. Victory was considered impossible. If someone recommended you buy a ticket for Dai Yusaku, you'd think they were crazy and that the money would be better spent on good food.]
[Yet, under such circumstances, Dai Yusaku created a stunning miracle. It unleashed a terrifying final burst, winning fair and square by 1 and 1/4 lengths over Mejiro McQueen. It set a new Arima Kinen record of 2:30.6— a time that remains staggering even to future generations— and held that record for a full 12 years.]
[How exaggerated is an Arima Kinen of 2:30.6?]
[Here is a startling statistic: In the 30 years leading up to 2021, only four horses have run under that time: Symboli Kris S in 2003 (2:30.5), Zenno Rob Roy in 2004 (2:29.5), Dream Journey in 2009 (2:30.0), and Lys Gracieux in 2019 (2:30.5).]
[At the time, let alone others, Yutaka Take was left completely stunned. Even in 2024, he finds it inconceivable. He believes that even if there are no absolutes in horse racing, it shouldn't be like this!]
[He has repeatedly said that the Mejiro McQueen he rode that day was in near-perfect condition. The start, the positioning, and the tactical execution were all flawless. But Dai Yusaku, in that situation, produced an absurd final three-furlong burst that completely crushed them.]
[In a TV interview, he even mentioned: "Although many people call Oguri Cap's victory in the Arima Kinen a 'miracle,' in my view, Dai Yusaku's victory is much more deserving of the title."]
[So, without a doubt, the 1991 Arima Kinen is destined to be in the history books.]
[And Dai Yusaku's jockey, Kumazawa, told a classic story in a later interview.]
[He said that Dai Yusaku's trainer had a dream before the Arima Kinen. He dreamed that Dai Yusaku won the Arima Kinen, and he and the horse did a victory lap amidst cheers, and everyone who bought a betting ticket made a fortune.]
[When he woke up, he promoted Dai Yusaku's tickets to his friends and family, who all thought: "Ah, this guy has played with the horses for so many years, he's finally gone insane."]
[Some of his friends even said his condition was purely caused by horse racing.]
[However, he firmly believed Dai Yusaku would win this time, so he wore a formal suit to the venue on race day, and in the end, his wish came true.]
[I wonder what his family's expressions were afterward. They must have thought, "That actually worked?!"]
[Looking at all these factors:]
[Dai Yusaku's race can truly be called the greatest upset in JRA history. Before stepping onto the stage of the Arima Kinen, it had only one G2 victory, yet in the end, it exploded with legendary speed and became famous in a single battle.]
[Through this race, Dai Yusaku earned a title: "One-Hit Wonder of the Century."]
[A "One-Hit Wonder horse" refers to a horse that has only one famous race and fails in almost all others. But for a racehorse, even having just this one race is enough.]
[And in this Arima Kinen, the second-place McQueen and third-place Nice Nature actually both broke the previous Arima Kinen record as well. But it can only be said that Dai Yusaku's death-defying sprint was too fierce. Though they broke the record, future generations basically never mention them.]
[The winner takes all the glory, and the rest are left in the shadows, such is the cruelty of the race.]
[Of course, no one remembers second place... unless you're like Meisho Doto and keep getting second.]
[By the same logic, no one remembers third place, unless you're like Nice Nature and keep getting third.]
[Speaking of Nice Nature, many people don't know yet that his gears of fate also began to turn. After this race, he would fully embark on the path of the "Bronze Medal Collector," achieving the unprecedented feat of finishing third in the Arima Kinen three times.]
[After the race, many other things occurred, though they were enough to make the hearts of many racing fans tighten.]
[Among them, after his "all-out escape," Twin Turbo was found to have a nosebleed. For a racehorse, a nosebleed is an extremely serious condition. From that point, Twin Turbo entered a recovery period lasting nearly a year, only returning from injury in November 1992.]
Mizuki learned a lot of new knowledge while writing this. For horses, they cannot breathe through their mouths, therefore, a nosebleed can very likely lead to the horse suffocating to death and absolutely prevents them from racing.
Matikane Tannhauser also had a nosebleed that year, preventing him from competing in the Japan Cup, otherwise, Tannhauser might have become that year's "General of Japan."
Mizuki continued writing the diary.
[Coincidentally, after the Arima Kinen, in early 1992, Nice Nature also faced a long recovery until October 1992 due to worsening periostitis. He finally made his comeback in the Mainichi Okan on October 1, and as if guided by fate, he took third place once again.]
[But those are stories for later. To summarize, one can only say that the 1991 Arima Kinen truly created countless famous memes and is a race very much worth watching.]
[The "One-Hit Wonder of the Century" Dai Yusaku, the "Reverse Jet" Twin Turbo, and the "Bronze Medal Collector" Nice Nature, they basically all began with this race.]
[And at the end of 1991, despite losing the Arima Kinen, our Fatty McQueen still earned the title of Best Older Horse.]
At this moment, seeing this, countless people within Tracen Academy were stunned.
Inside Canopus:
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! Everyone is so amazing! And Twin Turbo, everyone likes you so much! Ehehe, I'm so jealous. If it were me, I'd definitely just be ordinary."
Matikane Tannhauser spoke very seriously while looking at the diary. She greatly admired how Twin Turbo could bring happiness and the strength to strive upward to everyone. She wanted to do that too, but she felt that an ordinary Uma Musume like herself would surely never be noticed.
In that moment, she vowed to work hard.
Would someone like her have fans? If so, she wanted to give it her all, it would be wonderful if people could gain some upward strength through her.
She was still a bit naive. Her father had told her that Uma Musume are beings that bring dreams to everyone. She didn't quite get it then, but now she seemed to understand a bit more, so she had to become stronger.
However, Tannhauser didn't know yet that she actually had incredibly high popularity, both in the real horse world and at Tracen Academy. She even became a "digital diva." A single word, "Mambo" once gained millions of likes from meme-loving fans.
Tannhauser also noticed that Twin Turbo actually had a nosebleed. She immediately stated that while escaping was important, one must mind their health. Having seen many examples now, she was quite worried.
However, Twin Turbo was basically floating on air now. Who cared about nosebleeds? As long as everyone liked her, she was definitely going to charge first and ask questions later.
Twin Turbo was re-reading the entry repeatedly with a joyful expression.
Meanwhile, Nice Nature looked at the contents of Mizuki's diary with an indescribable expression:
"Ahahaha... no way. No way someone could actually take third place in the Arima Kinen three years in a row. And surely that person... couldn't be me."
Nature was at a loss. Though she tried to maintain her expression, it was clearly a forced smile. She could only comfort herself:
'Alright, alright, the Nature-san of the real horse world and I are indeed very alike. But for ordinary people like us, taking third should still be something to be happy about.'
'Besides, third place was quite close to first. My career wasn't over yet, if I get lucky one day, there would surely be a chance.'
Nature said this, but her heart still held a bit of frustration.
"Come to think of it, I've noticed that Nature always taking third is actually quite famous at Tracen already. The only change now is that Trainer Mizuki wrote it in the diary."
"So, the fact that Nature takes third isn't just famous at Tracen anymore, perhaps her 'Bronze Medal Collector' status is world-renowned now."
Ikuno Dictus said this while pushing up her glasses.
Nature felt like she was just stabbed in the heart.
'You really didn't need to say that out loud. A nickname like that... I'd rather not have it!'
"Pfft, I suddenly feel a bit bad for her. Sorry, Nature, let me laugh for a bit first."
Maruzensky had actually come over to visit. Hearing Ikuno Dictus's remark, she couldn't hold it back anymore.
"But seriously, I think third place is already very impressive. Logically, Nature has enough strength to take a G1, she was just affected by some injuries. We're in no hurry, Nature's career isn't over. Maybe she'll get a G1 later."
Hearing this, Nature finally felt comforted by "Auntie Maruzen." She nodded cutely and said:
"Even though I'm satisfied with third, I still want to give it a try. In that race, Dai Yusaku simply performed better, and McQueen ran better too. I need to work harder."
"But I wonder who the champions of the next two years will be? Will it be Tokai Teio?" Nature wondered.
"Hmph, it might be me, Twin Turbo!"
After reading the diary, Twin Turbo was over the moon. Seeing that so many people liked her made her feel like she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. She felt a secret joy in her heart, even knowing she got injured, she felt it was fine.
Because for her, getting injured was okay, nosebleeds were okay, and even running until her legs broke was okay. If she could give others strength and dreams, then perhaps that was the meaning of Twin Turbo's existence.
She would burn herself out and charge to the very end. And she wouldn't always lose speed! She believed she would definitely win, because she was Twin Turbo.
"But what does 'Reverse Jet' mean? This nickname sounds like a lack of faith in my strength!"
Twin Turbo felt she was being misunderstood.
However, that's not the case. Every time she reached the fourth corner and entered the final straight, her eyes would already be spinning, she ran out of steam faster than anyone.
"Turbo, I can only say you need to persevere a bit more. Increase your stamina, or you'll get dizzy very quickly."
The "old auntie" Maruzensky began her sharp critique. Since she was also a Front Runner, she had experience— though Maruzensky was forced to be a Front Runner because she was too fast and no other racer could keep up.
The "Supercar" nickname was no joke.
"Eh?? No way! Just watch, I'll prove myself in a bit."
Twin Turbo said this while frantically doing high-knees on the spot to prove her stamina was strong. However, after a moment, the world started spinning, and she was about to collapse again.
"Hey, hey, you're overexcited, you dummy."
Nature couldn't even watch anymore. Someone who could make themselves dizzy by running in place was truly a rare sight.
"Haha, someone like Twin Turbo is perhaps unprecedented and will never be seen again. There probably won't be another like her in the future," Ikuno Dictus laughed.
She felt that someone like Turbo was too unique. Would another Uma Musume like her ever appear?
However, she didn't know that such a person did exist. Many years later, in the 2022 Autumn Tenno Sho, a horse called the "New Twin Turbo" would once again charge past the stands.
That horse's name is Panthalassa.
In fact, Panthalassa could also be called the "New Silence Suzuka," given how he runs, but most wouldn't call him that.
If one mentioned Silence Suzuka in Japanese horse racing, everyone would feel a tinge of sadness.
At Spica:
"Was... was Dai Yusaku-san really that strong?"
Vodka wasn't calm at all after seeing this. She never expected that guy to be so brave when getting serious! She swallowed hard. A time of 2:30.6... she felt it was a struggle even to hit that time during training, let alone in a real race.
"A once-in-a-lifetime acceleration? That's incredible."
Special Week was also stunned. She knew how amazing a time of 2:30.6 for a 2500m distance was. Although Special Week's academic grades weren't great, she had a lot of insight regarding horses and racing.
"I'm wondering if Twin Turbo's Great Escape set the pace for the whole field. Usually, in races with an Great Escapists, everyone's pace speeds up." Special Week said thoughtfully.
"Hmm? You're absolutely right. But wait, Spe-chan said that? Since when did Spe-chan become so smart?"
Tokai Teio put her hands on her hips, but she completely agreed with Spe's logic.
"Hehe, because I've been reading the materials Trainer Mizuki gave me very carefully!"
Spe was super happy. Usually, she didn't do well on tests and everyone called her a ditz. Being called smart was a rare treat.
Her tail was wagging as if to say, "See that? See that? I've gotten smarter too!"
This was the future General of Japan. Her expressions were written all over her face, and she couldn't hide a thing.
"Spe is indeed right this time," Silence Suzuka added. Her praise made Spe's tail wag even faster.
"I didn't expect it to be Dai Yusaku. But it's fine. Bring it on! This time, I will definitely take first place."
McQueen didn't hide her competitive spirit at all. She saw her failure, but she wasn't satisfied. In such a historical match, she didn't want to be the background character. She would give her all to defend the Mejiro glory.
Tokai Teio smiled confidently, patted McQueen on the shoulder, and laughed:
"If you want first place, you'll have to go through me! McQueen, this time I'll avoid getting injured and participate in the Arima Kinen. Let's settle it then!"
"Oh, Teio, seeing you so energetic means I don't have to worry so much."
McQueen said this as she looked forward to the duel with Teio. However, McQueen felt that at medium distances, if Teio showed her true strength, she would indeed be very troublesome.
But no matter, she would fight for it. She also wondered if she would have a chance to face Teio later...
Regardless, she expected to win.
At this time, Hokko Tarumae asked a question:
"But Teio, if you hadn't been injured and had participated in that 1991 Arima Kinen, do you think you would have won?"
"Well, if the opponent was a Dai Yusaku unleashing a once-in-a-lifetime burst, I might have a bit of trouble."
"But would you lose?"
"Nah, I'd win."
Teio smiled slightly as she looked at Hokko Tarumae.
Meanwhile, in Tracen's park:
"Dai Yusaku, that was truly a brilliant race. I didn't expect to see you. Though you're called the One-Hit Wonder of the Century, it's clear your potential is dazzling. You must keep up the good work!"
A familiar voice came from behind Dai Yusaku.
"Cosmo Dream! Did you see the diary too? I still can't believe it. I actually won, and even broke the record."
Dai Yusaku had thought it impossible to beat Mejiro McQueen, that noble lady of the Mejiro house, in the Arima Kinen. She even wondered if she was dreaming. Seeing Cosmo Dream made her feel calmer and involuntarily happier.
She and Cosmo Dream were friends. Although Cosmo Dream often said dream-like and wildly imaginative things, she often gave people strength. Being with her was inexplicably reassuring.
Cosmo Dream tapped Dai Yusaku on the head and said, "What do you mean 'did you see the diary,' you dummy? Do you think I'd miss out on reading stuff about you in the diary?"
"Didn't I tell you? Our dreams should become as vast as the universe. We can definitely defeat everyone. I told you you were amazing!"
"Also, you should give me some running tips later. With your guidance, I believe I can improve even more."
Dai Yusaku waved her hands shyly. Cosmo Dream's words were so sweet they made her happy. But she still said:
"Honestly, you're too good at flattery. I only won once. By the way, Cosmo Dream, why don't you tell me? What is your biggest dream? Winning the Arc de Triomphe?"
Cosmo Dream gave a smug expression and went for a direct confession:
"My biggest dream is just to be with you! Ideally, to have a universe-like paradise filled with toys like stars. It wouldn't just have a track for us to run on, but also lots of entertainment facilities, game consoles, roller coasters, and pirate ships. Wouldn't that be great?"
Dai Yusaku had low attack and low defense when it came to romance, so hearing this made her heart pound.
Cosmo Dream's words sounded like a confession, making her face turn bright red.
"Hahaha!"
Cosmo Dream was very satisfied with Dai Yusaku's reaction and said proudly:
"Dai Yusaku, we're going to win lots and lots of championships. If others don't recognize us, we'll make them regret it. So let's work hard together!"
Dai Yusaku nodded firmly: "Okay."
As Mizuki's diary continued, everyone kept reading.
[In the 1991 Arima Kinen, fourth place went to the horse Prekrasnie, who was the third favorite for this race.]
[However, fifth place was unexpected: It was actually a miler like Daitaku Helios. This was also one of the surprising points.]
[The other horses were probably stunned. Losing to a miler? There's nowhere else to go from here.]
[Soon after the Arima Kinen ended, the horses entered their off-season periods one after another. Tokai Teio was still in recovery.]
[On April 5, 1992, the finally recovered Tokai Teio returned. His jockey changed to Yukio Okabe, Rudolf's main jockey (and craze fan). Upon his return, as the 1.3x 1st favorite, he allowed Okabe to take the G2 Sankei Osaka Hai title without even using the whip.]
[Tokai Teio had achieved a 7-race winning streak, remaining undefeated to this day.]
[Then came April 26, 1992, the start of a "clash of aces" that would be etched into racing history.]
[Yes, it the 1992 G1 Spring Tenno Sho.]
[The young king with a 7-win streak, Tokai Teio, faced the greatest challenge of his career. His opponent was Mejiro McQueen, who had won 8 out of 16 races, including 2 G1 and 3 G2 titles.]
[When the entry list for this race was announced, it caused an unprecedented sensation in the racing world.]
[On one side was the exceptionally talented Tokai Teio, who had never met a match in his career, preparing to descend upon the throne of the Spring Tenno Sho as an undefeated king.]
[On the other side was the star of the prestigious Mejiro family, the reigning monarch of long distances, Mejiro McQueen. He had just won consecutive Hanshin Daishoten titles and longed to achieve an unprecedented consecutive victory in the Spring Tenno Sho to create new history.]
[One could only say that in this clash of legends, both camps possessed incredible strength and a powerful desire to win. Neither side would yield. Thus, TV stations dubbed this confrontation the "TM Duel."]
[T is the T for Teio, M is the M for McQueen.]
[Before the race, interviews with both camps were sharp and filled with the smell of gunpowder.]
[Yukio Okabe laid down a harsh challenge: "I don't think middle distance is Teio's limit. Tokai Teio and I will run to the ends of the Earth."]
[Facing the bold words from Teio's camp, McQueen's main jockey, Yutaka Take, fired back with equal dominance: "If they are going to the ends of the Earth, then we shall soar above the heavens."]
[Even before this "TM Duel" began, the stands were packed. Everyone was wondering: Would Tokai Teio continue his undefeated legend, or would the star of the Mejiro house, the monarch of stayers, demonstrate his unprecedented dominance over long distances once again?]
[The battle was on the verge of breaking out.]
At this moment, inside Team Spica:
"Go for it, Teio!"
Tokai Teio cheered for herself. This girl really was a bit of a kid, she looked like she wanted to physically pick up her horse-self and sprint toward the finish line just to beat McQueen.
"McQueen, it's up to you now."
McQueen had also entered a state of high tension. The elegance of a young lady was tossed aside for the moment, she was excited and nervous, shouting encouragement at the top of her lungs for her own horse-self.
"McQueen, I'm undefeated, you know! I won't lose. Besides, in a 'TM Duel,' the 'T' comes before the 'M.' That might already be telling us the result!" Tokai Teio said smugly.
"Teio, middle distance is different from long distance. On the stage of the Spring Tenno Sho, I will not lose to anyone. To protect the glory of the Mejiro family, every step I take will be flawless. Even you won't be able to catch me."
McQueen had already started her psychological warfare with Teio. Although she knew she was only the second favorite in the betting odds, it didn't affect her. Winning or losing had nothing to do with odds, she believed in herself.
"Is that so? Then let's let our feet do the talking," Tokai Teio muttered.
"If you lose, don't you dare cry," McQueen retorted, turning back to face her.
On the other side, seeing them bickering, Vodka put her hands on her hips and said, "Teio and McQueen really seem to be locking horns, huh?"
Daiwa Scarlet nodded. "It's an incredibly anticipated race, but their arguing seems a bit... exaggerated."
Gold Ship, hearing this, was speechless. She turned to the two of them and complained, "It's fine if someone else says that, but you two have absolutely no right to talk about others."
She threw up her hands in exasperation. After all, Gold Ship had seen these two screaming in each other's faces many times without either backing down.
Hokko Tarumae just smiled. Everyone was so entertaining.
However, Hokko Tarumae then received a video call from Aston Machan. Machan's cute face appeared on the screen, apparently, they were meeting up again to film short videos.
Hokko Tarumae noticed one thing: The weirder the video Machan filmed, the more "cluelessly cute" her expression became. This time, Machan's eyes radiated a certain crystal-clear foolishness, making Hokko Tarumae worry about what kind of script she had come up with this time.
She didn't ask much, though, just nodded. They would film together later.
Under everyone's anticipation, Mizuki's diary continued.
[Soon, the much-anticipated 1992 Spring Tenno Sho officially began.]
[As the gates opened, all the horses burst forth simultaneously to give the crowd a spectacular sight. But for Yutaka Take on McQueen, there was only one opponent: Tokai Teio, ridden by Yukio Okabe.]
[Faced with the pressure of a top-tier rival, even Yutaka Take felt uneasy. After the start, he was extremely focused, keeping his eyes on Teio almost the entire time and following his rhythm.]
[Tokai Teio's start was quite smooth. Since he was in gate 14, he initially held his position in the Pace Chaser group, gradually pushing forward step by step.]
[They passed the first lap smoothly. The race progressed steadily, but this was merely the calm before the storm.]
[McQueen followed closely in Tokai Teio's footsteps, constantly searching for a winning chance. As they neared the final corner, Yutaka Take finally decided to break the silence.]
[Yes, for the sake of this glory, Yutaka Take had made up his mind. On the downhill slope of the fourth corner, he planned to gamble everything.]
[His strategy was to place all his trust in Mejiro McQueen, ordering him to start a long-distance sprint from the fourth corner. By doing this, he could maximize McQueen's unprecedented and absolute dominance in long-distance races.]
[He would use this to clash with the greatest enemy in the race, Tokai Teio.]
[As Yutaka Take surged forward on McQueen, he had only one thought: 'If you're coming, then come! We can't lose over a distance this long. From the moment we start this sprint, no horse can keep up with Mejiro McQueen!']
[Instantly, as McQueen took the lead and began his sprint, the crowd erupted in cheers. What excited everyone to the extreme was that Tokai Teio immediately followed, beginning his showdown with McQueen. Kyoto Racecourse was a roar of voices as everyone anticipated how this clash would end.]
[However, just as the dream of this "Clash of the Titans" reached its most brilliant phase, an unexpected accident occurred.]
[Tokai Teio actually failed to keep up. During the final straight's sprint phase, his stride suddenly became unstable, and he lost speed, stagnating. He was never able to catch up to McQueen's footsteps again.]
[Mejiro McQueen, just as predicted, left every horse in that race in his shadow, continuously widening the gap. This much-anticipated race quickly turned into a one-sided domination.]
[In the end, Mejiro McQueen achieved the first ever consecutive Spring Tenno Sho victory in history with an absolute advantage of three lengths.]
[The "TM Duel" ended in a total victory for Mejiro McQueen. Teio ended up in fifth place.]
[With this race, McQueen not only created staggering history but also became the absolute king of stayers, unstoppable in the JRA.]
[However, regarding Tokai Teio's loss, what was even more heart-stopping for his camp was his sudden loss of speed. They feared he had suffered another fracture.]
[Though Teio seemed in relatively good spirits immediately after the race, it appeared he had simply lost to McQueen.]
[The camp decided to fight again later and find another chance for revenge. But just then, the accident they feared most happened.]
[Ten days after the race, Tokai Teio was found to have a second fracture— this time a chip fracture in his right front leg. He was forced back into long-term recovery.]
[Simultaneously, while preparing for the Takarazuka Kinen, Mejiro McQueen was discovered to have a fracture in the first phalanx of his left front leg, forcing him to withdraw from the race and enter recovery as well.]
[One can only say that at this point in 1992, among the legendary horses of this generation— Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, Twin Turbo, Nice Nature, and others— they all suffered major injuries and entered long recovery periods. This crop of racehorses was truly ill-fated.]
[Since all four of them were in recovery at the same time, if they were at Tracen Academy, they'd probably be sharing the same hospital ward. They could genuinely host a "Patients' Gathering" to play games and unlock new achievements.]
[Writing to this point, even I am at a loss. But if those four lived together, there would probably be a lot of fun to be had.]
At this moment, in the United States:
"Another fracture? That's so painful to watch."
Seabiscuit was very tense while reading, feeling like she was right there. She thought it would be amazing to experience an "Ace vs. Ace" clash like that.
Little did Seabiscuit know, she would later have her own "Match of the Century" that would shake America.
Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral: A duel between the top-ranked horses in American history. That match would be a true one-on-one, no other horses participated, just their duel.
The entire United States was practically deserted that day as countless celebrities and politicians flocked to watch.
However, Seabiscuit still felt for Tokai Teio, not knowing that her own real-life story was, to some extent, very similar to Teio's. She continued to read.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong:
"I can't stand these injuries, I really can't stand them."
River Verdon was helpless. "Do you think this generation was fated to have a calamity? Why is it so hard for them? I remember their contemporary, Rice Shower, seemed even more pitiful. Luckily this diary exposed it, otherwise I wouldn't even dare imagine what would happen."
Golden Sixty said, "I hope no one gets injured. They need to eat more, train more, and rest more, that's the only thing they can do."
Invincible nodded. "Yeah, Teio is still quite good. I hope she can fulfill her dream."
Werther added, "By the way, I found a shop that sells Wun Tsai Kee. Since Golden Sixty says the girls in Japan should 'eat more' to avoid injuries, I'll take you all out for a treat to test that for ourselves."
Invincible asked curiously, "Wun Tsai Kee? What's that?"
It was the first time she had heard that name. Since coming to Hong Kong, she had seen many things she had never encountered before, like the various racecourses and the incredible food.
She had previously eaten Cart Noodles, which were chewy noodles with various toppings like pork, chicken, fish balls, and fish skin, in a soup base made from shrimp shells and bones.
It was delicious.
Of course, she had also tried pineapple buns, egg waffles, and many other local foods, but only now did she realize these were famous Hong Kong snacks. She was truly learning.
But she hadn't heard of Wun Tsai Kee.
"Wun Tsai Kee is just Wun Tsai Kee," Werther joked. She loved teasing Invincible, this girl was so earnest it was funny.
"Uh... I mean, what is it? Is it for eating, for playing, or...?" Invincible was a bit speechless at Werther's circular logic.
She was trying to be serious, but then she saw Werther stifling a laugh. She realized she had been tricked.
"Curse you, Werther! Teasing me like that... you're just like Trainer Mizuki!" Invincible was exasperated.
Back at Tracen, she was often fooled by Mizuki. Like in games, where she was always tricked into drawing the Boss's aggro while the Trainer happily focused on dealing damage.
She kept trying to be a team player and work together with Trainer Mizuki, but Trainer Mizuki did nothing but play mind games with her!
"Alright, alright, no more jokes," Werther explained. "Wun Tsai Kee is a street snack in Hong Kong. It's a thick soup made with chicken, shrimp, and fish, served with crispy fried noodles. It's very tasty."
"Eat as much as you want today. In the future, when you go back to the Mainland and eat Wun Tsai Kee again, remember to think of me."
Invincible felt Werther's kindness. Her nose felt a bit prickly, and she immediately nodded.
"If it wasn't almost Chinese New Year, I wouldn't want to leave. I'll miss you. But I won't remember you after just one bowl. I need to eat several."
"Don't forget to buy your plane ticket. Also, I've heard news from the China side. The racecourse will be designed near Hangzhou or Wenzhou in Zhejiang, but it will take some time to build. When it's ready, let's go race in China."
River Verdon heard some news, though the specifics were still unclear. She was very much looking forward to it.
"How should I put it... when Invincible first arrived, she couldn't keep up with our training rhythm. Now she handles it with ease, sometimes finishing faster than I do. Are you really one of those 'one-in-a-million' geniuses from martial arts novels?" Werther praised Invincible.
"Werther, you're not as fast as Invincible purely because you're slacking off. Don't think I don't see you," River Verdon muttered.
Although she looked strict, she sometimes turned a blind eye when she saw Werther really needed a break.
Werther coughed. "Invincible is still here, did you really have to say that out loud?!"
"Alright, let's head out! I'll take you guys to eat."
They went off to eat Wun Tsai Kee. Knowing that Invincible was heading back to China soon, they were treating her warmly. After all, it was January 28, and Invincible had to go home for the New Year.
Werther kept saying, "Invincible, oh Invincible, remember to miss us!"
Golden Sixty didn't say much but gave Invincible an oil-paper umbrella. "This is my favorite umbrella. When you become an outstanding Uma Musume, remember to return it to me."
Back at Spica:
"Eh... Teio only ran fifth? How could that happen? And I fractured my leg again... this time the right leg?"
Tokai Teio couldn't believe it as she saw herself lose to McQueen and then get injured. Endless frustration followed. The fact that she fractured her leg after the race was one thing, but she couldn't accept losing so tragically.
She lost to McQueen, and ended up in fifth place no less. Not only was the Triple Crown gone, but her undefeated status was now history.
Teio felt incredibly down seeing such a massive defeat. She lowered her head. Despite her bold words earlier, she now felt an urge to burst into tears. Her dream was shattered— what goal should she run for now?
On top of that, a painful accident happened, and even McQueen was injured.
"Teio... are you okay?" Daiwa Scarlet asked worriedly. She was as obsessed with first place as Teio and could understand how she felt.
"Look, Teio, a loss is a loss. There are plenty of races in the future. Besides, you and McQueen only settled things at 3200m, there are many other distances to run," Gold Ship said, immediately going over to comfort her.
Though she usually seemed unreliable, she was someone you could trust in a crisis.
"Gold Ship is right. There are many races ahead. I will wait for your challenge in another 3200m race. Furthermore, Teio, you are the only one who can put that much pressure on me. I won once at long distance, but we haven't competed at your specialty distance. That's not fair."
"I will continue to make you my target to defeat."
"So, Teio, make me your target as well."
McQueen's feelings for Teio were deep. She was worried about Teio's injury. Even though she saw that her own horse-self was injured too, she comforted Teio first.
McQueen also wondered if Teio's poor performance that day was actually because of the lingering effects of her injury. She really wanted to have a fair 3200m duel with Teio again.
Hearing everyone's comfort, Teio's fighting spirit was rekindled. She wouldn't make excuses for her failure, but she would always remember this feeling of frustration. She gave a bitter smile.
The "Undefeated Teio" was gone, from now on, she would be the "Frustrated Teio."
"Yes, I still feel frustrated, and I still have the desire to win. What does it matter if I lost to McQueen once? I believe I can win it back later."
"And McQueen, you're quite arrogant, aren't you? By your tone, you don't actually think you can beat me, Teio-sama, at 3200m again, do you?"
"I'll be the winner next time. Just you wait! When you lose, don't you go crying on me."
Teio looked at McQueen and smiled. She had recovered her energy.
"I return those words to you in full," McQueen smiled tenderly.
"But seriously, that race was amazing. McQueen completed consecutive Spring Tenno Sho wins and even aimed for a triple. But after reading Rice Shower's chapter, I know that McQueen's triple was ended by Rice Shower, right?" Hokko Tarumae added thoughtfully.
It was true, Rice Shower's appearance had been unexpected for everyone. She kept shattering the streaks of legendary racers.
"Yes, my real-life counterpart protected the honor of the Spring Tenno Sho. I will certainly do the same, and I'll try to run even better than my counterpart. I'll give it my all against Rice Shower too."
McQueen was genuinely happy to see this result, but she reminded herself that these were the achievements of her real-life counterpart. She couldn't afford to be arrogant, she had to rely on her own efforts to earn such glory herself.
Furthermore, she felt a renewed resolve to train hard and face Rice Shower to ensure her legend continued.
They continued reading, eager to see how the story would unfold.
Mizuki's diary continued:
[After roughly seven months of recovery, Tokai Teio made his comeback on November 1, 1992, in the Autumn Tenno Sho. Despite having just recovered from a cold in September and not being in peak condition, he still secured the position of 1st favorite with 2.4x odds.]
[You can tell from those odds just how exaggeratedly high people's expectations of Tokai Teio's strength were.]
[This race featured two heavyweight contenders: the "Explosive Escape Duo," Mejiro Palmer and Daitaku Helios. With them in the mix, the race was packed with highlights before it even started.]
[As soon as the Autumn Tenno Sho began, the explosive pace set by Mejiro Palmer and Daitaku Helios led to a blistering 1000m split of 57.5 seconds.]
[Those two Great Escape horses were having the time of their lives, but Tokai Teio, who had always used a Pace Chaser strategy, fell right into their trap. Following them too closely, his rhythm was completely disrupted from the jump. He lost all speed in the final stage and finished a disappointing 7th.]
[As for the front-runner Mejiro Palmer, his position was even crazier than Teio's. He faded early and finished a dignified 17th. Helios took 8th, while the championship was snatched by Let's Go Tarquin.]
[At the time, there was an urban legend. It was a curse stating that the 1st favorite of the Autumn Tenno Sho could never win. Tokai Teio fell victim to it, but as we know, this curse was eventually completely vanquished by the Overlord of the Century's End, T.M. Opera O.]
Mizuki found this part quite amusing. Mejiro Palmer and Daitaku Helios truly shared an eternal friendship: They burst forward together and faded together.
Though Helios clearly fared better than Palmer in this specific race, Palmer truly committed to the "joy" of the race until the bitter end.
There was actually a deep history between Tokai Teio and Daitaku Helios. One of the horses defeated by Teio's father, Symboli Rudolf, was Bizen Nishiki, who happened to be Daitaku Helios's sire. Bizen Nishiki never beat Rudolf a single time in his career.
In the two head-to-head races between Daitaku Helios and Tokai Teio, Helios (alongside Mejiro Palmer) used reckless Great Escapes to blow the race pace wide open, inadvertently dragging Teio out of his rhythm.
Effectively, Helios handed Teio the only two "out of the money" defeats of his career.
One was the 1992 Autumn Tenno Sho, and the other was the 1992 Arima Kinen.
Even though Daitaku Helios finished worse than Teio in both races, in a sense, Helios avenged Bizen Nishiki.
You could almost hear her say: "So you're called Tokai Teio, huh? I'm taking you down with me!"
However, while the Autumn Tenno Sho was mainly due to the disrupted rhythm, the 1992 Arima Kinen saw Teio miss the top five for other reasons, including an unexpected bout of diarrhea.
Mizuki continued writing.
[After that race, we move to November 29. Teio faced the 1992 Japan Cup. While many people don't remember this race vividly, it is actually one of the representative masterpieces of Tokai Teio's career.]
[At the time, many believed this was a battle where Tokai Teio proved he was not inferior to Symboli Rudolf.]
[In 1992, the Japan Cup was elevated to an international G1 event for the first time, attracting many powerful overseas horses.]
[The roster included User Friendly, the English Double Crown winner and 4-time G1 winner who was that year's European Horse of the Year.]
[There was also the 1991 English Derby winner Quest For Fame, the 1992 English Derby winner Dr. Devious, and the 4-time G1 winner representing Australia, Let's Elope.]
[Added to that were the Double Crown winner Naturalism and the French Arlington Million winner Dear Doctor.]
[This was arguably the strongest foreign legion the JRA had ever faced since the inception of the Japan Cup. Furthermore, the track was heavy, which favored the more powerful foreign horses.]
[The JRA naturally didn't want the first-ever International G1 Japan Cup to be snatched by foreign horses. The original plan was for the undefeated Double Crown winner, Mihono Bourbon, to serve as the "General" for the race, as everyone expected.]
[However, on the eve of the race, Mihono Bourbon suffered from muscle stiffness. After much discussion, the JRA decided to name Tokai Teio as the "General."]
[Despite this, Tokai Teio received a humiliating 10.0x odds, making him only the 5th favorite. This was the lowest support of his career.]
[To make matters worse, he was once again stuck in the outermost gate. Though it was slightly better this time, as he got gate 14.]
[Yet, under these unfavorable conditions, Tokai Teio stormed to victory with the fastest-ever Japan Cup time on a heavy track: 2:24.6. This record remains unbroken.]
[Currently, the closest to this time is Suave Richard, who ran a 2:25.9 on a heavy Japan Cup track in 2019, still over a second slower than Teio. Other horses typically finish outside 2:28.0.]
[Teio's victory washed away the embarrassment of the Japan Cup being dominated by foreign horses since Rudolf's retirement. Through this battle, Teio took up Rudolf's mantle, proved his majestic brilliance, and defended the dignity of Japanese racing.]
Mizuki thought of the second season of Uma Musume. She had seen the content through the system, but unfortunately, Season 2 omitted Teio's Japan Cup victory, only mentioning it at the end of Season 1.
It was a shame Cygames deleted it, likely to focus on Teio's emotional arc. However, Season 2 was far superior to Season 3, where Kitasan Black was a "early-bloomer" for some reason.
Though, to be fair, Kita-chan's final Arima Kinen outfit was quite dashing.
Mizuki's diary continued.
[Because Yukio Okabe was suspended due to a foul, Tokai Teio met another jockey, Seiki Tabara.]
[In the Arima Kinen on December 27, Teio was naturally the 1st favorite. However, he suffered from diarrhea after accidentally ingesting insecticide, and he banged his hindquarters against the gate at the start, causing a muscle strain. He dropped to last place immediately after the gates opened. Enduring the pain, he never managed to mount a charge, sinking into the pack and finishing a miserable 11th.]
[11th place remains the worst result of Tokai Teio's career.]
[Honestly, this bout of diarrhea feels like a bit of déjà vu from Rudolf's days.]
[Things went from bad to worse in 1993. Ten days before the June Takarazuka Kinen, Tokai Teio was found to have a fracture in the radius of his left front leg. Doctors at the time believed he was no longer fit to race, as his fractures had become habitual.]
[Teio's camp had to announce his withdrawal and enter him into recovery once again. Because of this, he forever lost his chance for a revenge match against Mejiro McQueen.]
[The June 13, 1993 Takarazuka Kinen was won by Mejiro McQueen. This marked McQueen's fourth consecutive year winning a G1, and the race was dubbed the "Mejiro Kinen" because the Mejiro family had won the Takarazuka Kinen three years in a row.]
[If Tokai Teio had participated, perhaps things would have been different.]
[After this race, McQueen broke the Japanese prize money record, becoming the first horse to surpass 900 million and 1 billion yen.]
[Furthermore, as he aged, Mejiro McQueen did not weaken, instead, he grew more powerful, radiating brilliance like the high noon sun.]
[His jockey, Yutaka Take, remarked: "Mejiro McQueen is no longer someone I can casually comment on. He is a true superstar."]
[Yutaka Take also declared that he wanted to race Rice Shower again to prove to everyone that Mejiro McQueen was indeed the strongest.]
[In the autumn, McQueen set his sights on the one title that had eluded him: The Autumn Tenno Sho. Two years after his disqualification, the fire of revenge burned in his eyes.]
[But then, tragedy struck. On October 27, after finishing training on the woodchip track, McQueen was diagnosed with suspensory ligament desmitis in his left front leg. While treatable today, it was an incurable career-ender back then. Mejiro McQueen announced his retirement on October 29.]
[This was just two days before the Autumn Tenno Sho. McQueen would never get his chance to win it. Fate played a cruel joke, ending McQueen's career right before his most glorious stage.]
[On November 21, 1993, Mejiro McQueen held his retirement ceremony at Kyoto Racecourse, where he had twice won the Spring Tenno Sho.]
[There is much more to say about McQueen's story, but let it all be kept within the legacy of the Mejiro family.]
[With McQueen's retirement, Tokai Teio lost any chance of a final showdown with him.]
[Then came the G1 Arima Kinen on December 26, 1993. Tokai Teio, who had been in recovery for over a full year, announced his return.]
[Despite not racing for over a year, he still qualified for the Arima Kinen, a testament to how much people loved him.]
[The 1993 Arima Kinen was a gathering of legends. It included Biwa Hayahide, Winning Ticket, Rice Shower, Legacy World (that year's Japan Cup winner), and four other G1 champions— totaling eight G1 winners in one race.]
[Of course, there was also the formidable Matikane Tannhauser and Nice Nature, who had already placed 3rd in the Arima Kinen twice. It was a true All-Star race.]
[Biwa Hayahide was the 1st favorite, while Tokai Teio was the 4th.]
[Biwa Hayahide was at his peak, having just won the Kikuka Sho. Meanwhile, the thrice-fractured Tokai Teio had been away for over a year. Although he was ranked 4th, his support was nowhere near Biwa Hayahide's.]
[Most people who bought Teio's betting tickets did so out of sentimentality.]
[Even professional jockeys shared this view. An episode occurred before the race: Because Teio had been away so long and had such a history of fractures, almost all jockeys reached a consensus to refuse to ride him.]
[Even Yukio Okabe, who had ridden him successfully before, used the excuse of "having an agreement with another owner" to refuse Teio and choose Biwa Hayahide instead.]
[In the end, Seiki Tabara, who had only partnered with Teio once a year prior, bravely stepped up to ride him. Teio's owner was deeply moved, he held Tabara's hand and said: "I'm truly frustrated... I want to beat Biwa Hayahide."]
[You could say the owner had a massive obsession with winning this race. At the very least, he wanted to beat Okabe.]
[I have to say, Okabe may be a total Rudolf-simping natural disaster, but he wasn't loyal enough to Teio. I suggest Rudolf give him a stern talking-to.]
[The more I read about Okabe, the less I like him.]
[Seeing this, I'm glad I've caught Teio's injuries now. I must work hard to manage her training volume. Keeping her healthy is the number one priority.]
[And so, the stage was set.]
[The 1993 Arima Kinen officially began.]
Many Uma Musumes at Tracen were shocked by how much had happened. Inside Team Spica:
"McQueen and I both got injured again? McQueen had to retire, and I was out for a year... it's so unfair," Tokai Teio said.
However, seeing that McQueen suffered from suspensory ligament desmitis, she let out a sigh of relief. In Tracen's era, technology was as advanced as Earth's, and such an injury was now curable.
Despite their constant bickering, Teio cared deeply for McQueen.
Teio was also stunned that Okabe had refused to ride her. Was it a real reason, or just an excuse? She didn't know, but she felt that Trainer Mizuki was truly kind for always keeping her health in mind.
McQueen spoke up: "Teio... in that case, give it everything you've got. Carry my heart with you. This race will be incredibly difficult, but I believe you will win."
Teio replied, "I will, McQueen. Once I'm on that track, I want to win no matter what."
She understood the owner's frustration. Teio had experienced failure after failure, watching her dreams shatter. But one thing never changed: Her determination to win again and her infinite thirst for victory.
No amount of setbacks could break her.
She finally had the chance to stand on that field again. If fate was full of suffering, she would run as fast as possible to leave that suffering behind. This was her challenge to destiny.
Everyone believed in her. She felt that, though difficult, she would win.
In the Council President's office:
"Okabe, did you give up on Teio? Regardless, as my jockey, I want to believe in your character— that what you said was a legitimate commitment and not a mere excuse," Rudolf said.
She felt a slight disappointment in Yukio Okabe, but she understood that in both Tracen and the real horse world, an Arima Kinen victory was a paramount honor.
She wondered what Teio was thinking.
She whispered in her heart: 'Teio... in what form will you stand on that field again?'
Rudolf continued reading.
In the Tokyo countryside, Kitasan Black was angry and tense. She firmly believed Teio would win. She was so invested she barely dared to look at the next lines, covering her eyes but peeking through her fingers.
'Teio, you must win!'
Mizuki's diary continued:
[After the Arima Kinen began, the horses entered the paddock parade. An episode occurred then: The commentator noticed Teio looked in great condition, remarking, "Teio looks very happy today, he's very willing to show off his stride."]
[Indeed, when the camera focused on her, he performed his "Teio Step" once again. It was a sign of great condition, perhaps he missed the stage he hadn't stood on for so long.]
[Furthermore, from the start of the parade to entering the gates, Teio didn't resist his jockey once. His condition was better than it had ever been.]
[Nice Nature also had high popularity in this race, many considered him a favorite to win. During the parade, his steps were cheerful. He was clearly aiming for the top today as well.]
[When Biwa Hayahide appeared, everyone recognized him immediately. That large head was so distinctive.]
[Soon, they entered the gates. Tokai Teio was in gate 4, and Biwa Hayahide was in gate 14.]
[The gates opened, and all the horses burst out. This race was different from others, the cheers from the start were deafening and the atmosphere was electric. Since it was an All-Star race, everyone was at a fever pitch.]
[Mejiro Palmer, as usual, employed his Great Escape strategy. He had a great start, immediately leading by three or four lengths.]
[Legacy World and Biwa Hayahide were second and third in the leading group.]
[Tokai Teio, returning after a year, also joined the leading group as planned, though he started in fifth place. His start was smooth.]
[Two corners in, the 14 horses were tightly packed. The competition was fierce.]
[Mejiro Palmer's style was unmistakable: He ran with his head held high, charging forward with distinctive intensity.]
[The race reached its climax. After the first lap, Rice Shower, Nice Nature, and Matikane Tannhauser caught up from behind. Palmer still led, with Shiraishi in second, Legacy World in third, Biwa Hayahide slightly behind in fourth, and Tokai Teio fluctuating around fifth and sixth.]
[Under this intense mid-game struggle, the 14 horses remained close, with the entire field within ten lengths of each other.]
[The crowd roared. Some began waving their betting tickets as the horses entered the final corner. The moment of truth was here.]
[Mejiro Palmer was still leading, but Biwa Hayahide, ridden by Yukio Okabe, was the first to accelerate, catching up to Legacy World. Seeing this, Winning Ticket also sped up, instantly reaching third place.]
[The competition was incredibly fierce. Legacy World accelerated slightly in response.]
[The rankings were changing by the second.]
[In the final 400 meters, Tokai Teio began his acceleration from the back. Nice Nature and Matikane Tannhauser found gaps and surged forward.]
[The entire Nakayama Racecourse shook like never before. Such a frantic scene was rare, every horse involved was a legend among legends.]
[Within the pack, Biwa Hayahide displayed his unprecedented dominance, being the first to break away and leave the rest behind.]
[At this moment, the commentator Masayuki Sakai was beyond ecstatic. Not only was his professionalism on full display, but his passion was overwhelming. It was pure emotion, unfiltered by technique, as he shouted at the top of hois lungs— ]
["Is Biwa Hayahide coming?! Biwa Hayahide, ridden by Okabe, is already taking the lead!"]
["Tokai Teio is coming! Tokai Teio is coming from the outside!"]
["200 meters to go! Only the final 200 meters left!"]
["Is it Biwa Hayahide? Or Tokai Teio?"]
["Tokai Teio is here!!"]
["Tokai Teio is here!!"]
["Biwa Hayahide and Tokai Teio!!!"]
["Is he going to show the backbone of a Derby winner?!"]
["It's Tokai Teio! It's Tokai Teio!"]
["Tokai Teio, a miraculous resurrection!!!"]
["Returning to the race after a full year— Tokai Teio! Seiki Tabara! Tokai Teio, it's nothing short of a miracle!"]
["But the race requires an inquiry, third place needs to be verified."]
[Tokai Teio's performance in this race shocked everyone. Many people who won money on their betting tickets didn't even go to cash them in, they kept the tickets as souvenirs for themselves, simply to commemorate having witnessed this miraculous comeback race.]
[Tokai Teio fractured his legs three times, yet he stood up again and again, finally triumphing over fate. Years later, many consider this an Arima Kinen that challenged destiny itself, and in that legendary race, Tokai Teio defeated Biwa Hayahide to reach the summit once more!]
[It was as if he was saying: "The winner of the Arima Kinen may be the strongest of the year, but the winner of the Japanese Derby is the pinnacle of the generation!"]
[In this race, Tokai Teio not only took the championship but also set the record for a G1 victory after the longest layoff period, a record that remains unbroken to this day.]
[The scene of jockey Seiki Tabara wiping away tears atop his saddle became a classic moment in Japanese racing history.]
[After the race, jockey Seiki Tabara said with tears in his eyes: "Tokai Teio overcame pain time and again, surpassing many people's imaginations. Rather than my riding, it was his own strength that earned this well-deserved victory that belongs to him. He is truly a magnificent racehorse."]
["When we passed Biwa Hayahide, I felt more gratitude than joy. I actually had moments where I doubted him. Thinking about what he went through this past year... it was too hard. I truly admire him."]
[It's clear that Seiki Tabara is a man of true feeling. Many new fans might not know him yet, but they can learn his story through this.]
[This race is destined to be etched in history, along with commentator Masayuki Sakai's classic call as Teio crossed the line.]
[Tokai Teio: A Miraculous Resurrection!]
[Of course, as a side note, regarding the inquiry for third place mentioned earlier: After the JRA spent seven minutes comparing the photo finish, it was confirmed that Nice Nature crossed the line first. He took third place in the Arima Kinen yet again.]
["Friendship first, competition second, Nature third." After this Arima Kinen, this phrase became an immortal classic.]