"The Takarazuka Kinen track is downhill from the start until the steep climb before the finish line, making the first half of the track easy to pick up pace. Even though it's only a 2200-meter track, pacing is crucial."
Sakura Baimu held a timer and pressed it as Mejiro Palmer entered the corner.
"When I was racing, the front-runner Umamusume wasn't using a Runaway strategy, so the pace Runaway strategy trainer taught me was very effective…"
Satono Diamond stared at Mejiro McQueen, who was closely following Mejiro Palmer, her eyes filled with admiration for her idol.
"But Miss Palmer is an Umamusume who's using the Runaway Tactic for very long but Miss McQueen is managing to keep up so well. That's really impressive."
"McQueen's pace hasn't quickened much because of Palmer; that level isn't a problem for her," Sakura Baimu said.
"Mejiro Palmer is in the lead-runner position. She had reached the second turn, followed by Mejiro McQueen, who has maintained a gap of about three Lengths."
"This is the first time we've seen Mejiro Palmer's Runaway strategy fail to create a gap at the start."
"Behind Mejiro McQueen is Tokai Teio, who, like Mejiro McQueen, hasn't lost any speed on the steep climb, widening the gap between herself and Matikanetannhauser in fourth place."
"Oh! Nishino Flower has overtaken Matikanetannhauser for fourth place, and behind her is Rice Shower... no! It's Dantz Seattle!"
"Dantz Seattle has overtaken Rice Shower and Matikanetannhauser to take fifth place."
"Rice Shower is right behind!"
"The Umamusume in the front positions have already engaged in fierce competition in the mid-race, and the top three Umamusume haven't been affected."
A light drizzle fell over Hyogo Prefecture today, soaking the soil beneath the course and making the track slightly heavier than usual.
Runners could feel the ground sinking slightly just by stepping on the grass.
Despite the grassy terrain being more challenging than usual, the overall pace was surprisingly faster than before, given the competition among so many highly skilled runners.
"Mejiro Palmer has finished the second corner first and is now on the straight."
"She still maintains her lead, but she looks more strained than usual. Is it really the pressure from Mejiro McQueen behind her?"
"A reckless Runaway might create an early lead, but once that gap fails to widen and she can't shake off the Umamusume behind her, the psychological pressure on a Runaway Umamusume increases exponentially."
Mr. CB, wearing a hat embroidered with "CB," commented on the somewhat anxious Mejiro Palmer.
"Takarazuka Kinen is a race where the outside track has an advantage. McQueen and Rice Shower were lucky this time, both assigned to the outside, but Teiō is on the inside," Maruzensky said.
"To be precise, the more central tracks have an advantage. Rice Shower is in a good position this time, assigned to track 8, which is probably the track from which Takarazuka Kinen has been won the most."
Mr. CB did not search for relevant information; she simply said this from memory.
"Rice Shower's strength isn't comparable to McQueen and Teiō; her advantage lies in her Zone. The aura Rice Shower exudes after activating her Zone is absolutely top-tier, easily putting a lot of pressure on the surrounding Umamusume." Symboli Rudolf recalled the scene at last year's Tenno Sho when Rice Shower first entered her Zone.
"However, Rice-chan's Zone strength is a bit weak. Teiō lacks experience competing against Zone Umamusume, which might affect her aura. But McQueen has already had two experiences, so she shouldn't be affected," Maruzensky said.
"Speaking of which, Rice Shower feels a bit different this time compared to when I met her and Mihono Bourbon in the student council room. Has she made a breakthrough?" Symboli Rudolf asked hesitantly.
"Oh dear, Rudolf is worried about Teiō again?" Maruzensky's expression suddenly turned playful.
"No, it's not just that. Something feels off. Improving your Zone doesn't require rigid training, but it's not something you can improve easily either."
"As for what changes Rice-chan has undergone, we'll find out soon enough," Maruzensky said with a smile, looking at the Umamusume who had all entered the straight before the third turn.
"Mejiro Palmer is still the front lead, but she seems to be showing signs of fatigue."
"The top three Umamusume haven't changed, but Dantz Seattle is now in fourth place, and Rice Shower is in fifth."
"Nishino Flower has dropped to twelfth place."
"It seems Nishino Flower, who excels in short-distance races, is struggling on a middle-distance track like Takarazuka Kinen."
Takarazuka Kinen's race slots are determined by fan votes, so it's not surprising that Umamusume who excel only in short-distance races would participate.
"Dantz Seattle is gradually picking up speed, and the distance between her and Tokai Teio is constantly decreasing."
"Mejiro Palmer has entered the third corner first; the race is about to enter its final stages!"
"It doesn't seem like the competition at Takarazuka Kinen is too intense this time."
"Huh? Why is the commentator saying that? It's not even the final stages yet!" Satono Diamond turned to Sakura Baimu and asked.
"Because Takarazuka Kinen is usually more competitive in the early stages, and since it uses the inner track with a very short final straight of only 359.1 Meters, it's a bit late to push hard in the final stages," Sakura Baimu explained.
"Does that mean Miss McQueen has basically secured the win this time?" Satono Diamond exclaimed excitedly upon hearing this.
Mejiro McQueen was currently in second place, the gap between her and Mejiro Palmer rapidly closing, and she was about to take the lead.
"No, there are too many strong Umamusume in Takarazuka Kinen this time. It's likely to be the most intense final race in Takarazuka Kinen history."
Sakura Baimu's words had barely fallen when cheers erupted from the crowd, instantly drawing Satono Diamond's attention back.
Why? Because they had finally witnessed the moment when that white figure stepped onto the final corner.
"It's here! It's finally here! The ultimate long-distance Umamusume's burst of speed! Mejiro McQueen is accelerating!"