Upon hearing Sakura Bakushin O's words, many Umamusumes in Tracen Academy gasped in unison.
Mejiro McQueen is going again?!
And this time, it's a showdown against the strongest active Umamusume in the US?!
The strongest vs. the strongest!
Just thinking about it was enough to get their blood pumping.
Although Mejiro McQueen lost to Rice Shower in the middle-distance Takarazuka Kinen race, and her title as the strongest active-duty Umamusume was taken away, her title as the strongest long-distance active-duty Umamusume remains unchallenged.
With Rice Shower injured and hospitalized, only Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen remain as the Umamusumes capable of carrying the torch for Tracen Academy.
Everyone was quite curious about the outcome of the final showdown between these two top active-duty fighters.
Sakura Baimu gave Mejiro McQueen a stamina-restoring nutrient solution and then re-enhanced her horseshoes.
Enhanced horseshoes increase post-race benefits, meaning she becomes stronger as the race progresses.
After having her horseshoes reinstalled, Mejiro McQueen walked onto the track, maintaining her aloof and elegant demeanor as she stood at the starting line.
Once Mejiro McQueen entered the arena, Tokai Teio spoke with some concern.
"Trainer-san, that Golden Crown Eagle seems to have mastered a higher level of skill. McQueen might not be able to beat her."
"Yes, I know," Sakura Baimu nodded.
"Huh?!?!"
Smart Falcon, Kitasan Black, and the others exclaimed in unison upon hearing Sakura Baimu directly acknowledge that Mejiro McQueen was no match for Golden Crown Eagle.
"Trainer-san, since you knew Miss McQueen couldn't win, why did you let her accept the challenge?" Satono Diamond asked with some concern.
"Losing isn't terrible. The fastest way to improve is to compete against a powerful opponent. Golden Crown Eagle is the strongest opponent McQueen has ever faced. Even if she loses against her, she'll gain a lot."
Sakura Baimu explained softly, adding that the effect of the reinforced horseshoes would truly make things twice as effective.
"Actually, there's another important reason I had McQueen compete: Golden Crown Eagle will most likely participate in the Japan Cup this November."
"For Golden Crown Eagle, McQueen might be an easy opponent to defeat using her Zone. But for McQueen, this is a good opportunity to get to know her opponent in advance. If she wants to surpass Golden Crown Eagle before November, she needs a some edge."
"I see."
Tokai Teio nodded. She was last year's Japan Cup winner and wouldn't be participating this year.
"Teio, don't slack off either. I want you to participate in an international competition in November."
"Huh? Why so suddenly?!" Tokai Teio suddenly shuddered.
"Heh, Umamusumes from America want to come to Japan to show off, so we have to go and get our revenge there, don't we?" Sakura Baimu laughed.
Upon hearing Sakura Baimu's words, the TCB members exchanged glances.
"As expected, Trainer-san is angry because of Rice Shower and the others..."
--
"This time, Mejiro McQueen and Golden Crown Eagle will be racing on the 2400 Meter Turf track!"
"Both runners have entered the gates."
"The strongest vs. the strongest."
"Who will ultimately win? Let's wait and see!"
Sakura Bakushin O, sitting in the commentary booth, shouted into the microphone.
As expected of the grade leader of Tracen Academy, her booming voice easily aroused the anticipation of the Umamusumes present.
This race was arguably the one with the largest audience since Pluto Academy joined Tracen Academy.
On one side of the arena, Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky, still intently watching the Umamusumes in the arena, remained together, discussing the upcoming competition.
"Another 2400m Turf match, huh? Looks like this Golden Crown Eagle is preparing for this year's Japan Cup," Maruzensky remarked, squinting at the blonde American Umamusume through the gates.
"If she uses her full power, McQueen can't beat her. Trainer Sakura must have realized this already, so it seems she's deliberately letting McQueen gain experience," Symboli Rudolf said.
Inside the gate, Golden Crown Eagle glanced sideways at Mejiro McQueen, who was staring straight ahead, and chuckled before looking away.
Standing in this spot, she couldn't help but recall last night's events.
Last night, she started here and lost to Sakura Baimu.
"I won't allow that to happen again. I want everyone to know that at this 2400m distance, I am the strongest!"
Golden Crown Eagle clenched her fist tightly, her eyes turning cold.
The memory of being defeated by an Umamusume last night was still vivid. Now that she had defeated Mejiro McQueen, she could finally vent her frustration.
Once Mejiro McQueen experiences the power of the Zone, she can then conveniently teach her how to break through it—a win-win situation.
Thinking this, Golden Crown Eagle's mood improved slightly. A faint smile played on her lips as she assumed a ready stance.
"The match begins!"
The gate sprang open, and Golden Crown Eagle and Mejiro McQueen charged forward simultaneously.
This time, Golden Crown Eagle held back slightly.
After all, in her view, the gap between her and Mejiro McQueen was too great, and Mejiro McQueen had just finished a race, so her stamina was undoubtedly not yet fully recovered.
Her goal was last night's "warehouse," so there was no need to reveal her full strength here.
Golden Crown Eagle had the idea of holding back, but Mejiro McQueen was different.
She always gave it her all.
Thanks to the pre-race nutritional supplement Sakura Baimu gave her, Mejiro McQueen's stamina had already returned to her normal pre-competition level.
She still ran and lead in the frontlines, but she had already pulled ahead of Golden Crown Eagle in the early stages of the race.
"Sure enough, Mejiro McQueen has chosen a leading running style again!"
"Mejiro McQueen has already established a lead of about 5 lengths over Golden Crown Eagle in the early stages!"
"Golden Crown Eagle truly lives up to her reputation as the strongest current active Umamusume in American. Facing Mejiro McQueen's speed, she showed no signs of surprise, remaining extremely confident."
Golden Crown Eagle hadn't thought much of it when she first watched.
But now, having actually experienced Mejiro McQueen's leading speed, she was slightly surprised.
"She's still using the same Front Running speed as last round. Isn't she worried about running out of stamina later? After two rounds in a row, she should be feeling fatigued by now, right?"