As the commentator's passionate voice echoed, the long procession of Uma Musume thundered down the far-side straight.
The race had already passed halfway, and the commentator calmly summarized the current standings.
"Let's quickly confirm the current positions."
"In first place, Kitasan Black."
"Behind her is Clear Sky, who hasn't given up and continues desperately chasing—though she still trails by four lengths...now closing slightly to three."
"The race favorite, Satono Crown, remains toward the rear of the mid-pack. She hasn't aggressively moved forward, clearly indicating her chosen strategy today is a late kick."
"Duramente, the third favorite, is positioned just behind Crown-san, likely employing a similar late-kick approach."
"The second favorite, Cheval Grand, is positioned further forward, currently fifth or sixth, about six lengths behind Kitasan Black. She seems content to maintain her pace for now."
"The leading contenders have clearly settled into their respective strategies, running styles each has mastered."
"The pack continues cruising at a steady pace without any drastic moves, unlike earlier. Clearly, the decisive moment will come in the approaching corners or the final straight."
Compared to earlier, the commentator's voice had noticeably calmed, yet many of the Uma Musume's minds churned rapidly.
Within the crowded pack, separated by more than ten bodies from the leader, Satono Crown's gaze locked firmly onto Kitasan, running twenty or thirty meters ahead.
Kita-chan's strength…she's even stronger than I'd expected.
But accelerating so early multiple times—will her stamina hold out...?
No, I can't think like that.
Trainer told me Kita-chan's top speed and burst aren't remarkable, but her stamina is unusually strong—I absolutely can't underestimate that.
So, this level of exertion probably isn't a problem for her.
Still, with the current gap…I can definitely catch up.
The ones I should truly watch are these...
Her gaze swiftly moved from Kitasan, scanning a few other rivals, finally resting on a figure diagonally behind her.
A black-and-gold silhouette reflected clearly in deep blue eyes. Within Duramente's irises, faint ripples of tension stirred.
By coincidence, among those Crown was wary of, Cheval Grand, running closest to the lead, also stared intently at Kitasan Black.
Compared to their previous meeting at the Spring Stakes, Kitasan's performance today was completely different.
Back then, Kitasan had run a cautious, slow-paced front-runner style, barely leading—more accurately, just slightly ahead of the stalkers.
Yet today, she'd already opened more than three lengths ahead of second place by mid-race, employing tactics Cheval hadn't seen before.
This realization left Cheval deeply unsettled.
At the Spring Stakes, she'd only lost to Kitasan by three lengths on the final straight.
She'd faced similar gaps before—during training, she'd regularly made up such a distance using her powerful late kick.
Yet Kitasan had stubbornly held off her charge through sheer stamina and tenacity, claiming victory.
Now, solely between herself and Kitasan, that gap had doubled to six lengths.
If three lengths were enough to narrowly defeat me last time, how can I ignore six lengths now?
As she wavered, her ears instinctively tracked footsteps behind her.
But if I move too early now, how will Satono Crown, Duramente, or Danon Platina respond?
Without enough stamina left, I'll stand no chance against them on the final straight…
No, I can't waste energy here…
There's still some distance before the third corner—there's still time to accelerate later.
Endure it…wait for the right moment!
This time… I must win.
I have to claim the Satsuki Sho!
The instant Cheval Grand resolved herself, determination filled her gaze. But in the very next moment, her ears caught heavier footsteps from far ahead—her pupils instantly contracted sharply.
Who—Kitasan Black?!
Impossible!
She's accelerating again already?!
With that stride again?!
How does she still have enough stamina for that stride?!
---
As soon as the third corner's entrance clearly entered her vision, Kitasan Black didn't hesitate. Her lead foot, already switched multiple times, smashed forcefully into the turf.
She clearly felt the recoil of the turf erupting beneath her foot; faintly, she imagined smelling the fresh, grassy scent released from the crushed blades.
From the grandstands came a familiar rush of noise like a rising tide—but this time, she distinctly separated out clearer footsteps pounding behind her.
My opponents haven't reacted yet!
They still haven't realized just how hard I've prepared, nor what level of speed I can endure!
They don't know that, after endless training, I've already recovered my stamina fully on the previous straightaway—precisely for this final burst of acceleration!
Run as far ahead as possible…
These rivals all have late kicks—each faster than the last…
I must constantly widen the gap from the opening stage to the final straight—until no matter how fiercely they charge, the distance is insurmountable…
At this moment, Kitasan fully grasped the true essence of Yasui's tactics.
She absolutely couldn't—didn't need to—leave the decisive moment for the final straight.
Her true battlefield was right here, in this very corner, long before the finish line came into view!
With newfound clarity, her gaze locked onto the inner rail, every ounce of concentration and explosive power controlling her body. Kitasan felt herself being stretched thin by the immense wind pressure.
The powerful centrifugal force seemed determined to fling her off the track—she even imagined hearing her muscles and bones creak from strain.
But it's still not my limit!
I'm not at my limit yet!
I can still accelerate!
The tactics she'd practiced day after day now unfolded fully once again. Like a jet-black storm, the girl charged relentlessly into the wide, sweeping curve on the right side of the track.
Only when she unleashed the second gradient's full acceleration did she finally hear a chilling sound from behind.
Like dense, rolling thunder—
No, more accurately, the rumbling tremors as every opponent behind simultaneously surged forward.
They've finally reacted!
"She's going wild! Kitasan Black is making another unbelievable charge in the third corner!"
The commentator's voice shot up another octave, distorting the mic with sheer exhilaration.
"A second incredible burst of acceleration! A second unbelievable charge!"
"The other Uma Musume are finally responding!"
"Clear Sky continues pressing forward! Bright Emblem is moving up quickly!"
"Cheval Grand launches her charge! Satono Crown swings wide to the outside lane! Duramente is following right behind!"
"But—!"
"The gap keeps widening!"
"Four lengths…five lengths…six lengths!"
"Kitasan Black's lead is still increasing!"
"The final corner!"
"Kitasan Black enters the final corner first!"
"Who will claim victory in this first jewel of the Classic Triple Crown—the Satsuki Sho?!"