If more than one umamusume reached the finish line at the same time, the winner would be determined by a photo finish. I didn't care about the photo finish. Grand Ekinoks was clutching her ribs as she stood up. I went onto the field to help her.
Being on the racetrack allowed me to see much more clearly what the other umamusume were doing at that moment. Except for Koşturan, everyone seemed disappointed. Cannon was holding her ankle. As I had guessed, her injury had flared up and she had raced the entire way hurt. That's why I couldn't see Cannon's name on the board.
1. ???
2. ???
3. Sun Breeze (USA) (11)
4. Sailor Man (9)
5. Angelos Draw (GB) (2)
While waiting for the photo finish to come out, my eyes fixed on Koşturan. Even though she was out of breath, she was calmly looking at the board.
Seconds seemed to pass like clocks, and I finally heard the announcer's voice.
"By a head! The winner is Grand Ekinoks! Defeating the undefeated Koşturan and winning the first leg of the Triple Crown!!!"
I saw the photo-finish image published. Grand Ekinoks truly won by a head.
1. Grand Ekinoks (5)
2. Koşturan (FR) (7)
As the board updated, I felt my breath catch, and at the same time I heard a happy umamusume speak.
"I did it, trainer! I really did it! I beat Košturan! I beat her! I won, trainer! I won Uma Trial Stakes!"
"I know... I know Grand, but you'll break my ribs too..."
And of course it was preventing me from breathing but before saying that, she hugged me.
"Sorry... Sorry, trainer."
"What happened?"
At that moment I recalled calling "Grand" and suddenly I turned my head. There I saw Koşturan's face.
She had her fists clenched. There was disappointment on her face about the other umamusume. A few seconds later I saw her smile as if trying to forget that disappointment.
It was really strange to see this robot-like Umamusume smile for the first time, and I saw her coming next to Grand Ekinoks.
"Hey Équinoxe!"
She had pronounced her name in French. Hearing her name this way must have felt very strange to Grand Ekinoks.
Koşturan extended her fist forward in a clenched fist and bumped fists with Grand Ekinoks. In a choked accent, she said to her:
"You challenged me that day. Now the challenge is my turn. Let's race again in the S.A Race."
The S.A Race was a G2 race held about two weeks before the Gazi Derby. It was run on a 2200-meter turf course and umamusume who would typically appear in the Gazi Derby often took part.
Grand Ekinoks also made a fist like Koşturan and bumped fists with Koşturan.
"Deal."
"I hope you don't spend too much time with your dear trainer, you hunchback."
After saying this, Grand Ekinoks's entire face turned red like a tomato. I saw Koşturan wink at her.
"It seems we're going to see another duel between Grand Ekinoks and Koşturan."
And of course I clearly heard the announcer comment on these events. I ignored what was happening and turned to Grand Ekinoks.
"What did Koşturan mean by her last sentence?"
Hearing this, Grand Ekinoks suddenly punched my shoulder.
"What happened me, huh?"
She had turned her back to me and folded her arms across her chest. I couldn't understand what she was thinking at this moment.
I also heard the giggles of the umamusumes around me. Cannon, who was coming up on one leg, approached my ear and whispered me.
"Grand likes you, trainer."
Hearing this, I wanted to say something to Cannon but I restrained myself, thinking Grand Ekinoks would hear it.
Meanwhile, I had one hand on my chest. My heart was beating faster than it ever had before.
From this moment on, I sensed that what I was about to experience would be far from ordinary.