"Time and time again, we have been blessed to witness the careers of many umamusume."
"We have been blessed to witness an era that will surely define the future generations that will follow."
The announcer's surprisingly solemn words rang throughout the stadium, yet no one complained. The massive crowd that'd gathered today—easily surpassing 100,000 people—all listened with solemnity. Most of them had been there to witness the passing of the Emperor's era; they'd been there to suffer through the drought that followed, and they were there to watch the birth of a new era.
"And now, here at the Hanshin Racecourse, all the miracles we have enjoyed have come together in this single race; a gathering of legends that will be spoken for years to come."
"Today, here at the [Takarazuka Kinen], there shall be a true contest of strength between Japan's-, no, the world's top racers!"
Finally, a symphony of trumpets played all across the stadium, and the crowd finally cheered. The stadium physically shook from the sheer weight of all those cheers. Dozens of cameras turned on at once, and the beginning of the [Takarazuka Kinen] began being broadcasted to the millions watching through the television.
At that moment, the Hanshin Racecourse was being viewed by people from every corner of Japan.
"The fateful moment draws near—it's time for today's star to descend to the track!"
Thousands drew their hands together in prayer, both hoping that their chosen favorites would win today's race, and that no tragedies would follow.
Tens of thousands stood from their seats and roared, as if to give their energy to the umamusume who would run in today's race.
And for those few fated minutes, the whole country came to a halt to bear witness to a race that would be remembered for decades to come.
"Now, our 10th favorite!"
"She may be our least favored, but that means little! She has consistently shown that she is not to be underestimated! The Flower that blossoms in the Springs—the umamusume who refuses to give up–"
"No.7, Sakura Chiyono O!"
The crowd cheered loudly, and Chiyono O giggled as she waved back at her fans. It stung a little that she was the least favored to win in this race, but she wouldn't let it bring her down. And besides! Her fans still believed in her, and she would do all she could to fulfil their wishes!
So-!
"I'll do my best!" She said to the crowd, and she smiled brightly as they cheered her on.
"Our 9th favorite!"
"She now stands once more against her greatest adversary. A princess who charges ahead towards a new tomorrow—the unrelenting Monsoon of the Mejiro Family–"
"No.10, Mejiro Ardan!"
Ardan smiled calmly as she stepped onto the track. She gave a small wave to the cheering crowd, happy that they were still supporting her despite the legends she would be running against today. They still believed her—believed that she could take home the crown.
And though she found herself pressed to believe that she could do such a thing, she would strive for it anyway. It was the only thing she could do to return all the faith she'd been given.
Just as she prepared to head to her gate, her ears twitched as she barely heard a familiar voice amongst the cheers. She glanced at the crowd, and she smiled fondly as she saw Mcqueen and Ryan hiding amongst the crowd, cheering her on.
"Watch me, everyone." She whispered, giving the crowd one last bow before she headed for her gate.
"Our 8th favorite!"
"A powerful Warrior who has fought time and time again against the Generals of the Demon King, and now she comes again for another shot!"
"No.2, Yaeno Muteki!"
Muteki took a deep breath as she walked onto the track. Countless thoughts roamed her mind, but she gave them no time nor mind. There was no more need to. She'd done all she could, trained as hard as she could, learnt as much as she could.
Victory was improbable. She understood that starkly from the very moment she registered for this race. Every single opponent she would face in this race were all ones she had to look out for. No one here had gotten this far from luck alone; they too had fought and clawed their way here.
And so, standing upon this track, all that was left to do was to run.
"The 7th favorite!"
"Though her origins may be humble, even a small Creek could grow into a massive river. She may have faced defeat in the [Spring Tenno Sho], but she remains undaunted!"
"No.5, Super Creek!"
The crowd cheered as she entered the track, and Creek smiled softly as she gazed at her cheering fans. Though she could not see her, Creek was sure that her Trainer was somewhere in that massive crowd. Perhaps Fumino wasn't cheering loudly like the others, but she knew she must be cheering for her victory all the same.
Creek's eyes softened. "I'll be going now, trainer."
"Now, the 6th favorite!"
"The Yellow Bullet has been loaded, and now she is aimed at the crown! Her performance has never failed to dazzle the crowd, and I'm sure she will tear the track apart once more–!"
"No.1, Dicta Striker!"
Dicta laughed brightly as she heard the crowd's cheers. "Yeah, that's right! Turn it up!" She shouted, and her grin only grew wider as the cheers grew louder. "I ain't backing down without a fight, you hear me!? This bullet's been loaded, so don't blame me for a sudden upset, yeah!?"
Her answer came as an excited roar, and Dicta smiled with teeth.
"Our 5th favorite!"
"The great Commander of Team Kitahara! A peasant who climbed her way to the top—now she stands as the Divine General who wreaks havoc upon the track!"
"No.3, Belno Light!"
Belno walked forth with a confident gait, giving a small nod to the cheering crowd as she made her way to her gate.
This would, without a doubt, be the most difficult race she had ever raced in. Not only would she be facing against the rest of the Generation of Miracles, she would also be facing against Oguri and Star at the same time.
Yet she felt no fear nor doubt as she walked into her gate. She had earned her place here. She had fought tooth and nail to get to where she was, and now she was the holder of the Dirt Triple Crown.
"Oguri, Star…"
She smiled sharply.
"This time, I'll win."
"Now, the 4th favorite!"
"She'd gotten 2nd place in last year's world-shaking [Japan Cup], and now she makes her return here in the [Takarazuka Kinen]! The Wild Joker of America who now takes her fight here in Japan–!"
"No.9, Obey Your Master!"
A brief silence fell over the crowd as Obey Your Master stepped out in her original G1 outfit. The outfit was a complete reversal of the wild image she'd shown back in the [Japan Cup]; refined and sharp, more befitting of a disguised Assassin.
But the cheers soon followed, loud and excited for whatever Obey would soon bring. And Obey returned them a small smile, her chest warm as she basked in the crowd's excitement. "It really is different here." She whispered.
She closed her eyes.
"Thank you, Star."
"Today's 3rd favorite!"
"Here comes the White Lightning herself! Her spirit is indomitable, her strength undisputed! The heavens themselves will descend for her, and clouds will thunder at her wake–!"
"No.6, Tamamo Cross!"
Tamamo stepped onto the Turf, faint streaks of lightning arcing behind her. A powerful pressure descended onto the track as she made herself known, and the stadium shook with the cheers of tens of thousands. "Quiet down, ya' idiots'." She muttered, though she couldn't help but grin.
Then, at the corner of her eyes, she spotted a familiar umamusume in the crowd, her gaze both mournful and incredibly proud. And despite the painful twinge she felt in her chest, Tamamo's grin softened.
"I'm still here." She whispered, recalling those words she'd been told back then.
And though she knew he was no longer here to see it, she grinned widely as she raised her fist into the air. "I'm winnin' this, ya' hear!?" She shouted, and the crowd cheered at her bold declaration.
"Now, our 2nd favorite!"
"The White Comet that soars across the track! Her recent victory at the [Spring Tenno Sho] shows that her injury at the [Japan Cup] has only served to make her stronger!"
"No.4, Blossom Star!"
The crowd's cheer was downright explosive as Star walked onto the track, her blue cape fluttering in the winds. As always, she was remarkably calm as she headed for her gate, entirely unbothered by the cheers and expectations placed upon her. Seeing her composure, many believed that she had complete confidence in her victory, and their cheers only grew louder as a result.
Only a trusted few knew that the exact opposite was true—Star had no doubts that victory was out of reach this time around. This race was unsuited for her; she wouldn't be able to operate at 100%, no matter what she did.
But she was fine with that. She didn't enter this race to win.
Her wish had already been fulfilled from the very start.
"And lastly, today's favorite!"
"The Grey Monster of Team Kitahara! The winner of last year's Undefeated Triple Crown! Her winning streak remains unbroken! The limits of her strength remain unknown!"
"I welcome to the track the strongest umamusume of this generation–!"
"No.8, OGURI CAP!!"
The earth trembled as a reinforced boot stepped onto the Turf, and the entire stadium shook as Oguri Cap stepped onto the track. Unlike the [Osaka Hai], her gaze was sharp as she made her way to the gate, and faint shadowy wisps clung to her feet as she walked forward. And though no one could see it, an inky darkness followed just behind her, practically enshrouding her entire figure.
At that moment, everyone who saw her knew that the Beast was on the prowl, intent on devouring the Shooting Star that had made itself known.
Oguri stopped just before entering her gate as she turned to Star and Star easily met her gaze. Star smiled fondly, and Oguri smiled back. A silent conversation was held between them—a promise privy only to them.
And then Oguri finally entered her gate, and she took a deep breath as she shook her head.
It was time.
"Every runner has entered their gates!"
"The [Takarazuka Kinen] is about to begin…!"