Kitasan Black kept Sakura Baimu's reminders in mind throughout the run.
That is, you only need to pay attention to your own pace and don't need to worry about others.
This statement generally applies to the leading position(Front Runner), where the rhythm of other umamusume is easily disrupted by the leading Umamusume.
But Sakura Baimu told this to Kitasan Black, who was more suited to lead the race.
Although Kitasan Black didn't quite understand Sakura Baimu's meaning at first, when she heard the commentator shout "11 lengths" as she crossed the steep slope and stepped onto the bend, Kitasan Black suddenly realized what Sakura Baimu meant by "no need to worry about others."
"So Trainer-san isn't worried about me getting sidetracked, but rather that I shouldn't deliberately slow down because I'm concerned about the gap between me and the people behind me?!"
It was outrageous!!
"But thinking about it carefully, it actually makes sense when applied to Trainer-san..."
As Kitasan Black thought this, she maintained a pace that would allow her to stay ahead until the end of the race, but the live audio kept ringing in her ears, making her heart pound every time she heard it.
No, it's pulsating.
"Kitasan Black is still more than 15 lengths ahead of the Umamusume behind her..."
"Judging from the looks of it, Kitasan Black has already built up a lead of more than 20 lengths over the Umamusume who is in second place..."
"Is this really a rookie Umamusume who hasn't even debuted yet? The difference is too big; it's a complete and utter crushing defeat in terms of skill..."
Every time the commentator, Misato Akasaka, uttered a surprised sound, Kitasan Black felt her heart pound in her chest, and her fair face would flush slightly.
When it came to crossing the finish line, Kitasan Black, who is usually so cheerful, became so shy that she wanted to cover her face.
The commentator was praising her way too much!
Kitasan Black swears this is the first time she has ever heard anyone other than her parents give her such high praise, especially in front of a huge audience, and with a megaphone.
After crossing the finish line, Kitasan Black, though extremely shy, still flashed a smile as beautiful as a lotus flower in full bloom, raising her arm high towards the audience.
However, the cheers she had anticipated did not erupt.
Kitasan Black ran for a while and suddenly felt a little confused.
Where was the cheering?
When she stopped jogging, she realized that the venue was eerily quiet.
Everyone, including the commentators, the live streamers, and the audience, was holding their breath, seemingly anticipating something.
"Weren't the audience happy that I crossed the finish line...?"
Kitasan Black couldn't help but have this thought.
But the next moment, she heard the announcer say that Kosmo Alkhina had crossed the finish line, and only then did she realize that the audience in the stadium had finally reacted.
They first let out a big sigh of relief, then took a few deep breaths before the cheers finally arrived.
Kitasan Black even thought the audience was cheering for Kosmo Alkhina, not for her.
But when she felt the admiring gazes from the entire audience and the heartfelt cheers for her, she suddenly felt a touch in her heart.
"A new record! Kitasan Black has broken the new 1800-meter turf race record! She's improved it by 2.65 seconds – what an incredible record!"
It's important to understand that for these running horse spirits, a difference of one second is equivalent to a difference of at least 6-7 lengths.
Even after a year of training, Mejiro McQueen only improved her record from a year ago by less than 0.9 seconds.
She improved the 1800-meter turf race record by 2.65 seconds.
What a terrifying, astonishing achievement!
Of course, Kitasan Black was well aware that her new Debut race was not as difficult as Mejiro McQueen's Tenno Sho, but she was still overjoyed with this result.
Her trainer wasn't lying to her at all; she truly possessed the ability to guide her to become a triple crown Umamusume!
Sakura Baimu gave her a perfect start.
At that moment, Kitasan Black felt that her dream was no longer out of reach.
After so many days, the Spartan training method, which was both mentally and physically devastating, no longer seemed so terrifying.
What could be more gratifying than finding yourself getting closer to your dreams?
Kitasan Black's cheeks were flushed, and tears of joy glistened in her blood-red eyes as she excitedly waved to her trainer, Sakura Baimu, and several teammates.
In one corner of the stands, a conspicuous Smart Falcon stared, covering her mouth in disbelief as Kitasan Black left the contestants behind by more than 10 lengths.
Until Kitasan Black crossed the finish line, she stared in astonishment at the rising star in the arena, unable to look away.
"She has to join 'Fugitives'! She absolutely has to join! This is exactly the kind of Leading Umamusume I envision! She's amazing!"
The eye-catching Smart Falcon was excitedly taking tiny steps, her excitement overflowing.
The Fugitives SISTERS is an idol group formed by the shrewd Smart Falcon, consisting of Umamusume who are skilled in Front Running.
The current team members are Smart Falcon, Silent Suzuka, Mihono Bourbon, Inis Fujin, and Maruzensky, all five of whom are Umamusume of Tracen.
Incidentally, the founder of the small team is Smart Falcon, who has the worst record among these five Umamusume.
She has not won a single match since her debut.
--
In another part of the audience, the TCB members did not show any joy at Kitasan Black's victory. Instead, they stared wide-eyed and gaping-mouthed at the scoreboard in utter astonishment.
"This...this is too outrageous!" Tokai Teio finally broke the awkward silence with a murmur after a long pause.
"Trainer-san, why didn't Teiō and I achieve such outrageous results as Kita-chan when we debuted?" Mejiro McQueen looked at Sakura Baimu with a hint of resentment.
"Oh, that means I've grown too, and I'm a little bit better than before." Sakura Baimu held up her thumb and forefinger, making a small difference in size 🤏.
"It's not just a little bit!!!"
The three Umamusume members of TCB looked at Sakura Baimu's ultimate richwoman-like speech and loudly complained at the same time.
"Next up is a stage only for the winners!"
"Winning Live!"
Upon hearing the commentator's voice, Sakura Baimu's laughter paused, freezing instantly.
When Mejiro McQueen and Tokai Teio heard the silence beside them, they both turned their heads slowly and with horror to look at Sakura Baimu.
"You...you didn't teach Kitasan to sing and dance, did you?!"