The commentary and live broadcast for this race were still handled by a man and a woman, with the Announcer (Female) now giving the opening remarks:
"Under the clear blue sky, the Tokyo Racecourse is once again hosting races as scheduled today."
"Among the Horse Girl participating in this race, the most noteworthy is undoubtedly the returning Triple Crown Horse Girls, CB-sensei."
The commentator followed up at this moment:
"That's right, after nearly a year away, I believe everyone, like me, has been looking forward to this moment for a long time."
On the racecourse, Chitose Meiji Representative, dressed in her basic gym uniform, smiled and waved to the audience, who immediately responded with enthusiastic cheers:
"CB! Go! Make the other Horse Girl lose to your strength once again!"
Katsuragi Ace, standing nearby, showed no surprise on her face, her eyes burning with even fiercer fighting spirit, and she suddenly spoke:
"CB, your popularity is truly the same as ever, but I will definitely win this race, so be prepared."
Hearing this, Chitose Meiji Representative turned around, the smile still on her lips, and put one hand on her hip, saying:
"Katsuragi Ace, you're really full of drive, and you look to be in excellent condition, but I won't lose."
Just then, the opening fanfare began to play. They exchanged one last glance, then turned and walked towards their respective starting gates.
A total of nine Horse Girl participated in this race. Chitose Meiji Representative was in gate seven, and Katsuragi Ace was in gate five.
Mainichi Okan, G2 race.
Tokyo Racecourse, turf, 1800 meters, counter-clockwise, track conditions good, clear weather.
It's worth noting that the 1800-meter track at Tokyo Racecourse starts at the second bend.
It then connects to a straight, followed by the third and fourth bends, which together form a complete large bend.
After passing these, they enter the final straight, where Horse Girl usually choose to accelerate and sprint.
Soon, all participating Horse Girl had entered their gates and assumed their ready-to-run postures, poised to start.
"All Horse Girl have entered their gates."
The Announcer (Female) broadcasted in a timely manner:
"Daily Hai..."
"Now..."
"Clang!"
The sound of the starting gates opening suddenly rang out, and all nine Horse Girl, including Chitose Meiji Representative and Katsuragi Ace, immediately surged forward.
"It has begun! All the Horse Girl had a beautiful start from the gates."
"They are observing each other's positions, vying for the inside lane..."
"It seems Katsuragi Ace has taken the lead, while CB-sensei, as usual, is temporarily in the last position, both heading towards the third bend."
On the racecourse, after securing the leading position, Katsuragi Ace did not choose to continue accelerating but maintained her speed, becoming wary of the rear.
Accustomed to running in front, she was already used to the oppressive gazes from behind. Normally, she wouldn't need to be overly cautious.
But today was different; after all, it was CB chasing from behind, and her oppressive aura was incomparable to that of ordinary Horse Girl.
As the formation gradually stretched out, the Horse Girl' positions temporarily stabilized. No one was in a hurry, knowing that the final straight was when the true decisive battle would occur.
"Is Katsuragi Ace truly in the lead? Is her speed at a comfortable level?"
Chitose Meiji Representative, at the very back, slightly adjusted her breathing, a thoughtful expression flashing across her face.
"Sorry everyone, I can't let you have it so easy."
The next moment, a stream of light flashed in her eyes, and a powerful aura suddenly emanated from her body, sweeping forward.
"?!"
The Horse Girl in front suddenly felt that the wind resistance, which they could previously easily break through, became difficult. They had to exert more force with each step, and their arm movements had to be wider, inevitably increasing their physical exertion.
The sudden change inevitably unsettled them, distracting their focus. Although they knew it was caused by the Triple Crown Horse Girls at the very back, they were powerless to do anything.
Among them, Katsuragi Ace, who was in the leading position, was an exception. There was no panic on her face, only an expression of expectation.
She took a deep breath, and the fighting spirit in her eyes suddenly transformed into a fiery aura that emanated outwards, quickly spreading throughout her body, completely dispelling the unreasonable wind resistance blocking her path.
"It has begun, the confrontation between Chitose Meiji and Katsuragi Ace."
In the grandstand, Rudolph Symboli stood with her arms crossed, her expression somewhat serious.
"CB-chan's aura interference... I haven't seen it in a long time."
Maruzensky gazed at the Horse Girl team on the track, looking quite intrigued:
"But that Katsuragi Ace, she also possesses an aura?"
Polaris Glacier remained silent, concentrating intently, not wanting to miss any potential detail.
"Katsuragi Ace has indeed become stronger. She couldn't even manifest an aura last year."
On the racecourse, Chitose Meiji Representative looked straight ahead with her excellent vision, a smile appearing on her lips, and her expression became serious.
"Entering the corner of the third bend, Katsuragi Ace is still in the lead, and CB-sensei remains at the very back. The overall position of the Horse Girl team has not changed much."
As the race progressed, the Announcer (Female)'s voice continued to ring out, and the commentator followed up at this point:
"The pace is also at a suitable level. It seems the Horse Girl have all implicitly agreed to leave the decisive battle for the final straight."
Compared to the initial excitement, the audience was now somewhat quiet. Everyone was waiting, waiting for the moment the chase would begin from the very back of the Horse Girl team.
Soon, as if understanding the audience's thoughts, at the moment they passed the 600-meter mark and entered the corner of the fourth bend, Chitose Meiji Representative stomped her right foot heavily on the ground. After a brief pause, she suddenly accelerated, charging forward.
In just a moment, she overtook several Horse Girl. Her final burst of speed was not dull at all compared to last year; in fact, it was even stronger.
And the audience, seeing this scene, responded as if in sync with Chitose Meiji Representative, erupting into a fierce cheer.
The final straight was conveniently located closest to the audience, and the sounds from the spectators clearly echoed in the ears of all the Horse Girl:
"CB! Go! Overtake them and win again!"
The Announcer (Female) also couldn't help but excitedly stand up and exclaim:
"Entering the final straight! Only the last 530 meters remain! CB is starting her sprint! CB is starting her sprint!"
The time had come. All nine Horse Girl on the track began to quicken their pace. The fierce competition made them involuntarily line up, charging towards the glorious finish line.
Katsuragi Ace, at the very front, felt the approaching presence behind her. The fiery aura around her intensified, and the fighting spirit in her eyes had reached its peak.
Passing the last 400-meter mark, she, too, began to accelerate, holding off the three Horse Girl catching up from behind, and shouted loudly:
"No way! I won't let you pass! Victory belongs to me!"
And just as her words fell, the next moment, a figure enveloped in a stream of light like a gentle breeze suddenly caught up from the outside lane. It was none other than Chitose Meiji Representative, with her aura fully unleashed.
"CB is here! CB is here! She's running alongside Katsuragi Ace! Can she overtake her?! Can she overtake her?!"
Their figures were almost perfectly side-by-side on a single line, their auras intertwining, neither willing to yield an inch.
"!"
It was almost instantaneous. They exchanged glances, then together unleashed their final burst of energy.
Passing the 200-meter mark, the two who had broken away from the Horse Girl team undoubtedly became the focus of all the spectators present.
Everyone cheered fiercely, as if pouring all their passion onto the two Horse Girl on the track.
"Katsuragi Ace! CB! Katsuragi Ace! CB! Katsuragi Ace! CB!"
However, at this crucial moment, Katsuragi Ace suddenly felt a particularly distinct and rapidly intensifying abnormality during her acceleration.
It seemed that the continuous leading and prolonged use of her aura had caused her to expend more stamina than usual, and she had a bad premonition of losing speed.
"What the hell... At a time like this..."
Her pupils involuntarily dilated, and everything around her seemed to come to a standstill.
Chitose Meiji Representative, also galloping alongside her, keenly sensed something was wrong. She slightly turned her gaze to look, her eyes filled with unconcealed surprise.
Only less than 100 meters remained to the finish line. If she were to slow down now, victory would surely be out of reach.
"Is that... No way?"
In the grandstand, Maruzensky blinked, somewhat uncertainly saying:
"In a race like this? That girl wouldn't actually..."
"Ah, ah, there's no mistake..."
Rudolph Symboli nodded with her arms crossed, the scene reflected in her eyes as she looked at Katsuragi Ace was already completely different.
"I see, this race is indeed unexpectedly exciting."
Polaris Glacier spoke softly, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Returning to the racecourse, not much time had actually passed since Katsuragi Ace realized she was about to lose speed.
At this moment, in addition to disbelief, her heart was filled with a surging anger.
And this anger quickly overwhelmed her thoughts, leaving only one idea in her mind:
"I will win! I will be victorious!"
Losing speed? No! I can still accelerate! It's not over yet!
She stomped her right foot heavily on the ground, and a dark red aura suddenly erupted, centered around her, sweeping over all participating Horse Girl, including Chitose Meiji Representative beside her.
"Whether it's the Triple Crown Horse Girls or anything else! Nothing can stop my progress!"
The next moment, Katsuragi Ace's figure suddenly lunged forward, immediately creating a half-body length distance between herself and Chitose Meiji Representative.
With less than 50 meters remaining to the finish line, Chitose Meiji Representative, realizing what had happened, did not hesitate. A stream of light shimmered in her eyes as she used her last resort, attempting to turn the tide and reverse the situation.
However, she was ultimately a step too late. Both Horse Girl crossed the finish line, separated by only a nose length.
"Katsuragi Ace! The winner is Katsuragi Ace! With a slight advantage, she has claimed victory in this Mainichi Okan!"
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!!!"
With the winner confirmed, the audience fell silent for a moment, then suddenly erupted into a fierce cheer.
Although they didn't get to see Chitose Meiji Representative win her comeback race, Katsuragi Ace had already proven with her strength that she was not an ordinary competitor, but another great general of the '83 generation who could directly contend with a Triple Crown Horse Girls.
There was no need to be stingy with cheers; she was completely deserving.
"What was that just now...?"
Listening to the Announcer (Female)'s broadcast and the audience's cheers, Katsuragi Ace felt a bit dazed, her thoughts seemingly still lingering on the final straight.
"Congratulations, Katsuragi Ace, congratulations on winning the race."
Just then, Chitose Meiji Representative walked over, her face devoid of sadness from defeat, only a relieved smile and joy for her friend's breakthrough.
"CB, I..."
"Now isn't the time to talk to me, you should be facing this way."
Chitose Meiji Representative smiled, gesturing with her thumb towards the audience.
Seeing this, Katsuragi Ace paused slightly, then understood, and nodded to Chitose Meiji Representative.
Turning to face the audience, she raised her right fist high, declaring her victory.
"The winner is me!"