The Autumn Tenno Sho, like the Mainichi Okan, takes place at Tokyo Racecourse.
The former is 200 meters longer than the latter, and these 200 meters are undoubtedly a continuation of the battle between Chitose Meiji and Katsuragi Ace.
Half an hour before the race, a large number of spectators had already gathered in the stands.
Because the dates for this year's Kikuka-shō (菊花赏) and Japan Cup are set very close together, only 14 days apart.
And the Kikuka-shō (菊花赏) is a famous 3000-meter long-distance race, and the fatigue accumulated by the Horse Girl after running it is immense.
Therefore, most people felt that the Emperor Rudolph Symboli would likely not participate in the Japan Cup this year.
Then, looking at the paper data, it seems that only Chitose Meiji and Katsuragi Ace are left to bear the title of Japan's Grand General.
And as for which of them is stronger, this Autumn Tenno Sho is clearly a good opportunity to judge.
"It's been a long time since I've seen CB-sensei's winning uniform," Maruzensky suddenly said from the stands, looking at the Horse Girl on the grass, surrounded by a gentle breeze.
"Ah, ah, that is her true form, the Triple Crown Horse Girls with the name of Pegasus."
Rudolph Symboli's lips curved into a smile, and thoughts flashed in her eyes, as if she had made some decision.
"Is the winning uniform really special? The aura around the Horse Girl changes after they put it on."
Polaris Glacier scanned the Horse Girl on the track one by one, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Mejiro Takamine remained silent, her eyes filled with eagerness, seemingly unable to wait for the race to begin.
"Hmph..."
On the grass, Chitose Meiji exhaled softly. She didn't look at the stands, but rather tilted her head slightly to look at the sky.
Her aura gradually unfolded, and the flowing light in her eyes slowly extended, then rippled outwards.
On the other side, Katsuragi Ace, also dressed in her winning uniform, was currently smiling and waving to the stands.
Perhaps it was because she won the Mainichi Okan in the previous race, the number of spectators cheering for her this time had increased significantly.
"Everyone, just watch, I will win this time too."
She clenched her fist, her desire to respond to the spectators' cheers reaching its peak.
The live commentary and explanation for this race were both handled by men, one young and the other experienced.
At this moment, the young commentator was delivering the opening remarks:
"Today, Tokyo Racecourse is also bathed in bright sunshine, and under the gaze of the spectators, the Horse Girl participating in this race have entered the track one after another."
The commentator also chimed in appropriately:
"The most eye-catching is indeed CB-sensei. Her final burst in the last Mainichi Okan was an exceptional 33.7 seconds over 3 waves, which can be said to be even stronger than before."
"However, the opponents in this race should not be underestimated."
"Will Katsuragi Ace, who proved she can confront the Triple Crown Horse Girls head-on, become another obstacle for CB-sensei?"
"And which of the two of them will be able to wave the flag of Japan's Grand General? Perhaps it will all become clear in this race."
Soon, with the sound of the opening signal, the participating Horse Girl headed towards the starting gate.
Autumn Tenno Sho, G1 race.
Tokyo Racecourse, turf, 2000 meters, counter-clockwise, good track conditions.
Clear weather, a total of 15 Horse Girl participating, with Chitose Meiji in gate 13 and Katsuragi Ace in gate 7.
The former was the first favorite, and the latter was the second favorite.
Regarding the course, the starting point is at the end of the first turn, then it will pass through the second turn into the initial straight, followed by a large turn composed of turns three and four, and then the final straight.
"All Horse Girl have entered the gates."
Inside the starting gate, Katsuragi Ace's excitement was visibly apparent.
Chitose Meiji, on the other hand, was very calm, as if she wasn't even aware she was on the racetrack.
However, the continuously rippling light in her eyes seemed to indicate otherwise.
"Autumn Tenno Sho..."
The young commentator's voice continued:
"Now..."
"Clang!"
The gates suddenly opened, and the 15 participating Horse Girl immediately burst out together.
"The race has begun, and all the Horse Girl have made a beautiful start."
"The leading group is fiercely competing for position, and CB-sensei has indeed chosen to wait at the very back."
"Katsuragi Ace, Katsuragi Ace couldn't grab the leading position? She's currently running in third place."
On the track, several Horse Girl accelerated together. Katsuragi Ace, who thought she had already secured the leading position, was overtaken by two Horse Girl who caught up to her in the next moment.
Considering the length of the race, she chose not to force her way to the front but maintained her third position.
The battle for the leading positions quickly yielded results.
In first place was the Horse Girl who started from the outermost lane of gate 15, and in second place was the Horse Girl who started from gate 10.
Perhaps due to the intense competition for positions earlier, the overall Horse Girl formation was stretched very long and loose, and the pace seemed a bit faster than usual.
The nearly 20-horse-length gap from the first position made the spectators worried for Chitose Meiji, who was waiting at the very back.
The subsequent Horse Girl group was much calmer, with no more clashes occurring.
They all entered the initial straight together, heading towards the third turn.
"It's started, CB-sensei's strategy is as usual, but with the line stretched so long this time, is it really okay?"
"It's fine, this isn't the first time she's dealt with this kind of situation."
In the stands, Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli spoke, one after the other, the latter's gaze fixed on the calm figure, stating with certainty:
"Moreover, as she is now, I cannot imagine her losing."
Soon, the Horse Girl passed the initial straight and entered the third turn.
The moment they entered the third turn, Chitose Meiji, who was at the very back, suddenly began to accelerate.
"It doesn't matter what happens in the rest of the race, it doesn't matter how much strain my legs take."
"Betting on this last full effort, I'll show you, my strength, the strength of a Triple Crown Horse Girls born at the pinnacle of her generation!"
The flowing light already rippling in Chitose Meiji's eyes suddenly burst forth, and her aura transformed into intense gusts of wind, enveloping her body, boosting her steps, and in an instant, she overtook three Horse Girl.
And the spectators who noticed Chitose Meiji starting to accelerate immediately erupted in cheers that echoed throughout the racecourse.
That desperate counterattack from the very back made people's blood boil, making them involuntarily anticipate and hope that she could overtake and achieve victory in one fell swoop.
"?!"
At the same time, the Horse Girl in front felt a terrifying sense of pressure surge up their spines, their bodies unconsciously began to tremble, their legs became weak, and their spirits became scattered.
They instinctively wanted to flee, but when the source of the pressure behind them passed by, their entire bodies fell into a state of powerlessness.
Even if there were Horse Girl with exceptionally strong willpower who could endure that pressure, they would involuntarily make way when a cold voice sounded in their ears:
"Can you not block the way?"
One, two, three, four...
Chitose Meiji continued to overtake without stopping, reaching the middle of the Horse Girl group.
At this point, the Horse Girl had also just completed the big turn and officially entered the final straight.
"Is it coming? The final straight showdown."
"No, the outcome has already been decided."
It was still Maruzensky and Rudolph Symboli conversing, and the latter continued:
"Katsuragi Ace's condition, plus Chitose she's already..."
On the track, Katsuragi Ace, still in third place, felt the pressure from behind, consciously gritted her teeth, and quickly released her aura to offer some resistance.
"What's that behind me? Is it CB? It's completely different from before!"
Looking up at the two Horse Girl still running in front of her, she tried to accelerate and sprint, but the extremely strong presence from behind made her feel anxious:
"After I overtake them? Can I withstand CB's subsequent pursuit? Can I maintain the first position?"
"Entering the final straight! CB is in the middle! Katsuragi Ace is in third position!"
"The two Horse Girl in front are still holding on! Still holding on! But has their stamina perhaps reached its limit?!"
"Katsuragi Ace, Katsuragi Ace is starting to accelerate! Will there be a confrontation at the very front?"
The young commentator's voice continued, adapting to the changes on the track:
"No! Katsuragi Ace! She immediately overtook the two Horse Girl and took the first position!"
And at this moment, the Horse Girl successively passed the 400-meter mark.
"Katsuragi Ace, your last burst really surprised me last time. This time, I'll let you see mine too."
Chitose Meiji suddenly stomped her right foot on the ground. After a brief pause, she suddenly burst into acceleration again.
Centered around her, the original grass on the track was enveloped by a layer of gentle wind, gradually transforming into a true grassland.
The light in her vision gradually dimmed, and the opponents in front, including the cheers from the spectators, all disappeared.
At this moment, the only thing echoing in Chitose Meiji's ears was the constantly blowing wind, and the only thing she saw in her eyes was the glory leading to victory.
"The last 400 meters! CB is coming! CB is coming! CB is catching up from the outside lane!"
The young commentator suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed on the two figures on the track:
"Inside is Katsuragi Ace! Outside is CB! Inside is Katsuragi Ace! Outside is CB!"
There was no need to turn her head; just by listening to the footsteps and feeling the approaching pressure, she knew the other party had arrived.
Katsuragi Ace, despite still holding on, inevitably saw the figure enveloped in gentle wind gradually appearing in her vision.
And what is this?
She still had stamina, she could still maintain it, but why were her legs getting heavier and heavier, forcing her speed to decrease?!
"Damn it!"
That figure had completely appeared in her vision, and the distance between them was even widening.
Katsuragi Ace struggled, wanting to unleash that special state as she did in the last Mainichi Okan, but she didn't know how.
Come to think of it, she hadn't even figured out what that state was.
In contrast, CB she... she undoubtedly already...
"The last 200 meters! CB is on the outside! CB is on the outside! CB is breaking away from the Horse Girl group!"
"Katsuragi Ace, is Katsuragi Ace unable to continue?!"
Perhaps her attention was disturbed by surging emotions at the last moment, or her speed decreased due to the influence of Chitose Meiji's aura.
Katsuragi Ace was gradually caught up by three Horse Girl who burst with their final speed from behind, falling back into the group.
And in front, Chitose Meiji, with all her concentration and only glory in her eyes, broke free and charged straight ahead.
"Leading is CB! Leading is CB! Leading is CB!!!"
"Mr. CB! First to cross the finish line!!!"
"Triple Crown Horse Girls! Complete revival!!!"
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!"
Cheers from the spectators immediately erupted, echoing above the clouds.
That Triple Crown winner, no, now a Quadruple Crown winner, Chitose Meiji, announced her revival with her most skilled method, in the way the spectators loved most, by winning the Autumn Tenno Sho.
"1 minute 59 seconds 3! The shortest time used on the Tokyo 2000-meter track!"
"Ending the 19-year losing streak of the Autumn Tenno Sho's first favorite since Shinzan, ushering in a brand new era!"
"Charge towards the Japan Cup! Surpass 5 crowns, surpass Shinzan! CB-sensei is now Japan's strongest!"
The young commentator spoke excitedly, only calming down when the experienced middle-aged commentator next to him pressed him down.
On the track, Chitose Meiji suddenly smiled after hearing those words.
Doing her best to hide the undeniable fatigue on her face, she turned to face the stands and enjoyed the cheers that belonged to her at that moment.