"Just a" Arima Kinen

"Mere" Arima Kinen

"Hahaha!"

All of a sudden, Gold Ship burst into a carefree laugh.

Breaking the tense atmosphere and drawing uncertain looks from those around her, she vigorously rubbed Almond Eye and Spring and Autumn Equinox's heads as she giggled.

"Relax, relax! You guys, don't underestimate Little Kita too much!

"And didn't you just say so yourself, Suzuka? Little Kita isn't an ordinary Horse Girl!

"Besides, this isn't the 3,200-meter Tenno Sho or the 3,000-meter Kikuka Sho. It's only a mere 2,500-meter Arima Kinen!"

Probably only someone with Gold Ship's personality could use the word "mere" to describe a top-tier G1 like the Arima Kinen.

Of course, given that she had won the Tenno Sho, Kikuka Sho, and Arima Kinen, she did have the credentials to make such "big talk."

Her words immediately made the surrounding gazes turn strange. However, thanks to her little bit of "goofing around," the tension that had filled the area was greatly eased.

At that moment, Gold Ship's smile faded. Rarely, she showed a hint of seriousness as she looked toward the track.

"What I mean is, Little Kita's endurance... is monster-level.

"And if I'm not mistaken..."

A teasing smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Now... she's about to truly start accelerating!"

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the stands froze for a moment before hurriedly turning all their attention to the track.

As though to confirm Gold Ship's words, a sudden change occurred on the course.

Just as the pack was about to approach the second-to-last turn, when every spectator thought Kitasan Black would maintain her current pace into the bend...

That Black Gold figure underwent a visible change in posture.

Her body leaned forward at a sharper angle, her arm swing suddenly widened, and the power and frequency