Only about twenty seconds had passed since the Satsuki Sho began, yet the contest on the track had already taken several dramatic turns.
First came the high-speed start from the gates, followed by an unbroken series of battles for position.
Then came the uphill struggle between Kitasan Black, Clear Sky, and Azleta, followed by Kitasan Black taking the lead alone.
Finally, Clear Sky surged forward and overtook her.
Such fierce competition for the Lead Position had visibly raised the overall pace of the race and stretched the field apart.
As Clear Sky charged down the straight toward the first turn, the last Horse Girl in the pack had only just passed the middle of the straight.
Both the commentators and the spectators were fired up by the intense scene, but Anjing Zhen, standing directly across from the straight, had calmed down from his earlier excitement.
"Clear Sky? Did she suddenly change her Running Style...?"
The live commentary and cheers echoing through the venue were loud, but the Horse Girls standing beside him all heard Anjing Zhen's muttered words.
Daiwa Scarlet reacted at once.
"Changed her Running Style... You mean Clear Sky has never run in the Lead Position before? No wonder. Her breathing, stride changes, and pacing don't look like those of someone used to running as an Escape Horse."
Silent Suzuka's thoughtful voice also came from Special Week's phone.
"Mm... and that pace is too fast for an Escape Horse. If it were me out there... I probably wouldn't consider that kind of pace until we entered the middle section."
These two Horse Girls were undoubtedly the most skilled at taking the lead. After hearing their analysis, everyone else, including Anjing Zhen, understood—and began focusing on something else as well.
"But if she keeps competing like that... it's not