[Tracen Crown Prince]: Huh? There's something?
[Unbreakable Glass]: Is she an opponent just as formidable as Rice Shower, someone we can't afford to overlook?
"If we're talking about a long-distance race like the Kikka-sho, she isn't much less threatening than Rice Shower."
After all, Winning Ticket had finished third in the Kikka-sho, beating the fourth-place finisher by seven lengths. Her strength, along with Bourbon's and Rice Shower's, was practically monstrous to the other Uma Musume.
[Tracen Crown Prince]: Is that so?
"Something like that. Oh, the showcase phase is over."
With the final Uma Musume's appearance over, everyone entered the starting-gate phase.
Bourbon stepped onto the turf. Before she even entered the gate, she noticed that she was being watched by a crowd of Uma Musume around her.
She was already the overwhelming favorite. Though people had been talking about her short-distance aptitude and lack of stamina over middle and long distances, Bourbon still drew the attention of every Uma Musume.
On top of that, she was a Front Runner. It was impossible for her not to be watched closely.
"Catch up... catch up... catch up..."
Just as Bourbon was about to enter the gate, she heard a discordant voice from among the crowd of Uma Musume.
Uma Musume had excellent hearing. With a little attention, they could hear most sounds.
She turned toward the sparse cluster of horses. Some Uma Musume stood in groups of three or five, trading threats, while others had spread out and were each thinking about how to handle the race.
Bourbon scanned the group. At first, she only saw Uma Musume standing like tree stumps. On her second look, she noticed Rice Shower, barely visible among them.
Rice Shower had her head lowered and her hands clasped together, repeatedly muttering the words Bourbon had