"Our country's Triple Crown system has been established for seventy years, but only six racehorses have stood at the pinnacle of that pyramid."
"Now jockey Sasaki and Golden Masterpiece are challenging that magnificent feat."
"Let us witness whether a new legend will be born!"
Toot, toot, toot-
As the music began, everyone watching the race grew tense.
This was the crucial moment!
72nd Kikuka Sho (Grade 1) Turf, right-handed outer course, 3000 m Weather: cloudy Turf: good Post time: 15:40
The racehorses in the starting gates perked up when they heard the music outside.
They did not know what it was, but hearing it meant it was time to get to work.
Golden Masterpiece pawed the ground twice, then prepared to start.
"The Kikuka Sho is underway!"
Clack, clack, clack-
Following a series of clattering Starting Stalls opening, eighteen racehorses charged out of the Starting Stalls together.
"Golden Masterpiece gets a good start."
Golden Masterpiece visibly shot into first place right out of the gate.
Meanwhile, the number seven and number eight horses collided.
"So, which route will Koichi Sasaki choose?"
Despite his quick start, he had drawn an outside gate, so he still had to decide quickly.
Would he charge straight down the outside and cut in once he reached the right spot, or move inside immediately?
"As expected, he's chosen to cut inside. It seems Koichi Sasaki doesn't intend to run a pressing race today."
On the screen, Golden Masterpiece maintained a steady speed while moving toward the inside.
Triumph Ballet followed behind Golden Masterpiece.
Although Triumph Ballet had also broken well, Katsumi Ando chose to hang back.
Yutaka Take, riding number eighteen, wanted to move inside too, but the number seventeen horse forced him out.
Shonan Mighty had initially broken quickly, but interference from number