"Golden Masterpiece is losing speed! Golden Masterpiece is losing speed!!"
The commentator shouted at the top of his lungs.
No one had expected Gold Bureau, the top favorite, to run into a problem like this.
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone. Gasps rippled through the stands, and no one knew what had happened out on the track.
Ayano Aoe shot to her feet in the VIP seats.
Of course she had checked Golden Masterpiece's pre-race examination results. There had been no problems whatsoever.
Why had Golden Masterpiece suddenly lost speed?
The camera had been zoomed far out when Golden Masterpiece began slowing down, so they had not been able to see what had happened.
Beside her, the Assistant watched the big screen anxiously.
Something had gone wrong in the very first race of Golden Masterpiece's four-year-old season?
The Pack was about to enter the Fourth Turn. One racehorse had already pulled up—was there going to be a second?
It wasn't over?
Golden Masterpiece seemed a little confused as the Pack raced past.
When Koichi saw Golden Masterpiece start running again, he immediately pushed forward to urge an acceleration.
There was still time!
Besides, he had pulled on the reins to stop Golden Masterpiece from veering sideways, not to signal that the race was over.
Speed up. Catch them!
Most other racehorses probably could not have done it, but Golden Masterpiece's explosive acceleration was simply too powerful.
They had to make up the lost ground before the turn.
Hrrph-
Hrrph-!
Golden Masterpiece's competitive spirit flared once more.
For over a year now, no other racehorse had been able to run ahead of Golden Masterpiece so easily.
Just when everyone thought Golden Masterpiece was finished, the horse charged forward from the very back of the Pack again, accelerating at a frightening