72nd Oka Sho (Grade 1) Turf, right-handed outer course, 1,600 m Weather: clear Turf: firm Post time: 15:40
"All eighteen racehorses have now entered the starting stalls. The race is about to begin."
As the band beside the track began to play, the spectators turned their attention to the starting gates.
After dozens of minutes of waiting, the race was finally about to begin.
Who would claim this year's Oka Sho?
The gates opened!
The instant the gates opened, Koichi gave his command. Gentildonna did not let him down, bursting straight out.
Gentildonna's quick start immediately secured her a place in the leading group.
That was naturally the best possible news for them. Although they were still some distance from the rail, at least they did not have to worry about being boxed in by the other horses.
Several horses behind them caught up as well, beginning to run alongside Gentildonna.
The horses ahead of Gentildonna continued to push forward, accelerating toward the rail.
Everyone had naturally come into this race with a strategy of their own.
"Leading the charge is number six from the Eishin Family, with jockey Yuga Kawada aboard."
"Following closely behind is number eight, Little Ipona."
"Second favorite Gentildonna is in the middle of the pack, while race favorite Life Is Fun is toward the rear of midfield."
"Number eighteen! Number eighteen has charged all the way from the back of the pack to the very front!"
The commentator, who had been about to continue analyzing the race, was startled by number eighteen's sudden charge.
Expending so much stamina right at the start surely meant having nothing left for the final straight.
Sure enough, every jockey had made a different judgment based on the circumstances of this race.
Number eighteen's arrival prompted quite a