Once they passed the 300-meter marker, the two racehorses at the front began their final sprint.
The atmosphere at the racecourse instantly caught fire.
This was the speed they had been chasing.
Out on the track, Koichi continued his pursuit.
Gentildonna was certainly strong, and her performance today was especially impressive. But she was also a racehorse who would never concede defeat easily.
By his current reckoning, they were still a length and a half behind, with just over 200 meters to go.
They had to overtake their opponent within those 200 meters, even if only by the smallest margin!
"The gap between Gentildonna and Sanctuary is closing steadily!"
"This is what the three-year-old queen is capable of!"
Hrrff-!
Hrrff-!
Sanctuary and Gentildonna had both pushed their speed to the limit.
A final duel down the straight!
As her jockey, Koichi had done everything he could.
In an international race like this, he had to give it everything he had-and perhaps even surpass his usual limits.
Believe in Gentildonna!
His forward urging continued, bolstered by Mighty Arm.
Koichi was also a firm believer that enough force could work miracles.
The spectators cheered for both Sanctuary and Gentildonna.
Who would hold on until the end was still anyone's guess.
"Behind them, number nine, Good Name, and number eleven, Dortmund, are rapidly chasing down the leaders."
"But can they catch up with this final kick?"
"Gentildonna is coming! Gentildonna, just half a length behind!"
"The final 100 meters!"
"Our last hope!"
With distance markers lining the final few hundred meters of the track, the commentators could clearly see how far remained.
Come on!
Just a little more!
Countless people cried out silently in their hearts.
Hrrff-!
Hrrff-!
Gentildonna surged up from behind in one unstoppable rush.
One sustained burst down the straight!!