54th Takarazuka Kinen Right-handed turf, 2,200 m Weather: cloudy Turf: firm Post time: 15:40
"The 54th Takarazuka Kinen is underway!"
Clack, clack, clack-
The instant the starting stalls opened, countless hearts seemed to clench.
The break from the gate was crucial.
"All eleven horses broke cleanly! Number five, Silport, has gone straight to full speed!"
The runaway breakaway had begun!
Once Gold Ship cleared the gate, Koichi began urging him forward to accelerate.
The other jockeys were looking toward the inside rail, but he looked over at Gentildonna.
Yasuo Iwata naturally knew what Koichi Sasaki was doing.
His opponent clearly had no intention of letting him move to the rail easily. Getting in would certainly cost him more stamina; otherwise, it would be difficult to get past the barrier Gold Ship presented.
Meanwhile, Rose König, beside them, was squeezed between Gold Ship and number eight.
This horse had also run against Gold Ship in last year's Kobe Shimbun Hai, but unfortunately, he was no match for Gold Ship at all.
Gentildonna was still being held out wide by Gold Ship, while the other horses quickly found their positions. Number five, meanwhile, had charged straight ahead.
"Koichi Sasaki still shows no intention of moving to the rail."
"Gentildonna is accelerating again! She's gone straight to the front of the pack on the inside!"
Gentildonna surged over, cutting Yutaka Take off behind her.
Once Gentildonna finished accelerating, Koichi could bring Gold Ship swiftly toward the rail, keeping him right behind her to apply pressure.
That was his tactic.
"Number five, Silport, has taken the lead and is setting the pace for the field! Noda Shiin is a length and a half behind."
"Then come Gentildonna, Gold Ship, and Sun God Steed."
"Gold Ship has secured an excellent position. It looks