Chapter 147 The Final Burst
Bang-
As the tension reached its zenith, the sharp crack of the starting gun pierced the air. The thunderous rhythm of horse hooves pounding against the ground signaled the beginning of the race, igniting the fervor of the crowd as they cheered for their favored teams.
Hera, Zen, and Xavier did not sprint like any other contestants because they were running in the ’Classic’ category which would take 1 1/4 miles to reach the finish line and even if they were able to have a good headstart from the others by sprinting hard in the beginning, that doesn’t mean that they would be able to reach the finish line first so they need to be strategic with their approach and not just rely on the horse’s speed blindly like the three on the lead was doing.
The bald man surged to the forefront alongside two other contestants, while Hera, Zen, and Xavier held their ground in the middle, gauging the competition around them. They observed each contestant, assessing who posed the greatest challenge and strategizing their approach accordingly.
Maintaining a steady pace amidst the crowd, the trio progressed until they reached the halfway mark of the race. With determination, they picked up their speed.
"Giddyup!" Hera urged Diamond forward upon passing the half-mile marker. She drew herself closer to Diamond, her legs firmly gripping the saddle as she squatted, ready to push their pace.
After Hera surged forward, Xavier and Zen swiftly followed suit, matching her pace and accelerating ahead. Together, they left the other contestants trailing behind. However, they maintained a deliberate distance from the leading trio, staying just a few feet behind. This calculated move aimed to deceive their competitors, creating the illusion that the frontrunners were still comfortably in the lead. By doing so, they hoped to lull their opponents into complacency, waiting for them to tire out their horses or lower their guard before making their move.
Hera remained vigilant, scanning the competitors trailing behind them. Even as they maintained their strategic position, she kept a keen eye on any potential threats. Her watchful gaze ensured that they would be ready to react promptly if anyone managed to close the gap and catch up to them.
As they approached the 3/4 mile mark, Hera’s grip on the reins tightened, urging Diamond forward with a resolute "Giddyup!" The horse surged ahead, narrowing the gap between them and the bald man to mere feet. However, they maintained this distance intentionally, ensuring that they didn’t press too close and provoke any rash actions from their competitor. Their strategy was to keep the pressure on without giving the bald man an opportunity to resort to underhanded tactics.
Hera, Zen, and Xavier raced neck and neck, pursuing the leaders. One of the trio ahead began to lag, now running alongside Zen. Their horse exhaled steam from its nostrils, showing signs of fatigue. Shortly after, the second horse in the lead also displayed exhaustion, followed closely by the bald man’s mount.
Hera, Xavier, and Zen exchanged brief glances before urging their horses to accelerate as they approached the finish line. "Giddyup!" Hera exclaimed, prompting Diamond to unleash its full speed, surging ahead. They left the former second and third-place contestants in the dust as Hera and the others closed in on the bald man’s tail, gradually pulling even with him.