Episode 5

**The Derby With Rivals** (ライバルとのダービー, *Raibaru to no Dābī*) is the fifth episode of the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime.

## Summary

Interviews with the press of El Condor, Seiun Sky, and Special Week are held, each with their respective trainers.

With Trainer, Special runs up a steep set of stairs as part of her training, while her teammates are all exhausted from doing it themselves. Special's time is 42.8 seconds, but Trainer wanted her time to be 40 seconds at max and after Trainer coaxes Special to try harder, she takes the bait and prepares herself to try again.

Elsewhere, Seiun is seen running swiftly past a group of jogging horse girls and El Condor is just finishing up her own training with her Team Rigil. At the cafeteria, Grass sits with Special, El Condor, and Seiun who appear on the front cover of a racing magazine that she has. They're then joined by Maruzensky who gives some valuable advice to the girls about how luck is essential in winning a race. El Condor and Seiun note their recent luck, however, Special accidentally spills water onto Maruzensky and apologizes to her. Taking no offense to the accident, Maruzensky states how she's glad Special's glass didn't break and walks off.

Meanwhile, Teio tries to recruit Mejiro McQueen to Team Spica, detailing that Gold will pile driver her if Mejiro refuses. It's revealed that Gold has been stalking Mejiro as of late with each encounter resulting in Gold hurting her left eye. Afterward at dusk by the temple with the steep set of stairs, Team Spica complete another round of training together. As the night falls, Special and Suzuka have a heart to heart with each, while Hana instructs El Condor about their game plan for the upcoming race.

Eventually, Mejiro attends a Team Spica's training, although Gold is disheartened to learn that she won't immediately join their team. Suzuka and Special then race each other to the top of the stairs. In the end, Suzuka manages to win, but the two of them manage to break the 40 second record. This information, however, is withheld from Special as when she asks Trainer what her time was, he lies claiming he forgot to start the timer.

The day of the Japanese Derby arrives and in the tunnel way that leads to the racetrack. Special meets with her teammates along with Mejiro and is given a 4-leaf clover charm by them to give her the best of luck during the race. El Condor is also approached by her teammate Symboli who gives her some supportive advice and wishes her the best of luck in the race. During the race, Seiun manages to maintain a good pace, however, midway she's surpassed by Special who then catches up to El Condor and in the end the race is one by the both of them. Afterward, Hana congratulates Trainer for their shared victory, but proclaims next time she'll win for real and Trainer tells her to bring it on. Down at the tracks, El Condor approaches Special and thanks her as it was the funnest race she's ever had thus far. Moved by this, Special thanks El Condor and embraces her.

## Characters

* El Condor Pasa
* Hana Toujou
* Seiun Sky
* Trainer
* Special Week
* Gold Ship
* Vodka
* Daiwa Scarlet
* Tokai Teio
* Grass Wonder
* Maruzensky
* Mejiro McQueen
* Special Week's Mother
* Misato Akasaka
* Yutaka Take
* Symboli Rudolf
* King Halo
* Yasuda Repeat