Episode 3

**First Big Win** (初めての大一番, *Hajimete no Dai Ichiban*) is the third episode of the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime.

## Summary

News of Special Week winning the debut race makes the papers, but also an embarrassing note of how she froze during the winning concert.

The members of Team Spica all win the races they perform in and in their team base are praised for their race efforts by Trainer. On the other hand, Trainer states his disappointment with their performances for their Winning Concerts. So as practice for their winning concert performances, Trainer treats the team to karaoke. At the karaoke place, the team see Teio performs her karaoke magic and are then informed that Trainer invited her there to teach them how to sing and dance. Teio also states that the council president, Symboli ordered her to do it so the academy doesn't lose face. Didactically, Teio trains the team each of whom fail or perform in their own way. Later at dusk, the group walk back to the academy and Trainer declares that Special become the Triple Crown Girl as she's the only one who can accomplish it. Trainer further states that in order to accomplish her dream, Special has to become the Triple Crown Girl.

The next day at class, Special is notably tired due to the stress and anxiety for her next race. Special is consoled by Grass who recently injured her leg and Seiun who states how she's not doing so well as of late. Grass then details that Seiun won her last two races and that King Halo had won her last three since their debuts. Flustered, Special states her resolve to win her upcoming races.

Eventually, Trainer reviews over the upcoming major race, the Yayoishou to Special and that Seiun is the one she should be most wary of. During the race, Seiun takes an early lead, but in the end is surpassed by Special who wins the race. That night, Team Spica hold a victory party for Special who indulges too much on the food and Teio who was also there announces that she's formally joining the team. This announcement surprises everyone and a brief flashback is shown where Teio informs Symboli about her decision. At that time, Air visits the student council room and enjoys a drink with Symboli.

From there on out, Team Spica do various training exercises and soon the racers to the Satsukishou race is announced. In the faculty room, Trainer tries to start a conversation with Hana about the next big race. To which, Hana asks why Trainer returned and he answers it's because of his dream noting laissez-faire. Hana then warns Trainer that her next race will be tough for her, but Trainer states that regardless of how she does, it's how she handles it is what matters.

While Special happily reads the letter from her mom, Suzuka asks her about what her mom wrote. Special states that her mom wants to attend one of her races. However, she won't hold it against her if she's unable due to the cost she'll have to spend to see her. Suzuka then gives Special her mended shoes and wishes her the best of luck on her next race.

The day before the Satsukishou race, Trainer goes over the details and gives Special a special ordered uniform for the occasion. After getting dressed into the uniform, Special hides the fact that she can't zipper up the backside of her skirt.

On the day of the race, Special tries to hide the unzipped zipper during her introduction. Before the race starts, Special notes her anxiety about her zipper, but states her confidence in being able to win. However, in that race Special only makes 3rd, while Seiun makes first and King Halo 2nd.

That night, Suzuka and Special walk together and Special states her resolve to try harder next time around not caring that she lost. Midway, Special parts ways with Suzuka saying that she forgot something. Concerned about Special, Suzuka follows Special and discreetly watches Special as she screams her lament into a hallow tree trunk. Soon, Trainer appears before Special and screams his own lament into the trunk. Once he's finished, Trainer suggests that Special use the frustration of her loss to motivate her to beat Seiun in the Japanese derby race.

## Characters

* El Condor Pasa
* Haru Urara
* Grass Wonder
* Special Week
* Queen Berry
* Bamboo Memory
* Vodka
* Daiwa Scarlet
* Gold Ship
* Silence Suzuka
* Trainer
* Tokai Teio
* Symboli Rudolf
* King Halo
* Misato Akasaka
* Junko Hosoe
* Tanshou Lupin
* Air Groove
* Hana Toujou
* Special Week's Mother (Mentioned)