Episode 19

Searching for a Reason (なんのために, Nan no Tame ni) is the 6th episode of the 2nd season Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime.

Summary
During one of Tokai's classes, the teacher explains how a racer must win consecutive wins in order to qualify for the G-1 races and Tokai is caught daydreaming. It turns out that Tokai injured her right leg during the race. Laying on a field as dusk settles, Tokai considers what is left for her now that she has nothing left to race for.

Time passes by and a fully healed yet crestfallen looking Tokai runs into McQueen's butler by the academy gates. In the Student Council office, McQueen informs Symboli about her injury and the time it'll take to heal. Upon returning to her car, she figures out that her butler informed Tokai about her condition, which she figures saves her some trouble. Before the start of their practice, Team Spica are informed about McQueen's condition, all but Tokai is surprised by the news. She in fact was acting rather aloof until her teammates note as if she's alright, but she brushes it off. Later in the base, Trainer gives Tokai and outline of the race plan for fall. Tokai briskly reviews it over, approves of it, and leave.

An interview held by Misato and Junko of now rising star Palmer is held and during it she mentions, Helios during it. The interview then shifts its focus to another rising star Mihono Bourbon, who confronts her stalker Rice Shower. Later that night in a bar, Trainer shares a drink with Hana and confines to her, his thoughts on how inadequate Tokai is currently compared to how she was in the past. In response, Hana gives him a brutal pep talk and walks out on him. After that because he's unable to cover his tab there, Trainer covers the cost of his tab by washing dishes.

On the day of the Kikkoushou, the race where Bourbon was projected to win, she loses to Rice, which is a major shock. In her interview, Bourbon claims that she's gained some insight from this loss and abruptly ends the interview by walking away. Tokai, who was watching the interview, recites the words that Bourbon spoke about gaining something from losing.

Eventually, Tokai runs in another race and in it, she places in 11th. Soon after the race, news of her sustaining another injury spreads. Also, Tokai is appointed the leader of Team Spica by Trainer and is forced to wear a banner that says "I am the leader" written on it. Although Tokai hates the idea, she's coaxed to wear it as a sort of inspiration to help her get motivated to win races. She's then forced to do menial labor for her team, when she's done with that she meets with trainer overseeing her team's practice. Trainer asks Tokai to then pass out some water to the group and when she does, Tokai inquires what Vodka and Daiwa's goals are. Because their goals are the same as the other's, this starts a fervent argument between the two.

Sent on a special mission by Trainer, Tokai takes a bus ride to the mission destination, and meets a big fan of hers. Arriving at the destination, she's greeted by McQueen's butler who leads her inside the place, which turns out to be ones of McQueen's family own places. After having a heart to heart with McQueen, Tokai becomes resolved to take racing seriously again and so McQueen has her go through the "Special treatment" she had her do last time.

Characters

 * Nice Nature
 * Twin Turbo
 * Tokai Teio
 * Trainer
 * Mejiro McQueen
 * Symboli Rudolf
 * Gold Ship
 * Vodka
 * Daiwa Scarlet
 * Special Week
 * Misato Akasaka
 * Junko Hosoe
 * Daitaku Helios
 * Mihono Bourbon
 * Rice Shower
 * Matikanetannhauser