This is how it is with locally held races.
Although the Leopard Stakes is a high-stakes, G3-level event, Dirt races aren't highly regarded in Japan.
Therefore, the majority of the spectators are fans who travel from all over the country specifically to support their favorite Dirt Umamusumes.
There are also some local spectators from Niigata Prefecture, but they are predominantly Dirt enthusiasts as well.
Smart Falcon's performance at the Seaside Stakes was outstanding.
However, because the Seaside Stakes is only an OP-level event, even those who enjoy Dirt races had hardly heard of Smart Falcon.
Some spectators focused on the Dirt race watched Smart Falcon's tightly pursed lips and trembling hands as she struggled to remove her tracksuit and began discussing her among themselves.
"Smart Falcon? This Umamusume looks so nervous. Is she a newcomer?"
"I don't know, but she's so cute! Let me check... she's not a newcomer. She's been around for a while, but she only participated in Turf races before and only started competing in Dirt races in July."
"No wonder I don't recognize her." The person looked enlightened. "But seeing how nervous and scared she is, she probably lacks confidence."
"I think so too. After racing for so many years, she's only won three races. She must be one of those people with very little talent."
The audience below the stage buzzed with discussion, and most of them weren't optimistic about Smart Falcon.
Although their voices weren't loud, with so many people, some of their pessimistic remarks still reached Smart Falcon's ears.
Hearing the applause coming solely from Sakura Baimu, Smart Falcon forced a smile at the audience, turned around, slowly picked up her discarded tracksuit, and walked back.
Although Sakura Baimu kept telling Smart Falcon that she was strong and not to be afraid, the thought that this was only her second race since transitioning to Dirt filled Smart Falcon with dread.
This race was completely different from those against Kitasan Black and Rice Shower.
Both Kitasan Black and Rice Shower had consistently ranked in the top two in popularity during their previous races.
Therefore, Kitasan Black and Rice Shower received a lot of attention and were targeted by other Umamusumes competing at the time.
However, Smart Falcon ranked only twelfth in popularity in this high-stakes competition, so no one targeted her, let alone paid much attention to her.
To put it bluntly, the other Umamusumes didn't consider her a threat at all.
The presentations proceeded from lowest to highest popularity, and they finally ended long after Smart Falcon's presentation.
The Umamusumes then arrived at the gates, making their final preparations.
There were 15 Umamusumes in total. Except for gate number 1, which had only one Umamusume, all the other gates had two Umamusumes.
Smart Falcon was number 14 at the outermost gate, gate 8. To her right, number 15 was the third most popular Umamusume in the competition, Plum Blossom Snow.
"Now entering the stage, the third most popular competitor, Plum Blossom Snow."
"Although this is her first time challenging a high-stakes race, her four-race winning streak undoubtedly gives her the ability to compete in such events."
Plum Blossom Snow glanced at Smart Falcon, who stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, looking terrified, before turning her attention to the other opponents.
"Now entering the stage, the second most popular competitor, Wakō Dōjin."
"Wakō Dōjin has already won two G3-level Dirt races and placed third in a G2-level Dirt race."
"With her formidable strength, she's aiming for victory once again!"
"Smart Falcon, huh? An Umamusume with terrible sportsmanship..." Wakō Dōjin, the second most popular competitor, stood to Smart Falcon's left, looking at her with a hint of disdain.
She was the kind of Umamusume who liked to investigate her opponents, similar to Obey Your Master.
Wakō Dōjin had already researched all the Umamusumes participating in the race when Niigata Racecourse announced the participants, gates, and race numbers.
She noticed that this was Smart Falcon's second race since transitioning to Dirt and that Smart Falcon had won her previous Dirt race by a large margin.
However, Wakō Dōjin didn't develop much hostility toward Smart Falcon because of this.
After all, for Smart Falcon, an Umamusume from Central Tracen Academy's advanced division, to achieve a victory in an OP-level competition wasn't particularly impressive.
In fact, it wasn't impressive at all.
Smart Falcon's almost smurfing-style behavior actually displeased Wakō Dōjin.
"An Umamusume from Central Tracen Academy, but after years of Turf racing, she hasn't achieved any notable results. At least she participated in high-stakes Turf races before; losing was one thing. But now she's participating in a local OP-level race..."
"Could it be that after achieving a huge victory in an OP-level Dirt race, she thinks she's perfect for Dirt? Her second race is already a high-stakes one. She really doesn't know how harsh reality is."
Wakō Dōjin thought to herself, her impression of Smart Falcon beside her plummeting to rock bottom.
"Finally, our number one favorite in this race, the undefeated Umamusume, Starlight Helios!"
"The absolute queen, the rising star of Dirt! Returning from America, she possesses Dirt talent no less than Daiki Shuttle and Condor!"
Starlight Helios, the most popular Umamusume in the race, stood far from Smart Falcon. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, her confident expression suggesting that victory was already hers.
As Smart Falcon listened to the introductions of the popular Umamusumes, the fear on her face intensified.
"E-Everyone... you guys are so... amazing! Falco... Falco, huff... hah... huff..."
Smart Falcon trembled uncontrollably. She only managed to speak halfway through before, due to extreme nervousness and oxygen deprivation, she had to gasp for breath to calm herself.
"Trainer-san told Falco that she participated in OP-level competitions before, so her popularity is too low... If Falco doesn't win this race, she won't be able to participate in G1-level races at the end of the year. This race absolutely cannot be lost, but... Falco, phew ha"
Plum Blossom Snow & Wakō Dōjin: "..."
The two Umamusumes positioned to the left and right of Smart Falcon listened to her heavy breathing, which sounded as though she was about to faint from tension, and remained silent.