"Smart Falcon has already taken the lead at the third corner of the Dirt race, and she hasn't shown any obvious signs of slowing down!"
"What kind of skill is that?!"
The commentator's eyes were practically glued to Smart Falcon in the lead, unwilling to look away.
This was mainly because Japan hadn't produced any truly outstanding Dirt Umamusumes so far.
While Umamusumes like Oguri Cap, who had moved from regional to central Japan, had achieved good results in Dirt races, Turf races were still the most prestigious in Japan.
Since moving from Kasamatsu to central Japan, Oguri Cap hadn't participated in any Dirt races.
Therefore, the championships of major Dirt races in Japan were often dominated by Umamusume drivers who had studied or trained abroad.
The runaway performance by Smart Falcon that appeared at Niigata Racecourse today was so dazzling that even the seasoned commentator couldn't take her eyes off it.
Like many spectators, she hoped Smart Falcon could hold on a little longer while silently praying that she wouldn't lose speed noticeably.
Smart Falcon had been filled with fear before the race began.
But the moment her feet stepped onto the dirt track,
her passion for racing as a professional racer and the comfortable feel of the dirt track under her feet significantly lessened her fear.
It was very easy to run.
It was so much easier than running on turf.
Even though Smart Falcon knew Sakura Baimu's judgment was accurate and sharp, none of Sakura Baimu's hundred words of comfort before the race could compare to the peace of mind that came from actually stepping onto the Dirt track and starting to run.
Sakura Baimu's race strategy for Smart Falcon was similar to Kitasan Black's.
That is—
Don't worry about the other Umamusumes; just follow your own pace and runaway in the entire race.
Smart Falcon had witnessed Kitasan Black's debut race, seeing her, after starting late, catch up with all the Umamusumes at an astonishing speed and create a terrifying gap in performance.
At that time, Smart Falcon wasn't yet a TCB Umamusume.
However, Kitasan Black's debut race was truly memorable for her.
Smart Falcon initially had the same doubts that Kitasan Black had during her debut race.
Why didn't Sakura Baimu tell her to pay attention to the other Umamusumes?
But now, leading at a pace she could manage and hearing the commentator's excited exclamations, she suddenly understood.
"Is Falco really that strong?! Can Falco's speed really create such a big difference in high-stakes races?!"
Smart Falcon, sprinting at the front, was incredibly surprised.
Even more surprised than during her last race against Satono Crown.
"This is a high-level tournament! This is a real high-level tournament! Falco actually left them all behind! Falco has never been this dazzling!"
Smart Falcon knew that during her previous match against Pluto Academy, the American Umamusumes had for some reason thrown the race.
Therefore, she didn't have much confidence in her own abilities.
But now, hearing that those outstanding Umamusumes whose records had been highlighted by the commentator was now so easily left behind by her, she was incredibly excited.
At this moment, Smart Falcon suddenly remembered Wakō Dōjin, who had stood next to her earlier and told her that Sakura Baimu couldn't possibly be her trainer.
Her previously joyful face suddenly puffed up, showing some anger.
"Falco should have been more aggressive!"
"Starlight Helios has accelerated, overtaking Plum Blossom Snow to take third place."
"Smart Falcon is maintaining her pace, but Wakō Dōjin in second place is showing signs of fatigue and slowing down."
"She's been overtaken! Starlight Helios has overtaken Wakō Dōjin!"
"Starlight Helios is still accelerating, but the gap between her and Smart Falcon in first place is too large. Can she really catch up before Smart Falcon pulls even farther ahead?"
"Smart Falcon has entered the final straight!"
If the audience felt amazed and thrilled when they saw Smart Falcon's terrifyingly large lead during her runaway performance, then seeing her maintain her speed even on the final straight was utterly terrifying.
Some speculated that Smart Falcon could only maintain her speed through the middle portion of the race.
Others thought she could only maintain it until the third corner.
The bolder ones even guessed that she could maintain it until the final corner.
But now, Smart Falcon had already covered a distance of over 1,400 meters at this terrifying pace, yet she still looked incredibly relaxed, showing no signs of the fatigue one might expect.
"What a terrifying skill! How have I never heard of this Umamusume? Could she be from overseas?"
"Me neither! I've never heard of such a powerful Dirt-leading Umamusume!!"
"Smart Falcon? Could she really be from overseas? I remember she was shaking the whole time. What's going on?!"
"No way, I remember the commentators didn't mention that she was from overseas when she came on stage."
"If she's not from overseas, how could she possibly outrun Starlight Helios from America?!"
A group of viewers who considered themselves experts on Dirt races and the skill levels of the participating Umamusumes were now in an uproar.
Although this was only a G3-level race, Smart Falcon's terrifying front-running ability was truly unprecedented.
They never imagined they would one day see an Umamusume reminiscent of Silent Suzuka appear in a Dirt race.
They also never imagined that a native Japanese Umamusume could outpace Starlight Helios, who had returned from America.
This is what a Dirt rising star looks like!!!
"In the final 200 meters, Smart Falcon still hasn't lost speed!"
"This level of skill is terrifying! Who could have imagined that she could create such a huge gap between herself and the undefeated Dirt dark horse, Starlight Helios, who returned from America?!"
"Incredible! Smart Falcon!"
"Smart Falcon, leaving everyone else in the dust!"
"Starlight Helios' undefeated record is about to be broken! And by a huge margin, an absolutely huge margin!"
"Starlight Helios' acceleration has reached its limit!"
"We are about to witness the birth of a new Dirt star!"
"Smart Falcon, now, with a huge margin—"
"Crosses the finish line!!"
As Smart Falcon crossed the finish line, countless breathless spectators at Niigata Racecourse finally erupted in cheers that nearly lifted the roof.