"You want to participate in a G1 at the end of the year? Did I hear that right? This is only your second race since you transitioned from Turf to Dirt, right?"
Wakō Dōjin felt either her ears were playing tricks on her, or Smart Falcon's trainer was malfunctioning.
"Huh?! How did you know?!"
Smart Falcon was startled when Wakō Dōjin suddenly spoke to her.
"You said it yourself! Saying things like not having enough popularity, trainers, and stuff..." Plum Blossom Snow said casually.
"Ah! Falco actually said it?!"
Smart Falcon's cheeks flushed red, feeling extremely embarrassed.
"..."
Looking at Smart Falcon's bewildered expression, Wakō Dōjin couldn't help but speak in a deep voice.
"Look at you. You're participating in a G3-level race, and you're so nervous you don't even know what you're saying. Do you really think you're good enough for a G1?"
"Ah—!"
Smart Falcon was startled again by Wakō Dōjin's suddenly serious tone.
She gasped, her voice dropping abruptly as she murmured,
"Trainer-san promised Falco..."
"Just empty promises, huh? I've seen plenty of trainers like that. Probably just trying to scam training funds, or their teams are too big for the Flash Series," Wakō Dōjin said softly. "By the way, who's your trainer? You're from Central, right?"
"Falco's trainer is Ms. Sakura..."
"Ms. Sakura? Which Sakura?"
"Ms. Sakura Baimu."
"Sakura Baimu?!"
Wakō Dōjin's eyes widened, her mouth involuntarily agape.
She stared in astonishment at the still-trembling Smart Falcon, quickly realizing what she meant.
"You said your trainer is... Sakura Baimu, the one who trained Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen?"
"Yes."
"You're kidding! If your trainer is Sakura Baimu, then my trainer is Tojo Hana!"
"Huh?"
Smart Falcon stared in astonishment at Wakō Dōjin's disbelieving expression, somewhat confused as to why she didn't believe her.
"That's Sakura Baimu, who trained Tokai Teio to win three titles and Mejiro McQueen to win four consecutive Spring Tenno Sho titles! If you were a new student, it would be understandable, but look at your record. Why would she even consider you?"
"Falco didn't know at first… but Trainer-san said Falco would be a good fit for Dirt…"
"Alright, I'm not listening to your bragging," Phantom Dust interrupted Smart Falcon.
"Falco isn't bragging! Falco is telling the truth!"
"Heh, then why are you so unconfident about this G3? If you're going to participate in a G1, shouldn't a G3-level race be a breeze for you?"
"Uh… that's because…" Smart Falcon was rendered speechless, stammering for a long time without being able to reply.
"Your bragging doesn't even make sense. At least others can act confident, but your demeanor is completely unconvincing," Wakō Dōjin scoffed.
"Falco…"
Smart Falcon felt incredibly wronged. Sakura Baimu was clearly her trainer, but Wakō Dōjin didn't believe her.
But Wakō Dōjin, standing beside her, had already secured several high-reward victories, and her assertive manner was undeniable.
Smart Falcon, on the other hand, had yet to achieve a high-reward victory.
Sakura Baimu's "blind" trust in Smart Falcon was very appealing to her.
Unfortunately, Smart Falcon's long-standing inferiority complex hadn't been completely eradicated by her previous victory at the Seaside Stakes.
The opponents in this race were significantly stronger than those at the Seaside Stakes.
Especially Wakō Dōjin and the American returnee, Starlight Helios.
They possessed G2- or even G1-level skill.
This made Smart Falcon even more fearful.
Smart Falcon's expression was observed by many of the participating Umamusumes and the audience, who, while finding it amusing, also felt a touch of pity for the adorable Umamusume.
"If they're this scared, they'll probably be even more devastated if they lose. Will they just burst into tears?"
Some of the Umamusumes thought to themselves.
"The Niigata Racecourse is shrouded in gloom; all competitors have now entered the gates."
"Dirt, 1800 Meters, Leopard Stakes, the race now—"
"Starts!"
As the announcer's voice fell, the gates sprang open, and the Umamusumes surged forward.
"The race has begun; what a great start."
"Oh dear, Smart Falcon in the 14th gate seems a bit slow."
Smart Falcon's start was slightly slower due to nervousness and fear, but it was much better than her late start in the last race.
"That's it? She brags about having such a genius trainer, she can't even get a proper start."
Wakō Dōjin in the 13th gate found Smart Falcon's slow start somewhat amusing.
"The only one I need to watch out for in this race is Starlight Helios; she hasn't lost a single race so far."
"She'll probably still choose to chase, so this time I need to speed up my leading pace and prevent her from catching up. That's my only chance of winning."
Wakō Dōjin wasn't paying much attention to the third-most popular Plum Blossom Snow; instead, she had already devised a frontline strategy specifically for Starlight Helios.
"Wakō Dōjin's early pace is fast; she's already secured the lead."
"As expected, Wakō Dōjin has chosen a leading position."
"Plum Blossom Snow is second behind her, about four lengths behind Wakō Dōjin."
"Good, she's successfully secured the leading position. From now on, I'll control the pace of the race. Watch me gradually speed you up, wearing down your stamina for the final acceleration."
Wakō Dōjin thought to herself, a smile gradually spreading across her lips.
However, her expression didn't last long.
Suddenly, Wakō Dōjin and Plum Blossom Snow, who was third behind her, felt a blur before their eyes.
They saw a chestnut-haired figure dart out from the side.
In just a moment, a huge gap had been created between them.
"Huh...?"
Wakō Dōjin stared at the figure ahead, feeling utterly bewildered.
"According to my intelligence, besides myself, there shouldn't be any other Umamusume skilled in leading in this race, right? That one up ahead..."
Wakō Dōjin stopped mid-sentence, suddenly noticing the chestnut-brown twin ponytails and the pink-and-black checkered ribbons tying them.
She belatedly realized that the Umamusume rushing out ahead appears to be Smart Falcon who she had just spoken to.
However, her brain couldn't process such bizarre information for a moment.
Until...
The commentator's belated exclamation rang out.
"Right now leading the pack is Smart Falcon, number 14! It's a huge lead for Smart Falcon!"