Hakodate Racecourse is a local racecourse, with the races held here are mostly small-scale.
The racecourse isn't large, with only two types of tracks: Turf and Dirt.
The only commendable aspect of Hakodate Racecourse is its frequent exchange races with American racecourses.
Therefore, Hakodate Racecourse hosts more Dirt races than Turf races.
Here, Turf races rarely exceed 2600 meters, while Dirt races can last up to 2400 meters.
"Smart Falcon is now starting at the very back of the backline, and it looks like her chances are slim."
"After all, this is a 1700-meter race, a relatively short distance."
In a 1700-meter race, Smart Falcon already had a significant gap behind the second-to-last racer at the start, essentially sealing her fate.
Not only were the commentators and live streamers pessimistic about Smart Falcon, but even the audience silently felt sorry for the adorable Umamusume.
"Right now in the lead is Royal Cruze, two lengths ahead of second place."
"Satono Crown is currently in tenth place; it looks like she hasn't even started yet."
"Royal Cruze has entered the second turn."
"Smart Falcon, who had a late start, is currently in thirteenth place, about one length behind Rializeki Bonne in last place..."
The live stream commentator continued reporting the race, but suddenly her words seemed to pause, her voice abruptly stopping.
Not only her, but many people in the venue who were still watching the race were also stunned upon hearing the commentator's voice.
"What?! It's Smart Falcon?!"
"Smart Falcon has caught up with the pack! She's made up for the initial 14-length deficit, and not only that, she's moved up to thirteenth place!"
After a moment of stunned silence, the commentator suddenly shouted in a much louder voice.
Few in the audience knew what had happened.
Most people had only glanced at Smart Falcon during her dramatic late start, then quickly looked away, focusing instead on the leading Royal Cruze and Satono Crown.
If it weren't for the commentator's voice, no one would have even noticed that Smart Falcon had caught up.
What speed.
It was precisely this astonished shout from the commentator that successfully drew the entire audience's attention to Smart Falcon.
When the audience's attention finally fell on the adorable Umamusume on the track—wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, with chestnut-brown twin ponytails—they couldn't help but gasp in amazement.
The reason?
She was too fast.
"After a huge slump at the start, Smart Falcon didn't give up; her fighting spirit hasn't faded!"
"So fast, so incredibly fast! Smart Falcon has now climbed to tenth place, only about three lengths behind Satono Crown!"
In the blink of an eye, Smart Falcon overtook three more Umamusumes.
Those present weren't the only ones confused by the commentator and the audience.
Even Smart Falcon herself was bewildered.
"Falco's steps are so light, so fast..."
"Can Falco really run this fast?"
"Why does Falco run so smoothly? It's completely different from the Turf!"
Thoughts raced through Smart Falcon's mind as she watched the Umamusumes she had easily overtaken grow increasingly astonished.
Aside from running on Dirt once during her debut race, she had only participated in Turf races ever since.
Of course, her results were mediocre.
Later, after being invited to join TCB by Sakura Baimu, she focused her training on Dirt.
However, when Sakura Baimu trained Smart Falcon on Dirt, she usually had Smart Falcon wear weighted wristbands.
Although Smart Falcon vaguely felt that Dirt was slightly easier than Turf, she didn't experience a significant difference.
Now, when Smart Falcon truly shed the constraints of her weighted wristbands and ran on the Dirt track without any weight, she discovered just how easy Dirt was to run on.
It was at this moment that Smart Falcon first realized she could actually run so fast.
"Smart Falcon has caught up with Satono Crown. Satono Crown has started accelerating! It looks like she doesn't want to be overtaken by Smart Falcon!"
Satono Crown isn't a typical front-runner or late-surger; she prefers a Pace running method, following behind the pack, accelerating in the mid-to-late stages to overtake other Umamusumes.
However, Smart Falcon's explosive speed after her extremely late start was so astonishing that the commentator's attention was completely drawn to her.
When Satono Crown heard that Smart Falcon, who had started 14 lengths behind already caught up, she suddenly panicked.
Her father had repeatedly emphasized that she couldn't lose this race.
No matter what, she had to beat Smart Falcon.
Fearing that Smart Falcon would overtake her, Satono Crown quickly accelerated.
"Satono Crown is accelerating! Satono Crown is fast; she has already moved into fifth place after leaving the second turn, only half a length behind fourth!"
Satono Crown's ability is exceptional; she had moved from ninth to fifth place by the end of the second turn.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Satono Diamond's father had jumped to his feet in shock when the commentator announced that Smart Falcon had caught up with Satono Crown.
Satono Crown's acceleration and overtaking of four runners on the bend brought no reassurance to her father; instead, his expression grew increasingly grim.
Accustomed to the pace-chaser running style, Satono Crown was being forced to accelerate in the early to mid-race by an Umamusume who had been 14 lengths behind the second-to-last runner at the start.
This was definitely not good news.
"If I can maintain this pace, victory in this race is certain..."
Satono Crown's speed continued to increase; she successfully overtook the Umamusume in fourth place.
However, before she could finish her thought, she suddenly noticed a figure appearing to her left.
Satono Crown's heart sank.
Turning to her side, she saw a figure with chestnut-brown twin ponytails.
At this moment, Smart Falcon's face showed no trace of anxiety or determination; instead, she was smiling broadly.
It was as if this tense race were simply a source of enjoyment for her.
"She's overtaken her! Smart Falcon has overtaken Satono Crown!"