Smart Falcon's uncanny speed left many Umamusumes and spectators stunned.
They had initially assumed Wakō Dōjin, who had been the first to grab the lead, would remain in front.
However, it was Smart Falcon, who had started slowly and had been trembling since the demonstration.
"After a slow start, Smart Falcon accelerated, overtaking all the Umamusumes ahead and forcefully taking the lead."
"Not only that, it seems she chose the runaway style!"
"Starting slowly and still taking the lead is quite a test of her stamina."
"Smart Falcon is running so fast, leaving the Umamusumes far behind. She's now more than six lengths ahead of second-place Wakō Dōjin!"
Wakō Dōjin was utterly dumbfounded.
"Is she crazy? Is Smart Falcon really crazy? She messed up the start and still wants to lead? And she's even choosing a runaway strategy; does she think she's Silence Suzuka or something?"
Wakō Dōjin's first impression of Smart Falcon's runaway style was strikingly similar to Silence Suzuka, the "escapee from another dimension."
Besides Silence Suzuka, there was also the fleeting Mejiro Palmer.
Who else would dare to use a runaway strategy in a high-stakes race?
Of course, Maruzensky isn't considered an Umamusume; that's a Hotrod.
"Silence Suzuka is a G1 Umamusume! You, an Umamusume who's never won a high-stakes race, are trying to copy Silence Suzuka's style? Are you out of your mind?"
Inconceivable.
Wakō Dōjin found it utterly absurd.
Even the worst Smart Falcon was a graduate of Central's higher education system, an elite institution.
How could she dare choose a runaway strategy in this situation?
"The runaway tactic is usually only used by Umamusumes who specialize in leading runs when racing against Umamusumes with a significant skill gap, right?"
"Umamusumes with weaker skills who choose the runaway tactic usually run out of energy halfway through and end up in last place."
"I completely don't understand what this Smart Falcon is thinking. Is she trying to disrupt my leading tactic when she can't even finish?"
Wakō Dōjin was confused and somewhat angry that her leading position had been taken away.
She was certain that Smart Falcon would lose speed, so she didn't change her pace or care about the widening gap.
"Wakō Dōjin didn't try to compete with Smart Falcon for the leading position anymore, but instead chose to maintain her own pace."
"Smart Falcon has only just reached the first corner, and she has already pulled far ahead of the Umamusumes behind her."
"This is already a runaway; the speed is incredible!"
"I'm a little worried about whether her stamina can support her until the end."
The commentator's tone was full of concern.
However, although she was doubtful, most people present didn't actually believe that Smart Falcon could maintain this pace until the end.
"Smart Falcon has picked up the pace. All the Umamusumes are accelerating."
Wakō Dōjin originally didn't intend to change her racing style because of Smart Falcon's reckless leading tactic.
But unfortunately, Smart Falcon's lead was terrifying to the Umamusumes present.
Not all Umamusumes could think as calmly as Wakō Dōjin.
The Umamusumes present had never actually encountered anyone using a runaway tactic.
This early disparity in skill spurred them to quicken their pace.
Wakō Dōjin, watching the Umamusumes behind her accelerate, felt a surge of anger.
"They're so stupid! Can't they see that Smart Falcon won't last long? Speeding up now would just completely disrupt their rhythm! We don't need to pay any attention to her at all!!"
While Wakō Dōjin thought this, the pressure from the dozen or so Umamusumes behind her forced her to increase her speed.
After all, her initial strategy against Starlight Helios only worked if she maintained the lead.
If she didn't accelerate when the other Umamusumes accelerated, she wouldn't be able to maintain that lead.
Although she was currently in second place.
"Smart Falcon has taken the lead at the second turn."
"She's already pulled ahead of the Umamusumes by more than 10 lengths; what a terrifying runaway!"
"Currently in second place is Wakō Dōjin, who looks somewhat anxious, about 3 lengths ahead of Plum Blossom Snow in third."
"Starlight Helios, currently in tenth place, seems quite calm and hasn't become agitated by the huge gap Smart Falcon has created."
The Niigata Racecourse's Dirt track is extremely flat, with the difference between the highest and lowest points being less than half a Meter.
Therefore, the Dirt track at Niigata Racecourse can be approximated as a flat surface.
Thus, the Leopard Stakes held at Niigata Racecourse are a pure contest of speed and strategy for Dirt Umamusumes.
Climbing techniques and the like are completely irrelevant to this race.
And precisely because of this, all the spectators watching the race are focused solely on the speed of the Umamusumes.
Smart Falcon's runaway might seem reckless to most.
But no one can deny its undeniable appeal.
This style of running, leaving all the Umamusumes far behind, is incredibly entertaining.
"A runaway ahead!"
"So fast! Smart Falcon is just too fast!"
"Smart Falcon has already created an unimaginable gap between herself and the Umamusumes behind her!"
"Smart Falcon, her speed hasn't slowed down at all! She can keep going!"
The commentator shouted excitedly, and the spectators in the surrounding stands were equally thrilled by Smart Falcon's running style.
The surrounding spectators were focused and passionate about Dirt racing.
They were all seasoned Dirt racing fans.
Especially veteran Dirt champions like Daiki Shuttle and Condor.
However, this was the first time they had seen an Umamusume choose a large lead or runaway style in a Dirt race.
This dramatic turnaround, reminiscent of Silence Suzuka, truly ignited the passion of many spectators.
Their eyes were glued to the undisputed leader, Smart Falcon, who was practically dominating the race.
"If Smart Falcon can lead the entire race and win, she'll be a true dark horse in Dirt!"
Everyone shared the same thought as the commentator.
However, they didn't hold out much hope.
After all, Smart Falcon was, to date, the first Umamusume to use a runaway tactic in Dirt.