"Maya-chan is going to lead all the way to the end!"
Mayano Top Gun's cheerful voice drifted over with the wind.
Her steps were light, almost like a dance, yet they carried a speed that was not to be underestimated.
Narita Brian followed closely behind without a hint of panic, like a crouching wolf watching her preu.
As they entered the first corner, the two Uma Musume had already formed a distinct leading pack, pulling away from the other competitors by at least three lengths.
"What incredible speed!" the commentator exclaimed.
"Mayano Top Gun and Narita Brian, these two powerhouses of the same generation are putting on a spectacular duel!"
Myriad Dreams remained in a Late Surger strategy, steadily maintaining fourth or fifth place. Her calm gaze analyzed the battle ahead.
Top Gun's rhythm was agile and ever-changing, while Narita Brian was like a precision machine, every step brimming with explosive power.
"Now!" As they entered the final 600 meters, Myriad Dreams made her move.
[Power Conversion] activated!
Half of her Power stat was instantly converted into sprinting force.
Her speed surged abruptly. Like a silver bolt of lightning, she overtook her opponents one after another, rapidly closing in on the leading duo.
On the track, the competition between Top Gun and Narita Brian had reached a fever pitch.
The two Uma Musume ran almost side-by-side, neither willing to yield an inch.
"Maya-chan won't lose!" Fighting spirit flickered in Top Gun's eyes.
"Bring it!" Narita Brian's zone, [Shadow Break], began to manifest.
A dark red aura made the surrounding air feel heavy and solemn.
"Maya-chan is doing it too!" Top Gun activated her own zone, [Flashy☆Landing]. Instantly, a golden light radiated from her, clashing against Brian's aura.
Then, at the final 400-meter mark, a sudden change occurred!
Myriad Dreams' zone, [A Dream of a Thousand Layers!], expanded at full power.
Countless phantoms appeared around her, and the entire track seemed shrouded in a hazy mist.
Simultaneously, [Turbo Acceleration] kicked in, and her speed soared again, reaching a jaw-dropping level.
"What?!" Narita Brian and Mayano Top Gun simultaneously felt a crushing pressure coming from behind.
Myriad Dreams passed between them like a ghost. Her speed was faster than anyone could have imagined.
Under the influence of her zone, both Brian and Top Gun experienced a momentary hesitation in their movements, as if they had fallen into a brief dream.
In that split-second gap, Myriad Dreams completed her decisive overtake!
"Impossible!" In the VIP box, Hoshino Chiyuki stood up involuntarily.
Amidst the gasps of the entire audience, Myriad Dreams pulled away at a staggering speed.
Two lengths, three, five... then seven!
By the time she crossed the finish line, she was a full seven lengths ahead of second place!
Narita Brian and Mayano Top Gun crossed the line almost simultaneously, still fiercely battling for the runner-up spot until the very last moment.
The racecourse fell into a brief silence before erupting into deafening cheers.
In the VIP box, Nakano Shiro slowly lowered his binoculars, his voice trembling with suppressed excitement.
"Seven lengths... in a mile race, this is nothing short of a crushing victory."
Hoshino Chiyuki took a deep breath and solemnly wrote down the name of Myriad Dreams on the list.
"The candidate for the United States trip is decided."
On the track, Myriad Dreams slowed her pace and looked back at the two rivals who had just finished.
Narita Brian's eyes were filled with shock and frustration, while Mayano Top Gun looked completely bewildered.
The illusion from moments ago had prevented them from even sensing Myriad Dreams passing them.
To them, it felt as though she had been behind them the whole time, by the time they snapped out of the vision, Myriad Dreams had long since surged past.