After listening to Trainer Kiryuin's analysis of Silver Charm, Myriad Dreams wasn't intimidated at all.
Instead, she felt the fighting spirit within her ignite, her blue eyes shimmering with a restless light.
"Incredible!" she said with pure excitement. "Then I can't fall behind. I have to start training too!"
With that, she gave Aio Kiryuin a quick nod and stepped onto the training track with eager anticipation.
Considering this was her first day in America, the primary goal was to adapt to the environment and adjust for jet lag.
Myriad Dreams didn't dive into high-intensity practice. Instead, she chose a rhythmic, easy jog, intending to feel the texture of the dirt beneath her feet, which was vastly different from the tracks in Japan.
However, as she ran at a steady pace and began to relax her mind and body, a brown figure swept past her side.
The speed was so fast it was nearly equal to the Silver Charm she had seen moments ago, and the running form was smooth and textbook, full of the beauty of power and efficiency.
"!?" Myriad Dreams was startled.
'What speed!'
Almost by instinct, she increased her cadence and tempo, chasing after the brown figure. She wanted to see clearly who this formidable opponent was.
The Umamusume ahead seemed to sense the pursuer behind her.
She turned her head slightly, a flash of surprise in her eyes. She clearly hadn't expected someone to keep up with her acceleration so easily.
Myriad Dreams took the opportunity to pull up alongside her.
While adjusting her breathing, she spoke up in a friendly manner: "Hello! You're so fast! I'm Myriad Dreams, I'm from Japan. May I ask what your name is?"
The brown-haired girl slowed her pace as well, revealing a bright, cheerful smile.
She replied in fluent English: "I'm Touch Gold. You're the Japanese Umamusume, Myriad Dreams, who came for the Dirt Triple Crown? I've heard of you."
Her tone carried curiosity and a hint of recognition.
Hearing her origin mentioned so directly, Myriad Dreams scratched her head sheepishly.
"Y-Yes, I just arrived. Please take care of me."
After a brief exchange, since she was still in the middle of her acclimatization training, Myriad Dreams bid farewell to Touch Gold and continued her jog.
Once she completed her planned training volume, Myriad Dreams found Aio Kiryuin, who was recording something by the side of the track.
She couldn't wait to ask: "Trainer Kiryuin, do you have any data on that Umamusume named 'Touch Gold'?"
Aio Kiryuin looked up from her notebook, a hint of curiosity crossing her eyes.
"Touch Gold? How do you know her?"
She seemed a bit surprised that Myriad Dreams had already come into contact with this girl.
"What about her racing performance?" Myriad Dreams sensed something unusual from the trainer's reaction.
Aio Kiryuin nodded and pulled up a file. "Touch Gold. Her current record is two wins in seven starts. Looking at the win count alone, she might not seem prominent, but..."
She paused and emphasized.
"Under certain track conditions, she exhibits exceptional adaptability and powerful closing speed. Her potential cannot be underestimated."
Myriad Dreams immediately thought of her upcoming debut.
"Will I run against her in the Kentucky Derby?"
To her surprise, Aio Kiryuin shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of flat regret. "No, you won't encounter her in the Kentucky Derby."
"Why?" Myriad Dreams was very confused.
Aio Kiryuin looked at the data and explained: "It's like this: She just recently won the Lexington Stakes."
"Based on the schedule and physical management principles, participating in high-intensity Classic races back-to-back in such a short time would put an excessive burden on an Umamusume's body. It's not conducive to long-term development."
"Therefore, her trainer decided to have her skip the Kentucky Derby and focus on subsequent race arrangements."
"So that's it..." Myriad Dreams realized, making a new assessment of Touch Gold's strength.
She was a powerhouse who had already clinched victory in a major race and required a strategic schedule adjustment.
The American dirt tracks truly were full of talented rivals and powerful races.
Not only had she met Silver Charm, who was in peak form, but she also learned of a hidden expert like Touch Gold, who, due to scheduling conflicts, simply wouldn't be on the same stage just yet.