preakness pressure

WORKOUT FOR THE PREAKNESS STAKES AND MOTHER GOOSE STAKES
Furious Passion and Marissa Star
Mr Hat and Clogs and Blaze Bryant
Born To Soar and Sarah Star

As winners of the Kentucky Derby and Acorn Stakes, Furious Passion and Born To Soar now had the pressure of winning the next races. For Passion, this was the Preakness Stakes, and for Sophia, it was the Mother Goose Stakes. We really really hoped that the filly would be the first Triple Tiara Champion on GHF tracks. She definitely had the talent and heart for it! Mr Hat and Clogs now had the pressure of doing better than he had in the Derby. His fourth place had been a bit disappointing, especially as he had been beaten by one of the fillies in the field.

Because the Triple Crown and Tiara were such demanding races, we were limiting fast work. Today's workout was pretty much going to be a long trot, short canter, very short gallop, short canter, short trot, then walk out. The horses trotted energetically, each recovered completely from their last race. Furious Passion seemed to be ready to run the race already; he danced on his toes, arching his neck impressively. Born To Soar leaned on the bit, keen to stretch her legs. Mr Hat and Clogs, usually the most well behaved of the three, hopped a few times, holding his tail high like a banner.

It was quite early in the morning, early enough that there were only a few other horses and riders and only a photographer that they had seen. They'd chosen to work this early to avoid stirring the horses up, since for them, not being able to gallop much and being cooped up in the stables for much of the day really sucked.

After a lap of trotting, the riders pressed their horses on into canter. Each horse showed, in their own way, a little delight at moving a little quicker. Trotting was great exercise, but cantering was clearly a little more fun. The Preakness Stakes and Mother Goose Stakes basically held the same fields as the Derby and Acorn; the same horses would probably pose a threat. Marissa was extremely proud of Passion - like she'd hoped, he'd been great on Derby Day and it clearly had shown when he won the race. Sarah was really excited for Born To Soar, knowing the filly had it in her to win all three races.

Blaze was disappointed in his performance (not his colt's) in the Derby. He was determined to ride a lot better in the Preakness. Finally, it seemed, they transitioned into gallop. As expected, all three horses instantly rocketed forward. They were only getting two furlongs, which was plenty. The riders each managed to keep their horses in check, though it was difficult, and then once the thoroughbreds finished their very short gallop, they managed to bring them back without too much trouble to canter, then eventually trot, and walk. They were ready for the Preakness and Mother Goose Stakes.