cruze to greatness

SUNSET CRUSADE AND BANK ON GREATNESS WORK FOR EL SOL DEL MAR MEMORIAL STAKES*

At three years old, Sunset Crusade was in his prime. The colt had won nine races so far this year, without racing as hard as other horses. His other five starts this year had resulted in four second places and a third place. Best of all, he was this year's Kentucky Derby winner. Marissa was definitely hoping for a run and win in the Breeder's Cup Classic, but with so many top notch dirt runners in their stable, it was going to come down to performance over the next two months. Sunset Crusade was just one win off G1. His record stood at 26-12-8-5. She was confident he could do it.

Bank On Greatness was five years old, and although he was not currently showing any signs of slowing down, it was his last racing season. Star Thoroughbreds could only handle so many active racehorses, and they were now overwhelmed with more than half of their horses racing in the high grades. The arrogant young stallion had won three Breeder's Cup races in his career, and they hoped he'd win a fourth. The stallion had not placed out of the top two this year, so it looked promising.

The two young stallions warmed up separately, and met at the starting gates. The race was still five days away, so an easy mile long gallop was the go today. Cruze danced in, sending a challenge Greatness' way. The grey stallion snorted in response, loading calmly. For a few moments, the riders quickly prepared for the start, grabbing handfuls of mane and jamming their boots firmly in the short stirrups. Then, the gates burst open and the thoroughbreds launched forward, accelerating quickly.

As planned, they stayed together. Cruze tried to get ahead, being a front runner, but Marissa firmly held him at the same pace as Greatness. The colt tossed his head in annoyance, but decided to go with what she wanted, for now.. Sarah considered the race. It was the El Sol Del Mar Memorial Stakes, run on dirt over ten furlongs. The field consisted of Xalbadora, Limitless Time, Flashy Wings, TDI Live This Lie and Sillenia. And of course, their two. Xalbadora was a G3 filly who was inconsistent, but could pull a surprise. Her record stood at 49-7-8-6.

Limitless Time was back on the track after a very lengthly break. Before his last two starts, in which he placed second and third, he hadn't raced since last year's Spring Cup. He looked to be a contender though. Flashy Wings was SOPS's three year old superstar. He would certainly aim high in this race. TDI Live This Lie was a grade two, though he hadn't won in this level since.. ever. He probably wouldn't be a threat. Sillenia was also grade two and had surprised everyone last weekend by winning against her stablemate Wildly Natural, among others. She could be a threat.

Sunset Crusade and Bank On Greatness were likely to go in as favourites. Both were having great seasons so far, especially Cruze. They ended the turn with an explosion of speed. Sunset Crusade made his late bid for the lead, and got ahead of Greatness by only a neck by the time they reached the finish. They were ready for the El Sol Del Mar Memorial Stakes.