my lucky day?

BORN TO IMPRESS WORKS FOR THE LUCKY DAY FUTURITY*

Marissa was agonizing over the fact that some 2yos had hit G3 and Born To Impress was still stuck in G5. The colt had a record of 9-3-5-1, and he'd lost his last three races closely. Needless to say, the colt had a burning need for the win.. His rider probably even more so. The Lucky Day Futurity was their next shot at it. It was run over eight furlongs on dirt for G5 and G4 two year olds. Entered was some of their biggest competition - Sizzling Dawn of Stride Of Perfection Stables, Mastermind of Witch Creek Stables and Nightshade of Intrepid Racing. If they could pull off a win against these horses, they'd be catapulted into G4 and be held in high esteem again.

Beginning with a trot to warm up, Marissa began to consider the field. Sizzling Dawn was a filly by Barely A Moment and out of Flash At Dawn. She had a record of 12-3-5-3 and her most notable win was in the Magic Millions. She'd last raced at the end of June for second place, and was typically a front runner. Next was Mastermind, who was by Speed Demon and out of El Sol Del Mar. There was no denying he had excellent bloodlines, and no denying he was an excellent racehorse with that record of 9-6-2-0. He'd also last raced in June Week 4, where he had won the Magic Night Stakes. He usually took up the stalker position.

Nightshade had drawn gate three, and was the most heavily raced of all. She had raced fourteen times for five wins and nine second places. There was certainly no denying the filly had class, but since she had raced the last two weeks in a row there was some doubt she would be able to hold her own against the rest of the field, who were all well rested. She was by Frontier and out of Requiem, making her half to some of the best racehorses to run at GHF. Usually she ran as a closer.

Impress was by Impressario, and out of Born To Fly. Anyone who knew anything about those two horses knew that Born To Impress was bred to be a superstar. The colt had gotten off to a good start this season and needed a win after three second places to raise his confidence again. Impress could be versatile, but generally ran behind the leaders. Marissa supposed she would run him in third, behind Sizzling Dawn and Mastermind, and in front of Nightshade. Then on the turn, with about two furlongs to go, the colt would burst forward to challenge the leaders, and close on the win.

His canter was smooth, but increasing in speed with every stride. He knew the gallop was coming up soon, and he planned to take off the instant the cue came. Marissa noted how his muscles rippled under his shiny black coat, and knew the colt was in absolutely great condition. The four furlong pole was ahead, and she prepared to let go of the thoroughbred. He was off the moment the pressure released, lengthening his stride and powering forward.

As he crossed the line, Marissa had a feeling the Lucky Day Futurity would truly be their lucky day.

finished