Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2013 10:44:36 GMT -5
Though the colt hadn't been raced for quite a while, this year had been a good one. He'd won the Preakness Stakes and taken two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown before taking a break after placing third in the final leg of the crown. He'd raced with us during his two year old season, claiming the grade four status, and placing second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, but now he was back, after Silver Stride Stables had limited there stock down. Isa was a small but sturdy colt, with a lot of muscle. He was intent on coming back to try and win. He'd raced with me on board before, back in the old days, so it wasn't like he had a new jockey. It was just time to get him back to full fitness. The funny thing about it was that the press were expecting him to be coming from Silver Stride Stables, but after they saw him coming out the barn with me, they seemed pleasantly surprised. In a good way, of course.
Isa had two strong competitors against him next week. The first was FS Mockingbird, a very strong experienced five year old stallion. He was more than certain the heavy favourite for this race, with sixty two starts and seventeen wins, eight of which were this season. He'd placed in the Breeders' Cup Classic a couple of years back, and was looking fierce. He is half brother to Firebird, who is beginning to make a spectacle of the tracks. Because of Isa's recent absence on the track, he may not be up to the standard of the other two racers, which included the next entrant, Stride of Perfection's very own Fire Dancer. She was a regular competitor against Isa in his two year old season, and on two of three occasions he beat her, but was hoping to do it again today.
Fire Dancer had improved considerably since last year. She was a strong competitor now, and had taken wins in the Seaspray Cup and many more. Where Isa had focused on races in his age group, Fire had the experience over more years, being more experienced as a four year old, which was a downside to it all. Though the result would be pretty much expected if we did place low, it wouldn't stop us from picking ourselves up and trying again. I was prepared for the challenge at hand and that Isa would be a bit weary because I was back on him, but he'd get used to me again soon enough, right?
Isa was ready for this, and this time there would be nothing stopping him. I'd spent the morning grooming him and plaiting his mane to make him look presentable. I'd wrapped his legs and taken a deep breath. The thought of Matthias returning in Year 13 left me really happy, and wanting to put on a show in front of these crowds. His comeback race would be a good one, even if we did come last. It's show that we had the guts to come back and do it again.
I tacked the colt up quickly and he proceeded into nibbling at my pocket where I had left my treats. I giggled. Isa, no, I said, tickling his nose. I placed a kiss firmly on his nose and lead him out the stall. He remembered me, and I most certainly remembered me. I'd got my hat, crop, and gloves before mounting effortlessly onto the colt and landing into the saddle. I walked him out on to the dirt track. He looked around ears flickering from one direction to another. It wasn't new to him, but it was the first time for a few months that he would be racing.
His collected stride was proceeded with a little snort. He tucked his head into his chest, and arched it beautifully. We approached the large metallic grey starting gates and I slowed him back down his paces. Gating Isa was horrible. He would lash out, kick, and do anything to not actually go into the gate, like the reluctant little so and so he is. After a few minutes of trying, he walked in, pinning his ears and launching for anyone who came in his sight. Oi, pack it in. I said. When we were in the gate, Isa shifted his weight. We looked ahead at the back stretch and I pulled my goggles down over my eyes. I gave the starter the thumbs up, and we were ready to roll. Isa snorted and pawed at the dirt. The bell rang and Isa leapt out the gate in slow motion, as he always does.
I pulled myself up and relaxed, resting my hands near his withers. I pushed my hands up his neck slightly and urged him forward to pick up the speed. He responded well and perked his ears, his muscular legs and body working together to power him along the dirt. I kept him at the quick pace along the turf and I asked him to switch leads as we entered the turn. Isa nickered lightly and did just as I asked. I continued to niggle him forward slightly as we rounded the turn, and I kept him into the rail so he wouldn’t drift out. I showed him the whip and began to drive him as we came to the top of the lane. The colt picked up his speed considerably and changed his lead again, the lead he had used to gain momentum from the turn so he would have his final burst of speed.
I gave him a tap on his rump and he shot forward. I gripped onto the mane so I didn’t fly backwards and I made myself as small as I could. Isa stretched out as much as he could, speeding up and pinning his ears. The air flew over his ears and the lessened air resistance caused him to pick up his speed. I drove him forward, my arms stretching out as far as they’d go as I urged him, and my crop fell onto his rump. As we flew under the wire, I released all the tension and felt a breath of release throughout my body. We were ready for this race. Isa collected his stride and came back down the paces, the warm air from our breaths mixed with the cold winter air to form a fine mist. I patted him. Good boy. He was definitely ready for this.