Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2013 7:29:49 GMT -5
Winning Touch and Ivana Babicová work for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
It was the time of year that no one would forget, the races that would ultimately stamp down on the fame and glory that were to come to the horses who won them. December Week Four was quickly approaching and it was time to show the other stables that we were the little stable that could. The flight with the filly over to the track wasn't a long one, and only lasted a couple of hours, but it wouldn't be until two days after the Breeders' Cup that they would be coming home, ready to settle in for a new year. The year had been a quick one, but it wasn't stopping some horses from rising to fame within the blink of an eye.
Jacey Leigh Lanning was on the road to coming back after her miscarriage - she was a proud owner and trainer of the fine filly which would be going over to race in the Breeders' Cup. The race was still undecided but it looked likely that Winning Touch would go to the Filly and Mare Sprint, where the current entrants included Afterglow, last years winner, and After Dusk. After Dusk would be starting in Gate One. She was a good filly, and looked strong even after a rough and rocky start to the year.
She hadn't won any major races this year, all minors but she had places and shows in major races. Dusty raced over the perfect distance for this race, as her preferences meant she could race over nine furlongs as well as being a sprinter. She had taken seven wins this year, two places, a show, and the rest were fourths. She looked strong but with her wins only in minor races, would she be outclassed by Stormi?
Gate Two was the real contender. With thirteen effortless wins including four of which from this year, Afterglow was the favorite for this race. She had thirteen wins to her name after reaching the Grade One status after winning the December Dirt Stakes. Under new jockey Valencia Andrews, she looked strong, fit, and extremely willing to take the victory in the race today. It was the race best suited to Winnie and the race which she would hope to dominate this year in preparation for the Ladies' Classic next year.
The morning had broken and Jacey walked out of her office, along the barn and to Winnie's stall. The filly had settled in nicely overnight and it was now time to take to the track. Ivana was already awake, grooming the bay filly and plaiting her name to make her seem presentable. The reporters outside the stables were ready with their cameras. We have a lot of press wanting to hear about this filly, Ivana. So we'll both answer some questions prior to the workout. Thank goodness that we came late last night, I wouldn't have been able to cope last night, Jacey laughed.
I'm nervous though, Jacey. Ivana said. I don't want to make myself seem like a fool, like last year when I rode Danny and he just completely flailed in the Juvenile Turf. She said. Jacey frowned. Hey, you won't. Trust me on this one. This filly is going to woo them all, so go out there and knock em' dead sweetie. Jacey said, a huge grin swooping across her face as she let her brown curls fall from her head. Ivana, feeling convinced, smiled and nodded. She put the fillies dark blue rug on and her leather head collar with a chain before leading her out of the stall. Standing before the press, Ivana forced a smile as the filly stood, ears perked looking around.
Questions were being fired. What are your race plans for next year? One reporter asked. Well we have nothing definite yet, but we have some great plans for you. I guess you'll just have to wait and see. A grin swooped across her face. When will you be retiring her? Another asked. Maybe at the end of Year 14 or 15. It depends on her performances. She replied again. Are you going to the Unicorn Horn Series at the start of Year 13? She was asked. You will see us there. A grin was stamped on her face.
More questions were fired and more questions were answered, and everything stayed under control. After half an hour it was time for the workout, and Ivana had taken the filly to her stall. Jacey proceeded into tacking the filly up whilst Ivana changed into her gear. Nerves ran through her body as it would be the first time the press would be watching the filly run since she had raced with Witch Creek for a few months.
Walking out the changing rooms, Ivana took a deep breath. She fastened the strap on her helmet and made sure it was securely on her head. She bit her lipped and walked round the corner to see the beautiful sixteen hand bay filly stood, chomping away at the metallic bit that was in her mouth. She snorted but stood still, pricking her little ears as she saw Ivana walk closer.
The girth and stirrups were adjusted and Jacey gave Ivana a leg up onto the filly. They were hoping that this race would be a strong and competitive one, to put her into a good place in Year 13. They were ready but they needed that extra bit of support. A grin swooped across her face as she walked the filly out of the stable block and onto the entrance of the track, where she was greeted by cameras. Winnie wasn't fazed. She just stared right ahead and walked out on to the dirt.
The morning was a cold one, there was water vapor that came out of both Winnie and Ivana's noses. To keep them both warm, Ivana took Winnie for a little warm up trot to start off with. Ivana knew what they needed to do. They were going to do a mile warm up followed by a six furlong sprint. When they came to the backstretch, the mile gallop began. Ivana stood in the stirrups and rocked into the canter. Oh how she had missed riding the filly.
Smiling, Ivana then let the filly go at her own pace. She kept it steady though. The filly had the best conformation of any of the other horses at the stables. She was big, muscular and ready to do this. She held her head nicely and really flexed her neck, but didn't over bend it. She loped nicely along the back stretch, covering the dirt well. She sorted with each stride that she took.
As they came back into the homestretch, the pace picked up a little bit. Winnie's head came up and her ears perked a little bit. Ivana held her back a little more as she waited for the signal to go. Ivana's arms began to ache but as they approached the seven furlong mark after they'd past the stands, Ivana began to let the reins slip and the filly leap forward, her huge bounding strides covering the surface with ease.
Sprinting along the backstretch, Ivana crouched down and drove the filly forward. She sped up with ease, the sheer insanity of the speed that she had gained hit Ivana like a bullet fired from a gun (not literally) She pushed the filly forward, blinking away the tears from the stinging of the cold air and bitter wind that was being thrown towards her. The filly pricked her ears and let out a loud whinny which echoed down the track.
Down the homestretch, both horse and rider were all out. The speed increased dramatically as they flew past the last couple of furlongs. They whooshed by and they flew under the wire, the press taking photographs of every move. Ivana patted the filly's warm neck through her fluffy winter coat. She would be clipped next week ready for the race. It seemed likely with her recent speed that she would go to the filly and mare sprint. She wasn't ready to go against the big guns just yet, but she was ready for this.
There would be no backing down this time. It was time to advance from second to first, but whether it would happen was a different story. Ivana dismounted and smiled, walking the filly off the track.
This time, victory would belong to them.
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Listening to Dirty Diana - Michael Jackson