Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 21:02:12 GMT -5
After the previous week saw the win of Tears No More in the Jumping Beans Maiden Sprint, Beth knew it was time for one of her own to make their first start. Majestic Hero, arch nemesis to Demonic Desires in some cases, was the son of Hall of Fame star, Everyday Hero, out of the Grade Four mare previously owned by us, Amazing Grace. Everyday Hero absolutely stormed the tracks overseas. He raced over at Green Horse Fields and won, placed, and showed in many major races. He won the Who's More Youthful Stakes at GHF, the Turquoise Sprint and GHF, Kentucky Cup, Victoria Derby and many other races over at other tracks. He retired with a well earned record of 51-18-15-9, and earnings of $1,660,230. Amazing Grace was a filly who took part in the Turf Triple Crown, earning a third in the Kentucky Open, and the Preakness Champion, before placing fourth in the Belmont Turf Classic. She got to Grade 4, and earned a record of 30-6-7-13, with earnings of $1,225,000.
Beth had a feeling that Jester could pull it off, but it was a different story to whether he did or not. He was a a lively, forward going, and spring heeled colt. He can get very excited before the race, and due to this he will rear, kick, and buck in the paddock. He is a very naughty boy at times. They have to make sure he has a twitch to calm him down. He's fine with the starting gate and gets nice quick breaks. When working at home, he gets very excited over the slightest of things. If it's feeding time, he'll do little prances in the spot, as he does in the gate. He is a very furious runner, and has to have blinkers so he can stay focused at times too.
Gating with Jester is no problem. He isn't afraid at all, but pre-race he can become very hyper, agitated, and work himself up, but in most cases his handlers make sure that he wears a little 'twitch' which releases endorphins which keeps him calm until the start of the race. Jester will break in the lead and drop back to just behind the leaders. He will stay there until around the half way stage where he will begin to move wide around the hope turn to overtake and come on the outside of the runners. He will then come down the centre of the track, closing within the final two furlongs and hoping to take the victory in the race.
Beth had just finished grooming the colt down when she left the stall. She turned her back to him and rummaged in the box for a carrot. Jester nibbled at the lock which wasn't bolted correctly. He took the bolt off the door and let himself out. Just as Beth turned around, she saw the bay colt trotting down the stable block and into the feed room, Jester! Beth ran down the barn and grabbed his head collar. He was munching away on the freshly opened oats. No wonder he was so blinking hyper all the time. She walked him back to his stall and put him in it. That, young man, was a very naughty thing to do! You know that, right? Jester nickered and threw his head around, almost knowing he was doing wrong but it was funny for him.
Beth grumbled and got the colts tack off the saddle rack, not taking an eye off him at all. Silly. She mumbled to herself. Who? Me? A voice startled her. She looked up to see Jacey staring down at her. Hey Jacey, Beth said, standing up straight. No, not you. Jester. Silly colt just escaped from his stall. He decided he was going to have an early breakfast of a mouthful of oats. Jacey laughed. What ARE you like, Jester? The colt poked his head over the door energetically, and whinnied loudly.
Jester is a very sociable colt. He will try and befriend almost anyone. Okay Beth, a couple of things you need to know about Jes… Jester's parents raced as a closer and a mid-packer. As Jester is very forward going and has a very upbeat personality, he will be ran as a stalker, so he is closer to the front of the pack and so he can make his mover in the latter stages of the race. Although he is a lively colt, sometimes it has consequences. He has confidence in quantities that are unbelievable, and sometimes lead to him becoming slightly overconfident. Being a colt of determination, he will try so hard to do what he does, though he can get easily sidetracked and loses focus quickly, but beware - he holds grudges. If he makes the same mistake once, the colt will not make it again. Beth put his exercise sheet on, then tacked him up.
Beth put everything on herself, her gear and what not, followed by her large jacket, before moving back to the stall and leading the bay colt out. He stepped forward enthusiastically, and pricked his ears, before moving swiftly across the concrete barn floor. She lead him to the entrance of the track before mounting. Leg up? Jacey offered. Beth nodded and smiled. She bounced onto the bay colt and stroked his neck as he walked forward, and she placed her feet in the irons. The colt leapt forward with excitement, tossing his mane back and forth. Beth smiled and he stepped out on to the turf, pricking his ears and looking around.
Beth had realized it was time to show everyone what he'd got. She smiled and pushed him forward into a powerful walk. He began to walk energetically, his hooves hitting the turf and flicking it up behind him. She asked him for a steady trot and he flew forward, breaking into a stride on canter before coming back to a lively trot. He brought his head to his chest and I let him break into an energetic lope. Smiling, she pushed him on a bit more, and he kept at a relaxed canter, almost a gallop. Her blond hair fell in her face as they entered the back stretch. She pushed him forward again, and she crouched down, sticking her bum out and standing in the stirrups, resting her hands at his withers.
When they came to the five furlong pole, she began to push him on quite hard. Beth made herself as small as she could as she stretched my arms out, pushing him on. The colt began to sprint, his stride extended as far as it would go. The furlongs flew by and Beth's crop rose and fell on his rump as we entered the lane. She drove him forward and with each stride, he got quicker and quicker. In the final furlong, he reached his terminal speed, and flew under the wire. She relaxed and stroked his neck. We're ready boy. She said. Looking at the stop watch, they just went the final two furlongs in twenty one seconds. Good boy!