Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2013 2:22:12 GMT -5
Tears Of An Angel works for the Rush Stakes alongside Immortal Flight
The one filly that had stamped her mark on the track at The Wire was bouncing back to make her mark in the Rush Stakes. A five furlong sprint over the turf for three year olds, and if that wasn't enough, the two horses she was up against was her main rival as a two year old, Cross My Heart, and her very own twin brother, Tears Of Blood. That wasn't going to stop Lucy from attempting to take the win in the race tomorrow. It was going to be tough, but to stamp her down as a potential sprinter over the Green Horse Fields track, she was going to have to up her game a little bit and face the tougher competition. She hadn't placed out of the money yet in her entire two and three year old season, and she wasn't going to let a bit of... friendly competition get in her way.
We were starting in gate one, it would be good for us to break quick and get our position behind front runner, Cross My Heart, who would be setting the pace out there today. Tears of Blood, also known as Sanguis to us was Lucy's twin brother, and he would be racing from Gate Three, to get his closing position and close in the latter stages of the race. All horses were at an advantage today, so it would be hard stopping them from trying to win.
Cross My Heart, the dreaded name that Lucy hated with a passion. The filly was major competition, and everytime they raced it was an epic speed battle to the line. She was yet to win when she beat Lucy, but Lucy had beaten her in the Best Pal Stakes, and the Under The Wire Stakes. Cross had beaten Lucy in the Golden Slipper Stakes. Current score? 2-1 to Lucy. It was going to be insane, but it would be a good show. A very good show. She was a grade four, one win away from the Grade Three Status.
Tears of Blood, Lucy's one and only twin brother. With three other siblings the same age, they were amongst the better known of them all, though Loud and Clear had began to make an impression now too, winning races already this season against much older horses. Tears of Blood was the winner of the Eagle Cup, Azalea Cup Colts, and many more major races, including the Norfolk Stakes at the Wire. It was becoming an ongoing rivalry, and nothing was going to stop the tear away twins.
You've got yourself a good filly there, Ivana. Jacey said, leaning over the stable door as she did so. Ivana used a dandy brush to brush over the filly and smiled. Thanks, she's getting there after her first races this year on this track, considering she's only raced minimally over here. She said, taking the hoofpick and picking the fillies feet out. Mind if I join you for a workout today on Nico? Jacey asked Ivana. Putting the fillies back right hoof down, she stood and rested on the small filly for a moment. Sure, I was going to ask if you'd got anyone. Can we go seven furlongs on the turf? That's within both distance ranges. Jacey nodded. Sounds good to me. Meet you out there in ten? Ivana smiled and grinned. Sure, see you there.
A few minutes had past, and Ivana quickly tacked up Lucy, making sure the exercise rug was on correctly, and the girth was nice and tight. Walking Lucy out of the stall, she lead her to the mounting block before stepping up and mounting the filly. Her stirrups were perfect as she walked Lucy out onto the turf, to see Jacey on board Nico. It was almost like he was ready for her. How did you get ready so quick? Ivana shouted to her. He was pencilled in for a workout after you so I'd got him ready beforehand! Ivana laughed at Jacey and warmed the filly up, walking her round in a few circles.
Side by side, both small filly and large colt went in unison along the track. Nico being a versatile runner would set the pace. Smiling, Ivana held Lucy back as they trotted. Nico went infront and broke into a rocky canter just before the mile pole. Lucy did so too, and as they went past the mile pole towards the workout starter, they picked up the pace and the workout had practically begun. Like the jump of a gun, both horses broke into a speedy gallop along the surface, the jockeys not attempting to fight the horses.
Lucy lingered behind Nico by about two lengths, watching him every move like he was Cross My Heart in the race. Ivana bit her lip and didn't move a muscle on the filly as they exited the backstretch into the home turn past the four furlong mark. They weren't focusing on time, they were focusing on it being like the actual race. Jacey began to urge Nico forward and Ivana didn't move on Lucy. As they came into the stretch, Jacey was all out, pushing the colt as hard as she could. With a shake of the reins, Lucy darted forward...
In the final two furlongs, Ivana began to give Lucy some slack as she powered effortlessly down the homestretch, drawing level with Nico. Ivana then pushed her to the max, biting her lip until it bled, Nico began to fight back but Lucy found an extra gear and pushed forward, taking the lead by about a length or two as they crossed the wire. Ivana wiped the blood off her lip after they crossed the line. She was slightly too determined sometimes, but she did it. She wore down on Nico and pushed him. Not bad from a colt who wasn't a sprinter though. Lucy was as fit as ever and ready to roll, and this time, nothing would get in her way.