Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 18:37:37 GMT -5
Beautiful Liar had been training immaculately since she had broken into the grade three status under jockey, Beth Harvey. The filly would be facing one of her toughest challenges yet and since the race was only an allowance race, it would be tougher for her because of the amount of good horses who were racing in it. The filly had already cranked a win in her first start of the season, beating out the five year old stallion, Odd Number Out. The Green Horse Turf was a race that used to be ran in December, but it got moved forward a month, so it now runs in January instead. Leah was ready for the race and he had got the experience on her side. The race had eight strong entrants.
Starting in Gate One was Devil's Blessing. He was an old colt of Jacey's that she used to own before selling him on. He was looking good despite the fact he hadn't raced for quite some time. Cian hadn't been seen out on the track since October, as a matter of fact, and he looked really well and had some good training under his belt with his new owners at Firestone Stables. He raced as a front runner, so he seemed likely to set the pace today.
Next came Royal Cadenza, this colt was Leah's biggest rival yet, and they were usually seen going head to head in the home stretch, but Jacey was determined that her filly would come out on top. Caden was a cracking colt and now he'd got the age and the experience backing him up, despite the fact Leah was hot on his heels and wouldn't let him get away that quickly. He finished behind her in the Rising Fury Memorial Stakes, where Leah took third place a length ahead of the colt, but he got his own back in the Extraodinary Cup. Leah was currently winning 2-1, but who would come out on top this time? Caden raced as a mid-pack or a preceder.
Starting in Gate Three was Calamity Queen. The filly was a very good and strong filly who looked to dominate. She had raced Leah once and came out on top in the Winter Cup Grade Three Turf. They were 'filly' rivals. She hadn't had a win since October, and she was now currently at 9 wins as a grade three racer. Something told Jacey that those two would be meeting a lot this year and Jacey wasn't going to let Leah get away with losing. Leah had been working hard, and training well to get where she is now. Calamity Queen raced as a front runner or preceder, so the raced seemed relatively top heavy.
Starting in Gate Four was Ivory Storms Stables entrant, Lookin' Back Lucky. The colt had quite a good two year old season despite the fact he only started racing in June. He managed to grab four firsts, three thirds and then a fourth. It was good considering he only raced at a low level, and this race would be his first very serious start as a three year old. Jacey could see him becoming a Canadian Triple Crown contestant in Year Fourteen with the right dedication and work. The colt was a closer, so he would come from behind to try and win.
Starting in Gate Five was Livin' The Jazz. The colt, despite not claiming a win in his three year old season was looking strong since joining the team at Durango. The colt was a good colt though and he was currently grade five with three wins to his name. It was a good accomplishment for a lightly raced four year old who was looking to make a spectacular comeback in this eight horse race. Livin' The Jazz also raced as a closer and he would come from behind with Lookin' Back Lucky, if they could close in time.
Gate Six held Princetta, the beautiful filly that would raise questions in the paddock. People were stunned at this beautiful filly's colour. Leah and Malva had never met before but it looked likely that they could definitely put on a show together this year. Malva started racing as a three year old, just like our Tara, Trouble's twin sister. It seemed likely that they could wow the crowds together, and Malva, since moving to Intrepid looked like she was doing remarkable under her new ownership with her new jockey, Estella Marino. She raced as a closer too, and it seemed like she would close quickly.
Then came Jazzaway in Gate Seven. Jazzaway snatched three wins last year alone, then a further four in his two year old season, meaning he had crept up and broken the grade three boundary. The colt was good for his age, and he was also very strong, and even though he was last in the classic, nothing was going to stop him from trying to regain his status. The colt raced as a front runner and it seemed like he would be right up there with Royal Cadenza for this race. Leah was the only horse who raced mid-pack, so that's where she'd stay. She's drop in behind the predecers and linger, using her wide starting position to get her place inbetween horses.
Leah had already been tacked up and walked onto the turf track by Jacey whilst Beth was changing. The jockey jogged through the yard and smiled, before walking onto the track. She did her helmet on and grabbed hold of the saddle, where Jacey legged her up onto the grey filly. Beth patted Leah's neck. She put her feet in the irons and grinned. "What's the workout plan for today?" She asked Jacey. "Six furlong breeze - sprint the final two furlongs." Beth nodded and took up contact on the reins.
She turned the filly towards the mile pole and trotted her forward. The filly held her head high, looking around and pricking her ears. She let out a little nicker as she boldy flicked her toes whilst examining the track. Soon she came down onto the bit and brought her head in nicely, swishing her tail elegantly as she did so, before bouncing into canter around the seven furlong pole. Beth stood in her irons and rocked with the filly as her long stride covered the turf quickly and easily. Her light shoes made it easier for her.
As they worked nicely, the three furlong pole approached rapidly. Beth shook the reins on the filly and she picked up speed nicely. Rounding the bend, she switched leads and sprinted down the home stretch, ears pricked as she focused on the finish line. Leah crossed the wire and chomped on her waterford snaffle before Beth slowed her and cooled her off. Even though it didn't seem likely that she would win, Jacey had that glimpse of hope within her that she could do it... she wasn't afraid of the competition, but she could do anything if she put her mind to it.