Post by Cruisey on Nov 3, 2014 11:21:40 GMT -5
FLYING SOLO && JOHNNY GARNER
PRINCETTA && SAMMIE PICKETT
VETANDA && JAMES COLLURA
For Johnny, Sammie, and James, things were starting to get stressful around Firestone. The stallion Johnny was riding was a challenging horse to work with, who could often be cheeky and dangerous. Flying Solo was gearing up for the last leg of the Senior Turf Sprinter title, the Sunset Stakes. For Sammie, the ride was slightly easier. Although the mare, Princetta, was a new ride for her, she was an extremely straightforward ride and very enthusiastic. For James, Firestone’s newest jockey, he was on Firestone’s newest colt, Vetanda. Both had never seen each other before and this was a test ride before their debut together. Vet is a very willing, sweet colt who hasn’t really had a chance to shine on the track just yet.
All horses had different racing styles, but it planned the workout with ease. Solo was a stalker. He likes to break quickly, and stick towards the inside rail, before dropping back behind the leaders, whereas both Vet and Malva were powerful closers. Today, the workout would be over nine furlongs on the turf, a distance all horses could run with sheer ease. It was something new for Johnny and Solo because he was usually a sprinter, and it was Vet's first workout with Firestone. Walking the feisty horses onto the track, the jockeys stayed side by side.
Solo snorted, trotting energetically on the spot once his feet hit the turf. You would never have guessed the big bay stallion was six years old. As for Vet, the big bold colt trotted forward with elegance. His blue eye eyed up the two strange horses beside him, but he wasn't being furious. Malva trotted on with poise and precision, arching her gray neck in excitement. After all horses had a trot, the jockeys asked them for canter. They loped down the backside and Vet snorted as he cantered along. Solo pinned his ears and as the start pole approached, the jockeys looked at each other and crouched down. Solo was the first away as he leapt forward, his big bold strides carrying him to the front of the pack.
Malva shot after the stallion, keeping her distance but at the same time, watching what was happening to the two year old behind her. Vet was the slowest getting away, but quickly picked up the pace as he settled half a length behind the two older horses. Johnny tightened his grip on the reins and made sure that Solo wouldn't run on. The first furlong passed exceedingly quickly. Solo still lead, while Malva sat two and a half lengths behind, with Vet closing off the field, still half a length behind the gray mare. James let the reins slip past his fingers a little bit as they flew past the five furlong pole and into the bend.
Vet was inching up to Malva, now side by side with her. He was much bigger than the older horse, even at two years old, so his strides matched hers no problem. They made their way into the home stretch and Solo still lead with ease. Both closing jockeys let their horses go and their big booming strides drew closer to the bay stallion. Johnny urged Solo on and whips rose and fell onto flanks and as they flew under the wire. Vet and Malva did catch up to the stallion, but his long strides were no match for the younger horses and he stole the win by a length. It was a thrilling finish, with the two year old coming in dead heat with the mare.
James patted the sabino colt, thrilled at how they did against the older, grade one horses. He was already starting to like the colt and hoped that he had a great future ahead of him. Sammie also smiled and patted her mare, the realization of her leaving at the end of the season dawned upon her and she became a little bit emotional. She had become fond of Malva, and hoped the rest of the season was good to them. Solo was still full of energy underneath Johnny, acting like he hadn’t just did a workout. Johnny as well was going to miss the stallion when he retired, but he was glad he could still visit the bay whenever he wanted.
