Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Oct 8, 2015 12:14:39 GMT -5
There is one horse on Stride Of Perfection's juvenile roster who ran a rather unconventional juvenile season...by not running at all. Often referred to by the media as SOPS's "Problem Child", Animatia is the only horse under Amber Black's training to have skipped out on a juvenile season entirely. In the words of the head trainer herself, the reason for this is a simple one.
"Animatia was simply not ready for the track," Amber Black stated at an interview last week. "She was just too aggressive due to her energetic side and tactical mind. We had to take some extra time to let her mature mentally."
And that she did! Animatia went from solo workouts in the spring to small group workouts on the public tracks in the summer and during the fall has made her appearance in regular SOPS large-group training. Whenever this filly runs, the clockers have been impressed. Amber Black has been saying all season that Animatia is the fastest juvenile on her roster, even as Melodious and Coincidence carved up the sprints on the dirt and turf and Incognito, Melusine and Cyclonaria made bold statements. "Animatia is simply my fastest horse. She works the fastest, has unbelievable speed when asked and can really figure out how to win a race," she stated. "I fully believe I have THE filly to fear for the Triple Tiara and Red Mile series next season, aside from Adrasteia."
Animatia recently made her first starts. She broke her maiden on the first try and placed second to an experienced winner most recently in the Hickory Hill Derby. Henna Turath, the filly's jockey, has publically stated that she loves her middle distance filly. "Tia just knows how to run fast at the most opportune times during a race. I would say that yes, she's a scary horse. I've ridden some fast horses in my time. Tia is a fast horse."
Animatia, by TDI Live This Lie and out of Flash At Dawn, is a half-sister to Fiery Touch, Sizzling Dawn and Flashpoint - all proven grade one winners known for their stubbornness and heart on the track. Whether or not Animatia lives up the hype remains to be seen, but by the confidence of both her trainer and jockey we are sure that this filly will be one to watch along the Triple Tiara and Red Mile trail next year.
