Post by Snowflake on Sept 16, 2011 7:15:36 GMT -5
WINDBREAKER AND DAVID PEREZ
The chestnut filly tossed her head and gave a low, gentle, but spirited rear as she set foot on the turf track. I didn't mind, knowing it was just harmless fun. I nudged my heels to her sides, letting the reins go slack for just an instant so the thoroughbred could move into trot freely. She hugged the outer rail, her strides long and loose, searching the track with her eyes, looking for a challenger. Her ears swiveled this way and that to catch every sound.
I relaxed contentedly. No challenger for Windy today; only the clock. Urging Windy into canter, I started to go over the competition in my mind for the race this weekend. The race, The Highway Stakes, was 5 furlongs on turf and open to horses over three years old and grade five and above. There were just three other entrants besides Windbreaker, and they included G5 mare Destined for Glory, G1 mare Deadly Desires and G5 colt Seattle Sun. Seattle Sun had a record of 4-1-1-1, and had recently been a contender in the Boy's Festival. Destined for Glory had won the 5FT Windchime Cup at the beginning of the year against Windy. Deadly Desires was a monster on the track and had this season won 3 of 5 starts.
Windy's canter was smooth, and it rocked me gently. I stood in my two point position, watching the turf between the filly's golden ears as she ate it up with her long, even strides. We started to cross the track, getting ready to gallop. I leaned closer to her withers, taking in the reins a little more as i glanced backwards for any upcoming fast workers. Since there was no one, I cued Windy to gallop. She burst into the faster pace, accelerating very suddenly. A thrill went through me, just like always.
We veered to the rail, keeping a horse width distance from it. I could feel the power in Windy's stride, but I could barely feel her touching the turf. She was going so fast it was like we were barely touching the ground. After tearing around the corner without hardly slowing down, I began to urge the filly on, faster and faster. If she had been going fast before, it was nothing compared to what she was about to do. The filly's stamina and speed always stunned me. She was so tiny for a thoroughbred, and yet was so strong and had so much to offer. She responded quickly to my urging with another burst of speed, and was now going right to the top. We flashed by the final furlong marker, but I barely noticed. Three furlongs down, with just one to go. Windy put on a final burst of speed, surprising me a little. She usually saved that last burst for a real race. We surged past the finish and I stood in my stirrups, letting her gallop out and then bringing her gradually back to canter, then trot.
