Post by Snowflake on Feb 19, 2012 2:03:48 GMT -5
SUNSET CRUSADE AND MARISSA STAR
I was incredibly proud of Cruze's recent efforts. His record this year included five starts: two wins, and three second places. The three year old colt was really starting to show his potential as a Kentucky Derby contender. I really hoped he'd win it. But that was a while away, first we had to get through the preparatory races. Starting with the Wood Memorial Stakes, which ran this weekend.
We began warming up on the dirt, and I began to consider our competition for the race. Firstly, there was Silver Stride Stables' Dark Charmer. The colt had a record of 20-4-3-7, his most recent win was in the Cocoa Cup. Next was Flashy Wings - now this was the one to beat. He had won 10 of his 17 starts, and had placed out only once. He'd even beaten older horses. In Gate three was Gold Fox. We'd sold him late last year, and the colt had broken his maiden since, but wasn't doing exceptionally well, with a record of 8-1-0-1. Gate four would hold the only filly in the field, Quintessential. Another one of our stud's offspring, she had a record of 17-3-0-3, and seemed only to put in a good run when she felt like it, which was apparently only half the time.
My boy, by Akuma Battlecry and out of Dusk Runner, was in gate five, with his lovely record of 17-5-7-4. Then Euphorion, by Merry Bay King and out of Euphoria, was in gate six, with his record of 17-5-3-4. Finally, I pressed the bay colt on into gallop. He let out a little leap of joy, then dug in and galloped hard for three furlongs, as I'd been instructed. I moved perfectly in sync with him, enjoying the comfort of his pace, but the sheer power and speed to it as well. When we flashed by the finish, I was reluctant to stop, and so was he. At least our real race wasn't too long away.
