Post by Snowflake on Feb 27, 2012 3:14:15 GMT -5
AFTER DUSK works for the AROUND A TURN FUTURITY
It was to be her first start after breaking her maiden a month ago. She was well rested, and on her toes. Today, a simple four furlong breeze to burn the excess energy before the race in two days time. Dusty was just two years old, but already she was showing massive amounts of potential. If she won the Around A Turn Futurity, it would solidify her chances in future races. Meaning she could go in as the favourite in races such as the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint, where she would inevitably be heading at the end of the year.
I rose and fell in time to her trot, keeping to the outside of the track to avoid fast workers. She arched her neck impressively, dancing a little for those who watched. Urging her on into canter, I began to think about the race. It was seven furlongs on dirt, for two year old maidens and grade fives. So far, it was a five horse field, with the majority entered being fillies.
Gate one would hold Stride Of Perfection's filly Fiery Touch. There wasn't much to go on - the filly had started twice and hadn't placed in the top three yet. In gate two would be the only colt in the field, Prison Hill's colt Royal Assassin. He'd been bred by Star Thoroughbreds and Economy Stables, and was shaping up nicely. He'd started six times, for a record of 6-1-1-3.
The next was Silver Stride Stables' filly Paradise Island, in gate three. She'd started merely twice, but her record was nice looking with a second and a third placing. Gate four was another filly of Silver Stride's, Candid Silver. She'd run three times and placed sixth in all of them.
After Dusk had drawn gate five. Riding the filly now, I knew she had an excellent chance at the win. She had raced four times, for a record of 4-1-2-1. She was strong and talented, not to mention intelligent and quite mature for her age. She was also the daughter of G1 Beyond The Limits, whose dam was grade one, and daughter of Dusk Runner, who was the dam of the quickly rising Kentucky Derby contender Sunset Crusade.
As we approached the four furlong pole, I took hold of a chunk of the filly's mane. Upon recieving my cue, Dusty burst forward and accelerated rapidly. She reached full speed within moments, and raced down the stretch, almost blurring my peripheral vision. I continued to urge her on, until we flashed by the finish. She was ready to win.
