Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2012 6:17:54 GMT -5
The Starry Night Stakes was a major race for older horses, allowing only those of grade three and above to enter. On the dirt, it was a nine furlong competition of pure talent. One of those races into which the best are entered. As such, it wasn't really surprising that Matthias had entered Mona. The bay mare had not yet been with the stable for a year, however had gone up one grade and was very close to climbing another. With one more win, Mona could officially call herself a grade one mare. A star among race horses. Not that she didn't deserve that right. She'd worked hard enough to get there, was now a five year old, and still had time on the track left in her. This, Matthias was almost positive, was not the bay mare's last year out on the track. If she continued to perform as she had been they would be able to get another year, maybe two, out of her before retirement. But it was often the case with late bloomers, and as Mona had started the previous year as a grade four she was certainly that. But she had pulled herself up, she had pushed herself hard, and now she was playing ball with the big names.
It had been quite a sight to see Mona run in the Spring Cup, Mona's first victory of the year. Despite being out against the best she had rode all out, as if she did not care for the achievements of those who she was racing. She had run to win, and win she had. Scooping up her first win of the year and bolstering the confidence of all those that worked with her. Mona was going to have another amazing year, perhaps even securing herself another Breeder's Cup title in December. But that was a long way off, a number of big races lay in the road, and these things needed to be taken one hurdle at a time.
The competition was tough, with six gates filled for the race. Mona had drawn gate three of the six. In gate one was Stride Of Perfection's Dark Sunrise; a grade two four year old who was not to be blinked at. Earlier this year she had taken the Unicorn Horn Mile, more than proving her competance on the track. She was certainly going to be fighting in most of the big races for the year for a chance to push into grade one territory and dominate the big races. In gate two, also from Stride Of Perfection, was TDI Live This Lie - the grey four year old had really started to pull himself together the previous year and it was not unreasonable to believe that he would continue his improvement this year. While perhaps not the biggest worry on the field, he was certainly someone to watch. Gate four was to hold Close Racing's Xalbadora; a bay filly who was starting to pull in the wins. As a grade three she was again not the biggest name on the field but definitely one to watch - if she continued improving as she had been she would soon be hogging the limelight on the track. Gate Five had Six had been drawn for Star Thoroughbred's two entries; Vindictive Fury and Born To Soar. Names that every trainer, jockey and fan knew. Born To Soar, a chestnut mare, had won the triple tiara in the previous year - sowing her name in history. She was definitely not competition to turn ones nose at, and was one of the two marked as the main competition. Vindictive Fury was the other. Born in the same year as Mona, the bay mare had impressive lines and an impressive record. However, just being impressive was not enough and Mona's lines and record were not so bad in themselves, either.
Alexia sat comfortably in the saddle while the handlers led the bay mare down t the track. Head held high, ears perked, Mona was in good form and she was not afraid to show it off. Her brown eyes glinted with the knowledge that she was one of the best, and her fluid gait held amazing conformation. Black bangs fell into her face and her tail had a single braid within it. Not put there to be noticed, put there because the new groom had fallen in love with the stuck up, arrogant mare and had been pampering her. Which was always a way to win with Mona, she liked it when her talent and beauty were recognised. But for Alexia it was the talent that mattered. She didn't waste time trying to make the mare look pretty - as if she needed any help with that - but instead put her time into getting the best of the mare's potential and experience.
As they reached the gates the fun began, with the thoroughbred diva putting on a show. She tossed her head, pawed the ground and plated her hooves. When that did not work she reared, her front limbs lashing the air, and came down with a thud. One of the braver handlers grabbed the mare's headcollar and stared her in her brown eyes, glinting with mischief, before pulling her into the stall. Instantly she settled. She'd had her fun, now there was something even better ahead. A chance to run, to show off her amazing conformation and wild skills. What more could a racing thoroughbred really ask for? Well, except for some appreciation at the end of course!
The gates opened and the bay mare broke at a relatively high pace, moving to the inside rail. Here, she would be pushing the front runners, teasing them from her position just behind. Trying to convince them that they wanted to run faster when really if they did they would probably tire before the end. It was one of the mare's favourite games during a race, pushing those who ran ahead of her, and she intended to do it at every chance. But for now, she would just run and as she did. With wind pulling through her mane and tail, her conformation unfalting as she galloped toward the corner. It was obvious to anyone watching that the mare was enjoying herself. Alexia did not need to push the mare, nor pull her speed down. S
he was experienced now, she knew the pace to find and how to stay on it. She knew to speed up a little in the corner, to start getting ready for the final push. She knew very well how to take the corner, for that matter. The gradients were nothing new, they didn't phase her, and as she pulled out of that corner, spurred on as Alexia started to drive, the crop hitting her flank, she surged forwards. It was not, perhaps, the most impressive surge of speed - the bay mare was not, after all, based in the pack or as a closer, but it was a surge and it was noticeable. She pushed herself hard, treating that straight as if it were a real race, and her determination was notable. Her legs moved quickly, the muscles pumping the propel her forwards. Hr ears slicked across her skull as concentration took over. Her stride lengthened as she fought to be the first in an imaginary field and she fought in every stride. As they passed the post it was a sudden realisiation that the run was over. Race day would tell if the workout had paid off.
It had been quite a sight to see Mona run in the Spring Cup, Mona's first victory of the year. Despite being out against the best she had rode all out, as if she did not care for the achievements of those who she was racing. She had run to win, and win she had. Scooping up her first win of the year and bolstering the confidence of all those that worked with her. Mona was going to have another amazing year, perhaps even securing herself another Breeder's Cup title in December. But that was a long way off, a number of big races lay in the road, and these things needed to be taken one hurdle at a time.
The competition was tough, with six gates filled for the race. Mona had drawn gate three of the six. In gate one was Stride Of Perfection's Dark Sunrise; a grade two four year old who was not to be blinked at. Earlier this year she had taken the Unicorn Horn Mile, more than proving her competance on the track. She was certainly going to be fighting in most of the big races for the year for a chance to push into grade one territory and dominate the big races. In gate two, also from Stride Of Perfection, was TDI Live This Lie - the grey four year old had really started to pull himself together the previous year and it was not unreasonable to believe that he would continue his improvement this year. While perhaps not the biggest worry on the field, he was certainly someone to watch. Gate four was to hold Close Racing's Xalbadora; a bay filly who was starting to pull in the wins. As a grade three she was again not the biggest name on the field but definitely one to watch - if she continued improving as she had been she would soon be hogging the limelight on the track. Gate Five had Six had been drawn for Star Thoroughbred's two entries; Vindictive Fury and Born To Soar. Names that every trainer, jockey and fan knew. Born To Soar, a chestnut mare, had won the triple tiara in the previous year - sowing her name in history. She was definitely not competition to turn ones nose at, and was one of the two marked as the main competition. Vindictive Fury was the other. Born in the same year as Mona, the bay mare had impressive lines and an impressive record. However, just being impressive was not enough and Mona's lines and record were not so bad in themselves, either.
Alexia sat comfortably in the saddle while the handlers led the bay mare down t the track. Head held high, ears perked, Mona was in good form and she was not afraid to show it off. Her brown eyes glinted with the knowledge that she was one of the best, and her fluid gait held amazing conformation. Black bangs fell into her face and her tail had a single braid within it. Not put there to be noticed, put there because the new groom had fallen in love with the stuck up, arrogant mare and had been pampering her. Which was always a way to win with Mona, she liked it when her talent and beauty were recognised. But for Alexia it was the talent that mattered. She didn't waste time trying to make the mare look pretty - as if she needed any help with that - but instead put her time into getting the best of the mare's potential and experience.
As they reached the gates the fun began, with the thoroughbred diva putting on a show. She tossed her head, pawed the ground and plated her hooves. When that did not work she reared, her front limbs lashing the air, and came down with a thud. One of the braver handlers grabbed the mare's headcollar and stared her in her brown eyes, glinting with mischief, before pulling her into the stall. Instantly she settled. She'd had her fun, now there was something even better ahead. A chance to run, to show off her amazing conformation and wild skills. What more could a racing thoroughbred really ask for? Well, except for some appreciation at the end of course!
The gates opened and the bay mare broke at a relatively high pace, moving to the inside rail. Here, she would be pushing the front runners, teasing them from her position just behind. Trying to convince them that they wanted to run faster when really if they did they would probably tire before the end. It was one of the mare's favourite games during a race, pushing those who ran ahead of her, and she intended to do it at every chance. But for now, she would just run and as she did. With wind pulling through her mane and tail, her conformation unfalting as she galloped toward the corner. It was obvious to anyone watching that the mare was enjoying herself. Alexia did not need to push the mare, nor pull her speed down. S
he was experienced now, she knew the pace to find and how to stay on it. She knew to speed up a little in the corner, to start getting ready for the final push. She knew very well how to take the corner, for that matter. The gradients were nothing new, they didn't phase her, and as she pulled out of that corner, spurred on as Alexia started to drive, the crop hitting her flank, she surged forwards. It was not, perhaps, the most impressive surge of speed - the bay mare was not, after all, based in the pack or as a closer, but it was a surge and it was noticeable. She pushed herself hard, treating that straight as if it were a real race, and her determination was notable. Her legs moved quickly, the muscles pumping the propel her forwards. Hr ears slicked across her skull as concentration took over. Her stride lengthened as she fought to be the first in an imaginary field and she fought in every stride. As they passed the post it was a sudden realisiation that the run was over. Race day would tell if the workout had paid off.