Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2012 19:14:35 GMT -5
Dark had been running well of late, with a win in the Santa Anita Derby , a second in the Louisiana Derby and a third in the Florida Derby. In fact, he was performing at a hugely high standard. But the standards had to be high, as a three year old this year on the track could make or break his career. So far, it looked like he was going to make his career this year. So he might not take the triple crown, seems as he didn't reallly have the stamina for the final race, however he definitely had the talent to take a placing or even a win in the two legs that he could run in. Assuming, of course, he could continue to run to the level of his competition.
The first leg of the triple crown was quickly approaching. It would be the begining of a journey, and it would not be an easy race. Not with some of the entries which had been announced so far, and there were two weeks until the big day for further competitors to be announced. As it stood, there were only four entries but it was a tough field and one that they could not expect to beat easily. Dark had been drawn for gate one of four, which meant he would be in a good position for the start. It also, of course, meant that they would be working out from that gate.
Matthias glanced down the list of the other competitors with a slight frown. They definitely had a hard race ahead. Gate two was especially worrying - Flashy Wings was a more than dangerous competitor who had ended his two year old season as a grade three and was currently a grade two racer, quickly closing in on being grade one. Surprisingly, Dark had been able to take him out in the Santa Anita Derby and that was the plan to happen again. In gate three was perhaps the outside bet - Erin Shore of Close Racing was a grade five with a low consistency level. He really was not a worry to Dark and the team. In gate four was the other major source of competition - Star Thoroughbred's Sunset Crusade was a grade three and had taken both the Florida Derby and the Louisiana Derby. He was a hugely fierce competitor and another one that was one to beat.
With the field set, it was time to prepare for the race and Matthias was going to get Jake to push like a monster. If they wanted Dark to succeed they needed him at the very top of his game and that meant working and working hard. The blonde trainer was ready, though, he had the game prepared in his mind and he was going to play every card to make this happen. Dark would not fail him, Dark would not fail the rest of the team. Even if they did not win Dark would be pushing every limit he had to take that race. As he walked out of the office he beckoned Jacob, the red-headed jockey who most said was too tall, to his side and the young man was quick to respond. Jake knew what this was about, there was no denying the pressure that everyone was under for the coming week - both Afterglow and Dark Charmer would be running some of the biggest races of their lives and they needed to be on the ball to help them out.
Matthias explained the plan to Jake. Today, they'd breeze the colt for all he was worth. In a few days they would pit him against the filly, Stormi, and after that they would rest for the week to prepare for the race. They did not, after all, wish to tire the pair out before they even made it on to the track. It was a plan Jake understood, this was a hugely important race for the colt - a chance that only came along once in a horse's career - and it was important that they took the chance with both hands. It was their first full season with three year olds, and being recognised as housing talent would be great not only for the staff but for the horses as well.
The grooms worked quickly. The second they had seen Jake and Matthias talking they had been hovering around, waiting to find out the plan, and by the time the pair made it into the area of the yard where the colt was housed he was already tacked up, ready for his workout. He was a plain colt, he didn't really stand out and his racing gear pretty much consisted of bandages on his front legs, a bridle and a saddle. He was more than discreet, if they wanted to he could easily be lost in a field of horses. Which worked well for the thoughtful colt who loved to analyse and pick his targets.
With the colt already tacked up Matthias signalled to the handlers to bring him down toward the track and as they walked Matthias continued talking to Jacob, instructing him for the coming workout and making it much more complicated than it needed to be. Obviously, the pressure was getting to the trainer a llittle and Jake found himself wandering why he did not take on an apprentice. He didn't ask, though, and just listened; nodding and responding where was appropriate seeming almost second nature to him. He just wanted to get on Dark and do this workout already and was more than relieved when they finally made it down to the track and he had an excuse to leave.
He mounted swiftly and the gating process was quick. Dark was a calm colt, he had no qualms when it came down to the track and he didn't have fits like some horses. His energy and focus was all for the race, and he was more than prepared to give his all when it came down to it. As soon as the gate opened he was out and pushing forwards with confidence, his pace about average for where he liked to run in the pack. His head was level, his thoughts completely together. He knew what he was doing, he knew his game plan already. With no competition this was just a game for him, doing something he thoroughly enjoyed for the sheer enjoyment he found within it. His dark eyes gleamed as he pushed forwards and Jacob could feel the confidence of a colt who knew the track well beneath him. It was a reassuring and encouraging feeling. As they moved down the track, the mind of jockey and mount melded and they were one on the track. Their bond strong, undeniable.
The corner was no obstacle, it was taken with both ease and grace. They moved around it with power and precision. Soon enough he was in the straight and they were driving strongly. Fighting for the post, fighting for the glory. If he was running like this alone, god knew what he would be like against competition. All Jake knew was there was a positive vibe coming from the colt and that they were ready for anything.
The first leg of the triple crown was quickly approaching. It would be the begining of a journey, and it would not be an easy race. Not with some of the entries which had been announced so far, and there were two weeks until the big day for further competitors to be announced. As it stood, there were only four entries but it was a tough field and one that they could not expect to beat easily. Dark had been drawn for gate one of four, which meant he would be in a good position for the start. It also, of course, meant that they would be working out from that gate.
Matthias glanced down the list of the other competitors with a slight frown. They definitely had a hard race ahead. Gate two was especially worrying - Flashy Wings was a more than dangerous competitor who had ended his two year old season as a grade three and was currently a grade two racer, quickly closing in on being grade one. Surprisingly, Dark had been able to take him out in the Santa Anita Derby and that was the plan to happen again. In gate three was perhaps the outside bet - Erin Shore of Close Racing was a grade five with a low consistency level. He really was not a worry to Dark and the team. In gate four was the other major source of competition - Star Thoroughbred's Sunset Crusade was a grade three and had taken both the Florida Derby and the Louisiana Derby. He was a hugely fierce competitor and another one that was one to beat.
With the field set, it was time to prepare for the race and Matthias was going to get Jake to push like a monster. If they wanted Dark to succeed they needed him at the very top of his game and that meant working and working hard. The blonde trainer was ready, though, he had the game prepared in his mind and he was going to play every card to make this happen. Dark would not fail him, Dark would not fail the rest of the team. Even if they did not win Dark would be pushing every limit he had to take that race. As he walked out of the office he beckoned Jacob, the red-headed jockey who most said was too tall, to his side and the young man was quick to respond. Jake knew what this was about, there was no denying the pressure that everyone was under for the coming week - both Afterglow and Dark Charmer would be running some of the biggest races of their lives and they needed to be on the ball to help them out.
Matthias explained the plan to Jake. Today, they'd breeze the colt for all he was worth. In a few days they would pit him against the filly, Stormi, and after that they would rest for the week to prepare for the race. They did not, after all, wish to tire the pair out before they even made it on to the track. It was a plan Jake understood, this was a hugely important race for the colt - a chance that only came along once in a horse's career - and it was important that they took the chance with both hands. It was their first full season with three year olds, and being recognised as housing talent would be great not only for the staff but for the horses as well.
The grooms worked quickly. The second they had seen Jake and Matthias talking they had been hovering around, waiting to find out the plan, and by the time the pair made it into the area of the yard where the colt was housed he was already tacked up, ready for his workout. He was a plain colt, he didn't really stand out and his racing gear pretty much consisted of bandages on his front legs, a bridle and a saddle. He was more than discreet, if they wanted to he could easily be lost in a field of horses. Which worked well for the thoughtful colt who loved to analyse and pick his targets.
With the colt already tacked up Matthias signalled to the handlers to bring him down toward the track and as they walked Matthias continued talking to Jacob, instructing him for the coming workout and making it much more complicated than it needed to be. Obviously, the pressure was getting to the trainer a llittle and Jake found himself wandering why he did not take on an apprentice. He didn't ask, though, and just listened; nodding and responding where was appropriate seeming almost second nature to him. He just wanted to get on Dark and do this workout already and was more than relieved when they finally made it down to the track and he had an excuse to leave.
He mounted swiftly and the gating process was quick. Dark was a calm colt, he had no qualms when it came down to the track and he didn't have fits like some horses. His energy and focus was all for the race, and he was more than prepared to give his all when it came down to it. As soon as the gate opened he was out and pushing forwards with confidence, his pace about average for where he liked to run in the pack. His head was level, his thoughts completely together. He knew what he was doing, he knew his game plan already. With no competition this was just a game for him, doing something he thoroughly enjoyed for the sheer enjoyment he found within it. His dark eyes gleamed as he pushed forwards and Jacob could feel the confidence of a colt who knew the track well beneath him. It was a reassuring and encouraging feeling. As they moved down the track, the mind of jockey and mount melded and they were one on the track. Their bond strong, undeniable.
The corner was no obstacle, it was taken with both ease and grace. They moved around it with power and precision. Soon enough he was in the straight and they were driving strongly. Fighting for the post, fighting for the glory. If he was running like this alone, god knew what he would be like against competition. All Jake knew was there was a positive vibe coming from the colt and that they were ready for anything.