Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2012 13:13:26 GMT -5
The Triple Tiara and Triple Crown races were so close now that the tension in the air was tangible. Everyone was hopeful that their horse could do it, everyone was hopeful that they could pull up the goods. With the entries pretty much set it was time to get those last few workouts in in order to get the best out of the horses. Some would use this time to relax and allow the horse to save their energy for the race. Others would use this time to push incredibly hard in the hopes that it might pull their chances up a little. Silver Stride Stables were doing neither of those things. Yes; they intended to do a workout, but they would not be pushing their horses every single day until race day. Instead they would give the horses the push they needed and then allow them some rest.
Stormi and Dark had been rivals from the day that they had met. To begin with, the equines had not really noticed this fact. They had raced, marked each other as competition, but the rivalry itself had taken a while to set in. Still, as two year olds they had become fierce competitors and Stormi had even managed to prove herself the best filly in her age group in the Breeder's Cup against the likes of very similar competition to what she would face in the first of the Tiara races. For Dark, the competition would be a little tougher. What, with the likes of Sunset Crusade and Flashy Wings in the race it was bound to be. But Dark had a chance, if they worked he could do what most believed to be impossible.
Alana and Jacob were both riled up by the nearing races. Where Alana had grown more aggressive and difficult to live with, Jacob had become withdrawn and thoughtful. Almost exactly the same as their rides. Except Dark reacted more and more with passion these days as a youngster he had been one of thought and care. Now, the jockeys had strong bonds with their horses and they were focussed on success, on how to get the very best out of their rides. How to best improve their chances in the first of the big three races each faced in the Tiara and Crown, respectively. Except Dark would not be racing all three races, only two of them. Stormi was racing all three of hers, however.
Matthias, the trainer, had also been focussing a lot of time onto the two three year olds in order to formulate his plans, in order to mark up the competition in his mind so that he would be able to give each a quick round-up of the facts known about the competition. Now, things were settled in his head enough for him to have the discussion with the two jockeys and he had called them into the office. Dark-haired Alana leant in a corner, staring at her broken nails, while Jacob sat opposite his friend in a relatively comfortable chair. With both jockeys in attendance, Matthias leant forwards with his fingers interlinked.
"The first races are only a matter of days away now, and we need to be ready. Alana, Jacob, the success for our stable lies in your hands. Alana, we'll discuss the Acorn Stakes first." he paused to allow the female jockey to nod in response before continuing. "She's in gate three of six, which is a pretty good starting place for her. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. Do your best to avoid the others boxing her in during the race. Her main competition will be coming from Silverianna and Seraphim - both from Star Thoroughbreds. You need to be ready to deal with them. Silverianna beat you out in both the Alabama Stakes and Kentucky Oaks, but you were able to show your strength as a team with Stormi in the Ruffian Handicap. Now Stormi tends to run as a front runner or preceder. I advise a preceder position for the race - place her behind Silverianna and keep on that filly. Remember, Stormi is great at saving something for the straight so make the most of it. As for Seraphim, she's a front runner. Keep your eyes on her, but you have the stamina so make the most of it to beat her out in this race. We understood, Alana?" The brown jockey rolled her eyes, nodding, he didn't really feel she needed a lecture on how to race her own ride
"Now, Jake... Dark is in a heavy race here with both Sunset Crusade and Flashy Wings as competition. This is going to be hard work, and their is no denying it. No matter what you do, do not get carried away. Dark is starting in gate one, which is great. Dark likes the rail so keep him there, it's the shortest and quickest way around the track. Your main sources of competition run in front runner and stalker positions... Don't let them get too far ahead and make use of Dark's great speed in the stretch, and you will stand a good chance. Ok?" Jacob nodded, smiling slightly at his best friend before going to stand up.
"Guys," it was Matthias again, "Good luck with your final workouts, and the races." With that, the jockeys left the office and allowed Matthias to get on with his day's work. The jockeys already knew what was expected for the workout, they'd already planned it and even ordered the grooms to have the two thoroughbreds tacked up and ready to go when they came out of the meeting. With two handlers on each thoroughbred, the jockeys made their way down to the track, ready for a real battle.
Arriving at the track, both jockeys mounted adeptly and Alana lashed out at the nearest handler for getting in her way - the pressure she was under really beginning to show - before the handlers starting the gating process. Both equines took the process well. Neither knew a fear of the gates, or a desire to lash out at it. None of them shied or started a scene. Instead, they strode in with the utter calm and precision of athletes on their top form. Meeting each other's eyes over the side panels of the stalls the competition between them was on once more and this was going to be an interesting run. It was the old rivalry coming out once more and allowing for the two to get the most out of their workout before the race.
The gates opened and Stormi broke quickly, from gate three where as Dark, in gate one, broke more slowly. It was a typical start, with Stormi moving in toward the rail early on and building a lead during the straight. The power of the animals as hey made their way down the straight was obvious, their manes and tails moving behind them. It was a quick workout, both horses pushing hard, and as they came into the final four furlongs their was little space between them - Dark had been closing in the gap over the last few furlongs - and it was time for the real race to begin.
Alana pushed Stormi hard, and the filly responded well by displaying quite the burst of speed but Dark was close, and with his burst of speed and saved up stamina was able to push past the filly. However, as eyes locked, Stormi began to push even harder. It was not enough, Dark was on top form, and he soared past the post ahead of the filly by a neck.
WIP
Stormi and Dark had been rivals from the day that they had met. To begin with, the equines had not really noticed this fact. They had raced, marked each other as competition, but the rivalry itself had taken a while to set in. Still, as two year olds they had become fierce competitors and Stormi had even managed to prove herself the best filly in her age group in the Breeder's Cup against the likes of very similar competition to what she would face in the first of the Tiara races. For Dark, the competition would be a little tougher. What, with the likes of Sunset Crusade and Flashy Wings in the race it was bound to be. But Dark had a chance, if they worked he could do what most believed to be impossible.
Alana and Jacob were both riled up by the nearing races. Where Alana had grown more aggressive and difficult to live with, Jacob had become withdrawn and thoughtful. Almost exactly the same as their rides. Except Dark reacted more and more with passion these days as a youngster he had been one of thought and care. Now, the jockeys had strong bonds with their horses and they were focussed on success, on how to get the very best out of their rides. How to best improve their chances in the first of the big three races each faced in the Tiara and Crown, respectively. Except Dark would not be racing all three races, only two of them. Stormi was racing all three of hers, however.
Matthias, the trainer, had also been focussing a lot of time onto the two three year olds in order to formulate his plans, in order to mark up the competition in his mind so that he would be able to give each a quick round-up of the facts known about the competition. Now, things were settled in his head enough for him to have the discussion with the two jockeys and he had called them into the office. Dark-haired Alana leant in a corner, staring at her broken nails, while Jacob sat opposite his friend in a relatively comfortable chair. With both jockeys in attendance, Matthias leant forwards with his fingers interlinked.
"The first races are only a matter of days away now, and we need to be ready. Alana, Jacob, the success for our stable lies in your hands. Alana, we'll discuss the Acorn Stakes first." he paused to allow the female jockey to nod in response before continuing. "She's in gate three of six, which is a pretty good starting place for her. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. Do your best to avoid the others boxing her in during the race. Her main competition will be coming from Silverianna and Seraphim - both from Star Thoroughbreds. You need to be ready to deal with them. Silverianna beat you out in both the Alabama Stakes and Kentucky Oaks, but you were able to show your strength as a team with Stormi in the Ruffian Handicap. Now Stormi tends to run as a front runner or preceder. I advise a preceder position for the race - place her behind Silverianna and keep on that filly. Remember, Stormi is great at saving something for the straight so make the most of it. As for Seraphim, she's a front runner. Keep your eyes on her, but you have the stamina so make the most of it to beat her out in this race. We understood, Alana?" The brown jockey rolled her eyes, nodding, he didn't really feel she needed a lecture on how to race her own ride
"Now, Jake... Dark is in a heavy race here with both Sunset Crusade and Flashy Wings as competition. This is going to be hard work, and their is no denying it. No matter what you do, do not get carried away. Dark is starting in gate one, which is great. Dark likes the rail so keep him there, it's the shortest and quickest way around the track. Your main sources of competition run in front runner and stalker positions... Don't let them get too far ahead and make use of Dark's great speed in the stretch, and you will stand a good chance. Ok?" Jacob nodded, smiling slightly at his best friend before going to stand up.
"Guys," it was Matthias again, "Good luck with your final workouts, and the races." With that, the jockeys left the office and allowed Matthias to get on with his day's work. The jockeys already knew what was expected for the workout, they'd already planned it and even ordered the grooms to have the two thoroughbreds tacked up and ready to go when they came out of the meeting. With two handlers on each thoroughbred, the jockeys made their way down to the track, ready for a real battle.
Arriving at the track, both jockeys mounted adeptly and Alana lashed out at the nearest handler for getting in her way - the pressure she was under really beginning to show - before the handlers starting the gating process. Both equines took the process well. Neither knew a fear of the gates, or a desire to lash out at it. None of them shied or started a scene. Instead, they strode in with the utter calm and precision of athletes on their top form. Meeting each other's eyes over the side panels of the stalls the competition between them was on once more and this was going to be an interesting run. It was the old rivalry coming out once more and allowing for the two to get the most out of their workout before the race.
The gates opened and Stormi broke quickly, from gate three where as Dark, in gate one, broke more slowly. It was a typical start, with Stormi moving in toward the rail early on and building a lead during the straight. The power of the animals as hey made their way down the straight was obvious, their manes and tails moving behind them. It was a quick workout, both horses pushing hard, and as they came into the final four furlongs their was little space between them - Dark had been closing in the gap over the last few furlongs - and it was time for the real race to begin.
Alana pushed Stormi hard, and the filly responded well by displaying quite the burst of speed but Dark was close, and with his burst of speed and saved up stamina was able to push past the filly. However, as eyes locked, Stormi began to push even harder. It was not enough, Dark was on top form, and he soared past the post ahead of the filly by a neck.
WIP