Post by Snowflake on Mar 30, 2012 20:49:49 GMT -5
Sunset Crusade works for Kentucky Derby
The colt was gearing up for one of the biggest races of his career. The Kentucky Derby. It was the first, and shortest leg of the coveted Triple Crown. At ten furlongs, it was the furthest he could race, and therefore the only leg of the three that he would run in. Cruze had raced fantastically so far this season, and after his wins in 3 of the TC prep races, we were sure he would go in the favourite.
The young thoroughbred pranced eagerly toward the track, led by his equally spirited jockey, Marissa. Today was their last gallop before the race, so a quick four furlong breeze was on the cards. Marissa lead him over to the mounting block, waited for the right moment, then swung into the saddle. Cruze bounded forward at a bouncy trot, making a beeline for the dirt track. As they reached it, Marissa steered Cuze close to the outer rail, as other horses galloped past on the inside.
Feeling the power in his stride, even at slower paces, Marissa knew the colt was in peak form. He'd never looked or felt so good. Never been so strong or fast. His record spoke for itself - five wins, three seconds and a third place this year so far, or 21-8-7-5 in his year and a half of racing. Cruze trotted briskly with a spring in each step. His neck arched impressively, his ears and eyes alert to the goings on around him. Even his tail seemed to dance as it flowed behind him, long and loose, shiny black.
They transitioned to canter, and overtook a young filly who was fighting her rider hard. The sight instantly reminded Marissa of Rising Fury, and her daughters Vindictive Fury and Stalker's Fury. And, of course, her boys Furious Passion and Silent Fury. All of them were fighters. Then, Marissa was reminded of Sunset Crusade's sire, whom she had ridden in the Kentucky Derby four years ago. The two were only slightly different, in that Akuma Battlecry had been more of a silent, deadly type (similar to Silent Fury, in that), while Cruze was happy to make a scene, squealing out challenges before his races.
That thought brought Marissa back to the present. The Kentucky Derby was a matter of days away. She began to consider the competition in her mind. Dark Charmer, from Silver Stride Stables, had drawn gate one. Then colt was certainly one to look out for. He'd most recently won the Santa Anita Derby, in which Sunset Crusade had not run, but he had won against Cruze in the Cocoa Cup back in January. Dark Charmer's record was nice, with six wins, four seconds and nine third places in twenty six starts.
Flashy Wings, from Stride Of Perfection Stables, would start from gate two. He was certainly a flashy horse, sired by our own News Flash. The colt was grade two, with a record of 21-11-4-5. Very impressive. But he'd only won two races this year, compared with Cruze's five wins. Cruze had beaten him their last time out, and in the Wood Memorial, but Flashy Wings had beaten him in the Blue Grass Stakes. There was no doubt this colt was one to keep an eye on.
There were only four entrants in this year's Kentucky Derby. Erin Shore, from Close Racing, was entered in gate three. She was the only filly in the field, and it was unclear why exactly she had been entered. Her record was 14-1-0-3, and she'd only recently broken her maiden. In any case, she was up against three very talented males, and even if she was a superstar, she'd have a hard time here. Realistically, it was anybody's race, but Marissa didn't think the filly would bring much.
Finally, Marissa cleared her mind and sent Cruze into gallop. He'd been so well behaved throughout their warm up, only trying to run off with her twice. He burst forward, a sudden explosion of power and speed. The wind whipped the thoroughbred colt's mane and tail as he accelerated quickly, headed along the backstretch for the turn into the straight. As the turn commenced, Marissa leaned slightly with the colt towards the inner rail. They remained a horse width from it.
As the turn leveled into the straight, Cruze accelerated again and Marissa urged him on only slightly. He wasn't running his hardest, but today he didn't need to. They'd save that for the big race. Other horses and riders were a blur in Marissa's peripheral vision. She only had eyes for what lay ahead. The finish line. She imagined the winner's circle and grinned. She didn't doubt she would soon be back there, on this very colt, surrounded by fans and photographers, with a wreath of roses on her horse's neck.
Marissa stood and leaned back slightly in the stirrups, bringing Sunset Crusade's speed down a few notches as they passed the finish of their four furlong breeze. Eventually, he dropped back to canter, then trot. They continued the remaining few furlongs at a trot, then left the dirt. See you on Derby day... Marissa thought, grinning at onlookers.
