Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2012 8:29:21 GMT -5
It was so close now that Jacob could almost hear the roar of the crowd. The second leg of the triple crown, which would this year go unclaimed following Sunset Crusade's victory in the Derby. Which meant the atmosphere would not be as thick as with the Mother Goose Stakes, running the same day. After all, Stormi would be continuing to race in the tiara whereas Sunset Crusade had only been entered for the one leg of the crown. Meaning that the tiara was still in contention while the crown was not. However, that did not mean that the competition would be any less. In fact, it was almost a sure fact that everyone would have brought their games up a gear in order to try and claim their portion of the crown. Silver Stride Stables were no different, and Jacob would be working hard with Dark to try and be noticed.
Flashy Wings was, of course, the biggest threat. He was a powerful horse, and talented. But that did not mean by any stretch of the imagination that he was unbeatable. Sunset Crusade had done it in the Preakness, Dark himself had done it this year as well. But he was definitely not a horse to brush off lightly. Furthermore, Star Thoroughbreds had entered Euphorion - the colt of the Hall Of Famer, Euphoria. Now grade three, Euphorion was another major threat. Again, however, he was not unbeatable. In fact, Dark had beat the colt on many occasions.
As Jacob walked down toward the track their was a slight frown on his face, his brow furrowed with concentration. He needed to win this, not only as thanks to Matthias who had allowed him the ride but also because Dark needed the win, because they would soon be falling behind. A thought which was not acceptable or welcome. Dark was a strong horse, and he was going to prove their skills one way or another.
Reaching the track he impatiently shoved a handler out of the way and swung up onto the bay's back, looking down the dirt stretch before them. This was where Dark came into his own, and already the bay colt had his ears perked. He knew what was coming, but he was patient and he was waiting, just waiting for that single sign. As soon as it was given they would be moving up the dirt at a high speed. After all, this wasn't a race. They weren't even starting in the gates. It was, pure and simply, and run. Designed to stretch the colt's muscles and maintain his condition for race day.
Once Jacob was comfortable in the saddle he nudged the colt forwards and he responded as expected, pushing into a walk. A few more nudges and they were galloping, the dirt being churned underhoof as they moved forwards. Jacob nudged again and the colt was at a good speed, moving forwards in a full gallop, though not at their full speed. After all, this was not about speed. Dark was no front runner. He was a thinker, he liked to come from toward the back of the group and when he did make his move it was an assault of power and stamina.
But Jake knew Dark had all that, Dark knew exactly how to utilise it. They did not need to practice before every race. As they moved down the dirt Jacob pushed the colt to move faster and faster. It was a pleasurable work, and Jacob felt that Dark was ready. Finally he cracked the crop and they soared for two furlongs before Jacob started to warm the colt down. This race would go however it did, but he hoped that the workout would at least give them an edge.
Flashy Wings was, of course, the biggest threat. He was a powerful horse, and talented. But that did not mean by any stretch of the imagination that he was unbeatable. Sunset Crusade had done it in the Preakness, Dark himself had done it this year as well. But he was definitely not a horse to brush off lightly. Furthermore, Star Thoroughbreds had entered Euphorion - the colt of the Hall Of Famer, Euphoria. Now grade three, Euphorion was another major threat. Again, however, he was not unbeatable. In fact, Dark had beat the colt on many occasions.
As Jacob walked down toward the track their was a slight frown on his face, his brow furrowed with concentration. He needed to win this, not only as thanks to Matthias who had allowed him the ride but also because Dark needed the win, because they would soon be falling behind. A thought which was not acceptable or welcome. Dark was a strong horse, and he was going to prove their skills one way or another.
Reaching the track he impatiently shoved a handler out of the way and swung up onto the bay's back, looking down the dirt stretch before them. This was where Dark came into his own, and already the bay colt had his ears perked. He knew what was coming, but he was patient and he was waiting, just waiting for that single sign. As soon as it was given they would be moving up the dirt at a high speed. After all, this wasn't a race. They weren't even starting in the gates. It was, pure and simply, and run. Designed to stretch the colt's muscles and maintain his condition for race day.
Once Jacob was comfortable in the saddle he nudged the colt forwards and he responded as expected, pushing into a walk. A few more nudges and they were galloping, the dirt being churned underhoof as they moved forwards. Jacob nudged again and the colt was at a good speed, moving forwards in a full gallop, though not at their full speed. After all, this was not about speed. Dark was no front runner. He was a thinker, he liked to come from toward the back of the group and when he did make his move it was an assault of power and stamina.
But Jake knew Dark had all that, Dark knew exactly how to utilise it. They did not need to practice before every race. As they moved down the dirt Jacob pushed the colt to move faster and faster. It was a pleasurable work, and Jacob felt that Dark was ready. Finally he cracked the crop and they soared for two furlongs before Jacob started to warm the colt down. This race would go however it did, but he hoped that the workout would at least give them an edge.