Post by Snowflake on Apr 15, 2012 21:05:18 GMT -5
TRUE FIRE WORKS FOR COMET CUP
BORN TO SOAR AND VINDICTIVE FURY WORK FOR WHO'S MORE YOUTHFUL STAKES*
True Fire was young and inexperienced compared with his workout partners today, and with many of the entrants of his upcoming race. Nevertheless, Blaze was determined to win it. They hadn't had many opportunities to race yet this season, because no one had felt the colt was ready because of the same reasons today. Blaze felt he was mature enough now, mentally and physically, to take on horses at his own level and beat them. Today, well, they'd get a thrashing. Both Vindictive Fury and Born To Soar were incredible mares, and highly competitive grade one racehorses.
Okay, Sarah began, reining Born To Soar closer to True Fire, away from Vindictive Fury who had decided to play up. We're going to do six furlongs, from the gates. She looked directly at Blaze and continued. Blaze, I want you two to keep up. Don't let Fire slack off, and don't let him take off too soon either. Try and keep nose to nose with Born To Soar and I. Keep clear of Vindictive Fury as best you can. She paused, looking over at where Marissa was trotting her mare in tight circles. Vinny kicked her heels up every few seconds, tossing her head playfully. She was enjoying this.
Marissa, keep that beautiful beast of a mare in front, and stay on the rail. Let's get started. Sarah said, then clucked to Born To Soar, sending the stunning chestnut cantering ahead of them. Blaze urged his colt forward to, standing in the stirrups, rocking to Fire's quick canter. Marissa simply held on as Vindictive Fury burst forward to get in front of Born To Soar, then reined her in to a more appropriate pace.
The gates were exactly at the six furlong pole. Vindictive Fury had gate one, but she was loaded last. Born To Soar loaded first in gate two, and stood, quivering with excitement as True Fire balked and then loaded. Vinny finally jogged into the gate, and immediately they were off. As anticipated, Vindictive Fury quickly asserted herself as leader. She quickly put nearly three lengths between herself and Born To Soar, who took the rail position. True Fire was a little startled by the sudden quick pace, but quickly got his act together and settled at Born To Soar's side.
As they thundered toward the turn, their positions didn't change. Vinny reached the turn first, now a full three lengths ahead, and leaned in precariously without slowing down. Born To Soar did the same, shortening her stride and leaning a little less. Fire lost a bit of ground here, falling half a length behind Born To Soar. Blaze began to urge him on as the turn finished, determined not to be last.
Vinny powered on ahead, but Born To Soar wasn't done yet. The younger mare gained on the bay mare, eating into her lead. True Fire was struggling to keep up the pace, and tired quickly. As they flashed by the finish, Vindictive Fury was barely a half length ahead, and True Fire two lengths behind. The younger colt had tried valiantly, but wasn't yet at the same level as the mares.
He would be, soon.
