Post by Snowflake on May 6, 2012 20:58:12 GMT -5
SILVERIANNA AND SUNSET CRUSADE WORK FOR THE HANDSOME MILE* WITH EUPHORION
Marissa smiled to herself as she mounted up on one of her favourite colts. Sunset Crusade was her three year old superstar, winner of the Kentucky Derby and a load of other races. He was well rested since running his most recent race in June, and was now very much ready for a new challenge - The Handsome Mile, eight furlongs on dirt for G3+ three year olds.
Rising with Silverianna's bouncy trot, Stella felt similarly about her filly as Marissa about her colt. She and Ianna had achieved alot this year - they'd won two legs of the Triple Tiara and had recently won for the sixth time this season, bringing Silverianna's career record to 23-8-8-5.
Euphorion wouldn't be running in the Handsome Mile as it was too short for him, but the fellow three year old was joining his stablemates this morning for a good workout. He hadn't done as impressively this season as Ianna or Cruze, but he hadn't done too badly either. Sarah hoped this half of the year would bring her colt more luck.
Today, the trio were going to have a bit of a race. Just six furlongs, shorter than any of them raced. But it was just to burn excess energy and get them on their toes for race day this weekend. The gates were a little way ahead of them, where they would start their gallop today. Right now, they trotted in circles and figure eights, just loosening up their muscles before they moved into canter for the few furlongs remaining up the the gates.
Euphorion was first to load. As his racing style involved running behind the leaders, today he had the job of breaking fast and getting into position behind Sunset Crusade. Silverianna loaded second. She decided it would be fun to make a bit of fuss, so she acted like she was going to load easily, then darted sideways at the last moment. Ianna! Stella growled, steering her in a tight circle and then firmly driving the filly into the gate with her heels and voice, with the assistance of track staff.
Sunset Crusade was last to load, and did so quite professionally. He snorted a challenge to his stablemates, and then they were off. The gates banged open, and each horse burst out at the same instant. Cruze shot forward, straight into the lead. After a few moments, Marissa glanced back, then steered him over to the inside rail. Euphorion and Silverianna galloped strongly, neck and neck, and settled behind the bay colt.
Throughout the next three or four furlongs, their positions didn't change. As they turned the corner, Euphorion dropped off the pace slightly, moved around Silverianna and then poured on the speed. With the home stretch ahead of them, each horse accelerated strongly. Euphorion and Silverianna remained neck and neck, gaining rapidly on Sunset Crusade's lead. But then the bay thoroughbred pulled away from them, with another strong burst of speed.
The grey filly and chestnut colt tried valiantly, but couldn't quite catch Cruze, who held onto his half length lead. They passed by the finish, nose to nose. As they slowed up, and turned back to the gap in the rail, Marissa grinned triumphantly. Nothing and no one could stop her colt. They were ready for The Handsome Mile.
