Post by Snowflake on May 10, 2012 5:16:30 GMT -5
EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR TURN UP THE HEAT STAKES
It was two days out from the Turn Up The Heat Stakes. Today, another four furlong gallop, but this time he was alone, racing only the clock. Warrior moved purposefully, his neck arched with pride. He was very ready to show the world what he had. Sarah rose to his trot, butterflies in her stomach. She wasn't sure why she felt a little nervous.
The usual warmup exercises at trot, then a canter lap, like always. Sarah considered the race over and over. It was nine furlongs on dirt, for two year old colts only. Instant Success of Kacey Hill Racing had drawn gate one. He'd been performing well lately, most recently winning the Seaspray Cup G5 Dirt. Forbidden To Fly from Stride Of Perfection Stables was in gate two. He was by Flying Colours, a G2 sprinter stallion owned by Star Thoroughbreds. His record was impressive so far, at 8-3-2-2.
Euphoria's Warrior himself had a pretty impressive record. It could be better - Sarah wished he had three or four wins by now. But at 7-2-2-2, he was doing pretty well just the same. He'd last won in the High Strung Derby, back in the beginning of May, so he was well overdue for a win by now. As for Warrior's bloodlines, they were pretty great. On his sire's side, he was related to Sunset Crusade, who had won this years Kentucky Derby. His sire had won the Wood Memorial Stakes, and his grandsire was a Triple Crown Champion. His dam was Euphoria. It was needless to say, but being the son of a Hall Of Fame Inductee, who was also the product of two Hall Of Fame Inductees was pretty special.
In what seemed like no time, the four furlong pole had arrived and with an explosion of power and speed, Warrior was off galloping the moment Sarah cued him to do so. The bay colt stretched his legs fully, covering alot of ground. His back legs propelled him forward, and the millisecond when all four hooves were in the air felt magical. Riding a racehorse top speed was really like flying, at times.
They finished the turn, and Warrior switched leads and put on another burst of speed. Sarah continued to drive him, until the colt found one final gear and lunged past the finish line. Sarah grinned, butterflies evaporated. Now that had been fast. She stood in the stirrups, and slowed Warrior back to a slow gallop, then canter, then trot. Turning him back to the gap in the rail, the look on James' face confirmed it. Nudging Warrior's sides, they cantered over to her husband.
46.3 He said, grinning. Sarah's mouth nearly dropped open. That was fast. Swinging down from the two year old's back, she felt renewed confidence of his chances this weekend. He so badly wanted to win, and he had the speed and the stamina to do it. They were ready for the Turn Up The Heat Stakes.
