Post by Snowflake on May 20, 2012 5:41:52 GMT -5
EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR RED STAKES
He'd lost, again. The Turn Up The Heat Stakes had gone to Instant Success, and This Means War had beaten them to second. Needless to say, the Warrior was seeing red.. and if he didn't win soon, the colt might lose confidence. He was next entered in the Red Stakes, in which Instant Success would not be running as the other colt had upgraded. He was two wins ahead of Warrior now.
I urged him to trot on the dirt track, and began to consider the competition in the Red Stakes. It was a field of 13, so far, but I thought it was likely there would be some scratches. People didn't like taking the chance their horse could come dead last in such a big field sometimes. The entrants were Crowned Clown, Erin Shore, Beyond Effervescence, Aztareal, Paradise Island, Gamble On Peace, Prince Arthur, Quintessential, Ford Model T, Eternal Phantom, Heartless Revenge and Firebird. Euphoria's Warrior was the lucky one (not) to draw the last gate. They'd have to work hard.
There were older horses in the field, but at least he wouldn't be the only two year old there. Paradise Island and Eternal Phantom were both two year old fillies. They would be ones to beat. There was a few other good horses in the field too, and a couple that hadn't raced in some time.
After a short while, the colt was warm and ready to run. I was rocked gently in time with his canter, steering him closer to the inside rail. The colt increased his speed automatically, his excitement mounting, then on my cue he launched himself forward, gaining speed quickly as we flashed by the three furlong pole. We rounded the turn quickly, and I was reminded of how he used to drift out on turns. He didn't do that anymore. As the final two furlongs straightened out before us, I felt him really stretch his legs and put out all he had. He was seeing red, and he was out for blood. The Red Stakes win would be his.