Post by flatcreek on May 31, 2012 10:01:51 GMT -5
French Empire ridden by Alex Smith for November Maiden Dirt.
Alex was excited. The colt was getting close to his first race, the November Maiden Dirt at nine furlongs. Alex had looked over the other horses that were entered so far. They were all from unknown bloodlines, so it would be interesting. Alex had decided that the horses to beat were Visual Attraction and Predator. Visual Attraction, like Superman, was unraced. Predator had run once, in the Stormy Night Maiden Dirt. He had finished second to Midnight Thriller. But Superman was ready. He would be fresh and ready to go.
Before John Stokes let Alex go, however, he had to tell Alex what they were doing with the colt. "Work him nine furlongs out of the gate." Alex grinned. "Alright." John looked at Alex. "Not too fast, though. We just need to have him break and run hard enough to stay in shape. Maybe I'll yell for you to let him out the last furlong or so." "Okay, John,"
Alex walked Superman across the dirt track to the gates. The colt was fractious around most people, but for some reason he wasn't around Alex. The colt loaded easily into the gate. Alex hadn't been sure he would, some days the colt threw a fit. "Good boy." Alex said as he stroked Superman.
The gates opened and Superman broke well. Alex gave the horse some rein, not enough for the colt to go full out, just enough to have him going at the right speed to keep him in shape. Alex loved this sensation-just him and his horse.
At the four furlong marker, Superman was still running easily and pulling for more rein. Alex refused him and kept going.
A furlong later, Alex glanced at John. "He looks good, Alex. Let him out a little more." Alex let out an inch on the reins. Superman stuck his head out and pinned his ears flat to his head. Alex loved the colt's stride. It wasn't the longest, but it felt like Alex was floating.
"Alex, let him go!" John yelled as Alex and Superman entered the final furlong. The colt dropped his body close to the ground and started to really run. He stretched out and pinned his ears back farther. Superman was enjoying his run, that was for sure.
All too soon, Alex had to pull the colt up. Superman didn't want to quit running. It took all of Alex's strength to pull him up. "How was it John?" Alex asked as he unsaddled the colt. John walked over to take the colt. "It was great, Alex. He is in great shape. That work was exactly what he needed."
>>Words: 439
>>Distance: 9 F
>>Surface: Dirt