Post by Snowflake on Jun 1, 2012 2:53:55 GMT -5
AFTER DUSK WORKS FOR JUST A TROT FUTURITY WITH EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR AND SWEETNESS UNLIMITED
Easy, Dusty. Stella said soothingly, petting the two year old filly's neck. She was really full of herself this morning, and hadn't stopped moving since leaving her stall. They turned through circles and figure eights, waiting for Sarah and the new rider, Olivia, to show up with Warrior and Sweetness Unlimited. Finally, the pair showed up five minutes late. Olivia seemed relaxed, finally. The girl was eighteen, and had been pretty nervous her first few weeks on the job. The pretty blonde smiled at Stella, who smiled back encouragingly.
Sarah's eyes focused on Olivia's horse. Sweetness Unlimited, or Ness, had come to them a few months ago, and it had taken weeks of good feed, lunging and trail riding before the filly was fit and healthy enough to work out on the track. Even then, it took weeks to get her fit enough to run a full mile. She still wasn't quite able to keep up with the other horses, nearly four months later. They'd raced her once, but the filly just hadn't had the stamina yet to keep up. Hopefully by the beginning of the new year she'd be properly race ready. Ready to win.
To say she was fat at the time they acquired her was an understatement.. her previous owners went bankrupt, did everything they could to keep their farm without selling the horses.. finally, after months of struggling and months of racehorses growing their bellies with the rich green spring and summer grasses, they'd been forced to sell the horses and the farm. Streaks Of Passion arrived with Sweetness Unlimited, and had been in the same, overweight condition. He'd bounced back quicker than she had, however, and his first race back at resulted in third.
Sarah finally looked up, looking satisfied. So, as you both know, we're preparing After Dusk for her race this weekend. Just a three furlong blowout to work off the excess energy, without leaving her tired on race day. Stella, it's not a race, don't let her run too fast. Olivia, keep Ness right next to Dusty. Nose to nose, the whole way. Warrior and I will be on your other side. Got it? Both riders nodded, and they moved on into canter when Sarah directed.
Stella's attention turned to the race. After Dusk was due to run in the Just A Trot Futurity this weekend. It was the first leg of The Youth Challenge, and therefore it attracted some good horses. Forbidden To Fly, for example. He was grade four, like After Dusk, and his record stood at 11-4-2-2. Paradise Island was another. Her record was currently 14-4-3-5. Then there was Lynara's Kingdom and Dawn Of Silence. After Dusk herself was one of the favourites. She'd recently won the Eagle Cup, which brought her record to 10-4-2-3. She'd only ever placed out of the top three once, meaning she was the most consistent of the entrants.
On cue, the trio of thoroughbreds burst into gallop. After Dusk and Euphoria's Warrior got away quicker than Sweetness Unlimited. Stella glanced back as they rounded the turn to see Olivia urging the filly on. As the turn ended, Sweetness and Olivia were right where they should be - between Dusty and Warrior. Though hindered by their riders, the three bays picked up speed drastically in the final furlong. After Dusk and Euphoria's Warrior crossed the line at the same moment, and Sweetness Unlimited followed a moment later. She was certainly improving, but she wasn't there yet.
All three riders smiled, although Olivia was a little disappointed, knowing that the others had more speed on Ness, for now. Stella grinned a little, knowing that Dusty had a real chance at winning the Just A Trot Futurity, and then possibly the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint. Sarah also grinned, pleased with her colt's efforts. His next race was undecided, next weekend there were two he could go for. Either way, he was ready to win too. After Dusk was ready to leave the field in her dust.
