Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2012 3:38:19 GMT -5
Damn it! How had they managed to lose that race? The Just A Trot Futurity could have been the start of something great for them, and yet it had slipped from their grasp. The plan to take the series had been crushed at the first post, when Sonja had allowed Forbidden To Fly, of Stride Of Perfection stables, to take the win. However, it had been close and the next race put Sonja into the middle of her preferred distance range. Tanya would not allow herself to fail again. She would make sure the filly was on top form and they would fight for the win. If they could manage it, they would have five wins and be in a strong position for the Breeder's Cup. Although, of course, the Youth Challenge lay between them and the end-of-year racing series in which Sonja was tipped to be a favorite.
The Gallop To The Gallows Stakes was their next goal, over eight furlongs on the dirt and had so far drawn a field on four. It would see the likes of Lynara's Kingdom, Forbidden To Fly and Gamble On Peace. Of the three other contestants, it was Clear that Fly was the one to beat although, as a sprinter, Fly would of course now be at the edges of her distance preferences which would hopefully provide an edge for Sonja, who would be more comfortable at this distance than she had been in the last.
Tanya had faith and determination. They would fight for this win, and by god if they failed to take it the world would know they had tried their best. But the filly was good, and she was only getting better with time. She hadn't yet hit her peak - she was two and like most would likely hit her peak at age three - but she was strong and determined. Sonja was the next big thing, she was the filly who would take the racing world by storm, and Tanya would not let that be taken away from them. Never. She would not be the failure her older sister always looked down on. Tanya was not weak, she was not a loser. She was a strong, capable jockey.
As she reached the track Tanya stared at the post. The very post that they would pass in first position come race day. She was determined to make this one count. She was longing for that taste of victory once more. This workout... It could mean everything. For all she knew, it would be the difference between winning and the bitter taste of yet another defeat. But where was Lucas with her ride? He was late, and she didn't like that. Not when every win counted.
Finally he arrived and Tanya ran toward them, greeting the bay filly warmly by wrapping her arms around her powerful neck. "It's this week girl. You gotta show them that you can do it." she whispered and walked around to the thoroughbred's side, before hitching herself into the saddle. Her hand played across the filly's nape as they were led to the gates and following a very easy gating process they were ready for the workouts. Waiting in the gates was a nerve-racking thing. Not because the filly was bad with the gates, but because Tanya was itching to get started.
She bit her lip, found her balance in the stirrups, nodded toward Lucas. Soon after, the gates were open and the workout was on. Determination seemed to flow through them, their break quick and clean as they came out onto the track with a firm, sure stride. Sonja seemed to be feeling headstrong. She was moving more quickly than usual, and Tanya was glad she had only set up a short three-furlong gallop. A distance designed to keep her in shape, to make sure she was warmed up for the race without tiring her out. After all, it had only been two weeks since the last race and she would still be in good shape after that.
The dirt moved quickly beneath them. The filly was throwing herself into it. Tanya allowed the filly to run, not at all worried due to the short distance and kind of excited to see the time they clocked. After all, if they could work on her speed she would become an even more deadly force on the track. Tanya urged the filly slightly, watched the ever looming post as they drew closer to it and only with one furlong remaining did she really drive, fighting the filly to the post. This working without the crop was working out, it was something she would continue to do. As they passed the post she couldn't help but silently celebrate. They were in great shape.
The Gallop To The Gallows Stakes was their next goal, over eight furlongs on the dirt and had so far drawn a field on four. It would see the likes of Lynara's Kingdom, Forbidden To Fly and Gamble On Peace. Of the three other contestants, it was Clear that Fly was the one to beat although, as a sprinter, Fly would of course now be at the edges of her distance preferences which would hopefully provide an edge for Sonja, who would be more comfortable at this distance than she had been in the last.
Tanya had faith and determination. They would fight for this win, and by god if they failed to take it the world would know they had tried their best. But the filly was good, and she was only getting better with time. She hadn't yet hit her peak - she was two and like most would likely hit her peak at age three - but she was strong and determined. Sonja was the next big thing, she was the filly who would take the racing world by storm, and Tanya would not let that be taken away from them. Never. She would not be the failure her older sister always looked down on. Tanya was not weak, she was not a loser. She was a strong, capable jockey.
As she reached the track Tanya stared at the post. The very post that they would pass in first position come race day. She was determined to make this one count. She was longing for that taste of victory once more. This workout... It could mean everything. For all she knew, it would be the difference between winning and the bitter taste of yet another defeat. But where was Lucas with her ride? He was late, and she didn't like that. Not when every win counted.
Finally he arrived and Tanya ran toward them, greeting the bay filly warmly by wrapping her arms around her powerful neck. "It's this week girl. You gotta show them that you can do it." she whispered and walked around to the thoroughbred's side, before hitching herself into the saddle. Her hand played across the filly's nape as they were led to the gates and following a very easy gating process they were ready for the workouts. Waiting in the gates was a nerve-racking thing. Not because the filly was bad with the gates, but because Tanya was itching to get started.
She bit her lip, found her balance in the stirrups, nodded toward Lucas. Soon after, the gates were open and the workout was on. Determination seemed to flow through them, their break quick and clean as they came out onto the track with a firm, sure stride. Sonja seemed to be feeling headstrong. She was moving more quickly than usual, and Tanya was glad she had only set up a short three-furlong gallop. A distance designed to keep her in shape, to make sure she was warmed up for the race without tiring her out. After all, it had only been two weeks since the last race and she would still be in good shape after that.
The dirt moved quickly beneath them. The filly was throwing herself into it. Tanya allowed the filly to run, not at all worried due to the short distance and kind of excited to see the time they clocked. After all, if they could work on her speed she would become an even more deadly force on the track. Tanya urged the filly slightly, watched the ever looming post as they drew closer to it and only with one furlong remaining did she really drive, fighting the filly to the post. This working without the crop was working out, it was something she would continue to do. As they passed the post she couldn't help but silently celebrate. They were in great shape.