the challenge

[Snowflake]

EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR THE YOUTH CHALLENGE

Hey, handsome. Sarah greeted her colt affectionately. He nickered, pushing his nose into her hands for a moment, then almost immediately moved to sniff her pockets for treats. Nothing yet, Warrior. Maybe after we're finished working out. She told him, before gathering the reins in her left hand, and placing her other hand as high as she could reach on his back, behind the tiny saddle. Warrior's handler legged her up, then once she had her stirrups he winked at her and unclipped the colt's lead. Smiling at the old stablehand, Sarah clucked to Warrior and he moved off energetically.

Warrior had really proven himself recently. The colt had the most wins of all two year olds now, and he had beaten older horses, too. Now there was The Youth Challenge. It was for grade four and above two year olds, run over nine furlongs on dirt. If he won this race, he'd be grade three. Then Warrior would have six weeks off until the prestigious Breeder's Cup Juvenile. She sighed happily, rising quickly in time with the bay colt's trot. He was behaving well today, or at least he was so far - when he realized they weren't going to gallop today he'd make a bit of a fuss about it.

Eventually, after almost a lap of trotting, they moved onto canter. Sarah began to consider the competition for The Youth Challenge. It was only a four horse field, after Instant Success had been scratched earlier in the week. There was Forbidden To Fly and Eternal Phantom from Stride Of Perfection Stables, and Paradise Island from Silver Stride Stables. Honestly, Sarah didn't know who to pick as the biggest threat. They were all excellent racehorses, and in all truth, any one of them could take the win from Warrior. So, she had analysed their race positions

Forbidden To Fly liked the mid field position. Eternal Phantom could set the pace or close. Paradise Island could also run in front, but preferred to be behind the leaders. Euphoria's Warrior was a closer. Based on their preferred positions, Sarah guessed that Paradise Island would set the pace, then either Eternal Phantom or Forbidden To Fly would taken second position, followed by the other, and Warrior would bring up the rear. Or, Eternal Phantom could possibly run at the back of the pack, which wouldn't bother Warrior.

Realising they'd cantered what she'd intended for the workout and a little more, Sarah asked to colt to drop back to trot. The colt's ears flicked, then he made an abrupt pace change - but not in the way she'd wanted. Growling, she did what she needed to to stop him. The colt snorted in annoyance, but after nearly a furlong of galloping, he did as asked. Ah well, no harm done. The race was still two days away, and he'd be resting up in the pasture until then. Even if he was to race right this moment, Sarah was confident the colt was ready to bring everything he had to it. He was up to the challenge.