Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2012 7:29:36 GMT -5
Following a win in the Letsgetouttahere Stakes, Sonja had a total of six career wins – pretty impressive for a two year old; especially when you considered that she was from no known racing lines. She had been sourced from a private farm, her parents had never been raced and she was amongst the top two year olds on the track. Within a single year she had gone from nothing to a press superstar and the time to prove her worthy of the reputation she had built was upon them; The Breeder’s Cup. There had, for a while, been questions as to where Sonja would be sent for the series and finally a decision had been reached. The filly would be heading for the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies – that was the race that had been selected for her, allowing her to race against a field which could reflect the fields for the Triple Tiara the following year.
For such a young horse, Sonja was in great shape. She still had room to grow however, and as she matured it was clear that she would be a superstar. With one more win, she would rise to the rank of grade three – something very few horses achieved as a two year old. In fact, this year, three horses were on the verge of achieving the grade. The other two horses, Instant Success and Euphoria’s Warrior, would be going off against one another in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile along with Eternal Phantom and Forbidden To Fly. Those horses were likely to all run in the Triple Crown the next year, which left Sonja as the strongest contestant for the Juvenile Fillies and Triple Tiara.
The field for the race was currently not one for much concern. Midnight Thriller, twin to Eternal Phantom, had failed to wow the crowds since making her debut for Akita Rose Stables. Her sister had been a powerful contender this year, but Midtee herself had only one win so far and a low level of experience which would count against her in a competition like the Breeder’s Cup.
The other entrant which had been announced was the Stride Of Perfection Stables owned Fiery Touch. Fie was a good horse, but she also lacked in experience which could count against her. Sonja had beaten both fillies before, and it was likely that they could do so again especially since Star Thoroughbreds had announced that they would have no entrants themselves. It was news that was more than welcome and the team which worked with Sonja were entering her Breeder’s Cup preparation feeling confident. Tanya Stratt, her jockey, was particularly excited about their chances in the race and the possibility of an award at the end of the year. It would be a spectacular moment if it came to pass and the excitement which surrounded it was clear.
Out on the track, an early morning sun was rising. The sky stained red, a warning that the weather was likely to turn bad later in the day. As the group moved toward the track, Matthias was discussing with Tanya some tactics for the race. Midtee was a stalker, and Fie was a closer so the best position for Sonja to take in the race was as a front runner, which would give her the best chances against horses which preferred such styles. Sonja was perfectly capable of running as both a front runner and a preceder, so this would not cause her any problems in the race. As long as her and Tanya stayed focussed, it was going to be a good race for them and the rewards would be great if they could pull off a victory in the Breeder’s Cup.
The filly walked well beside Lucas, her head held high and auds perked. Despite they were moving at the pace of a walk, she was prancing a little – her step bouncy and she was clearly full of energy. Her tack had been cleaned freshly for the series, and it was shining in the light as she moved. She tossed her head, and soon they arrived at the track. Tanya moved up beside the filly and stroked her neck softly. ”This is the race, girl. It’s time to get you ready to show yourself as a true superstar.” Tanya told her in a soft tone
Lucas came over and helped Tanya to mount the bay filly, giving her a leg up into the saddle. She adjusted the stirrups and stood within them, checking her balance. Once she was sure that she was ready she lowered back into the saddle again and Lucas led them to the starting gates. For a moment, it appeared that the filly was going to play up about gating but with a little encouragement she entered the gate and stood calm while the shutters closed behind her. Tanya patted the filly’s neck, rising in the stirrups again and then it was a waiting game.
The buzzer sounded, the gates opened and the filly broke quickly out onto the dirt track. She moved smoothly, confidently forwards. The form of the filly was clear, she was pushing forwards as strongly as ever. This was the form she had displayed in some of her biggest wins this year including when she had taken the win in The Youth Challenge several weeks previously against some of the best two year olds on the track. She had taken the win against her rivals, all of whom had several generations of breeding on their side. She had proven herself to be the best of the best in her age group on the dirt. She had beaten most of the two year old dirt horses and she was always itching for a new challenge. Each movement she made was purposeful, and her jockey was there with her every stride of the way. When they ran together, they melded into one. A perfect team, there was a reason that Sonja was the number one horse in her age group – her sheer talent and desire to win was strong, and she had the best team around working with her day in and day out to maintain her place as the best. She would not lose this race. She would not let a full year of successful racing down at the last. Tanya knew this filly, and she knew that she would give an amazing show come race day. This workout would ensure that she was ready to take the victory they had spent a year working towards.
Tanya pulled the filly toward the rail and balanced in her stirrups, feeling each stride the filly made through the movement in the powerful muscles. The filly continued to move quickly forwards, the wind pulling through her mane and tail as they drew closer to the post. Three furlongs passed and they were half way through their six furlong work. Tanya brought the crop down on the filly’s rump, the sound cracked and the filly darted forwards more quickly. Tanya drove the filly hard, biting her lip as they fought for the post. The landscape flew past and soon they were soaring past the post. They were ready, and Sonja was in the best possible form for the prestigious race. The title was theirs.
For such a young horse, Sonja was in great shape. She still had room to grow however, and as she matured it was clear that she would be a superstar. With one more win, she would rise to the rank of grade three – something very few horses achieved as a two year old. In fact, this year, three horses were on the verge of achieving the grade. The other two horses, Instant Success and Euphoria’s Warrior, would be going off against one another in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile along with Eternal Phantom and Forbidden To Fly. Those horses were likely to all run in the Triple Crown the next year, which left Sonja as the strongest contestant for the Juvenile Fillies and Triple Tiara.
The field for the race was currently not one for much concern. Midnight Thriller, twin to Eternal Phantom, had failed to wow the crowds since making her debut for Akita Rose Stables. Her sister had been a powerful contender this year, but Midtee herself had only one win so far and a low level of experience which would count against her in a competition like the Breeder’s Cup.
The other entrant which had been announced was the Stride Of Perfection Stables owned Fiery Touch. Fie was a good horse, but she also lacked in experience which could count against her. Sonja had beaten both fillies before, and it was likely that they could do so again especially since Star Thoroughbreds had announced that they would have no entrants themselves. It was news that was more than welcome and the team which worked with Sonja were entering her Breeder’s Cup preparation feeling confident. Tanya Stratt, her jockey, was particularly excited about their chances in the race and the possibility of an award at the end of the year. It would be a spectacular moment if it came to pass and the excitement which surrounded it was clear.
Out on the track, an early morning sun was rising. The sky stained red, a warning that the weather was likely to turn bad later in the day. As the group moved toward the track, Matthias was discussing with Tanya some tactics for the race. Midtee was a stalker, and Fie was a closer so the best position for Sonja to take in the race was as a front runner, which would give her the best chances against horses which preferred such styles. Sonja was perfectly capable of running as both a front runner and a preceder, so this would not cause her any problems in the race. As long as her and Tanya stayed focussed, it was going to be a good race for them and the rewards would be great if they could pull off a victory in the Breeder’s Cup.
The filly walked well beside Lucas, her head held high and auds perked. Despite they were moving at the pace of a walk, she was prancing a little – her step bouncy and she was clearly full of energy. Her tack had been cleaned freshly for the series, and it was shining in the light as she moved. She tossed her head, and soon they arrived at the track. Tanya moved up beside the filly and stroked her neck softly. ”This is the race, girl. It’s time to get you ready to show yourself as a true superstar.” Tanya told her in a soft tone
Lucas came over and helped Tanya to mount the bay filly, giving her a leg up into the saddle. She adjusted the stirrups and stood within them, checking her balance. Once she was sure that she was ready she lowered back into the saddle again and Lucas led them to the starting gates. For a moment, it appeared that the filly was going to play up about gating but with a little encouragement she entered the gate and stood calm while the shutters closed behind her. Tanya patted the filly’s neck, rising in the stirrups again and then it was a waiting game.
The buzzer sounded, the gates opened and the filly broke quickly out onto the dirt track. She moved smoothly, confidently forwards. The form of the filly was clear, she was pushing forwards as strongly as ever. This was the form she had displayed in some of her biggest wins this year including when she had taken the win in The Youth Challenge several weeks previously against some of the best two year olds on the track. She had taken the win against her rivals, all of whom had several generations of breeding on their side. She had proven herself to be the best of the best in her age group on the dirt. She had beaten most of the two year old dirt horses and she was always itching for a new challenge. Each movement she made was purposeful, and her jockey was there with her every stride of the way. When they ran together, they melded into one. A perfect team, there was a reason that Sonja was the number one horse in her age group – her sheer talent and desire to win was strong, and she had the best team around working with her day in and day out to maintain her place as the best. She would not lose this race. She would not let a full year of successful racing down at the last. Tanya knew this filly, and she knew that she would give an amazing show come race day. This workout would ensure that she was ready to take the victory they had spent a year working towards.
Tanya pulled the filly toward the rail and balanced in her stirrups, feeling each stride the filly made through the movement in the powerful muscles. The filly continued to move quickly forwards, the wind pulling through her mane and tail as they drew closer to the post. Three furlongs passed and they were half way through their six furlong work. Tanya brought the crop down on the filly’s rump, the sound cracked and the filly darted forwards more quickly. Tanya drove the filly hard, biting her lip as they fought for the post. The landscape flew past and soon they were soaring past the post. They were ready, and Sonja was in the best possible form for the prestigious race. The title was theirs.