Post by alicekcrose on Jun 23, 2012 3:25:55 GMT -5
Alice and Isa prepare for the Breeders Cup Juvenile
Our fantastic win in the Pressure’s On Cup was probably one of the closest and most intensive calls in his entire racing career. We’d only just nosed out Knight Rousseau for the greatest win in his career, and it was definitely the one of our tightest victories yet - but for the third time, we managed to beat the older and more experienced stallion, as well as the most experienced horse of the field, Xalbadora. the other close victory we had had this year was with Paradise Island, when we nosed out the filly to win the Seaspray Cup Grade 5, also beating Fire Dancer in the process. We were just one win away from sustaining our position right up there with the other Grade 3’s… Beltane, Axis Mundae, and many others. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile would definitely be out toughest race this year – we were hoping to defeat out rivals, Lucky Silver, Euphoria’s Warrior and Eternal Phantom. Last week, we beat Lucky Silver in the Pressure’s On Cup – he finished a very impressive fourth, for being one of only three two-year-olds in the field.
Our competition seemed pretty easy so far - but there were three of them who were our arch rivals – Eternal Phantom, Euphoria’s Warrior, and Forbidden To Fly. Eternal Phantom was the twin sister to Midnight Thriller – a filly that was entered the Juvenile who had failed to impress on the tracks since making her debut. Eternal Phantom is a more consistent filly than her twin. She recently took the win over Isa in the Horseshoe Futurity, where Instant Success lost a shoe… what a coincidence. I felt confident about our upcoming run in the Juvenile – but despite the colts gallant effort this season, I wasn’t sure if we’d be able to take the win… it would be a very close call in this race, and even I knew it.
Isa, as a closer, would close in the final couple furlongs of the race. He’d stalk the mid packers and make his move, coming wide and running wildly down the centre of the track. You’d see this very small but speedy petit colt flying down the centre of the track, catching the attention of the rest of the people. You hear the commentator talking into his speaker. “And down the centre of the track is this speedy little devil, Instant Success! He’s six lengths behind, now five, now four… and he’s in the lead! In the final furlong it’s all Instant Success! Eternal Phantom can’t go on! And Instant Success wins the juvenile!” I can picture it right now… me and Isa in the Winners Circle at the Green Horse Fields track… winning the juvenile with a large oversized blanket of vibrant purple and bright yellow flowers over my knees and Isa’s distinct withers.
He’d had a great season so far, six good wins and I was confident that we could beat the filly – she had almost perfect consistency, she was well rested, and she was in great shape too… but saying that, so was Isa – except last week we had our final preparation race for the race of the year – the one race we’d all been waiting for. Today, it was time to show what we’d got on the workout track. We were going back down to the Green Horse Fields track today – to run nine furlongs over the dirt, from the gate. Isa hated the gate, he hated it with a passion. It would take at least five people to get him to load into the tiny confined space - saying that, they’d all leave with bruises and bite marks.
I left the changing room to see Jacey stood there, wearing her big fur coat that covered her bump. I looked at her slightly shocked. ”Where’s Matthias?” I asked her, with slight confusion. Jacey sighed. ”He’s sick today… so I’ve got to time you today, haha.” I smiled and nodded before securing my helmet and body protector. Lucy had tacked Isa up and lead the small colt to the entrance of the dirt track. I finished putting my gloves on and made my way over to the small colt. He’d grow over the winter. I knew he would. He’d come into himself around his three-year-old season, and mature rapidly.
I put one hand on my reins and gripped some mane, and my other hand on the back of the saddle. I looked at Lucy and nodded, and she chucked me on to the colt. I gathered my reins and walked him effortlessly out onto the dirt. He pricked his ears and looked around, taking everything in. His walk has a bouncy touch to it, and since we’d switched him to a grackle, he didn’t chomp his bit. I sat in my saddle deeply and squeezed. He began to trot and I rose with his smooth movements across the track. After trotting along the back stretch, I turned him in an enlarged circle at the nine furlong pole, where the gates were. I brought him back to a walk and stroked his neck, before letting him look through his blinkers at the gate. I squeezed him forward and he took a couple of reluctant steps, before he finally decided to walk in on his own. It was almost like he’d blanked everything out and walked straight in. I waited for the break…
The buzzer rang and Isa leapt out in slow motion, breaking slowly, like he always does. I pulled myself up and the colt sprung along the dirt. He was practically glued to the rail. On race day, he’d be far back with Euphoria’s Warrior, and possibly even Eternal Phantom – it would depend who would set the pace on the day. With each stride, I felt him beginning to quicken up, working his muscles well. I rested my hands near his withers and as we entered the far turn past the four furlong post, I began to knuckle down and drive the chestnut colt forward. He pricked his ears and responded, before sticking to the rail and changing his lead leg. I showed him my crop before tapping his rump. Flying into the home stretch, he switched his lead and I drove him forward, feeling the wind in my face. He came into the centre of the track with his ears cocked – and I smiled as I pushed him to the ultimatum, crop rising and falling on the rump of the chestnut colt. We came under the wire and I relaxed all my muscles. I took deep breaths and pulled him up. The colt pricked his ears and trotted back towards Jacey and Lucy. So, will we win the juvenile, Miss Leigh? I grinned, moving my head from side to side and clicking my fingers. Oh no they don’t. I said. Don’t worry, you’ll have it in the bag, Jacey said. I smiled and hugged Isa.
I dismounted off the colt and walked him back into the barn. He rubbed his nose on my shoulder and I smiled. Wait, I said, knowing what he was looking for. I took him to the hose pipe. Lucy took his saddle off and I turned the hose pipe on. The water flew out all over the colt, and he instantly relaxed. He rested his hind leg and looked at me with his ears cocked. I smiled and rinsed him down both sides, before placing a thermatex rug over him, which would dry him out completely within fourty five minutes. I lead him back to the stable and took his bridle off. He walked straight in and went for the water bucket. He took large gulps before walking back over to me and sniffing my pocket. I offered him a mint and he munched away at it, making it look all too easy. Jacey came over and looked at Isa. He looks fantastic, She said. Thanks, I said in return, watching as she waddled away. I giggled to myself, thinking how on earth she could carry that around with her until April.