Post by alicekcrose on Jul 12, 2012 5:34:27 GMT -5
Sierra Nevada and Alice Kacey work for the Back In Black Maiden
Sierra Nevada’s first start would be a start to remember – she was our pride and joy. Lucy had been selected to ride the filly. Lucy’s sweet nature yet confident personality had won Alice over to picking her rather than Ivana, but today, I would be working her. Veda’s first race would be the Back In Black Maiden, over 9 furlongs in the dirt. The current entrants had all started before, and here’s hoping that she would blow them all away with her first start and a first win. Her workout would be a good strong workout. We were going to sprint three furlongs on the dirt track today. The entrants for the race were as follows. In Gate One, there was Dreamvalley Stables entrant, Loud And Clear. The filly was a half to Lucy, and she was a likely contender to take the victory in this race. Out of The True Fallen For, she had some stunning lines… Belle is a total sweet heart and is willing to do everything she is asked to do. All that she needs is a light touch of the rein which would guide her. She doesn't need the whip to encourage her to break, all she needs is the voice of her rider and she would respond quickly. Her dam was sweet natured and this where her docile, placid and calm temperament is the way it is now. Belle loves to look after foals and would play with them, making her a great broodmare in the future. Belle loads and breaks from the gate cleanly and swifty. She immediately goes into second of third position, keeping herself spaced from the mid pack. She'll would stalk the leader and making the leader push harder and go faster. When the leader starts to trail behind and lose it's stamina, she would then make her move and take the lead. Belle would keep this position until the race is over.
In Gate Two, there was another Dreamvalley entrant, this time, a colt by the name of Poesian Wings. He’d started twice, finishing in the money both times. He is from unknown bloodlines, but what a beauty he is. Poesian is sweet young colt, despite being a youngster he is well mannered and wouldn’t bite or kick. He can be a little green around large coward of horses and jumpy around noise, but when experience on the track comes, these would vanish. While training Poesian likes to show off a little, allowing a sneaky rear if allowed to come, with firm hold of the reins and he settles down right away and carry on with his business. Poesian loves to run, and shows this ambition when he is out of the paddock, and often encourage the other yearlings to join in his games of tag and other playful games, one thing for sure this young colt never runs out of energy, and would gallop around the pasture until the sun set down across the mountain. Poesian is strange young colt, he have already shown his enjoyment in running from the paddock. He has the tendencies to kick some dirt away while in the gate with his left foreleg, showing he means business and wouldn’t back away. Once the gates open, he breaks fast and keeps himself settled along the middle of the pack, and on the outside to avoid being boxed in, he doesn’t care with the stuff being thrown into his face, showing his bravery and bold heart to continue on. When the final stretch comes, he makes his move along the outside to challenge for the lead, not given up until he pass the finish line.
In Gate Three, there was Van Guard, a Triple Krown Racing colt originally from Ripley’s old racing farm. The colt was the only other unstarted contender on the field. He stood tall, at seventeen hands and one inch. Being the biggest in this race, it was suspected that all money would be on him. He had some good lines, Native Flame and Thanks For The Memories. It appears all of his mother's fiery temper has been passed into this brilliant colt. He's huge, the biggest of the bunch of hisyear, with a massive body and huge hindquarters. He's definitely like his father in that moment. Nothing about Van is light or calm. He's constantly moving, looks just like his father did as a two year old, which is quite scary because Van is younger than his father was at that time, and has similar movements. Van Guard seems a bit lighter on his feet, not so heavy in his play as his sire was. He's definitely a thug at times, but surprisingly he gets along very well with the other yearlings. Despite his grandious size, Van Guard is not the boss of his little herd. He has no desire to lead them in a break out run, but he definitely waits for his chance to strike. Even in play this youth is like a shadow, always stalking for the right moment to break away. Van does not mind human control, but it's not like he's directly in love with it either. He tolerates humans, but surprisingly is a big softy when being groomed. He likes to lean on people, a habit that TKR intends to break because it could get them in trouble on the track. However, he acts like a normal horse is supposed to. The only difference is that he's got talent for a million normal horses. Just like when he plays with the other colts when he was little, Vans will break fast but drop right back behind the leaders. He doesn't like attention drawn to him and will stalk the lead like a giant shadow. Don't underestimate his speed or legs. When this colt wants to get up and go, he will dig in and fly away from the pack with great strides. He does better with more competition.
In Gate Four, there was Akita Rose Stables entrant, Dirty Diana. She placed a disappointing sixth in the Dirty Duck Stakes, and she was hoping to redeem herself in her start in this race. She has some nice lines, being All For Glory x Lusitania. Lusitania was twin sister to Hall Of Famer, Euphoria. Both are daughters of True Enough and Bank On Glory, making this filly very recognizable when out and about. Diana is a fun horse to be around. She is affectionate, yet stubborn. She can be determined, yet calm. She is a bit of a show off, yet loves to run in the mud. She doesn't mind getting dirty and getting into a race. She comes from behind after all... She also is a bit of a trickster but will only do things when she knows she will get caught. It is almost as though she likes to get scolded. Diana is a determined racehorse. She loves to run in the dirt. Real dirt. She is one of those horses that cannot be fooled by any of that fake dirt stuff. Oh no... She needs the real stuff. She likes to show off to the other horses and make them look at her. Then when she passes them on the backstretch they will remember her. That way she knows she has them beat and that they should be taking her seriously from now on.
In Gate Five, there was Close Racing entrant, Barely Legal. She has started twice, finishing seventh and tenth so far. This week would be her third week in a row racing, so she was bound to be a little bit tired. The filly is Barely A Moment x Testimonial Circumstances so she has nice lines. Lily is insanely tall and lean for a thoroughbred. She is considered a giant, but acts nothing like one. She is so sweet and is such a gentle filly. So far, her easy going personality has been fantastic whilst training her, making her easy to work with, and she has been quick to take to the saddle, rider and starting gates. All that is left to figure out is if she has the fight to be a great racer. Lily was an easy horse to break into the saddle and a rider, as well as taking rather nicely to the starting gates. The trainers at Close Racing are taking her training nice and easy, however, not wanting to do any long lasting damage to her still developing body. Being a strong closer, she will stay at the back with Dirty Diana, so our plan was to take the lead. Veda is very executive. She is very forceful and a decisive individual. It’s almost like she can develop decisions from her gut feeling, ready for unprepared situations. She also spends a lot of time in her own thoughts – but her lack of focus can make her be easily side tracked. She is rather bipolar in this case, she can go from being dandy, to being quite a spiteful filly just like that. She came from an auction room over in England. Veda has a weird habit of sticking her tongue out when she is being ridden. She is also very ticklish for that fact – which can be a pain when it comes to saddling her as she will quiver and flinch. On the track, Veda is completely different. She goes from being a very forceful horse to being quite a lively horse, always causing a stir before walking on to the track. She will kick, she will buck, she will do anything to become the centre of attention on the racecourse. She is a very forward going young horse.
Being a youngster, she’s got some major speed to go kick so butt. Veda breaks so fast that I have to be ready for it or I'll fly off the back. She likes to run anywhere in the field, even with her great start. Veda has her days as she is the kind of filly. She will race at the front on a day where no others want to challenge for the lead and other days she will race flexibly. She will come wide if anyone tries to block her in. If Veda is challenged for the lead when she is in front, she will match the horse stride for stride until they begin to tire. She is a very challenging horse and very willing to put up a fight to anyone who wants to overtake her when she's in the lead of the race. She can race anywhere in the field and doesn't get tired at all, until she's all out near the wire, sprint for home and hoping that time she'll be in the lead and she'll be all on her own. She has the dominant vibe of a front runner, but can race anywhere in the field. Her speed means she can close quickly. I sat upon the fifteen hand three inch filly as she walked effortlessly onto the dirt track. Watching as Ivana and Lucy walked over together, talking to each other and giggling, I coughed loudly. Lucy and Ivana stopped dead, before looking at Alice. Sorry, Ivana said, sighing. Okay – I’m going to take her three furlongs, I’m aiming for ten and a half per furlong. I’m going to try and get the time of around… I was interrupted by Lucy. Thirty two and a half seconds… Lucy said. Yeah, that time. I said, giggling to myself thinking about how stupid I actually was. I turned Veda around and she responded with a little nicker. She walked energetically along the dirt, her walk was smooth and her transition to trot was even smoother. She broke quickly without hesitation and I rose with her smooth trot. We trotted along the back stretch and between the five and four furlong pole, I asked her for canter. She broke and at the three furlong pole, I crouched down and began to drive her forward. She responded really well and began to excel along her speciality surface. Her long stride covered the ground and before I knew it we were well into the first furlong. I continued to push her along, and she pricked her ears, letting out a large whinny. Staying focused, she galloped round the turn and began to fly down the stretch, changing her lead and chomping at her eggbutt snaffle. We flew under the wire and I pulled her up. Good girl. I said to her. I walked back to Ivana and Lucy who stared dumbfounded at the stop watch. So… how did I do? Ivana handed me the stop watch. 32.4?! I gasped. Wow… I never knew we could get so close to the actual time. Good girl Veda! I dismounted and lead her back into the barn, whilst letting Ivana and Lucy have their little giggles.
Words: 1,246
Listening to: Grandpa mowing the lawn
Talking to: Nanna... trying to show her how to take the bed sheets off... it failed.
Surface: Dirt
Distance: Three furlongs