Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2012 7:48:27 GMT -5
The filly was known for her gentle nature and love of attention. From the day she had arrived at the stable, she had shown a great affinity for humans. She had grown since then, for she had only been a weanling when they had purchased her, but she had not outgrown her desire for companionship. It was because of her soft nature that she had become so well liked within the stable, and it was an exciting time that led up to her debut. Many horses would debut before Star did. While some horses had been raced in early January, the stable had been careful in choosing the debut for Star and that decision had been made. Star would debut in the Legacy Maiden Series. It was a series of four maiden races for the offspring of Hall Of Fame horses, meaning that only the best-bred horses were able to race there. With select fields and as a major, albeit new, race series it seemed the perfect chance to get Star out on the track.
For Star, the Legacy Dirt Stakes were calling. It would be a tough race, there was no doubt about that, but Wish and the team would give it their all to make an impressive debut. Of course, no one doubted that Tanya could do just that. She was not the biggest, best known jockey on the track but she was not an unknown either. She was the jockey for the likes of Beltane, Paradise Island and Wannabe Hero all of whom had performed well in the Breeder’s Cup and her drive had grown since she had first arrived at the stable. Certainly, it appeared that a rivalry had emerged between her and her older sister, Alana Stratt who had raced Afterglow to her second Breeder’s Cup win at the end of last year.
The bay filly was loving the attention. That morning, a groom had taken his time in grooming her and now she was tacked up she was receiving even more attention. At least she was easily satisfied in that regard. Groomed, she seemed to gleam in the sunlight and her beauty was undeniable. Even as a youngster, Star had competed with the stable’s star (now broodmare) Moondance for the attention of passers by and now that she had grown from that awkward weanling into a strong juvenile it was easy to see why. Wish was crafted of good stuff, and she had a certain elegance to her that many juveniles lacked. Of course, this was probably helped by the fact that she didn’t feel the need to fight with the handlers at every given minute.
Tanya walked across the yard to where Lucas and another, new, handler were just starting to lead the filly toward the track. She smiled as Lucas pulled the filly to a halt and she looked her ride over. This was a horse to envy. She had amazing bloodlines, a soft, shining coat and bright eyes. Her joints were strong, and in training she had shown an amazing competitive spirit. All in all, she had the makings of something great and the team intended to make the most of that. She would be well worked and ready for the race, then it was all down to what happened on the day. Of course, the debut of a horse was a big thing and when the stable expected a lot it was not easy on the jockeys. Tanya didn’t seem phased however and as she stroked the filly’s nose she smiled at Lucas. ”Wow, she looks great. You’ll have to thank whichever groom did this, they did a great job.” she told him as she walked to the side of the filly and pulled herself into the saddle.
As they walked down to the track, the filly appeared eager to get started. Of course she did, the filly had been trained on the track and she knew that it was a time to run. She enjoyed the chance to show off her beauty and although in todays workout there would be no competition on race day it would give her a chance to compete; a chance to prove herself as the best. The dirt track loomed as they walked down the path, and Tanya was getting excited. This was going to be great - she could feel it in her bones, in the very core of her body. Even though it would be the filly’s first workout this season, she just knew.
Due to Star’s hatred of the starting gate, it had been decided that they would not use the gate for the workout. It as not a necessity, as she had shown her gate skills during training and this were not a race. Stress was not something which was needed right now, and so as they arrived on the track it was a clear run. The filly’s head rose, her audits flicking as her dark brown eyes took in the track. Lucas led them onto the track, circled her around and stood her three furlongs from the post which would mark the end of the workout. A short course, but for a good reason; they did not wish to tire the juvenile before her race.
Tanya rose in the stirrups, which she had been adjusting on the walk down to the track and tightened her grip on the reins in preparation and then Lucas released his grip on the filly’s noseband and they were off. The filly did not take up a crazy pace. She was not a front runner. But then again, her pace was not exactly slow either. It was probably just above average and Tanya held her there in the strong four-beat. It was a triumphant moment for Tanya, the thrill of the ride had only just started but Star had listened well to her instruction. Tanya pulled the filly toward the rail and it was as they reached the point where they had ran a single furlong that they had nestled themselves at the rail.
Tanya had not brought her crop down to the track for the work, and there was a reason behind that. In training, the confident filly had shown an aversion to the crop and actually ran worse when it was used. Instead, it was best to urge her forwards using physical power rather than the crop. She urged Star onwards a little and their pace increased slightly as they moved on toward the two furlong point. The distance closed quickly and then it was time to start the real work. Tanya pushed the filly forwards, and hard. She drove with a lot of force and effort, flattening herself to the bay filly’s powerful neck. The filly kicked forwards, surging forwards as they fought for the post and she gave her all in that final furlong. They passed the post at a good speed and it was a good feeling for Tanya. Star was a powerful force and she felt good about the upcoming race. Even if they did not win, they ought to perform well.
For Star, the Legacy Dirt Stakes were calling. It would be a tough race, there was no doubt about that, but Wish and the team would give it their all to make an impressive debut. Of course, no one doubted that Tanya could do just that. She was not the biggest, best known jockey on the track but she was not an unknown either. She was the jockey for the likes of Beltane, Paradise Island and Wannabe Hero all of whom had performed well in the Breeder’s Cup and her drive had grown since she had first arrived at the stable. Certainly, it appeared that a rivalry had emerged between her and her older sister, Alana Stratt who had raced Afterglow to her second Breeder’s Cup win at the end of last year.
The bay filly was loving the attention. That morning, a groom had taken his time in grooming her and now she was tacked up she was receiving even more attention. At least she was easily satisfied in that regard. Groomed, she seemed to gleam in the sunlight and her beauty was undeniable. Even as a youngster, Star had competed with the stable’s star (now broodmare) Moondance for the attention of passers by and now that she had grown from that awkward weanling into a strong juvenile it was easy to see why. Wish was crafted of good stuff, and she had a certain elegance to her that many juveniles lacked. Of course, this was probably helped by the fact that she didn’t feel the need to fight with the handlers at every given minute.
Tanya walked across the yard to where Lucas and another, new, handler were just starting to lead the filly toward the track. She smiled as Lucas pulled the filly to a halt and she looked her ride over. This was a horse to envy. She had amazing bloodlines, a soft, shining coat and bright eyes. Her joints were strong, and in training she had shown an amazing competitive spirit. All in all, she had the makings of something great and the team intended to make the most of that. She would be well worked and ready for the race, then it was all down to what happened on the day. Of course, the debut of a horse was a big thing and when the stable expected a lot it was not easy on the jockeys. Tanya didn’t seem phased however and as she stroked the filly’s nose she smiled at Lucas. ”Wow, she looks great. You’ll have to thank whichever groom did this, they did a great job.” she told him as she walked to the side of the filly and pulled herself into the saddle.
As they walked down to the track, the filly appeared eager to get started. Of course she did, the filly had been trained on the track and she knew that it was a time to run. She enjoyed the chance to show off her beauty and although in todays workout there would be no competition on race day it would give her a chance to compete; a chance to prove herself as the best. The dirt track loomed as they walked down the path, and Tanya was getting excited. This was going to be great - she could feel it in her bones, in the very core of her body. Even though it would be the filly’s first workout this season, she just knew.
Due to Star’s hatred of the starting gate, it had been decided that they would not use the gate for the workout. It as not a necessity, as she had shown her gate skills during training and this were not a race. Stress was not something which was needed right now, and so as they arrived on the track it was a clear run. The filly’s head rose, her audits flicking as her dark brown eyes took in the track. Lucas led them onto the track, circled her around and stood her three furlongs from the post which would mark the end of the workout. A short course, but for a good reason; they did not wish to tire the juvenile before her race.
Tanya rose in the stirrups, which she had been adjusting on the walk down to the track and tightened her grip on the reins in preparation and then Lucas released his grip on the filly’s noseband and they were off. The filly did not take up a crazy pace. She was not a front runner. But then again, her pace was not exactly slow either. It was probably just above average and Tanya held her there in the strong four-beat. It was a triumphant moment for Tanya, the thrill of the ride had only just started but Star had listened well to her instruction. Tanya pulled the filly toward the rail and it was as they reached the point where they had ran a single furlong that they had nestled themselves at the rail.
Tanya had not brought her crop down to the track for the work, and there was a reason behind that. In training, the confident filly had shown an aversion to the crop and actually ran worse when it was used. Instead, it was best to urge her forwards using physical power rather than the crop. She urged Star onwards a little and their pace increased slightly as they moved on toward the two furlong point. The distance closed quickly and then it was time to start the real work. Tanya pushed the filly forwards, and hard. She drove with a lot of force and effort, flattening herself to the bay filly’s powerful neck. The filly kicked forwards, surging forwards as they fought for the post and she gave her all in that final furlong. They passed the post at a good speed and it was a good feeling for Tanya. Star was a powerful force and she felt good about the upcoming race. Even if they did not win, they ought to perform well.