Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2012 8:22:38 GMT -5
Dark Charmer and Afterglow, for some reason, had had a very bad start to the year. Both had placed outside of the top three in the Unicorn Horn, and the winner had been a much less experienced three year old! It was worrying, to say the least, and no one at the stable could really explain what had gone wrong. Since then, the pair had been at rest and training while the stable planned out their next move. The Spring Cup had presented the perfect moment for their return. A Horse Of The Year race, where they would face horses of their own grade - Grade Three.
The only other entrant for the race was a younger horse, a three year old who seemed to be on the rise. Euphoria's Warrior had the bloodlines of a champion, and the record. But he was younger, he was less mature, and he had less experience. No, it would not be a walk over and the staff were not foolish enough to act as if it would be, however it would be interesting to see how they performed.
Stormi was two wins away from Grade Two, while Dark was only one win from the next grade. Both had good records, both had won at the Breeder's Cup the previous year against strong fields, and both had talent. They might not have been the fastest progressing horses on the track, but that did not mean they weren't impressive. In fact, they most definitely were impressive. They just needed to show the world just what they were capable of.
Stormi was energetic. She pranced beneath Alana, pulled against the handler's grip as she was led out onto the dirt track. Her dark brown pelt was clean, shining from her recent grooming, and her eyes gleamed brightly. She threw her head, kicked out her hind legs and showed numerous signs of needing a good run. But she was about to get one, and then come race day she would be at her very best for the race.
Dark on the other hand, was much more reserved. His dark eyes gleamed as he walked beside his handler, his audits pressed forwards as he was led out onto the track. His focus was clear, and their was intent in his eyes. Going against his rival always brought out the best in him, and his jockey knew it. Together, they could achieve some great things. Jacob patted the colt's muscular neck, and shifted in his saddle, preparing for the work ahead of them.
Gating was quick and easy, both horses were eager to get started and their jockeys knew their rides well. Alana and Jacob locked eyes over the sides of the gates before moving their gaze to the track. This was it, the workout was about to start, and they were both determined to do their best. The five furlong stretch was only half the length of the race, but it would enable them to prepare well enough and reserve energy for the actual race.
The buzzer sounded, the gates opened, and the horses were out. Both four year olds moved forwards well, but Stormi settled ahead of Dark who preferred to run toward the back of the group. The pace they set was quick, and Stormi was building a lead with each stride. The gap widened, and the colt seemed unphased as his rival pulled ahead. Jacob knew they would bide their time, as they always did.
Alana glanced behind her and grinned. Stormi was running well, and she had put some good ground behind her. The battle between the two horses had been a long one, and sometimes it was unclear just who was the better racer. Time and time again they had gone head on head, and you could never guarantee who would come out on top. She turned her gaze back onto the track and stared ahead.
The furlongs were passing, and the time was upon them for Dark to start to close the gap. Jacob urged the colt on, and the colt started to move more quickly up the dirt. His eyes glinted in the light as he pressed forwards, and the gap began to shorted. Alana was unconcerned, she held Stormi as they were as she waited for the right moment and for anyone who was watching it was clear that this was where the race really began.
Two furlongs remained, and Alana knew the time had come. She drove the filly forwards, cracked the crop against her rump and started to fight for the post. The filly bolted forwards, but behind her Jacob on Dark Charmer had also started to make their move and they were flying up the stretch. The colt drew even with the filly, and the two horses locked gazes. The battle between them was intense, one would draw ahead and then the other would fight back. But as they neared the post, Dark was able to nose ahead of Stormi. It was a close race.
The only other entrant for the race was a younger horse, a three year old who seemed to be on the rise. Euphoria's Warrior had the bloodlines of a champion, and the record. But he was younger, he was less mature, and he had less experience. No, it would not be a walk over and the staff were not foolish enough to act as if it would be, however it would be interesting to see how they performed.
Stormi was two wins away from Grade Two, while Dark was only one win from the next grade. Both had good records, both had won at the Breeder's Cup the previous year against strong fields, and both had talent. They might not have been the fastest progressing horses on the track, but that did not mean they weren't impressive. In fact, they most definitely were impressive. They just needed to show the world just what they were capable of.
Stormi was energetic. She pranced beneath Alana, pulled against the handler's grip as she was led out onto the dirt track. Her dark brown pelt was clean, shining from her recent grooming, and her eyes gleamed brightly. She threw her head, kicked out her hind legs and showed numerous signs of needing a good run. But she was about to get one, and then come race day she would be at her very best for the race.
Dark on the other hand, was much more reserved. His dark eyes gleamed as he walked beside his handler, his audits pressed forwards as he was led out onto the track. His focus was clear, and their was intent in his eyes. Going against his rival always brought out the best in him, and his jockey knew it. Together, they could achieve some great things. Jacob patted the colt's muscular neck, and shifted in his saddle, preparing for the work ahead of them.
Gating was quick and easy, both horses were eager to get started and their jockeys knew their rides well. Alana and Jacob locked eyes over the sides of the gates before moving their gaze to the track. This was it, the workout was about to start, and they were both determined to do their best. The five furlong stretch was only half the length of the race, but it would enable them to prepare well enough and reserve energy for the actual race.
The buzzer sounded, the gates opened, and the horses were out. Both four year olds moved forwards well, but Stormi settled ahead of Dark who preferred to run toward the back of the group. The pace they set was quick, and Stormi was building a lead with each stride. The gap widened, and the colt seemed unphased as his rival pulled ahead. Jacob knew they would bide their time, as they always did.
Alana glanced behind her and grinned. Stormi was running well, and she had put some good ground behind her. The battle between the two horses had been a long one, and sometimes it was unclear just who was the better racer. Time and time again they had gone head on head, and you could never guarantee who would come out on top. She turned her gaze back onto the track and stared ahead.
The furlongs were passing, and the time was upon them for Dark to start to close the gap. Jacob urged the colt on, and the colt started to move more quickly up the dirt. His eyes glinted in the light as he pressed forwards, and the gap began to shorted. Alana was unconcerned, she held Stormi as they were as she waited for the right moment and for anyone who was watching it was clear that this was where the race really began.
Two furlongs remained, and Alana knew the time had come. She drove the filly forwards, cracked the crop against her rump and started to fight for the post. The filly bolted forwards, but behind her Jacob on Dark Charmer had also started to make their move and they were flying up the stretch. The colt drew even with the filly, and the two horses locked gazes. The battle between them was intense, one would draw ahead and then the other would fight back. But as they neared the post, Dark was able to nose ahead of Stormi. It was a close race.