Post by Snowflake on Aug 25, 2012 5:22:24 GMT -5
EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR, LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER AND LUCKY SILVER WORK FOR BLUE GRASS STAKES
Stella grinned proudly from Warrior's back. She'd been riding the colt a few months now, and was really pleased with how he was running for her. In their three starts of the season, they'd won twice and placed third once. The next race on their list to conquer was the Blue Grass Stakes, the second Road To The Triple Crown race. Riding next to them was Lusitania's Soldier and Marissa. The colt had also had a decent start to the year, placing in the top three in three out of four starts. Marissa hoped his efforts would soon result in a win, especially since he was getting faster and stronger all the time.
Finally there was Blaze on Dreamvalley Stables' colt Lucky Silver. Out of Palisades Silver and by Mr Lucky, he was bred by Star Thoroughbreds so they'd taken him and several other horses on while the other stable sorted some issues. He'd started twice this year, for third and fourth. It remained to be seen how he would go while in STBS' care.
They were to do a mile long gallop today, and try to keep the colts adjacent to one another until the final two furlongs, where they would release them. First of all, though, they needed to warm up. Beginning with a trot, the trio loosened up their muscles.
The Blue Grass Stakes was nine furlongs on dirt, for three year olds only grade five and above. This year it had attracted six horses, but after two scratchings the field was down to four and the only horse the three colts were up against was Eternal Phantom. Eternal Phantom was a filly, and a good one at that. Her record was currently 16-6-8-1, and she had started four times this year for two wins and two places. She'd race from gate one, and was a frontrunner or closer, though predominantly a front runner.
Euphoria's Warrior was grade three with a record of 18-8-2-5. He'd won the Wood Memorial Stakes two weeks ago, beating Eternal Phantom by a nose. Lucky Silver was grade five with a record of 15-1-4-5. Lusitania's Soldier was also grade five with a record of 9-1-3-1. It was fair to say that the race would probably be mainly between Warrior and Phantom.
After twenty minutes of trotting and cantering, each colt launched into gallop on cue, at the exact same time. Interestingly, each colt was a closer and therefore none of them tried to take the lead. Their strengths were in the final furlongs, when the race leaders were tiring. As the midway point passed, they began to anticipate when they would be asked to pour on the speed, and the pace automatically increased slightly. But they still remained nose to nose, with the vigilant guidance of their riders.
As the final turn ended, the time finally came. The three colts each burst forward, immediately accelerating. Warrior launched into the lead, while Soldier and Lucky fought it out in second. They were flying! Just like they would in the Blue Grass Stakes. Warrior crossed the line first, then Soldier nabbed second by barely a nose. Lucky and Blaze came in third. Good workout. Marissa commented, smiling. Warrior reminded her alot of his half brother, Sunset Crusade, who was her favourite horse. Can't wait for the race..
