Post by Snowflake on Aug 28, 2012 19:13:24 GMT -5
SUNSET CRUSADE AND SILVERIANNA WORK FOR THE STARRY NIGHT STAKES
The Starry Night Stakes was their next race, and both riders were super keen to take out the top two places in it. They'd won their last starts, Sunset Crusade in the Summer Scorcher Cup and Silverianna in the Golden Rose Stakes, and with the Stable Face Off next weekend they needed a decent run before going into that for confidence. Silverianna was especially full of herself today, and kept dancing on the spot with a head toss here and there. Sunset Crusade was also getting worked up, partly from Silverianna's behaviour, partly because of his own personality and partly because Marissa was still excited from her ride on Euphoria's Warrior, Cruze's younger half brother.
They trotted (or rather, pranced) side by side on the dirt, warming up for a four furlong breeze. The Starry Night Stakes was the first race of the Road to the Senior Superstars Series. All races were for G3+ four year olds and up, from nine to twelve furlongs on dirt. The race was worrying Marissa slightly. Flashy Wings was entered, and the colt was having a great start to the season. All four of his starts this year had resulted in wins. Cruze had lost to him the last time they faced each other, although this was partly explained by his injury. Cruze had won his last race, so Marissa felt he was back in full fitness and health now.
On into canter, and Marissa's thoughts turned to the rest of the competition. They included Sillenia, from SOPS, and Silverianna. Sillenia was an excellent racehorse, but it was clear she preferred the turf. She'd had a good start to the season, with two wins and two seconds to her name. But in all honesty, if either SOPS horse was going to win, it would be Flashy Wings. Silverianna had also had an excellent start to the season, with two wins and a second place down.
The field was made up of a front runner, two preceders and a closer. Their plan was for Sunset Crusade to set the pace, as always, and for Silverianna to run on his flank. Then it would be Flashy Wings in third, and Sillenia in the closer position. At the top of the stretch, Cruze and Ianna would then storm away, hopefully to first and second place.
The four furlong pole had arrived, and the two thoroughbreds sprung into action. Their speed increased rapidly, while their strides lengthened and their hooves dug into the dirt with each powerful stride. Cruze nosed ahead, but Silverianna only let him get that far. She had the rail, and he had to work harder in the stretch to keep up his lead. As they completed the corner and the home stretch straightened out before them, the horses eyed each other off, daring the other to make their move.
On their riders cues, at two furlongs exactly, the horses launched into their second gears, putting on a speed duel. It was over in a matter of seconds, and there was no clear winner. They dropped back through the paces, breathing rapidly and letting out noises of satisfaction. They didn't know who won, either, so clearly both of them had. Marissa and Stella grinned at one another, rubbing the sweaty necks of the bay colt and grey filly respectively. The Starry Night Stakes was going to be a good race.
