Post by Dante on Sept 3, 2012 14:24:04 GMT -5
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EXECUTIONER'S APPRENTICE
workout with
TOBIAS LANCASTER
for the
STABLE FACE OFF; G3, 2 & 1 TURF[/color]
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The competition was going to be intense. The stable face off meet was known to be big, and because everything was cumulative, the best horses of their classes were going to be facing each other, with the stable reputations, as well as their own, on the line. It made Tobias Lancaster think back to the very first time he worked, and ran, Executioner's Apprentice. Then, the stable reputation was on the line too, but on the line was simply establishing themselves. Now it was different. Now it was a matter of proving their powers against the biggest stables.
"Nine furlongs." Skylark Fletcher looked up at the jockey atop the dapple grey stallion. "That's how long it's going to be. Now, this race is going to be one of strategy. Everyone in that field can run and I know it, and it makes me nervous. Out of six, there's three closers in the field. They'll have their own issues, with no midrunners. But what you need to know most of all is that there's Silent Fury and Strike a Pose. Silent Fury's the frontrunner and Strike a Pose preceders. In this, try and get behind them both and push them. Even if one it outside of you, make sure you pressure them on - if they want to keep up, which I know they will, or they'll get trampled by closers, they'll have to play your games." Skylark briefed Tobias, and he nodded as Executioner's Apprentice chewed on the bit in eagerness. "Go out there and kill them." He added with a smile, "Or at least, try your best to do so."
Tobias nodded, and set off for the gate. App's steps were forwards and strong. The four year old was far from finished on the turf, and in the opinion of his jockey, this could be his greatest season yet. But all his opponents were having great seasons, too. That was why they were on the turf track this bright and sunny morning. To work. To get better, and to hone in on all the skill and talent this stallion had.
Getting into the gate was one of the easier bits. The stallion was smart, and while no horse loved the clanging metal and the tiny box that was the starting gate, he didn't have seizures around it anymore. He knew it meant he would be running soon. He knew it meant it was time to compete, time to run and time to think - not spazz and kill his jockey brutally.
The gates opened with a crash, and with them came Executioner's Apprentice, leading in with his right foot and that bloody shoulder mark that his name developed from; a mark no other horse registered to Green Horse Fields or The Wire possessed. The mark of an Executioner, and they were out for blood. Right from the get go, Tobias planned to put the pressure on both Silent Fury and Strike a Pose. The former was violently aggressive, and Tobias intended to use that. If they either got up, Strike a Pose would have to go faster, for two reasons. One, he'd either run away from his jockey, or two, he'd get distracted and angry. As for Strike a Pose, App and Tobias would push her as well. It would be best if they could drive her up against Silent Fury, but either course of action could work out for the duo.
In this work, Tobias kept App a little ways off the rail, enough for one horse and a half. This was a fairly standard running spot for him, which allowed him to chase up the field, move out, or move in as they saw necessary. Tobias could feel the raw power under him, feel the muscles, and see nothing more than blurs in his peripheral vision. This, to him, was what flying felt like.
But there was no time to get caught up in flying today. Tobias took a measure of how App was running as they went into the curve. The stallion kept good balance, and didn't seem to be running through his hands. He was eager, yes, but paying attention to Tobias; something essential if they were going to try and pull a win in this racemeet. They sped up a little in the curve, adding a sudden burst of pressure (in addition to what they were already doing) that Tobias hoped no one would expect in the curve, of all places. It was just before everyone moved, but an atypical spot at best to do anything. Tobias hoped it would catch the others off guard; since most were acquainted to App's running style, it would be useful to throw a curveball.
They came out of the curve at six and a half furlongs, and Tobias knew this was when people would start to act. He would move just as they hit seven furlongs, in a matter of seconds now. They'd move as the closers began to, making a final push not of pressure, but a dash for the lead. Tobias moved them further off the rail, and then the seven furlong marker passed them. With that, the jockey added the stick and gave App his head, keeping only enough to steer him if the situation arose. This was where he would hopefully steal the show. He'd stalk - but now, he was out in the open and running. The wind whirred in Tobias' ears, though App's were forwards as though there were no wind, eyes bright and anticipating the finish line. This was what the stallion lived for, and he loved it. The horse liked to win, and compete, and a practice to him was like a race - he gave it his all.
But in the tough competition, Tobias could only hope his all was going to be enough.
"Let's give it our best, right App?" Tobias said as they thundered across the finish line, before coughing on a bug that had flown in as he spoke. App flicked an ear back, and as the jockey hacked down the bug, he would have laughed if he could see App's less than amused expression. Skylark sure had, though, as as they decelerated after the work, he was doubled over in laughter.
"I think that was some kind of butterfly." Tobias coughed. "Tasteless, but kinda mushy."
"Lovely." Skylark shook his head. "But bugs aside, I think we ran well. Just keep your mouth shut next time."-----------------------
WORKOUT STATS
words| 1,081
workout surface| Turf
distance| 9 furlongs
horse| Executioner's Apprentice
jockey| Tobias Lancaster
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