Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2012 4:27:02 GMT -5
Aquatic Addiction and Alexia Harshing
Preparation for the Magic Millions Colts Dirt Sprint
Preparation for the Magic Millions Colts Dirt Sprint
The Magic Millions was a racing series for two year olds, and the stakes were high. It gave the various stables a chance to prove that their two year olds were the best, and it had maintained a highly competitive side in the Silver Stride Stables jockeys who had known that this year a lot of effort would be made on their part for these races. In fact, they had chosen this series over the Face Off as a major focus of their time and energy, and they were hoping that the decision paid off. Of course, they would not have stood a chance in the Face Off anyway with Star Thoroughbreds doubling their numbers just for the occasion, basically forcing everyone into submission.
Theo had been performing well since his debut in January. In four races, he had won twice and placed twice which was quite impressive for a two year old. Of course, it also meant that he had raced about half as much as a lot of the other two year olds. Matthias was not one to push the youngsters too much at this stage in the year, when they were still finding their hooves on the track. Of course, just because he had not raced as much did not mean that Theo was a push over. He was entered in the Magic Millions Dirt Sprint, which was the only race he was suited to in the series, and would need to be worked in preparation for his first major race. It was, of course, a big step from the regular races he had ran in so far but he would be fine, Matthias knew the colt had spirit even if he didn't have more than half a brain in his skull. Plus, the field looked to be small - so far, there were only three entrants including Theo himself who was set to start in Gate One.
Gate two held Mastermind, of Witch Creek Racing, and that colt was a real threat. Well bred, and with a strong record to his name to boost him he had raced a total of six times, placing outside of the top three only once - in his last race in March Week 3 where he had placed fourth. Mastermind tended to run as a stalker in his races, and had been really showing off some talent, but would have to take the lead in this race. The third, and so far final, gate would hold the Star Thoroughbred's colt, Attractive Flight. The bay colt had raced seven times, claiming victory only once but never placing outside of the top three. In those seven starts, three of the races had been major races, which would give him a boost, but having raced the previous week the colt was likely to be tired - two year olds were rarely raced two weeks on the trot, at least not at this point in the year anyway, because they tired more quickly and easily than older horses. Like Theo, he was a closer.
Theo was probably one of the easiest to handle two year olds that the stable had. He'd never shown aggression and after basic training had never fought against the head collar or being led by the handlers. He was tactile, loved attention, and a generally loving colt. The only time he really did show an aversion to people was when the vet was around and even then he chose flight over fight. Yet, despite this, he had developed a competitive streak and this had proven to be strong in his races so far.
Jack was sure the colt was a godsend. He was a new handler for the stable, and had already witnessed some nightmarish horses at work - horses such as Prideful Limits, who was insanely violent to anyone except Alexia. But Theo was not like those horses, and he walked beside him without so much as pulling at the bit. Behind them, Alexia was in a deep discussion with Matthias in hushed tones. But as they reached the stands Matthias split off to take a seat where he would watch proceedings and take notes while Alexia moved out on to the track.
The colt greeted Alexia warmly, and she returned the greeting before walking around to his side, checking the girth and mounting. He was not a big horse, in fact compared to many he was tiny at only 15.1 hands. This often led to him being underestimated by his opponents, especially if they had not witnessed him on the track. The stable had also doubted his likelihood to make a good racehorse when he was younger - especially given his somewhat foolish nature - but they had given him the chance to do what he had been bred to and they were glad for it. In the saddle she rose to test the stirrups, adjusted them a little, and then tested them again. Perfect.
Jack led the colt to the gates and loaded him, at first meeting a little resistance but soon finding the colt to comply and enter the contraption. He was a little stiff, his head held high and audits half-pinned to his skull but once he was in and the gates were closed he became calm - Alexia's soft, soothing tones probably helped this, as well, as she knew the colt's dislike for the starting gates. Once the colt was calm, her attention moved to the track ahead of them. The dirt was firm, but a little rough in places, and the colt would easily be able to handle the four furlong distance which Matthias had proposed for them.
She did not have long to think about it though, for very soon the buzzer sounded, the gates opened and the colt broke. It was not an outstanding break - Theo tended to be slow at the start of the race but that worked perfectly for them. Him being a closer, he wanted to be at the back of the field and Alexia often used the first few furlongs to analyse her competition and form her game plan - was the horse on form? Were they showing signs of being tired? What strategy did that horse and jockey tend to use? She took all of these things into account during a race, but this was not a race and she was out here alone. There was no one to analyse, no game plan to formulate, no race to win... Not yet, anyway. This was just the preparation period.
They settled into a relatively low pace as they started to move up the dirt, the colt’s powerful limbs moving in firm, sure strides of an average length. His head held high, the colt looked confident and Alexia was with him. This race was not going to be easy, but with work they at least stood a chance of pulling it off and Alexia would be giving it her all to try and make that happen. They had taken the win in their previous two races, and she felt the colt was more than ready for a race of this kind. Of course, this was about to be tested and the colt would be well prepared for that test. But anyone watching at this stage might have thought that they were just taking a leisurely ride.
Two furlongs passed and Alexia smirked. The game was on, and it was time to show the world just what this colt was capable of. She drove him forwards, throwing a lot of effort into the final stretch. Theo did not like whips, so the use of one was out of the question, and so all she had was her own will to make the colt move. But he was an obedient thing, and he reacted well knowing just what she wanted. The rate of acceleration was high, he was pushing harder and harder and his speed was building. The final stretch was his. In a race, this was where it would be won – closing the distance between himself and the leaders, surging past them at huge speeds. Alexia could feel the exertion the colt was giving, continued to fight herself; and soon they flew past the post. That was the power of a closer, and he looked to be in great shape for the race.