Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2012 5:31:17 GMT -5
Until now, Silver Stride Stables had kept their plans regarding the chestnut colt, Instant Success, quiet. Until only the week before, that was because the stable were not even sure of their plans for him. The question since he had returned had always been to which series he would be sent - the Triple Crown or the Turf Triple Crown. Now, however, the decision had been finalised. Instant Success would be heading to the Triple Crown to face off against his rivals, Eternal Phantom and Euphoria's Warrior. While Paradise Island would be trying to take the Tiara, he would be fighting for the Crown and if both won they would be crowned king and queen of the dirt.
It was not going to be an easy series, and to prepare the colt for it Matthias had decided to enter him into the Florida Derby - the final Triple Crown preparation race - where he would face off against many of the main competitors in the prestigious three-race series. To take the Triple Crown was rare because it was so difficult to do - the competition was always fierce and it had only been won twice. The first win had gone to Impressario of Stride Of Perfection Stables in Year Seven, and the second had gone to the Star Thoroughbreds' owned Furious Passion in Year Ten. The truth was, the crown was unlikely to be claimed this year with so many powerful competitors, but Jacob and Isa were not ones to avoid tough competition.
As it stood, the field consisted of four very competitive horses and Jacob did not envy those who would be betting on the race as it was guaranteed to be a close race. Eternal Phantom would be starting in gate one, and her and Isa had a history. They had faced each other many times, with varying results and so a winner was never clear cut. Certainly both horses would be fighting for the win and the teams behind each horse would give them all of the encouragement which they would need. Gate Two had been set to hold Ashes To Ashes, but the colt had been scratched. Instant Success would be starting in Gate Three, with Euphoria's Warrior in Gate Four. Warrior was sure to be fighting against Isa, who had beaten him two weeks previously in the Bank On Silver Memorial Stakes. The final entrant, starting in Gate Five, was Apollo Bear - he previously raced for Akita Rose Stables, but had been transferred to Intrepid Racing after the accident which had once again drove the stable off of the track. He was a twin to Arachne, a grade five with a lot less experience than the rest of the field, and in many ways easy to overlook. However, it was dangerous to underestimate any horse and Jacob would not be making that mistake.
Jacob was sure of Isa's form, but he was just as sure that the rest of the field were likely to be doing just as well.Triple Crown contenders were always well trained, well looked after and well prepared for the challenges that they would face. The previous year, he had rode Dark Charmer to three thirds in the series, but he was aiming higher than that... Much higher. He had eyes for the crown, and he was ready to face any competition that tried to get in his way in his battle for it. This final preparation, over nine furlongs, was where they would make sure that they were recognised as serious contenders in the series.
Lucas led the chestnut colt out on to the track, and the colt was showing his readiness. Bright eyes, audits pressed forwards to show alertness, his pelt seeming to glow. He reared and little, pulled against the handler, but he wasn't really fighting. His energy levels were surprisingly high, and Jacob couldn't help laughing slightly. Typical Isa, ready to go and not wanting to hang around. The red-headed jockey walked over to the colt, placed a hand against his muscular frame and uttered a gentle sound which seemed to catch Isa's attention. In his typical manner, he soothed the colt's over-eager mind before pulling himself into the saddle.
Isa was a closer, and come race-day would be duelling it out with Euphoria's Warrior in the home stretch. But there would be no battle for the very back spot, their was no point in slowing down and letting your competition get too far ahead. At the front the other two contenders, both front runners, would be battling for the lead. In other words, the race was a battle of two extremes - first, the front runners who would need more stamina to keep the lead and then the closers, who had great speed in the final stretch. It would be interesting, and with no horses in between Jacob was curious as to exactly how this race would go.
As Lucas led them further on to the dirt, for they were not using the gates in the workout, Jacob recalled Matthias's words. "It's not going to be an easy race, we saw this in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile when these four horses last faced each other all in one field. Phantie is the most tired, having raced last week, while Olio is the best rested having not raced since the Stable Face Off in March week five. All in all though, there is not much between any of them when it comes to rest. Isa is the most experienced with twenty-four races, but Phantie and Warrior are not far behind with eighteen and twenty-one races respectively. Phantie is the most consistent, but then again that isn't by much either. Really, the three favourites don't have much in them. You came above Phantie in the Breeder's Cup, which was the last time you faced her, and you beat out Warrior two weeks ago. They'll both be out for victory, don't get overconfident. Remember, this field is the closest thing you have to a comparison for the actual Triple Crown races right now."
Breathing deeply, Jacob readied himself for the workout and as Lucas brought the chestnut colt to a halt the jockey stared up the dirt. This was it, the final workout before they once more came head on head with their rivals. He ran his hand down the colt's muscular neck as he rose in his stirrups, finding him balance and he could sense the colt's impatience to get started. Lucas released his grip on the rein and Isa reared slightly before moving from the starting point, his long stride carrying them forwards at a relatively steady pace.
The workout was only four furlongs, less than half the distance of the race, but it would be enough. Having raced recently he was still sharp and this was all about ensuring he was at his very best for the race. Jacob felt the colt's smooth motion beneath him, crouched low to the neck and kept his eye on the track as they once again melded their minds, becoming one powerful racing entity with a single goal, a single focus. It did not matter what race this was, all that mattered was that it was a race and like with every race they would be aiming to win.
It seemed like a relaxed ride. The chestnut colt moved onwards at a relatively low speed and the jockey did nothing to change it. Stride after stride, it seemed like they were only there for pleasure. But everyone who knew the pair knew differently. Isa was a powerhouse, but he did not run all out throughout the race. Him and his jockey were patient, they bided their time and waited to make their move. It was an art form they had been working on perfection and while mistakes were sometimes made they certainly seemed to be successful enough. But even going slowly, the distance seemed to melt beneath them and soon half of the workout was over, leaving only two furlongs.
Now you knew this wasn't just a pleasure ride. Jacob cracked the crop against the colt's rump several times and drove him forwards in a strong motion. The colt responded almost instantly and the acceleration was impressive. Together, the two seemed to fly over the dirt and in a race this was where they would close the distance, this was where the stamina and energy they had saved would come in use. Stride after stride they closed the distance to the post. Move after move was planned and executed. They were truly powering down the final stretch and with only one furlong to go Isa showed no signs of slowing down.
Jacob felt amazing as they surged onwards. Tucked in to the colt's neck, he was fighting alongside a colt who had what it took to be a champion and as they closed on the line he could feel the energy buzzing through him. This was what it felt like to ride a truly talented horse and he could not help but grinning. Another stride and they had crossed the line. A truly wonderful workout which spoke volumes about the race to come.
It was not going to be an easy series, and to prepare the colt for it Matthias had decided to enter him into the Florida Derby - the final Triple Crown preparation race - where he would face off against many of the main competitors in the prestigious three-race series. To take the Triple Crown was rare because it was so difficult to do - the competition was always fierce and it had only been won twice. The first win had gone to Impressario of Stride Of Perfection Stables in Year Seven, and the second had gone to the Star Thoroughbreds' owned Furious Passion in Year Ten. The truth was, the crown was unlikely to be claimed this year with so many powerful competitors, but Jacob and Isa were not ones to avoid tough competition.
As it stood, the field consisted of four very competitive horses and Jacob did not envy those who would be betting on the race as it was guaranteed to be a close race. Eternal Phantom would be starting in gate one, and her and Isa had a history. They had faced each other many times, with varying results and so a winner was never clear cut. Certainly both horses would be fighting for the win and the teams behind each horse would give them all of the encouragement which they would need. Gate Two had been set to hold Ashes To Ashes, but the colt had been scratched. Instant Success would be starting in Gate Three, with Euphoria's Warrior in Gate Four. Warrior was sure to be fighting against Isa, who had beaten him two weeks previously in the Bank On Silver Memorial Stakes. The final entrant, starting in Gate Five, was Apollo Bear - he previously raced for Akita Rose Stables, but had been transferred to Intrepid Racing after the accident which had once again drove the stable off of the track. He was a twin to Arachne, a grade five with a lot less experience than the rest of the field, and in many ways easy to overlook. However, it was dangerous to underestimate any horse and Jacob would not be making that mistake.
Jacob was sure of Isa's form, but he was just as sure that the rest of the field were likely to be doing just as well.Triple Crown contenders were always well trained, well looked after and well prepared for the challenges that they would face. The previous year, he had rode Dark Charmer to three thirds in the series, but he was aiming higher than that... Much higher. He had eyes for the crown, and he was ready to face any competition that tried to get in his way in his battle for it. This final preparation, over nine furlongs, was where they would make sure that they were recognised as serious contenders in the series.
Lucas led the chestnut colt out on to the track, and the colt was showing his readiness. Bright eyes, audits pressed forwards to show alertness, his pelt seeming to glow. He reared and little, pulled against the handler, but he wasn't really fighting. His energy levels were surprisingly high, and Jacob couldn't help laughing slightly. Typical Isa, ready to go and not wanting to hang around. The red-headed jockey walked over to the colt, placed a hand against his muscular frame and uttered a gentle sound which seemed to catch Isa's attention. In his typical manner, he soothed the colt's over-eager mind before pulling himself into the saddle.
Isa was a closer, and come race-day would be duelling it out with Euphoria's Warrior in the home stretch. But there would be no battle for the very back spot, their was no point in slowing down and letting your competition get too far ahead. At the front the other two contenders, both front runners, would be battling for the lead. In other words, the race was a battle of two extremes - first, the front runners who would need more stamina to keep the lead and then the closers, who had great speed in the final stretch. It would be interesting, and with no horses in between Jacob was curious as to exactly how this race would go.
As Lucas led them further on to the dirt, for they were not using the gates in the workout, Jacob recalled Matthias's words. "It's not going to be an easy race, we saw this in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile when these four horses last faced each other all in one field. Phantie is the most tired, having raced last week, while Olio is the best rested having not raced since the Stable Face Off in March week five. All in all though, there is not much between any of them when it comes to rest. Isa is the most experienced with twenty-four races, but Phantie and Warrior are not far behind with eighteen and twenty-one races respectively. Phantie is the most consistent, but then again that isn't by much either. Really, the three favourites don't have much in them. You came above Phantie in the Breeder's Cup, which was the last time you faced her, and you beat out Warrior two weeks ago. They'll both be out for victory, don't get overconfident. Remember, this field is the closest thing you have to a comparison for the actual Triple Crown races right now."
Breathing deeply, Jacob readied himself for the workout and as Lucas brought the chestnut colt to a halt the jockey stared up the dirt. This was it, the final workout before they once more came head on head with their rivals. He ran his hand down the colt's muscular neck as he rose in his stirrups, finding him balance and he could sense the colt's impatience to get started. Lucas released his grip on the rein and Isa reared slightly before moving from the starting point, his long stride carrying them forwards at a relatively steady pace.
The workout was only four furlongs, less than half the distance of the race, but it would be enough. Having raced recently he was still sharp and this was all about ensuring he was at his very best for the race. Jacob felt the colt's smooth motion beneath him, crouched low to the neck and kept his eye on the track as they once again melded their minds, becoming one powerful racing entity with a single goal, a single focus. It did not matter what race this was, all that mattered was that it was a race and like with every race they would be aiming to win.
It seemed like a relaxed ride. The chestnut colt moved onwards at a relatively low speed and the jockey did nothing to change it. Stride after stride, it seemed like they were only there for pleasure. But everyone who knew the pair knew differently. Isa was a powerhouse, but he did not run all out throughout the race. Him and his jockey were patient, they bided their time and waited to make their move. It was an art form they had been working on perfection and while mistakes were sometimes made they certainly seemed to be successful enough. But even going slowly, the distance seemed to melt beneath them and soon half of the workout was over, leaving only two furlongs.
Now you knew this wasn't just a pleasure ride. Jacob cracked the crop against the colt's rump several times and drove him forwards in a strong motion. The colt responded almost instantly and the acceleration was impressive. Together, the two seemed to fly over the dirt and in a race this was where they would close the distance, this was where the stamina and energy they had saved would come in use. Stride after stride they closed the distance to the post. Move after move was planned and executed. They were truly powering down the final stretch and with only one furlong to go Isa showed no signs of slowing down.
Jacob felt amazing as they surged onwards. Tucked in to the colt's neck, he was fighting alongside a colt who had what it took to be a champion and as they closed on the line he could feel the energy buzzing through him. This was what it felt like to ride a truly talented horse and he could not help but grinning. Another stride and they had crossed the line. A truly wonderful workout which spoke volumes about the race to come.