Post by Snowflake on Sept 19, 2012 6:17:55 GMT -5
EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR FLORIDA DERBY
LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER AND LUCKY SILVER WORK FOR DIAMOND STAKES
Soldier was about an inch from winning. Marissa could feel it. He'd nearly had it, seven out of eight times this season. The three year old colt had been a Triple Crown hopeful, back at the start of last year. But hadn't matured as quickly as his half brother Euphoria's Warrior. He was improving all the time, and Marissa was almost sure he'd win the Diamond Stakes. It was just a three horse field, where the only competition was Lucky Silver and FS Mockingbird.
Warrior was coming off a second place in the Bank On Silver Memorial, and would definitely be out to win in the Florida Derby. The colt had become over confident, and had not seen Instant Success until it was too late in his last race. He would be more careful this time, because they needed this win. Unlike Sunset Crusade, his older half brother, Warrior was capable of running and winning at eleven and twelve furlongs and would therefore be going the whole way through the Triple Crown. Of course, competition was tough, and they certainly didn't expect to become the third GHF Triple Crown champions. But if they could just take one of the races, Stella would be happy.
The workout began with the three colts trotting side by side. There was a competitiveness in the air. All three colts were ready for a race. Warrior was raring to go, still annoyed at his loss two weeks ago. But today, there wouldn't be a race. They would merely gallop side by side, enough to keep them on their toes but not enough to satisfy them. Stella rode Euphoria's Warrior, Marissa rode Lusitania's Soldier and Blaze rode Lucky Silver. They rode in silence, at first, and then a discussion began about Warrior's chances in the Florida Derby and then the Triple Crown. Marissa had to admit that she was a little jealous.
Think you and Warrior can beat what Cruze and I did? She asked Stella, grinning. It was both a tease and a serious question. Stella glanced at her, smiling. Yeah of course. She replied, not really serious. Sunset Crusade was an excellent colt. Warrior was too, but it remained to be seen if he was truly of the same caliber. He needed to win his next race, and at least one of the Triple Crown races to prove that, really. Stella shrugged. Anything can happen in horse racing, but I think we've got a good chance.
The field was made up of two big threats. Eternal Phantom, and Instant Success. Apollo Bear was another entrant, but he didn't seem likely to truly challenge the other entrants, or Warrior. Eternal Phantom was the only filly of the field, her record standing at 18-8-8-1. She'd only ever placed out of the top three once, and this year she'd won four of six starts and placed in the other two. She'd be tough to beat, but they'd done it before.
Instant Success had the most wins of them all. The colt had had a stint on the turf, and it seemed he had taken on lesser competition to rack up wins. Even still, there was no denying he was a good horse, especially after he'd beaten them last time out. His record was 24-11-7-2, with five of those wins and two places from this season. Apollo Bear was owned by Akita Rose Stables, but currently on lease to Intrepid Racing. He had a record of 9-2-2-2 and had had five starts this season for a win, place, show, fourth and eighth. Unfortunately for him, his last start was the eighth, three weeks ago.
The plan for the race was simply, as always, to take position at the back of the pack, go wide in the straight and close powerfully. Instant Success was also a closer, so they'd have to watch out for him like they hadn't quite done last time. Eternal Phantom sometimes ran as a closer but would most likely lead the field. Apollo Bear could run as either a front runner or preceder. Stella hoped their plan was to run as front runners, so they could fight it out with Eternal Phantom for much of the way, and leave the race to Warrior and Instant Success in the stretch.
They moved on into canter together, each colt expressing his glee to go faster in his own way. The Diamond Stakes was twelve furlongs on the dirt. And a really surprising entry had been made to it the other day. A stallion by the name of FS Mockingbird, who had not been seen on GHF tracks in years. He was a G2, but with such a long layoff it was likely the stallion wouldn't be in it to win it. Hopefully, just hopefully, it would be Lusitania's Soldier's turn.
After a lengthy canter, the riders cued the thoroughbreds to gallop, each preparing for the moment when the three colts lurched forward, desiring a race. Handled expertly, the two bays and chestnut were kept at a reasonable, non racing gallop. They galloped, side by side and nose to nose, past the seven furlong pole. One furlong down, and seven to go. It was just an easy, mile long run. Stella felt Warrior's tug on the reins as they rounded the first turn. No, babe. She muttered, adjusting her grip slightly. We're not allowed to race until the Florida Derby.
The rest of the gallop passed fairly uneventfully. More of the same, tugging on the reins and the automatic increase in speed after the final turn. They managed to keep the colts nose to nose, though, and the three were understandably a little frustrated when they were pulled up. But next time they galloped, they'd be more than ready to win. Warrior was ready to take on the Florida Derby, and Soldier and Lucky were ready for the Diamond stakes.
