Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2012 4:54:16 GMT -5
There had been whispers that Instant Success would be outclassed in this competition, that he didn't have what it took to go up against Euphoria's Warrior and Eternal Phantom. They said that the reason that Isa had raced in a number of non-major races this season was because he could not hack it. But they could not be more wrong. They did not understand the reasoning behind the race schedule they had raced this year, obviously did not see the value in the races themselves having been blinded by the lack of major races. But what those races had given Isa was invaluable. It had given him experience not just on the track but racing against different horses. It was all well and good, racing in major races against the same horses time and time again, but what did it do for you, really? All experience has a cap, and if you do not go up against fresh competition you reach a level that you cannot cross. While Warrior and Phantie had raced against the same horses all year, Isa had raced against many and that experience would be useful to him.
The decision to send him to the triple crown, rather than the turf equivalent, had been made quite late in the year. In fact, it had not been until the Florida Derby that the decision had really been set in stone. Some said that because of that the colt lacked preparation, but that was not at all true. He had been in preparation for a major race series all year, it had just not been clear which. Now, however, they had to prove that the right decision had been made. They had to claim at least one leg of the crown, to show that Isa had the talent and class of a true champion. Jacob had his mind set on it, and the colt would not have forgotten his loss at the Florida Derby against the very horses he would be up against in the Kentucky Derby - the fast-approaching first leg of the crown.
Jacob had experience in the crown. He had raced Dark Charmer in two legs the previous year and while they had taken third in both he had been left unsatisfied. That taste had given Jacob something to aim for in her career, he wanted to know how it felt to win a leg of the triple crown. From there, the only way was up and he was determined to try and claim it. Isa had the experience, he had the talent, and now he just had to prove it on the track come race day. Jacob knew that they could do it, if they were well prepared they stood a chance. He had proven that in the Bank On Silver Memorial Stakes when they had nosed out Euphoria's Warrior and while the colt had then gone on to win the Florida Derby it had been reassuring. Yes, Isa had the talent - he just needed to wield it.
The other horse who would be working out was Afterglow, the four year old filly who had claimed the Acorn Stakes the previous year. Stormi was a powerful racer, had claimed two breeder's cup races in two years but had known a slow start this season. She was not being heavily raced, and Matthias had started to question if that was why her performance had gone downhill and so he had decided that a challenge against a talented three year old was just what the doctor had ordered for her. Alana hoped it would work, she had become invested in the filly, and every loss was a huge disappointment to her. She felt that she was letting the filly down, that she needed to find something to bring that edge back to the filly on the track, and discussions had led to this. If nothing else, the competitiveness of the planned workout would do both horses good.
They were scheduled to be on the track soon, but Jacob and Alana had asked Matthias to walk down with them so that they might go over the plans again. As such, they were stood outside the trainer's office, waiting for him to finish with what sounded like a very important phone call, with Matthias sounding very business-like as he ended the call and when he walked out of the office he was smiling. "Alana, good news. Stormi's next race has been secured - she's heading to the Zenyatta Derby over at The Wire in week two. This work will give her the boost she needs, I think. Anyway, we'll talk about it on the way down to the track. Come on guys - we can't let Lucas and Mia beat us the to track, it would be poor form." The trainer strode off, and behind him Alana rose an eyebrow while looking at Jacob. This was unexpected, but good news - since reaching Grade Two in her last race Alana felt that Stormi was back on track to achieve great things.
"So what's this race you're on about, Matthias?" Alana asked, catching up to the trainer while Jacob continued to walk behind. "Well, it's a major race at The Wire track for Grade One and Two horses. Ten furlongs on dirt, and so far the only other entrant is TDI Live This Lie. Anyway, we'll probably be working Stormi with Dark Charmer prior to the race but this will give her a boost, as well as helping out Isa significantly. I really think we ought to talk about that, don't you Alana?" the jockey scowled a little but nodded, of course everyone was going crazy over this years contenders, and she had given her sister advice on how to handle a major series. But Jacob didn't need advice, he had first hand experience.
"Isa is not looking like a crowd favourite following the Florida Derby, Jake, but don't let that get you down. With any luck, the other jockeys will underestimate you and that will give you a huge boost. You know it will be tough - Warrior and Phantie are both very strong horses - but Isa has talent too, and you need to show the world this if you can. That's what today's workout is all about, we're going to get this done and then go into the office to discuss tactics for the race. Okay?" Jacob grinned. "Confirmed, Matthias." Shaking his head the trainer laughed, Jacob really did have a comic streak in him at times, at least he hadn't called him 'Captain' on this occasion.
"Good. So today we are going to run Isa and Stormi over three furlongs, no gates. The challenge, or them and you, is to keep them side by side. I don't want you to let them go tearing after the post in the final furlongs either, we need Isa to be sharp but also determined come race day. If we deny him now, he'll be more competitive come race day. As for Stormi, she'll hate having to cross the line next to another horse, so it will boost her as well. Okay guys?" the jockeys nodded, and from there they walked in silence until they reached the track. Matthias walked into the stands, while the two jockeys jumped the gate onto the track to wait for the handlers to arrive with their handlers. Alana leant against the fence, staring up the track while Jacob looked thoughtful. Neither spoke, they had never exactly been friends and Jacob was not about to make an effort with someone as stand-offish as Alana.
They were not waiting long for the first horse - Afterglow, led by Mia - to arrive. The bay filly had grown into herself nicely and showed the maturity of an older horse while maintaining her energetic spark. She looked down the track with dark, knowing eyes and stood well when the trainer asked her to stop. Her coat was gleaming, her muscle mass strong and well developed in all of the right places. She had become much more placid in recent weeks, as she had started to be raced more, and was no longer throwing temper tantrums because of not being worked enough. Alana loved the filly like she loved no other, and even spared the time to greet her warmly before mounting. Stormi tossed her head a little as the jockey's weight landed in the saddle, scratched at the ground and was clearly impatient to start but her opponent had not yet arrived.
Isa was not as co-operative as Stormi by a long way. In fact, it seemed to be his life's mission to make Lucas' life difficult. The highly strung and stubborn colt had been causing issues from the moment that Lucas had brought him out of the stable and had several face-offs as they walked through the yard. Today, Isa was clearly in the mood for enforcing his own wishes and he wasn't about to do what Lucas told him just because the handler thought he should. Things went at his pace, and in his way, and if the handler did not like that then... Well... Tough. Lucas knew he was not going to win against the colt, and so he had changed tactics - giving hints to the colt but not outright requests. He took the bait, and soon they too arrived at the track. Here, Isa changed completely. He lifted his head to look up the track seemed to be a changed horse as Lucas led him onto the dirt and asked him to stop.
Jacob had seen the change and could not help but laugh as he walked over, clapping Lucas on the shoulder before turning his attentions to the colt. He was small, at 15.2hh and looking at him it was easy to underestimate what he could do. Despite a nice muscular structure, he didn't have the size of most successful racehorses. Or at least not powerful closers, anyway. People expected him to run preceder, or with the pack. They expected him to lack the power to close. They were wrong, of course, and underestimations like that were dangerous. Jacob ran his hand across the colt's nose and down his neck before mounting. "I hope you're ready for this, Isa. We have a lot to prove."
Lucas and Mia led the two horses to the three furlong point, and once again the difference between the two horses was clear. Stormi moved with a powerful, purposeful movement but remained calm beside her handler. She pulled a little, but was mainly behaved where as Isa was being his usual self. The colt was pulling against the rein and fighting to get to the starting position. He bucked once, and Jacob was able to remain on the colt while whispering calming words that seemed to go ignored. Lucas shook his head, forcing the colt to stop and then start again several times before it sunk into the chestnut's brain that he would get nowhere while messing around and then he seemed to calm out a little although he seemed to prance a little, his energy levels clearly high.
The two horses were brought side by side, the chestnut colt on the outside while Stomi was placed next to the rail. Isa tossed his head as the handler held him still and the handlers made eye contact. "Three," the jockeys rose in their stirrups, eyes on the track before them, "Two," Isa shifted his weight, seemed to realise what was about to happen, "One" The handlers released their grips on the horses, the jockeys urged their rides forwards and they were off. To start with, the horses were nowhere near level - Stormi had broken much more quickly that Isa - however they were soon brought even again as they moved up the track and the pace seemed to be around average.
Clearly, the horses did not like running next to one another. Stormi was desperately trying to inch forwards, and Isa seemed to want to drop back, but their jockeys held them steady. Jake and Alana made eye contact, seemed to communicate in silence for a moment but then looked ahead again. Jacob patter the chestnut colt's neck a little before driving him forwards again to prevent him from dropping back and the frustration was evident in the colt's movement but there was little that could be done. The first furlong and a half had already closed, and the jockeys had quite the job trying to hold the horses steady.
Stride by stride they continued - Stormi had a shorter stride that Isa, who was used to covering as much ground as he could in his long strides. The colt pulled at the bit as they came into the final furlong and the post came into view. Jake had no way to stop him from speeding up, although he held him back to try and keep him from closing on the post. Alana allowed the filly to increase her speed to keep up with the colt and both seemed to long to go more quickly. They passed the post, and started to slow the horses down. Stormi had taken the workout better than Isa, who was now throwing his weight around in a temper tantrum. He wanted to run, he wanted to run now, and he was being made to wait.
Jacob slid off of the colt and walked up to the stands where Matthias joined him. Alana stayed back to help the handlers with the horses, but Jacob could not due to the trainer's instructions. They walked up the track in silence, and Jacob was clearly thinking. He was worried about how Isa would act come race day, being as frustrated as what he was, but was sure Matthias had a plan. He always did. As they arrived at the stable, Jake waved at Tanya then followed Matthias into his office, taking a seat.
"You look confused. We purposefully riled Isa up today, and it should work in our favour. He'll be more competitive than ever thanks to the ride, and that means he'll fight twice as hard come race day. You aren't going to battle with Warrior for the back spot, place yourself a little ahead of him and make sure you don't let Phantie get too far ahead. In the stretch, time your move how you feel and be prepared for a fight - Warrior and Isa will go at it, as they always do, and I have a feeling that Isa won't be giving up this time. He's in great form, he's ready for a battle... Now all it comes down to is your performance on race day."
The decision to send him to the triple crown, rather than the turf equivalent, had been made quite late in the year. In fact, it had not been until the Florida Derby that the decision had really been set in stone. Some said that because of that the colt lacked preparation, but that was not at all true. He had been in preparation for a major race series all year, it had just not been clear which. Now, however, they had to prove that the right decision had been made. They had to claim at least one leg of the crown, to show that Isa had the talent and class of a true champion. Jacob had his mind set on it, and the colt would not have forgotten his loss at the Florida Derby against the very horses he would be up against in the Kentucky Derby - the fast-approaching first leg of the crown.
Jacob had experience in the crown. He had raced Dark Charmer in two legs the previous year and while they had taken third in both he had been left unsatisfied. That taste had given Jacob something to aim for in her career, he wanted to know how it felt to win a leg of the triple crown. From there, the only way was up and he was determined to try and claim it. Isa had the experience, he had the talent, and now he just had to prove it on the track come race day. Jacob knew that they could do it, if they were well prepared they stood a chance. He had proven that in the Bank On Silver Memorial Stakes when they had nosed out Euphoria's Warrior and while the colt had then gone on to win the Florida Derby it had been reassuring. Yes, Isa had the talent - he just needed to wield it.
The other horse who would be working out was Afterglow, the four year old filly who had claimed the Acorn Stakes the previous year. Stormi was a powerful racer, had claimed two breeder's cup races in two years but had known a slow start this season. She was not being heavily raced, and Matthias had started to question if that was why her performance had gone downhill and so he had decided that a challenge against a talented three year old was just what the doctor had ordered for her. Alana hoped it would work, she had become invested in the filly, and every loss was a huge disappointment to her. She felt that she was letting the filly down, that she needed to find something to bring that edge back to the filly on the track, and discussions had led to this. If nothing else, the competitiveness of the planned workout would do both horses good.
They were scheduled to be on the track soon, but Jacob and Alana had asked Matthias to walk down with them so that they might go over the plans again. As such, they were stood outside the trainer's office, waiting for him to finish with what sounded like a very important phone call, with Matthias sounding very business-like as he ended the call and when he walked out of the office he was smiling. "Alana, good news. Stormi's next race has been secured - she's heading to the Zenyatta Derby over at The Wire in week two. This work will give her the boost she needs, I think. Anyway, we'll talk about it on the way down to the track. Come on guys - we can't let Lucas and Mia beat us the to track, it would be poor form." The trainer strode off, and behind him Alana rose an eyebrow while looking at Jacob. This was unexpected, but good news - since reaching Grade Two in her last race Alana felt that Stormi was back on track to achieve great things.
"So what's this race you're on about, Matthias?" Alana asked, catching up to the trainer while Jacob continued to walk behind. "Well, it's a major race at The Wire track for Grade One and Two horses. Ten furlongs on dirt, and so far the only other entrant is TDI Live This Lie. Anyway, we'll probably be working Stormi with Dark Charmer prior to the race but this will give her a boost, as well as helping out Isa significantly. I really think we ought to talk about that, don't you Alana?" the jockey scowled a little but nodded, of course everyone was going crazy over this years contenders, and she had given her sister advice on how to handle a major series. But Jacob didn't need advice, he had first hand experience.
"Isa is not looking like a crowd favourite following the Florida Derby, Jake, but don't let that get you down. With any luck, the other jockeys will underestimate you and that will give you a huge boost. You know it will be tough - Warrior and Phantie are both very strong horses - but Isa has talent too, and you need to show the world this if you can. That's what today's workout is all about, we're going to get this done and then go into the office to discuss tactics for the race. Okay?" Jacob grinned. "Confirmed, Matthias." Shaking his head the trainer laughed, Jacob really did have a comic streak in him at times, at least he hadn't called him 'Captain' on this occasion.
"Good. So today we are going to run Isa and Stormi over three furlongs, no gates. The challenge, or them and you, is to keep them side by side. I don't want you to let them go tearing after the post in the final furlongs either, we need Isa to be sharp but also determined come race day. If we deny him now, he'll be more competitive come race day. As for Stormi, she'll hate having to cross the line next to another horse, so it will boost her as well. Okay guys?" the jockeys nodded, and from there they walked in silence until they reached the track. Matthias walked into the stands, while the two jockeys jumped the gate onto the track to wait for the handlers to arrive with their handlers. Alana leant against the fence, staring up the track while Jacob looked thoughtful. Neither spoke, they had never exactly been friends and Jacob was not about to make an effort with someone as stand-offish as Alana.
They were not waiting long for the first horse - Afterglow, led by Mia - to arrive. The bay filly had grown into herself nicely and showed the maturity of an older horse while maintaining her energetic spark. She looked down the track with dark, knowing eyes and stood well when the trainer asked her to stop. Her coat was gleaming, her muscle mass strong and well developed in all of the right places. She had become much more placid in recent weeks, as she had started to be raced more, and was no longer throwing temper tantrums because of not being worked enough. Alana loved the filly like she loved no other, and even spared the time to greet her warmly before mounting. Stormi tossed her head a little as the jockey's weight landed in the saddle, scratched at the ground and was clearly impatient to start but her opponent had not yet arrived.
Isa was not as co-operative as Stormi by a long way. In fact, it seemed to be his life's mission to make Lucas' life difficult. The highly strung and stubborn colt had been causing issues from the moment that Lucas had brought him out of the stable and had several face-offs as they walked through the yard. Today, Isa was clearly in the mood for enforcing his own wishes and he wasn't about to do what Lucas told him just because the handler thought he should. Things went at his pace, and in his way, and if the handler did not like that then... Well... Tough. Lucas knew he was not going to win against the colt, and so he had changed tactics - giving hints to the colt but not outright requests. He took the bait, and soon they too arrived at the track. Here, Isa changed completely. He lifted his head to look up the track seemed to be a changed horse as Lucas led him onto the dirt and asked him to stop.
Jacob had seen the change and could not help but laugh as he walked over, clapping Lucas on the shoulder before turning his attentions to the colt. He was small, at 15.2hh and looking at him it was easy to underestimate what he could do. Despite a nice muscular structure, he didn't have the size of most successful racehorses. Or at least not powerful closers, anyway. People expected him to run preceder, or with the pack. They expected him to lack the power to close. They were wrong, of course, and underestimations like that were dangerous. Jacob ran his hand across the colt's nose and down his neck before mounting. "I hope you're ready for this, Isa. We have a lot to prove."
Lucas and Mia led the two horses to the three furlong point, and once again the difference between the two horses was clear. Stormi moved with a powerful, purposeful movement but remained calm beside her handler. She pulled a little, but was mainly behaved where as Isa was being his usual self. The colt was pulling against the rein and fighting to get to the starting position. He bucked once, and Jacob was able to remain on the colt while whispering calming words that seemed to go ignored. Lucas shook his head, forcing the colt to stop and then start again several times before it sunk into the chestnut's brain that he would get nowhere while messing around and then he seemed to calm out a little although he seemed to prance a little, his energy levels clearly high.
The two horses were brought side by side, the chestnut colt on the outside while Stomi was placed next to the rail. Isa tossed his head as the handler held him still and the handlers made eye contact. "Three," the jockeys rose in their stirrups, eyes on the track before them, "Two," Isa shifted his weight, seemed to realise what was about to happen, "One" The handlers released their grips on the horses, the jockeys urged their rides forwards and they were off. To start with, the horses were nowhere near level - Stormi had broken much more quickly that Isa - however they were soon brought even again as they moved up the track and the pace seemed to be around average.
Clearly, the horses did not like running next to one another. Stormi was desperately trying to inch forwards, and Isa seemed to want to drop back, but their jockeys held them steady. Jake and Alana made eye contact, seemed to communicate in silence for a moment but then looked ahead again. Jacob patter the chestnut colt's neck a little before driving him forwards again to prevent him from dropping back and the frustration was evident in the colt's movement but there was little that could be done. The first furlong and a half had already closed, and the jockeys had quite the job trying to hold the horses steady.
Stride by stride they continued - Stormi had a shorter stride that Isa, who was used to covering as much ground as he could in his long strides. The colt pulled at the bit as they came into the final furlong and the post came into view. Jake had no way to stop him from speeding up, although he held him back to try and keep him from closing on the post. Alana allowed the filly to increase her speed to keep up with the colt and both seemed to long to go more quickly. They passed the post, and started to slow the horses down. Stormi had taken the workout better than Isa, who was now throwing his weight around in a temper tantrum. He wanted to run, he wanted to run now, and he was being made to wait.
Jacob slid off of the colt and walked up to the stands where Matthias joined him. Alana stayed back to help the handlers with the horses, but Jacob could not due to the trainer's instructions. They walked up the track in silence, and Jacob was clearly thinking. He was worried about how Isa would act come race day, being as frustrated as what he was, but was sure Matthias had a plan. He always did. As they arrived at the stable, Jake waved at Tanya then followed Matthias into his office, taking a seat.
"You look confused. We purposefully riled Isa up today, and it should work in our favour. He'll be more competitive than ever thanks to the ride, and that means he'll fight twice as hard come race day. You aren't going to battle with Warrior for the back spot, place yourself a little ahead of him and make sure you don't let Phantie get too far ahead. In the stretch, time your move how you feel and be prepared for a fight - Warrior and Isa will go at it, as they always do, and I have a feeling that Isa won't be giving up this time. He's in great form, he's ready for a battle... Now all it comes down to is your performance on race day."