Post by Cavallo on Oct 6, 2012 14:25:15 GMT -5
The warm bay stallion moved lightly under Adele's touch. Ian by far was one of the most pleasant rides Adele had. Between Predator and Bellefire....Ian was a nice break from the norm of over-dominant horses that weirdly seemed to have a preference for her. Yes...Ian was a joy to ride. At five years of age, Ian was a seasoned racer, but for some reason unknown to them he wasn't a G1 yet...this troubled both Nick and Adele. Ian had amazing lines, son of the now gone Jest Ski and HoF Little Miss Innocent, he had the talent, as he had shown when he'd sweeped the win in his last race. This year was a vast improvement in the stallion's performance. Nick liked to think it was because the stallion had finally accepted that IR was his home. The stallion had moved around a lot in his life and now he was beginning to taste the sense of permanence and it was reflecting in the way he rode for Adele in their races.
Nick wanted desperately for this year to be the year that the colt started changing from being a second place finisher to a first place winner. The stallion was more eager nowadays, especially when he saw the track and Adele. He loved them both. Adele looked about the track as other horses and breezers passed and worked their mounts. There were no second looks in their direction...no reporter's buzzing....The Innocent Skier was overlooked. Older and to most had probably been written off as potential that hadn't come to fruition....but they couldn't have been more wrong.
The stallion's stride was fluid and firm. This was a stallion with a world full of experience and knowledge. He was confident, firm and even the stallion had a sense that things were on the up and up for him. Adele cooed to the bay as they finished up their second light canter of the track. He was entered in the upcoming Thunderstorm Stakes and as it stood, Ian was one win away from reaching G3. Adele wanted this win and wanted it badly. She and Nick had plans for this boy and it included dreams of reaching G1. But moving up in the categories meant wins. Nick had done an excellent job this year placing the stallion in races that allowed Ian to build up his confidence. Ian was sitting in a good place and was about to hit a winning streak that had never existed in his career. Things were about to turn around for them, Adele could feel and so could Ian.
Entered into their race was the celebrated Terror Smile. It had been a long time since the mare had been seen on the tracks. She'd suffered a broken leg after her BC race, but miraculously the tenacious mare had made a full recovery and was back in the game it seemed and ready to race. She was a front runner as was the other competitor, Popcorn Blitz. The Speed Demon colt was looking for redemption in this race, as were all the horses here. Ultimately it would come down to stamina, tactics and speed. Every horse was great in their own right, but Adele couldn't afford to have her five year old stallion lingering in G4. They were here to win and move on.
The benefit of this race would be that Ian ran in the back. He was free to move as he pleased as Terror Smile and Blitzen hashed out their dominance on the front line. Ian and Adele would gladly conserve themselves and when the right moment came, they would unleash their power and show the two in the front a real good time. They weren't going to let either horse have it easy.
Hunched close to her mount the pair did their work, his hooves flashing like lightning...they would soon hear the thunder of their efforts, as they fixed their eyes to the race ahead and the challenges it would bring....the key was to simply stay a step ahead of the competition and come race day...they would bring their A-game.
They finished their breeze and Adele was all grins. Ian was sound and ready. She pointed the stallion back to the barns, where stood. He had been watching the pair workout. Even he admitted that the stallion was looking in top form. He smiled up at Adele as she halted the bay by Nick.
You two looked great. He fed the young jockey the compliment, while taking in his horse. She was doing a fine job with him. There was a last minute addition to the race, Devil's Crusade. He runs midpack so you and Ian should still be set to run in the back. He looked good today. You're doing a great job with him.
Adele blushed at the compliment. The sweaty Ian was dancing slightly and Adele held him in check. Gonna go cool off Ian here...and get him settled in. He's got a big day ahead of him. She smiled and excused herself and Ian as they headed off to cool off and relax before the race that was quickly approaching.
