Post by Snowflake on Feb 10, 2013 6:07:48 GMT -5
SUGAR RUSH WORKS FOR THE DIRTY DUCK STAKES
CROWNED QUEEN WORKS FOR THE SWIFT STAKES
High from her workout with Manhattan Royalty, Olivia collected Crowned Queen with a huge smile. Blaze was already warming up on the dirt track with Sugar Rush, so Olivia nudged Jewel into a brisk trot to catch up. The filly was out of Crowned Cookie, a grade three mare, and sired by Hall of Fame stallion Flying Colours. She was due to make her debut in next weekend's Swift Stakes, which was run over five furlongs on dirt. Hey Olivia greeted Blaze as they drew even with him and Sugar Rush.
Hey He replied, smiling. He'd seen her ride, and couldn't wait to watch her do it again in the race. But first, he'd be riding Sugar Rush in the Dirty Duck Stakes. It was an eight furlong race on dirt for fillies only. Sugar was sired by Sweet Sugar Cane, a very popular sprinter sire. He was grade one, and had sired HOF Deadly Desires, Windbreaker, Afterglow and Sugar Jayde, to name a few. Her dam was Rush Hour, a G1 mare and Breeder's Cup Sprint winner.
The pair warmed up in comfortable silence. The fillies got along well, and happily trotted side by side. Olivia was tempted to take Blaze's hand, but it wouldn't be a good idea, considering they were riding racehorses on the busy GHF track. It was a third workout for these fillies on this track, and they were faring well. Nervousness was almost completely gone, and they seemed to be comfortable in their surroundings now. They'd been living at the track for a week now, and with the race in two days time, Sugar Rush would be well prepared for her maiden start.
Moving on into canter, Blaze began to think of the race. It had attracted a smaller field than in previous years, with just a total of four fillies entered. Battle Wings, a filly sired by Akuma Battlecry, looked to be their top competition. Blaze had a feeling she'd be a front runner, just like Sugar, and that could be a problem. Given that front runners were usually dominant and didn't like to be challenged, the race would likely turn into a speed duel between the two, if Battle Wings was indeed a front runner.
Pushing the thought from his mind, Blaze knew they'd cross that bridge when they got to it. Now, it was nearly time to gallop. Sugar tugged on the reins, eager to race. Beside them, Jewel was doing the same. Simultaneously, the riders let about two inches of rein slip, and the two thoroughbreds burst forward. As sprinters, they moved quicker than stayers and they were at the turn a second or two faster than the horses in today's previous workouts.
Sugar had the rail, and used it to her advantage, taking the lead she so desired as Jewel lost ground on the turn. As the stretch straightened out before them, each thoroughbred dug into the dirt and each stride grew more powerful. Accelerating with each stride, it didn't take long to reach full speed. Unfortunately for Jewel, Sugar had the upper hand on the turn and she wasn't about to give it up now. She lead the rest of the way by a neck, crossing the line triumphantly, but not entirely satisfied. She liked bigger margins. Jewel was fuming, she'd get her next time. They were ready for their debuts.
