Post by Deleted on May 20, 2013 1:26:12 GMT -5
The sprinter triple crown series was fast approaching and it was time for the terror 'Tear' twins to make their mark. The preparation races were approaching quickly too - leaving only a couple of weeks until the big races were starting to come up. The Quick Cup was a preparation race - seven furlongs over the dirt surface at Green Horse Fields, four horses, and lots of nervous trainers and jockeys. For this preparation, it had been noted that Tears of an Angel would be setting foot onto the track, after Tears of Blood beat Mastermind the week before to take the May Turf Stakes. The filly had been rested since beating out her own brother and Mastermind to win the Top Speed Stakes during April Week 3.
Looking through the list of the entrants, Ivana grumbled - their was one filly on there that Lucy absolutely hated with a passion, and she knew it. No, not Innocent Passion - her other rival, Cross My Heart. They were like Anarchi and Impressario, Comeuppance and Little Miss Innocent, that sort of rivalry - they would be at it. Ivana and Lucy were starting in Gate One, to get their position on the inside rail. It would be a long hard battle for the finish. Lucy had 21 starts, 12 wins, 6 places and 3 thirds. It meant she had never placed out of the top three - she was having a good season so far, with 2 wins, 4 places and 1 third, in the Silk Road Stakes.
It was going to be a hard race - but Lucy was prepared. She was rested and ready to take it into her stride. Starting in Gate Two was Cross My Heart herself. She had recently won the Debutante Stakes at Green Horse Fields during April Week Four, and she looked settled and prepared to try and do so again today. The filly also has 21 starts - 10 wins, 10 places and 1 show. This season, she had taken 4 wins, 2 places and a show. She looked strong but Lucy wasn't going to give up very easily. She was a front runner, so Lucy would be stalking her for the whole seven furlongs.
Jazzaway was starting in Gate Three, he wasn't the most well known colt but he was certainly looking to impress. He hadn't won a race since last December - but he looked strong with two places, four shows, a fifth and a sixth this season. He was hoping to impress. He was also a front runner, so the pace would be furious set by them - but he was more of a mid-distance horse rather than a sprinter. He raced over both surfaces. His best accomplishment so far was in the Florida Derby, where he placed a very enthusiastic second place.
Next, there was Aquatic Addiction - the old Silver Stride colt was looking very impressive this season, racing solely at the Wire and taking four wins with him. His only race at GHF had proven a fourth place in the Grade Four dirt at the Stable Face-Off. He was a dirt runner and a closer, over six to nine furlongs - which was always a bonus. He won the FTH Dirt Mile last year, and has been racing well for Stride of Perfection.
The plan for the race had been set out. Jazzaway and Cross My Heart would lead. We wouldn't press the pace as such, we'd just linger behind and when they begin to come under pressure, push them for more speed so they have to speed up. Ivana's plan wasn't to let Lucy tear off after the leaders with their quick dualling pace, but to linger behind and let her do her own thing until the homestretch. She had used that plan before in a race that she won, and she was hoping to do so again.
Walking Lucy into the yard, Ivana mounted. Jacey walked up alongside her and smiled. The filly walked out onto the dirt surface and Ivana turned her in some small tight circles to warm her up. Jacey walked over and smiled, "Okay, breeze for four, sprint for two. I'll time the final two furlongs." Ivana nodded and turned the filly round before pushing her into a bouncy one two beat trot. She sailed across the dirt surface, being light on her feet as she did so.
As they came into the backstretch by the mile pole, she broke into a smooth canter and Ivana stood effortlessly in her stirrups. Lucy glided along the dirt at a three beat canter, steadying herself up at the seven furlong pole to make her move at the six. Ivana smiled and held her back and as they got to the pole, she let her loose. Lucy quickened up the pace excessively and she began to speed up. Ivana rocked with her and held her back, saving her momentum for the final two furlongs.
She smiled as they came round the bend and the filly changed her legs. She let out a little snort as they went past the three furlong pole. Ivana began to let her quicken up bit by bit, and as they came into the stretch, she let her go. The filly sped up and extended her stride to fly effortlessly down the home stretch. She pricked her ears as Ivana pushed her on and they reached their velocity speed as they came into the final furlong.
She whinnied and flew energetically over the wire. Ivana smiled and slowed the filly down. She chomped on her bit and tossed her mane about as they came back down from a canter, to a trot - they trotted back towards Jacey who was stood at the fence opposite the wire. Lucy tossed her head again and snorted. She stroked the filly's neck and smiled as she pulled her up. "Very good workout. Final two was in twenty and two fifths. She's ready." Jacey said, stroking the fillies soft velvet nose.