Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2013 1:14:28 GMT -5
With autumn quickly approaching, and an end to all triple series drawing, Green Horse Fields were really putting on a show, with some of the spectacular horses that were stepping out onto the track at the moment. They had four horses entered in the Autumn Cup - Year Twelve Triple Tiara winner Paradise Island, grade four three year old filly, Beautiful Liar, the small grey two year old with three wins in four starts, Glory Bell, and Beltane, the sprinter who was more than ready. The aim for the stables was to get these horses prepared for the Breeders Cup in the coming months, and with the determination and willpower of Jacey-Leigh Lanning, being back in the saddle just a few weeks after a miscarriage, she wasn't going down without a fight.
The fields they were entered in were strong fields - two dirt, one turf. They were all going to be taking part in separate workouts - Sonja and Leo would be working together over 9 furlongs on the dirt, and Leah would be working eight furlongs over the turf. They would just breeze - Jacey was a determined girl, but she didn't want to see the horses be pushed in a workout just to be tired for the race. She liked doing light workouts knowing the horses had been performing well.
Jacey would be riding Sonja in the workout, whereas Beth would ride Leo. Leo was a good boy, and he has definitely inherited his father's love of running. He can go all out in a race and still be practically bouncing as you take him back to the barn. It is almost as if he is showing off his youth and boundless energy. Leo doesn't misbehave very often, mainly because he sees it as a waste of time. It would be wasting energy he could be using doing more interesting and important things - like running. He traces back to Bank On Silver and True Enough from both his dam and sire's sides.
Paradise Island was a filly with no background, who came out of the blue to win the Juvenile Fillies, and the triple tiara. She was a classy girl - and she was definitely one to watch in the Grade One Race. Before the workouts, Jacey had flicked through the entries to see who the horses were up against. Leo's race was a really strong field - even though he was one of the least experienced horses in the races.
Starting in Gate One was Ivory Storms - the grey colt had four starts, one win, two places and a show. He was a good colt considering he did start relatively late in his two year old career - he had raced a lot over July and August so he could be at a slight disadvantage. He ran as a preceder so would be just behind the leaders. This race seemed to be very top heavy already.
In Gate Two was us - so in the next two gates were Star Thoroughbred horses. Radiant Silver and Headstrong. Headstrong was the stronger of the two horses, and she looked to be the likely competitor for this race, as she appeared to be the strongest. Radiant Silver was a good colt, with lots of starts but just one win to his name. He was a closer, so he would linger in behind us all then attempt to make up the ground afterwards. He last raced two weeks ago at The Wire - placing fourth.
Headstrong was next. The filly was a good filly - arch rivals with the filly, Everyday Smile. She was an amazing filly - with two major wins, lots of major places many more. She had raced last week and the week before, meaning she was at a disadvantage because she wasn't as rested as the other horses. Leo was at a huge advantage. He was rested, worked, and ready to take to the track. Rizz, as she was known as was a front runner. So the stage was set.
In Beautiful Liars race, there was also four entrants. The field for that race was incredibly strong. Starting in Gate One was us. In Gate Two there was A Royal Legacy. The Merry Bay King colt was now owned by Dark Justice Stables. He appeared to be a good colt with two wins to his name this season alone - he won the Akuma Battlecry Stakes at The Wire to prove that he did have what it took to win. Legacy is a horse that likes to come from the back, seeming almost laid back in the early stages as he follows the group - almost as if he wants to make it last.
The next two horses were Naturally A Flyer - The Natural and Simply A Flyer foal - and from the same foal crop - The Natural x Dare To Dream, called Nature's Dream. The two horses had really began to make there mark. Nature's Dream had won four races in that season, whereas Naturally A Flyer had won three, but more major places and shows on top of that. They were a preceder and a mid-pack, so there was no clear leader for this race. It appeared that Nattie would lead - Dream and Leah would be in behind her, then Legacy would be in behind.
Paradise Island had some tough competition in her race. Five horses - all of which she had faced before. She hadn't really had luck in the Seasonal Cups, so Jacey was hoping with the dedication and work, she would do perfectly and try to win. Starting in Gate One was Eternal Phantom - the Triple Crown Challenger who won the Kentucky Derby but had to settle for third in the Preakness, before finishing in a photo finish to draw with Sonja in the coaching club american oaks. The filly was good - she could run as a front runner or a closer.
In Gate Two was the filly more reknown for her sprints, Afterglow. She was a good filly. She had three starts this year, but after she placed a bad fifth in the Seaspray Cup, it was thought that she could try again under new ownership with Dark Justice Stables. The filly could run as a front runner or a preceder, like us. This meant the field would be top heavy - meaning the pace would be incredibly quick if she decided to challenge War Cry for that contested lead - but in longer races she usually runs as a preceder.
Fiery Touch was next. The filly was good - she was more than ready for this race. She had won several races at The Wire and had been brought back over here especially for the Autumn Cup. The filly was versatile, she could run anywhere in the field. It appeared she would linger quite far behind with Eternal Phantom if that was the case. War Cry was last but not least. It appeared she was going for the Champion Three Year Old Filly this year. She was a front runner, so she would set the pace.
Beltane was entered in the Grade One turf sprint. It was all horses she had faced before. She had beaten them all before - but without being over confident, she was destined to do so again. The field would be fast and furious. Bella and Cross would lead the race with Sugar Jayde alongside them or hot on there heels, then Spitting Image at the back of the pack. With that, everyone was ready to go.
Jacey would be riding Paradise Island with Beth riding Glory Bell. They would then swap onto Beautiful Liar and Beltane. Son and Leo would go nine furlongs on the dirt. Leah and Bella would go 8 furlongs on the turf. The stage was set for the workouts. Jacey and Beth had mounted up onto the first two mounts who were warmed up and all ready for them - two trainee jockeys were warming up the other two, ready for the first workout to be finished. Once the first two were finished, the trainee jockeys would take them back to the stables after they had mounted onto the second two. It was simple.
Son and Leo breezed across the dirt surface, heading towards the nine furlong pole on the outer dirt track. Beth and the grey colt loped along excitedly as Son did it as a pro, cantering along, tucking her head in as she was maturing into a beautiful five year old filly in the coming years. They approached the gate and they were both loaded with no problems. The bell rang and both horses broke quickly. Son took the lead with Leo just in behind as they settled in through the first two furlongs. Jacey sat perfectly still on Son. Leo galloped along with his ears pricked in behind.
The workout flew by and they came together at the top of the stretched and breezed, matching strides and crossing the wire. Quickly, they swapped into Bella and Leah. They headed to the turf track before starting the workout straight away without a gate. They breezed side by side for most of it - and as they came into the stretch they sprinted a little bit to try and cover some ground and cross the wire. Experienced played it's part and Bella got a nose infront. Jacey was happy that they finally had a good workout - they were ready for the Autumn Cup.