Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2013 5:41:12 GMT -5
Paradise Island had recently been a late scratch from her start in what was meant to be the El Sol Del Mar Memorial Stakes. Two weeks before, she won The Natural Memorial Stakes, and after a two week break, she felt rejuvenated and she was ready to strike back yet again. Jacey felt racing her in the El Sol Del Mar would've been too much, so she scratched her, ready for the Babbling Brook Handicap - where she was yet again against her old rival, Euphoria's Warrior - who had beat her time and time again this year, but this time she was ready to fight back, and she was getting prepared for the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. Jacey had felt she would have a better chance in the Classic after another year of racing - and to give her a chance to get in for Hall of Fame. She had started 44 times, and won 22 of them, so winning exactly half of her races at that moment in time. Jacey was gutted after her second place in the Autumn Cup and this time she was out for revenge.
This time, Jacey felt confident that the mare was ready for the race. She would be ready to take on the challengers. She won the Triple Tiara last year, and after many places and shows in previous major races, she was more than determined to get to a head start ready for her five year old season. She would then be retired, and bred to someone in Year 15 - but her Year 16 foal was one to be ready for. The breeding had been planned in advance, and Jacey was incredibly happy for the results she was going to be getting from the match - the Triple Tiara winner with the MHS Triple Crown Winner would be a winning combination in the future. This year she had won the Deadly Desires and The Natural Memorials, then she took the Lady's Secret Stakes at The Wire, beating out Eternal Phantom.
The entrants for the Babbling Brook Handicap were good and strong entrants. Flashy Wings would start in Gate One - he was a good strong and older runner, who Sonja had beaten out in the Oscarianna Stakes at the start of the year. He had done really well this year, winning a Unicorn Horn race, the Summer Cup, South Pacific Handicap, the Starry Night Stakes, then the Impressario Memorial Stakes. He was beginning to do well this season with his jockey, Henna Turath. He raced as a stalker, which meant he would be near the front of the field. The field looked to be good for the race, especially with the next horse entered.
The next entrant was a Witch Creek Stable horse, Ashes To Ashes. He had won many races at The Wire this year and was really beginning to prove himself as a good racer. He was being a very dominant racer, and raced as a front runner. Brookson Wells rode the colt, he was a very good colt under her, and he was one to watch in this race. In the next gate, Nature Blue had taken a risk with entering Gamble On Peace, despite the fact he was mainly a sprinter and had only recently been raced over longer distances. He was a closer which meant he would come behind us all.
The next one was the big gun. This was the thriller stallion, Euphoria's Warrior. The stallion was big, the stallion was bad, the stallion was damn right dangerous, and the one to watch. He was the favourite for this race, but Jacey wasn't letting him go down too quickly without a fight. Sonja was stronger than ever and as she matured she would get ever stronger. He had won many races and beaten her on several occasions, but this time she was determined, and so was Sonja.
They decided a quick breeze would be perfect for the race, not too much but not too little either. After walking the filly onto the track, she walked and trotted her round to warm her up. She was feeling good. Sonja would linger just behind Ashes To Ashe, and press the pace of the race towards the end. Jacey took the filly to the top of the track near the three furlong pole on the straight track on the dirt, and spun her on her heels. Sonja pranced slightly and jumped forward and started to gallop down the track. The stop watch on her wrist started. Jacey let her run, and the filly extended her stride annd she galloped down the track, covering the two furlongs with ease. After she crossed the wire, she finished the two furlongs in a quick but reasonable 20 seconds. Jacey patted the filly and cooled her down. They were ready to take on Warrior.