Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2013 2:00:32 GMT -5
Paradise Island had really began to prove herself, despite a bad start to the year and constantly placing second and third in the big races - and placing a distraught second behind Nightshade, a three year old filly who had beaten her in the Black Eyed Susan, but now Sonja was entered in a tough competition - it would be her final race before the Breeders' Cup. She was entered in the Palm Tree Paradise Invitational. A ten furlong race over the dirt surface. She was up against some tough contenders and even though this was the case Jacey didn't mind.
Starting in Gate One was her old rival, Fire Dancer. The big beautiful five year old would be retiring this coming year but she looked to be in fabulous condition. She'd ran a great season this year. She had 67 starts to her name, with 22 wins, leaving her with a consistency level of 86.5%, amazing for a five year old who had placed out of the top three eight times in her whole career. The filly was fabulous, and she raced as a mid-pack too. She wouldn't be too far behind Sonja.
In Gate Two, Stride of Perfection had entered another - they'd entered the brave and powerful Belmont Stakes winner, Sweet Inferno. The filly had won it in style after a good two year old season. She had 41 starts to her name, with 10 wins, meaning the filly was in Grade Two boundaries, but looked to be ready to level up to Grade One if she carried on going the way she was going. She was a front runner so would set the pace in what looked to be a very heated race today.
Jacey was surprised that Eternal Phantom hadn't been entered in the race. It came as a shock to her really, but there was still the beautiful Fire Dancer. Starting in Gate Three was the wonderous colt, Red Herring. He'd been a furious contender alongside Sweet Inferno this year, and it sure came as a shock to him when she overtook him in the closing stages of the Belmont Stakes after managing to get his head infront. Eventually he fell back to third but it was still a good run. The colt was a pace presser, meaning he would pressure Sweet Inferno the whole way. Jacey planned to linger a couple of lengths behind them two battling it out, considering we could either, A) lead the race, or B) stalk the pace. So they were taking option B.
Finally, there was Euphoria's Warrior. The big, bold and furious Euphoria colt. Jacey wasn't sure if Euphoria's Warrior was going to be retiring this year, but she knew if he didn't, they would be neck and neck throughout the whole of the next year, too. Sonja had beaten him once this year in the Independance Cup, finally buckling under the frustration that she kept losing to the colt she was to be bred to in a few years time. Paradise Island would race the following year though, hoping to stamp her name down as one of the greatest fillies out there. He was a closer, so the race was finally planned out.
Sweet Inferno would lead. Red Herring would be pressuring her. We'd linger a couple of lengths off the pace with Fire Dancer in behind, then Euphoria's Warrior in behind her. Jacey was hoping that tomorrow would be Sonja's day. She 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 the Invitational.