Post by Cruisey on Dec 16, 2013 16:53:00 GMT -5
Flying Solo & Johnny Garner
Lost in Memories & Sammie Pickett
It was really close to race day at Firestone Stables and literally no one was sitting down. They had 4 horses entered January week 3, all split between The Wire and Green Horse Fields. Solo was the only one at The Wire this week, and having Fern, Cian and Sonny at GHF. Carter had already sent the 3 boys out on a workout the other day, and today it was the challenge between Solo and the new mare, Lost in Memories, aka Emma. Emma’s last start was alright, a 3rd in the Quick Break Stakes, whereas Solo has not raced this season yet. Although Emma was only G5 and 3 years old, she definitely was tough competition, and it could really test her strength on Solo.
Solo’s challenge this week is against 3 other G3 runners, who were definitely solid competition. Carter wasn’t sure how he would run either, with the new transition to another barn with different riders. He decided that Johnny would be a good match for him, already having a lot of track experience and with training young horses, with the exception of Solo. The first few days of having Solo were a bit of a challenge, if you could call it that. Carter had Johnny spend as much time as he could around the stallion, getting used to his habits, quirks, likes and dislikes. The gallop today would be a good idea of how he runs under a new rider.
Emma’s next race is 9F and Solo’s is 7F... Carter thought to himself. Should I gallop them 5F or 6? He decided on 5, that way Solo still had energy before the race this weekend, and Emma had a nice short run before hers. The two horses were already tacked up for their riders, and Solo was putting up quite a fuss. His tail was flagged out behind him as he eyed the maximum Sabino mare. He struck out with his left foot, almost catching his groom behind the knee. Carter shook his head. “Stallions...” he muttered. He tipped his head to Johnny and Sammie, Emma’s exercise rider, and motioned for them to mount their horses. Solo snorted at Johnny, which caused the older man to laugh, stroking the stallion’s black mane.
Once Johnny and Sammie were aboard the two, they made their way to the track in the cold afternoon. Solo’s 16.3hh frame towered over Emma’s dainty little 15.2hh figure as they marched down the turf track’s backstretch towards the gate. Before they had left they had gotten Carter’s instruction on how far to go. As they approached the starting gate, Solo decided to throw in a little hissy fit. He lashed out with his back leg, throwing in a little crow hop. Johnny wasn’t fazed by his antics though. Sammie, on the other hand, walked Emma forward into the second stall without the starter's help. The starter helped Solo enter the gate and then locked him in. Johnny heard and felt the jolt of the back gate closing and got forward into a crouching position over the stallion’s withers. With that last look to Sammie, he nodded to her, and the gates opened. The starting bell rang in his ears, and the bay stallion charged from the gate, pounding down the track.
Johnny leaned forward, riding his strides with ease. He was prepared for a five furlong full out sprint to the wire; what Carter had asked of him to work the stallion. He gave him a notch of rein and Solo jolted forward, legs working quickly. Johnny did well to keep his eyes from the other mare galloping beside them, trying to focus between Solo's ears that were working back and forth, trying to detect any sound that would try to lurk behind him.
Sammie was doing extremely well with Emma, too. Her shorter strides not as quick as the stallion’s, but she held her ground. Her little legs were working very hard, and Sammie was impressed at the fact she was keeping up. She knew the mare was used to a longer distance than Solo, but he had a lot more experience than she did racing wise. She could hear Emma’s breaths coming evenly, her hooves digging into the turf as they neared the turn.
As they neared the middle of the far turn, both Sammie and Johnny gave in a little more notch of rein; almost all of it, now. In response, both horses’ strides turned into a full-fledged sprint for the wire. Solo’s eyes and ears were only on the finish pole, and he wanted to beat the new mare. Johnny couldn't help but glance to his right side, where Sammie was encouraging Emma with all she’s got. He, too, was surprised the stallion hadn’t extended his lead farther. Johnny soon focused on the track, feeling a sudden increase in acceleration. He hadn't given him more rein but Solo still moved forward even faster than he had just a moment ago. They were inching towards the one furlong pole at striking speeds.
The Sabino mare was closing on Solo now, but the stallion was having none of it. He kicked into a higher gear, pinning his ears at the mare, as if to say: “Not today, sista!” His tail flashed out as Johnny let him go, his strides eating up the turf. They crossed the finish pole, Emma only a length behind. Considering that Solo was 6 and Emma was only 3 was extremely exciting for Carter, because it showed to him that Emma did have the speed and skill to become a tip top mare.
