Post by Cruisey on Jan 24, 2014 10:53:24 GMT -5
GHOST RIDER & SAMMIE PICKETT
The Magnolia Maiden Stakes was going to be Gia’s third attempt at the track. Her first two attempts showed us that she definitely had the talent to race, and that’s why Carter picked her out in the first place. Gia was not a small filly, but she wasn’t large either. At 16.1hh she was around the average height for a Thoroughbred, but what she lacked in size, she had in heart and in power. Her toned chestnut muscle and her strong movements only represented what she was able to achieve when going at full speed. She moved beside her rider calmly, her ears pressed forwards as they made their way onto the dirt for her second workout of the season. She tossed her head slightly, but she did not spend an abundant amount of energy on fooling around when it was track time. If she was in the barn, on the other hand, she would be tearing the place apart.
Sammie walked toward the track with Carter, quickly discussing how they felt the race would go based on the entrants at that moment. The only other entry was a filly named Lethal Dose, who had the same amount of starts but upped her placing by 1, meaning she had come second whereas Gia came third in their last race. She was a stalker, where Gia was a mid-pack runner.
Sammie ran her hand across the filly's neck, looking at Carter, before mounting the filly quietly. Carter led the filly to the starting gates and needed some help loading her into her stall. With some difficulty, they managed to get her loaded and soon the gates were closed behind her. She remained calm in the stall, but alert and as soon as the buzzer sounded the filly was out of the gate and starting the three furlong workout.
Gia broke well, and moved out onto the dirt at a good pace. She held her head high as her legs moved, powerfully carrying her forwards with long strides. Her golden mane steamed behind her, and Sammie looked as confident as the filly as she directed her toward the rail, where they would run for the workout and more than likely during the race.
Sammie and the filly were on the same wavelength; they moved and worked together out on the track. The first furlong passed quickly, with little activity, and Sammie knew they were already making good time as she began to urge the chestnut filly onwards. The speed increase was gradual, and they were not really driving as of yet - choosing to wait until the final furlong for the workout to finish. In the race, their move would likely start earlier but everything depended on situation, and she was adaptable.
Soon, the second furlong had also passed, and Sammie flashed Gia the crop as she started to drive the filly hard for the wire. Every stride they were fighting, their speed still picking up on their approach to the finish line. The filly's firm stride became quicker, more regular, and soon they flew across the line. Gia was in good form, but was it enough to claim her maiden victory? Sammie was sure she could beat Lethal Dose, the chestnut filly had the heart and the power, but does she have the motivation? Sammie wasn’t sure of this, but she could hope for the best.
