Post by Kenren on May 3, 2014 22:29:25 GMT -5
Mourning Passion and Savita Tusaint
Flashpoint and Tigris Greenfire
Paradise Island and Halexia Suhail
Words couldn't describe Cole Mavecci's high following the last week of April. With his son aboard, Dare to Impress had done everything her pedigree suggested she was capable of and put down her two competitors in the Kentucky Open to be the first horse to win a major three-year-old series race for Valkyrie Stables. It was quite fitting, really. Mae Suhail always joked that she should buy more horses that looked like duds and hand them over to her trainer, since he seemed to take the questionables and turn them into budding champions. Bowen Arrow, Grey's Wisdom, Handsome Tabby, and now Dare to Impress, showing her incredible will. He hadn't started thinking about the possibility of the next step, or the one after that... he took every race as it came, and he had other races to focus on in the present. It was the first week of May, after all.
Cole watched with a critical eye as the first horse was led down the path, the young but talented Savita on his back. Cole had been unsure, at first, putting the fiery girl on a horse with both Impassioned Wind and Augusto in his bloodlines. However, Mourning Passion was more of a quietly vicious horse than his... simpler cousins. While he knew Savita hated working with the colt on the ground, she rode him will all the confidence of a seasoned veteran and he responded well to her guidance. The black colt was not overly tall, but he was as muscular as a three-year-old could be. Cole hadn't been planning on aiming the horse for the Derby, but Mourn had proven himself to the point that he deserved the chance. The colt had won four races that year and placed in the other two, which included the Santa Anita Derby. He would not be the favorite, but he wouldn't be a non-factor, either.
A few strides behind him came Flashpoint, the big, dark 'Moose' from Witch Creek. He really was as they'd advertised - he was a workhorse, not flashy but grinding out every placing that came in every race. He'd taken the Holy Bull and two other races so far this year, as well as third in the Florida Derby. He didn't have the distanct in him to go for the Derby, but he couldn't be counted out for the Red Mile later on in the year. He definitely wasn't to be counted out of the big leagues quite yet. He was perky and excited, tugging on the lead line despite the shank under his lip. Tigris ran a hand down his neck from his back, talking quietly to the big colt.
The last horse to follow was the one that would truly test the mettle of both three-year-olds. There was a certain sense of quiet and awe still in Cole's heart when he saw Paradise Island, walking out under his riders, under his training now for her final year. In Stride had made a champion out of her, and he could only hope that they'd help her finish her racing career in style. The mare was not huge, and had the dainty features of a female, but it was obvious that she was an elite athlete. She had an amazing presence, and he thought the Triple Tiara winner would be a great influence on the younger horses leading into their races. Hal had snagged the mount, using her wily persuasion just as she had when she'd first seen Van Guard.
The three riders were let loose of the leads when they reached the gap, and the horses were moved out to warm up. The three of them were surprisingly calm and easy to handle together, all feeding off of the ease of the others. It made for a rather focused session, as they were all the sort to get more worked up for race day than for works themselves. They warmed up without incidence, Hal feeling out her new mount and the others preparing their horses for a strong run against a very strong mare.
Finally the horses reached a gallop, Mourn taking the lead along the rail with Sonja to his outside and Moose three wide just behind. They were going four furlongs to sharpen them up. With the current stakes, Mourn would definitely be the one to watch on Cole's end. When they hit the correct pole, the riders urged their horses for more. Savita sat chilly on the big black colt, patiently holding him back and receiving a good response as Sonja settled with her nose at his shoulder. They charged around the turn, a flying force, and Savita gave Mourn a shake of the reins at three furlongs. Mourn responded beautifully, digging into the dirt and decidedly put to rest the idea that he might not be able to hold his pace from the front. Sonja moved head to head with him, Moose gaining on the outside as they strided valiantly toward the wire, none willing to give ground. It was Mourn who kept his nose in front as they breezed by, though it was obvious that none of the three had truly brought their racing fight. The jockeys hadn't pushed them, there was no crowd - they knew their trade, and Sonja especially had relaxed well into the work. Cole was decidedly excited to see the three of them perform in their true races - they had bright futures ahead.
Flashpoint and Tigris Greenfire
Paradise Island and Halexia Suhail
Words couldn't describe Cole Mavecci's high following the last week of April. With his son aboard, Dare to Impress had done everything her pedigree suggested she was capable of and put down her two competitors in the Kentucky Open to be the first horse to win a major three-year-old series race for Valkyrie Stables. It was quite fitting, really. Mae Suhail always joked that she should buy more horses that looked like duds and hand them over to her trainer, since he seemed to take the questionables and turn them into budding champions. Bowen Arrow, Grey's Wisdom, Handsome Tabby, and now Dare to Impress, showing her incredible will. He hadn't started thinking about the possibility of the next step, or the one after that... he took every race as it came, and he had other races to focus on in the present. It was the first week of May, after all.
Cole watched with a critical eye as the first horse was led down the path, the young but talented Savita on his back. Cole had been unsure, at first, putting the fiery girl on a horse with both Impassioned Wind and Augusto in his bloodlines. However, Mourning Passion was more of a quietly vicious horse than his... simpler cousins. While he knew Savita hated working with the colt on the ground, she rode him will all the confidence of a seasoned veteran and he responded well to her guidance. The black colt was not overly tall, but he was as muscular as a three-year-old could be. Cole hadn't been planning on aiming the horse for the Derby, but Mourn had proven himself to the point that he deserved the chance. The colt had won four races that year and placed in the other two, which included the Santa Anita Derby. He would not be the favorite, but he wouldn't be a non-factor, either.
A few strides behind him came Flashpoint, the big, dark 'Moose' from Witch Creek. He really was as they'd advertised - he was a workhorse, not flashy but grinding out every placing that came in every race. He'd taken the Holy Bull and two other races so far this year, as well as third in the Florida Derby. He didn't have the distanct in him to go for the Derby, but he couldn't be counted out for the Red Mile later on in the year. He definitely wasn't to be counted out of the big leagues quite yet. He was perky and excited, tugging on the lead line despite the shank under his lip. Tigris ran a hand down his neck from his back, talking quietly to the big colt.
The last horse to follow was the one that would truly test the mettle of both three-year-olds. There was a certain sense of quiet and awe still in Cole's heart when he saw Paradise Island, walking out under his riders, under his training now for her final year. In Stride had made a champion out of her, and he could only hope that they'd help her finish her racing career in style. The mare was not huge, and had the dainty features of a female, but it was obvious that she was an elite athlete. She had an amazing presence, and he thought the Triple Tiara winner would be a great influence on the younger horses leading into their races. Hal had snagged the mount, using her wily persuasion just as she had when she'd first seen Van Guard.
The three riders were let loose of the leads when they reached the gap, and the horses were moved out to warm up. The three of them were surprisingly calm and easy to handle together, all feeding off of the ease of the others. It made for a rather focused session, as they were all the sort to get more worked up for race day than for works themselves. They warmed up without incidence, Hal feeling out her new mount and the others preparing their horses for a strong run against a very strong mare.
Finally the horses reached a gallop, Mourn taking the lead along the rail with Sonja to his outside and Moose three wide just behind. They were going four furlongs to sharpen them up. With the current stakes, Mourn would definitely be the one to watch on Cole's end. When they hit the correct pole, the riders urged their horses for more. Savita sat chilly on the big black colt, patiently holding him back and receiving a good response as Sonja settled with her nose at his shoulder. They charged around the turn, a flying force, and Savita gave Mourn a shake of the reins at three furlongs. Mourn responded beautifully, digging into the dirt and decidedly put to rest the idea that he might not be able to hold his pace from the front. Sonja moved head to head with him, Moose gaining on the outside as they strided valiantly toward the wire, none willing to give ground. It was Mourn who kept his nose in front as they breezed by, though it was obvious that none of the three had truly brought their racing fight. The jockeys hadn't pushed them, there was no crowd - they knew their trade, and Sonja especially had relaxed well into the work. Cole was decidedly excited to see the three of them perform in their true races - they had bright futures ahead.