Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jun 13, 2014 20:44:24 GMT -5
LIMITED EDITION AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
WISH UPON A STAR AND KRYSTAL YHATE
ED'S WORKOUT FOR THE BELMONT STAKES
WISH'S WORKOUT FOR THE LADY'S SECRET
She was gorgeous - there was truly no other word to describe the daughter of Everyday Hero and Warm Wishes. Krystal fondly rubbed a hand down the bay mare's neck, smiling brightly as Wish Upon A Star neighed and tossed her head, demanding more attention. Her perfectly groomed black mane shone dashingly against her bay coat, and Krystal thought that no horse had ever looked so beautiful. Wish was built to go and go. She was leggy, her strides graceful as she set out over the dirt surface, still craving the attention of the rider she had come to cherish and love. Krystal kept up her ministrations as they set out to meet with today's workout partner - Limited Edition. Her thoughts strayed to the future. The Lady's Secret Stakes was Wish's third try with SOPS at a high class race. So far, Wish had done fantastic in all races that had not been high class. The minute she hit those, something happened and her performance dropped. Krystal was hoping to remedy that situation. It needed to be taken care of if they ever wanted to stay racing in the SOPS silks beyond this season.
Valencia Andrews was smirking as she vaulted into the saddle of the chestnut colt she owned every inch of. Limited Edition was all hers. She had trained him, conditioned him, paid the entry and nominating fees for him. Amber had played her part too of course, as Valencia was no substitute for experience, but the three year old winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile and Preakness Stakes owed quite a bit of his entries to her. And the thought filled her with overwhelming pride. Ed was no slacker. He was all classic muscle, all professionalism as he stepped foot on the track. Ed was only sixteen hands high, but he was physically imposing. His strides were long and bragged of immense power waiting in the wings. That was Ed - he was a closer, and waiting in the wings was what he did best. He had come through for Valencia last time out in the Preakness Stakes and was rolling into the Belmont off of a winning high. If there was a colt to get this job done, it would be Ed. The small field was ideal for his closing sweep, not to mention that both horse and rider were dead set on the win.
Ed would be facing In Front, Fifty In Front and Anodyne. The other three colts were classy for sure, and they were wildcards - the only horse with a confirmed running style was Ed himself. So the race would play out simply. The other three could have the pace all they wanted, dictate it. Ed would have the stamina for the stretch, saved up from patiently moving up the field throughout the mile and a half race, as well as the closing speed to get the job done. Ed had relished the extra furlong in the Preakness Stakes. He could get the distance here as well, would love the extra furlong for running down his opponents as he loved to. There would be a fierce fight put up by the others for sure, and Ed would relish the challenge just as much as his rider. SOPS was defending their Belmont Stakes title. Ed was the horse to do it.
Valencia met Wish and Krystal, cantering down the dirt. They joined them, then accelerated sharply to keep pace as they began to curve around the track. Ed moved easily, taking note of the slim mare on his inside and keeping pace just behind her. He oozed pressure, and to her credit there was a distinct lack of response from Wish. The bay mare would not go faster than she wanted to. She was content to let Ed stress himself out trying to do that if he wished. Ed didn't miss a beat. He settled down now, stretching out with his body and taking longer strides as the furlongs passed. Valencia hunkered down, eyes glinting with calculation. Wish was not an easy opponent. She had improved in leaps and bounds, even hit grade one, and was not to be underestimated. Wish excelled at gunning it for home in the stretch. Ed was more of a gradual runner, while Wish was explosive. The race would be interesting, that was for sure.
The backstretch disappeared, then the final turn. Ed had been gradually gaining speed, not tired yet as they swung into the stretch. Valencia sent him forward, anticipating the explosive kick of Wish, and she was not disappointed. The bay mare did explode, her pace rapidly increasing as she threw herself forward as she was known to do and gave it all she had. Ed raced up to be eye to eye with her, sticking with her gamely for every stride and not giving in. Wish had a lot of heart. She reached farther forward, accelerated more. Ed responded, not willing to be done in. Locked in this battle, they passed under the wire, and even then did not give up. Krystal was grinning with pride - here was a mare not to be underestimated. And Valencia smirked, knowing her colt was one skilled in combat. The Belmont Stakes and the Lady's Secret lay ahead, and boy were these two thoroughbreds ready to tackle the challenge of these star-studded races.
