Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Feb 7, 2015 21:38:06 GMT -5
WISH UPON A STAR AND KRYSTAL YHATE
DEMONIC DESIRES AND AMBER BLACK
IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
WISH/DEMON FOR UNICORN HORN
INNIE FOR ECLIPSE STAKES
The three thoroughbreds over the turf track received their share of stunned and excited looks as they warmed up. Wish Upon A Star, piloted by the ever ready Krystal Yhate, had finished a game second in the Breeders Cup Turf Marathon to Infinite Warcry. The mare had developed into a fierce competitor last season and was expected to truly lay her claim to dominance this season in the turf routes - after all, her half-sister Vindictive Fury had improved dramatically on the five year old season, and Wish was cut from the same talented cloth. She was liquid power, rangy grace as she warmed up, eyes alert to everything around her. She was shadowed closely by the surprise of Year Fourteen. In The Spotlight whinnied, practically begging for attention, and for once she was actually getting all the attention that she wanted. Here was the three year old that, in a desperate lunge, had defeated Bella Luna after running on the lead for the entirety of the Breeders Cup Turf. And to prove that it wasn't a fluke, Valencia reflected, they would have to win.
As a four year old, Innie had gotten faster and sturdier. She had grown in the two years she had raced into a grade one Breeders Cup winner. It was time to truly stake a claim now that the Turf Queen had retired. Away from the two mares, Demonic Desires danced to his own tune. The arrogant black horse, now a stallion, had developed fully into his muscular frame. Here was perhaps the fastest turf sprinter in the barn, a horse perhaps capable of even matching Ventura for speed at the present. The fantastic stallion's final win of the season had come against both Cross My Heart and Demonic Desires...that proved that, if anything, he was ready to stake his claim at the top of the rankings. And Amber truly thought he could do it. This horse was bloody fast and knew how to use it to his advantage too.
Ten minutes later, and the eyes were directed - some through binoculars - as the three horses worked out. As expected, Innie had pranced to the lead and stayed there. She had seemingly endless amounts of stamina in Valencia's opinion and moved almost like a sprinter at the same time - a deadly combination. Demonic Desires shadowed his yearmate coolly, all tactful coldness as he rated his speed. Wish kept the younger horses company, intent on the task at hand, Krystal's eyes bright. She knew that Innie could probably continue forever on that lead and excelled in fighting back gamely even when the game looked lost - defeating Bella Luna had shown that. And Demon was just chock full of speed ready to be unleashed. But Krystal knew her mare had the most stamina of the group, and knew that to exploit this she would have to run them fast and down. Wish accelerated as she asked, and the pace picked up. Innie drew off, Demon accelerating as well, and then Wish fell back, her job done.
The half was a bit faster than it should have been. Valencia recognized that, glanced behind to check where the competition was, and slowed slightly. Amber smirked, pressing Demon forward, and Innie took up the speed again with a muted squeal of fury. Valencia fumed, keeping Innie as in hand as she could while keeping an eye on her foes behind. Demonic Desires was apparently willing to press today, and Wish would be behind. The key to winning here would be to sprint away before either horse made a move. Demon had speed and Wish had stamina...but Innie had heart and energy. Six furlongs down, two furlongs left, and Valencia let her mare fly on the final turn. Innie was only too happy to oblige, streaking off and leaving the two behind slightly in shock. Innie was a freight train rolling into the station in first and they needed to get moving now to get her.
Demon burst forward with explosive speed, putting Wish away with speed and encroaching swiftly on Innie's territory. The chestnut filly dug down now, her heart showing as the black demon appeared at her right shoulder. Wish Upon A Star timed her move, and now she appeared, one furlong into the fight but not out of it. She could last longer than these guys, she had more built up, and this carried her into their wake. She doggedly galloped up the outside, looked Demon in the eye...and raced past just as the wire hit to claim victory.
It was close between all three, and speed was high on all sides. Class, heart, good workout regimens since the Breeders Cup...it was time to prove what kind of shape this trio was in for their first races back.
