Post by LK on Apr 7, 2015 18:20:29 GMT -5
SEEMS LEGIT && ISABELLE NOTTINGHAM
FLAMING CONFIDENZA && MAVERICK HARRIS
WORKOUT LENGTH: 8 FURLONGS
PREDICTED ORDER: DENZA (Mid-pack), FRANKIE (Versatile)
Both horses were chomping at the bit, ready to bolt as soon as the gates opened up. They had been confined indoors for slightly longer this morning and it was showing in their every move. Denza, the palomino filly, was fidgiting in the stall, oblivious to the calming sounds her jockey was making. Gating with her could turn into an ordeal but luckily for her handlers, she loaded quickly, albeit very loudly. She would not stop whinnying until her breezing partner was settled in next to her.
Frankie started out a good deal calmer than the filly. He was rather sluggish coming out onto the dirt track, but quickly perked up when he realized there was another competitor warming up. Acting the perfect gentleman, the big bay colt loaded easy and waited patiently for the all clear. When both horses were settled, the gate man, satisfied that they were still long enough, clanged open the gates.
They shot out clear of the metal doors, both filly and colt digging their hooves into the dirt to get a head start on the other. After a few heavily debated strides Denza pulled into the lead with Frankie hot on her heels. It was not to be a full race however, so Mav eased up on the golden girl a little so they came head-to-head with the bay. Felicity had specific instructions to keep the horses next to each other the whole mile distance, and to only push them harder the last few furlongs. It was more of a stamina training session than a confidence booster.
Keeping the horses next to each other proved to be a challenge. Both were excellent mid-pack runners and they wanted to keep sliding slightly behind each other. Bella held Frankie together with ease; the colt loved running and would keep his pace pretty much the same until his jockey told him otherwise. Maverick on the other hand, was fighting to keep Denza on the inside rail with her nose even with the colt's. The palomino wanted nothing other than to chase Frankie around the track, but was utterly frustrated when her rider told her no. Grudgingly, she accepted the bit and eyed her competitor's every step, occasionally swinging out with her shoulder to push the colt off.
Bella knew the horses were not going to be able to stay patient with the current setup and wondered if the 8 furlongs was slightly too long for their intention span. Her observation came true when Denza pulled sharply on the bit, gaining a few inches on Frankie. Calmly, she eased up on the colt and he matched strides with the older horse, keeping up with the wickedly fast pace. This move was maddening to the filly. She wanted to open up a huge gap between her and the colt, only to be held back. They were rounding the last turn now, heading back into the homestretch where the real excitement occurred. Here, the jockeys finally allowed the horses to open up and really gallop for the first time.
Still keeping them next to each other, Mav and Bella glanced over at each other. As if reading each others minds, they let out another length of rein, letting the horses run on their own. Dirt churned as they flew down the track, still neck and neck. By the time they were over the mile marker, both horses were straining to get ahead of each other, but neither one got the luxury of winning. Felicity watched as the horses came back, drenched in sweat from the effort. She hoped this new strategy would prepare them for the difficult races ahead.
FLAMING CONFIDENZA && MAVERICK HARRIS
WORKOUT LENGTH: 8 FURLONGS
PREDICTED ORDER: DENZA (Mid-pack), FRANKIE (Versatile)
Both horses were chomping at the bit, ready to bolt as soon as the gates opened up. They had been confined indoors for slightly longer this morning and it was showing in their every move. Denza, the palomino filly, was fidgiting in the stall, oblivious to the calming sounds her jockey was making. Gating with her could turn into an ordeal but luckily for her handlers, she loaded quickly, albeit very loudly. She would not stop whinnying until her breezing partner was settled in next to her.
Frankie started out a good deal calmer than the filly. He was rather sluggish coming out onto the dirt track, but quickly perked up when he realized there was another competitor warming up. Acting the perfect gentleman, the big bay colt loaded easy and waited patiently for the all clear. When both horses were settled, the gate man, satisfied that they were still long enough, clanged open the gates.
They shot out clear of the metal doors, both filly and colt digging their hooves into the dirt to get a head start on the other. After a few heavily debated strides Denza pulled into the lead with Frankie hot on her heels. It was not to be a full race however, so Mav eased up on the golden girl a little so they came head-to-head with the bay. Felicity had specific instructions to keep the horses next to each other the whole mile distance, and to only push them harder the last few furlongs. It was more of a stamina training session than a confidence booster.
Keeping the horses next to each other proved to be a challenge. Both were excellent mid-pack runners and they wanted to keep sliding slightly behind each other. Bella held Frankie together with ease; the colt loved running and would keep his pace pretty much the same until his jockey told him otherwise. Maverick on the other hand, was fighting to keep Denza on the inside rail with her nose even with the colt's. The palomino wanted nothing other than to chase Frankie around the track, but was utterly frustrated when her rider told her no. Grudgingly, she accepted the bit and eyed her competitor's every step, occasionally swinging out with her shoulder to push the colt off.
Bella knew the horses were not going to be able to stay patient with the current setup and wondered if the 8 furlongs was slightly too long for their intention span. Her observation came true when Denza pulled sharply on the bit, gaining a few inches on Frankie. Calmly, she eased up on the colt and he matched strides with the older horse, keeping up with the wickedly fast pace. This move was maddening to the filly. She wanted to open up a huge gap between her and the colt, only to be held back. They were rounding the last turn now, heading back into the homestretch where the real excitement occurred. Here, the jockeys finally allowed the horses to open up and really gallop for the first time.
Still keeping them next to each other, Mav and Bella glanced over at each other. As if reading each others minds, they let out another length of rein, letting the horses run on their own. Dirt churned as they flew down the track, still neck and neck. By the time they were over the mile marker, both horses were straining to get ahead of each other, but neither one got the luxury of winning. Felicity watched as the horses came back, drenched in sweat from the effort. She hoped this new strategy would prepare them for the difficult races ahead.
