Post by LK on Apr 26, 2015 19:40:27 GMT -5
FLAMING CONFIDENZA (MOTHER GOOSE STAKES*) && MAVERICK HARRIS
BLACK MAGIC (SUMMER WORK) && ISABELLE NOTTINGHAM
Distance: 8 Furlongs
Plan: Denza chasing Houdini until 2 furlongs out, then push for the wire
The excitement around the barn had risen to a roar since the end of the Acorn Stakes and was only going to get bigger until the Triple Tiara was done in the next few weeks. Flaming Confidenza had done well in the first running, placing a modest second place behind the favorite, Calypso's Fury. Even though it was not a win, Felicity was still pleased with the mare and her performance. With some more work, Denza could turn into a fantastic distance runner with a great career ahead of her.
Maverick was surprised at the change in the mare's workout. It was going to be the opposite of what they had worked a few weeks ago. Felicity wanted them to run the palomino in her normal position as a mid pack horse. She would be chasing Black Magic for most of the workout, and then Mav was to push her, hard, to get to the front and possibly open up distance between the horses. The other factor that surprised the jockey was the choice in breezing partner. Not being a fan of the boys, Denza usually would pin her ears and lunge at any stallion that threatened her personal space. They did, however, encourage her to run harder than other mares did.
Her calm spell had been broken since the Acorn race. Denza was back to her usual antics and was anticipating the upcoming race. She twitched almost constantly on the cross ties, eyeing everyone who walked around her with a dominant but wary gaze. She would suddenly get nervous, pawing at the mat in frustration as Maverick was taking too long to tack her up. Behind her, Black Magic was voicing his opinion of waiting. The stallion danced all over the place, clearly ignoring Bella's reprimands.
By the time they had made it to the dirt track, both horses had become worked up and were ready to go. Houdini threw a couple of good bucks as soon as Bella had mounted. He calmed down when they began moving around, finally listening to his rider's commands. Maverick was grateful the mare had decided to focus on what he was asking instead of taking it out on the black colt. Usually she would strike out at the boys, showing them just who's boss. But today she sensed the urgency of the workout and importance of paying attention.
Their warm up was short as the afternoon sun had made the air hot and muggy. The horses were already showing sweat marks so once they were safely limber, the jockeys approached the starting gates. They loaded smoothly, a relief for everyone as a gate injury was the last thing they wanted before a big race. The horses knew their job and calmly waited for the bell to go off. Maverick glanced over at his riding partner and smiled, Bella had braided part of the stallions mane while they warmed up and now had thick black strands sticking up in wild directions. Even put on the wildest horses, she still had time to continue one of her unique quirks known around the barn.
With a sudden clang the gates flung open, sending the horses sprawling out onto the dirt. Almost immediately Black Magic gained the lead and picked out his favorite position, front runner. Denza was close behind and seemed relieved to have her old position back. Running as the front runner a few weeks ago had slightly thrown her off routine but was necessary seeing her competition. Now she had the chance to settle in her mid pack area, given the new field for the Mother Goose Stakes. They rounded the first corner with both horses happy for the time being. When it finally came down to the last couple furlongs, both horses were going to be fighting hard for the front.
Denza was gliding along the track, definitely showing her stuff to anyone who was paying attention. In fact, a small crowd had gathered at the fence by the mile marker, watching the Triple Tiara contender. Boosted by the attention, the golden mare snorted and kicked into a higher gear to show just how quick on her feet she was. Maverick scolded her for moving off the bit and gaining a bit of ground on Houdini, but still could not help a small smile. The mare was definitely back to her usual self, which meant the race was going to be an interesting one.
Even with her burst of speed Denza was still trailing behind the other three year old as they rounded onto the backstretch. But now she had gotten serious about the run and focused on the colt in front, her ears flicked between him and her jockey. Up ahead Bella and Houdini were on cruise control, the colt had his rhythm down and was not working too hard to keep his position. His muscles rippled under his silky black pelt, slightly more formed than that of his breezing partner. Bella admired the three year old and hoped his running game would turn around soon. He was an amazing runner but still had yet to hit his sweet spot. Who knew how long Felicity would give him before taking him out of running for a while. Perhaps he was a late bloomer like many of the other horses around the barn.
The horses were approaching the homestretch now and they both sensed the end of the exercise was starting to come to a close. Denza was fighting for her head, ready to get a move on and take the lead from the infuriating boy. Mav held her back until they passed the six furlong mark before giving her control. The mare, more than eager to pass the stallion, shot out from underneath him. Denza had shifted leads and gained rather quickly on the leader. She drew even with Houdini and eyed him with disdain, determined to show him she was the boss. Houdini took the mare's look as an invite to a challenge. Bella was no longer his jockey, she was now a passenger and just along for the ride.
Both horses came tearing down the homestretch, trying to outpace the other and gain the lead. Houdini had saved more energy than the jockeys had thought and was not going to give up his position easily. Maverick eyed the approaching line and showed the mare the crop for a little more speed. The palomino gave a bit more but could not open up a hole between the other horse and her. The little black colt was sticking to her like glue but could not catch her fast enough. They passed the wire with Denza a few steps in front of Houdini. Even though she had won, it was just barely ahead of the stallion. Houdini gave it his all and given a few more strides he might have had the mare.
They rounded back to the exit, both horses blowing and covered in a layer of sweat. The afternoon heat was starting to break as they handed the horses off to the hot walkers. Teal coolers with Oceanic's logo were tossed directly over the saddles as they were led in their cool down. Denza was still eyeing the colt, although her distaste had changed to triumph after the results of the race. Maverick watched from the isle of the barn, satisfied with how the run had turned out. She may still have a chance of winning a leg of the tiara, given her times in the past couple works. He did not even have to ask the timers about her work this time. He was sure she had beaten another one of her personal records without hesitation.
BLACK MAGIC (SUMMER WORK) && ISABELLE NOTTINGHAM
Distance: 8 Furlongs
Plan: Denza chasing Houdini until 2 furlongs out, then push for the wire
The excitement around the barn had risen to a roar since the end of the Acorn Stakes and was only going to get bigger until the Triple Tiara was done in the next few weeks. Flaming Confidenza had done well in the first running, placing a modest second place behind the favorite, Calypso's Fury. Even though it was not a win, Felicity was still pleased with the mare and her performance. With some more work, Denza could turn into a fantastic distance runner with a great career ahead of her.
Maverick was surprised at the change in the mare's workout. It was going to be the opposite of what they had worked a few weeks ago. Felicity wanted them to run the palomino in her normal position as a mid pack horse. She would be chasing Black Magic for most of the workout, and then Mav was to push her, hard, to get to the front and possibly open up distance between the horses. The other factor that surprised the jockey was the choice in breezing partner. Not being a fan of the boys, Denza usually would pin her ears and lunge at any stallion that threatened her personal space. They did, however, encourage her to run harder than other mares did.
Her calm spell had been broken since the Acorn race. Denza was back to her usual antics and was anticipating the upcoming race. She twitched almost constantly on the cross ties, eyeing everyone who walked around her with a dominant but wary gaze. She would suddenly get nervous, pawing at the mat in frustration as Maverick was taking too long to tack her up. Behind her, Black Magic was voicing his opinion of waiting. The stallion danced all over the place, clearly ignoring Bella's reprimands.
By the time they had made it to the dirt track, both horses had become worked up and were ready to go. Houdini threw a couple of good bucks as soon as Bella had mounted. He calmed down when they began moving around, finally listening to his rider's commands. Maverick was grateful the mare had decided to focus on what he was asking instead of taking it out on the black colt. Usually she would strike out at the boys, showing them just who's boss. But today she sensed the urgency of the workout and importance of paying attention.
Their warm up was short as the afternoon sun had made the air hot and muggy. The horses were already showing sweat marks so once they were safely limber, the jockeys approached the starting gates. They loaded smoothly, a relief for everyone as a gate injury was the last thing they wanted before a big race. The horses knew their job and calmly waited for the bell to go off. Maverick glanced over at his riding partner and smiled, Bella had braided part of the stallions mane while they warmed up and now had thick black strands sticking up in wild directions. Even put on the wildest horses, she still had time to continue one of her unique quirks known around the barn.
With a sudden clang the gates flung open, sending the horses sprawling out onto the dirt. Almost immediately Black Magic gained the lead and picked out his favorite position, front runner. Denza was close behind and seemed relieved to have her old position back. Running as the front runner a few weeks ago had slightly thrown her off routine but was necessary seeing her competition. Now she had the chance to settle in her mid pack area, given the new field for the Mother Goose Stakes. They rounded the first corner with both horses happy for the time being. When it finally came down to the last couple furlongs, both horses were going to be fighting hard for the front.
Denza was gliding along the track, definitely showing her stuff to anyone who was paying attention. In fact, a small crowd had gathered at the fence by the mile marker, watching the Triple Tiara contender. Boosted by the attention, the golden mare snorted and kicked into a higher gear to show just how quick on her feet she was. Maverick scolded her for moving off the bit and gaining a bit of ground on Houdini, but still could not help a small smile. The mare was definitely back to her usual self, which meant the race was going to be an interesting one.
Even with her burst of speed Denza was still trailing behind the other three year old as they rounded onto the backstretch. But now she had gotten serious about the run and focused on the colt in front, her ears flicked between him and her jockey. Up ahead Bella and Houdini were on cruise control, the colt had his rhythm down and was not working too hard to keep his position. His muscles rippled under his silky black pelt, slightly more formed than that of his breezing partner. Bella admired the three year old and hoped his running game would turn around soon. He was an amazing runner but still had yet to hit his sweet spot. Who knew how long Felicity would give him before taking him out of running for a while. Perhaps he was a late bloomer like many of the other horses around the barn.
The horses were approaching the homestretch now and they both sensed the end of the exercise was starting to come to a close. Denza was fighting for her head, ready to get a move on and take the lead from the infuriating boy. Mav held her back until they passed the six furlong mark before giving her control. The mare, more than eager to pass the stallion, shot out from underneath him. Denza had shifted leads and gained rather quickly on the leader. She drew even with Houdini and eyed him with disdain, determined to show him she was the boss. Houdini took the mare's look as an invite to a challenge. Bella was no longer his jockey, she was now a passenger and just along for the ride.
Both horses came tearing down the homestretch, trying to outpace the other and gain the lead. Houdini had saved more energy than the jockeys had thought and was not going to give up his position easily. Maverick eyed the approaching line and showed the mare the crop for a little more speed. The palomino gave a bit more but could not open up a hole between the other horse and her. The little black colt was sticking to her like glue but could not catch her fast enough. They passed the wire with Denza a few steps in front of Houdini. Even though she had won, it was just barely ahead of the stallion. Houdini gave it his all and given a few more strides he might have had the mare.
They rounded back to the exit, both horses blowing and covered in a layer of sweat. The afternoon heat was starting to break as they handed the horses off to the hot walkers. Teal coolers with Oceanic's logo were tossed directly over the saddles as they were led in their cool down. Denza was still eyeing the colt, although her distaste had changed to triumph after the results of the race. Maverick watched from the isle of the barn, satisfied with how the run had turned out. She may still have a chance of winning a leg of the tiara, given her times in the past couple works. He did not even have to ask the timers about her work this time. He was sure she had beaten another one of her personal records without hesitation.
