Post by Cruisey on May 16, 2015 22:01:58 GMT -5
WHISPERING MELODY && TALIA SMITH
Workout for the Coaching Club American Oaks
With Sonny running at The Wire, Carter had sent off James to assist Talia at Green Horse Fields. However, this wasn’t just one undercard race they were focusing on. Whispering Melody was set to enter the ever-prestigious Coaching Club American Oaks, the last leg of the Triple Tiara. In a surprising twist of events, Intrepid Racing had sent out Calypso’s Fury hoping for tougher competition in the final leg, finding Oceanic View’s Flaming Confidenza as her main rival with the dark bay filly set as the outcast. It was rare to find no entries in such a prestigious race, so Carter jumped at the chance to get his filly some recognition. He knew that Wendy had no good odds at beating the other two horses, but he knew that she could definitely put up a good fight and the worst she could do was third place. The young horse had did surprisingly well in the Davona Dale Stakes back in March Week 4, and that could give her a slight edge in racing against the other two fillies.
Carter knew the pace of the race would be extremely slow; all horses weren’t naturally born to lead a race. It would be a ten furlong game of shuffling back and forth, neither horses nor riders wanting to take the lead early on. But, one horse would have to do it, and Carter was secretly hoping it would be Flaming Confidenza. He knew Wendy had a disadvantage with minimal HOTY competition, but he was lucky it was only a three horse race, and a race of this caliber would surely put Wendy in a good spot after the completion of the series. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise.
On the track, Wendy wouldn't stand still in the gate, prancing from foot to foot as though there wasn't a rider on top of her back. She still had moments of sheer panic when sitting in the gates due to her bad past, but with a few reassuring words from ever-so-trusty Talia, Wendy reduced the banging to a silent shuffle.
"It's thinking time, Wendy." Talia whispered. Five furlongs over the dirt, just a small sprint Carter knew Wendy could handle. She just needed some refreshing, and if she could clock in a fast time, Carter was sure she could handle the Oaks. On the sidelines, James was waiting in lieu of Carter. There wasn't a hint of concern or emotion on the jockey's face, but Wendy’s nostrils flared, her eyes rolled, as she snorted and stamped. She didn't have long to wait.
For a moment…silence. Then, the snap of the gates opening, the bell, and they were off to the races, one dark horse against a phantom field around her. True to her nature, Wendy stuttered and stumbled out of the gates, falling straight to the back of the imaginary field. Talia was patient and held her steady to keep her in line. Wendy was a big ball of energy with two weeks off, and that energy needed to be both conserved and used up in a matter of five furlongs.
About halfway through Talia took more charge, asking Wendy to speed up but not to rush. Wendy galloped forward, shaking her head in excitement before recomposing herself and rounding the bend, changing her lead as they came into the home stretch. The filly's ears flickered back and forth, but she responded with a good, strong motion and did so quickly. They were still gaining speed, and Talia was taken aback at how much the dark horse had to offer. It was like Wendy had taken over Talia’s charge as she pulled her head down, taking the bit between her teeth as she thundered forwards.
Each hoof beat was like a piston; quietly accelerating as her hooves flitted across the dirt like a silent song. Wendy was still accelerating as she crossed the line, something that had happened all too fast for Talia’s mind to process. The dark filly kept on going, and going, and going, and still somehow felt like she had more in the tank. Talia was stunned silent, almost too afraid to pull up the filly because she felt so…prepared. Almost too prepared, like she knew there was a race of importance that would be run in less than 24 hours. Wendy was a very last minute entry, but the shy filly was almost too smart for her own good, and was ready to please and try her best.
