Post by Cruisey on Jul 31, 2015 10:52:48 GMT -5
SIREN CALL && DEVON BLACKTHORN
workout for the Starshine Sprint*
Well, Carter thought to himself, it’s all or nothing now. The last leg of the Triple Sprinter Tiara was looming closer and closer, and the bright bay filly was ready to roll at the drop of a flag. Siren Call stood in front of Green Horse Field’s track for the last time before race day in her black and red workout attire. She had blown away the field in the Shining Stakes, and rallied with a well-deserved win in the Purple Rose Stakes which also marked her 13th career win, bumping her up to that ever-prestigious Grade One title. With one race left in the series, both Carter and her jockey Devon were certain that the talented young horse could pull it off, thus claiming the title of Triple Sprinter Tiara Champion. The young jockey strapped his helmet on and tightened the protective vest to his chest, patting Siren’s sleek bay neck.
Devon mounted as they reached the opening onto the track, and the groom unclipped the lead shank from Siren. The track pony rider took hold of Siren’s bridle and led her off towards the inside of the dirt racetrack. They would be doing something a little differently to stimulate race day without the distraction of the gates to worry Siren. They broke into a slow canter together as the old jockey muttered a few words. "Yer one lucky guy to ride a horse like this ‘un. Good luck," he released Siren's bridle and nodded to Devon, who smiled back at him warmly. He let the jockey’s words flow through his mind but got lost in his thoughts when he crossed the wire, which was the starting point of the four furlongs.
Suddenly, Devon was rocking in his saddle trying to get Siren to settle down after her sudden outburst that almost unseated him. He was urging Siren as they entered the first turn, something that he normally didn’t do, but it was good to keep the young horse thinking. In response, she drifted a little out but Devon managed to keep her on the inside. Her black-tipped ears flickered back and forth, waiting for instructions on their next move. However Siren did not bother asking for more rein. She kept pounding down the backstretch at the same speed as when she started. It was a fast pace but not nearly as fast as Devon had ridden her before. It was time that Devon asked for more speed, and Siren responded eagerly. Devon leaned towards the rail as they entered the far turn. He let her have a little bit more rein and used his hands to urge her forward. Siren gathered her legs underneath her and used all of that bundled up energy to power forwards. Devon rocked and let Siren have the entire rein he had left and used his hands to keep her straight. Urging her forth with all he had left, she responded with greater speeds. They charged forwards as a blur as they swept beneath the wire. Standing in the irons, Devon pulled back on Siren's mouth, patting her neck and praising her.
Siren felt like the energizer bunny when she was brought down to a walk; her ears were forward and her lungs were working a thousand miles an hour. Dismounting and loosening her girth, Devon felt immense pride in the filly. If they won this next race, it would be the first horse in the Firestone barn to win a prestigious series like the Sprinter Tiara. At this point, all they could do was rest up and show up. But there was one thing that was guaranteed; Siren would run her little heart out and she would always be a winner in Devon’s mind.
