Post by Kenren on Sept 17, 2015 21:01:19 GMT -5
Santana's Legend & Vivien Charron for the Champagne Stakes
Vivien had been heartbroken at the end of the AJC Sires Produce Stakes, coming up a disappointing fourth after such a strong finish in the first leg of the series. However, he was able to refocus his energy rather quickly, knowing that his filly hadn't been at her best that day. Santana's Legend had bounced back from the race well though, and seemed fresh and eager in her training leading up to the last and longest leg of the turf challenge. The field was smaller but no less tough, and her connections were under no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead. However, they also weren't cowed or reaching - Ana was a phenomenal two-year-old, definitely with the leaders of the turf division. She might not always strike out the win, but her number of places this year showed the room she still has to grow. And Vivien was going to take her there, starting with the Champagne Stakes.
The filly had been too good all year to lose her form now, with the Breeders' Cup looming just a little over a month away. This race would be good to get her into top form against top competition, and they would have to decide based on the result whether or not she would run another race before the Cup. She had nothing to prove to her connections, but they needed to get her in the best frame of mind for the impending trial.
The first step was the Champagne, and before that the workout. Vivien shook his reins lightly, bringing Ana's attention away from a dog near the rail to the task at hand. He had her at a jog down the center of the track, watching as horse after horse breezed past along the inside rail. Vivien was taking her six furlongs, but wouldn't let her over-exert herself in the workout - he knew her speed, and he didn't care if she showed it out here now. He warmed her up in a relaxed manner and the filly reciprocated, pleasantly happy when she was finally moved into a gallop along the rail. Vivien crouched low over her withers and the filly immediately responded, ears pressed forward and body not quite flattening out as they went around the turn. However, despite her easygoing movement, she was still tracking some speed over the turf. Not enough to turn heads, necessarily, but enough to draw the eye and at least mild attention. Santana's Legend was, and would always be, a threat - even if she was beaten down, she would come back strong every single time. And it was that strength of will that would carry her to the winner's circle.