the last jewel

BORN TO IMPRESS' POST FOR THE BELMONT STAKES

Sarah entered the colt's stall with his grooming box. The colt nosed her pockets greedily, and she reached into her back pocket to pull out a carrot. Lucky boy She told him as she broke it in two and fed him half. She was going to take him for a relaxing trail ride today, before the challenge that awaited him tomorrow. After Impress' loss in the Preakness Stakes they had decided not to run the colt in the Belmont Stakes and point him instead at the Summer Cup the week following the Preakness. But after Impress had won the Summer Cup, Sarah had a change of heart and entered the Impressario colt in the Belmont. Why not? He had proven himself in the Kentucky Derby. If he could beat Nightshade, and Red Herring, and even War Cry, he was good enough to win the Belmont Stakes.

Since the Summer Cup Impress had not done any track work. He'd been on pasture rest mostly, with a trail ride or a swim at home every couple of days. He'd needed to recuperate properly to be in with a chance at taking the Belmont Stakes, and the colt had thoroughly enjoyed the break from boring home track workouts. They'd transported the thoroughbred and several other horses to The Wire on Thursday night, and all but Impress would run their races later today. Sarah put Impress' halter on and lead the colt out of his stall to cross ties. She picked out his feet first, then brushed the colt quickly, checking his legs as she went. Ten minutes later, Impress was tacked up and ready to go. Sarah quickly put on her helmet and body protector, and headed out.

It was a short walk to the mounting block outside the barn. Sarah launched herself easily into the saddle, despite Impress dancing about, and set the colt off at a quick walk. She hadn't ridden the trails of The Wire racetrack before, and was looking forward to it. Hopefully no one would see them sneak off into the trees. She didn't want to deal with the media right now - there would be plenty of time for that after the Belmont. And hopefully while she was riding the colt to the winner's circle. Impress moved eagerly, with exaggerated movement all over. His head bobbed with each enthusiastic stride as they walked briskly past the track and toward the trees. They'd been walking for about ten minutes by now, and Sarah gave the colt a light squeeze with her legs to urge him to trot. Impress responded immediately, and Sarah quickly posted to his stride. Once they reached the trees however, she slowed the colt back to walk. He was reluctant, instead wanting to go faster, but he responded and slowed down.

The Belmont Stakes was the last jewel of the Triple Crown. A few months ago, War Cry had been planned to run this race, and Impress to use it as prep for the Canadian Triple Crown. But when it was announced that there had been a change in rules, that winners of Triple Crown races could not enter the Canadian version, their plans changed too. War Cry had lost the Derby, and was then sent to win the second leg of the Triple Tiara, the Mother Goose Stakes. Since Impress had won the Derby, they had to try him in the Preakness Stakes. Unfortunately the colt ran third, so he would not be a Triple Crown Champion. But he could still take two of three legs, by winning the Belmont as well.

Entered was again Nightshade, as well as Red Herring and Sweet Inferno. Sweet Inferno was a surprise entry, but the fact that she'd been entered in the first place meant Amber Black thought the filly could do it, and Sarah definitely respected Amber's opinion. Sweet Inferno had raced only at The Wire track this year, and was apparently heading for a run in the Canadian Triple Crown. If that was the case, then this was a high profile prep race for the filly. Sweet Inferno was the daughter of Sweet Stalker, a Hall of Fame mare who had won the Belmont Stakes herself. She had a record of 30-6-14-7, and had this year won three times, placed second five times and third once. As a front runner, Sweet Inferno would run in front of Impress most of the way and would likely be pressured by Red Herring.

Impress walked briskly, ears alerted by each sound. Crunching twigs, rustling leaves and tweeting birds caught his attention, and he was distracted from wanting to run. Sarah would not be allowing him to go any faster than a trot today, and trotting would be very minimal at that. Energy needed to be conserved for the twelve furlong race ahead of them tomorrow. With the colt going quietly, Sarah was able to relax in the saddle and continue analyzing the competition and the race in her mind. She didn't doubt she and Impress could win, but she didn't doubt the others could either. So she had studied the contenders to know them inside and out.

Nightshade was entered in gate two. The filly had been notably absent from the track for much of the year, but had clearly been working hard at home. The juvenile champion had run second in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, so she could well be the winner of the Belmont Stakes. Her overall record was 23-10-13-10, and she had run just four times this year for one win and three second places. She ran as a closer, so she would be behind the rest of the field for most of the race. Lastly, breaking from gate three was Red Herring. The colt had run third in the Kentucky Derby, skipped the Preakness Stakes, run second behind Impress in the Summer Cup in May Week Four, then won an under card race, the Do Your Best Stakes, last weekend. This would be his third week in a row racing, and that was pushing it. Sarah knew Witch Creek would have a plan to try and overcome the fatigue Red would no doubt be feeling during the Belmont Stakes, so she would not count the colt out.

Red ran as a stalker, and was known for pushing front runners for more speed. He had likely been the cause of War Cry losing the Derby to Impress and Nightshade, as the pair had tied for third place. The way Sarah saw the race playing out was Sweet Inferno leading with Red Herring constantly pressuring her for more speed, until both began to tire out. That would leave the lead wide open to Born To Impress, who ran as a stalker also, in the final three furlongs. Nightshade would be hot on his heels though, and they would have to watch out for her and Red Herring and Sweet Inferno. Impress could really sprint when the time came, and with two weeks' rest the colt would have all the energy he needed to run and win the Belmont.

As they turned back to the barns, Sarah smiled with confidence. Impress was ready for this. The last jewel of the Triple Crown could well be his.