Post by Cavallo on Jul 12, 2012 21:05:13 GMT -5
Ara snorted as she took in the old smells of the track this was was old, the original track before The Wire's grand re-opening. Here legends like Anarchi, GS Gallant Prince, Santana, Atalanta, and so many many more had raced into stardom.
She could smell them now...her nares flared..she smelled the greatness..it permeated the air and she willingly soaked it up. Upon her back sat Jeff Sanders... little was known about him but what little they knew would work in his favor on the tracks.
Things had gotten to hectic on the UK circuit. He'd had stardom there, success, but he'd wanted a fresh start....somewhere he could go to be successful, not because of who his parents were, but because of his talent. So saying his farwells on the life he'd known he'd gone to become an obscure exercise rider for Nick Landing's father...then he'd mentioned his son was looking for a jockey...he'd seen how Jeff rode and knew he was capable and so he'd made a phone call and then he'd jumped on an airplane and here he was, sitting astride one of the most vigorous three year old rides he'd ever come across.
When he'd initially met the filly, she'd been all teeth and kicking...but he'd simply stood his ground, not in agressive dominance, but simple acceptance...and then she slowly began to tolerate his presence and then accept it and miraculously....love it.
Now, no one else bothered to handle the filly...it wasn't worth the hassle when there was someone she loved. So Jeff had gladly assumed all responsibility for the filly. From what he had heard from Nick she was an amazingly lined filly. Her sire was Determination was a Belmont Stakes winner, a Twilight Stakes Winner and much more. Even more impressive was his ability to sire successful foals. His two most notable foals being Impossible Determination and Faith in Shadows. Impossible Determination was the sire of racing legend GS Gallant Prince. Faith in Shadows who won The Wire Finish Cup Mile and took 2nd in the BC Distaff and 3rd in the GHF BC Distaff....and took other stakes titles.
Her dam's name alone, solidified the reputation of her blood. Augusta was a racing legend, sired by the hot tempred Augusto, she had raced her way into the book of legends and had passed on her legacy to foals like Warlock, Atalanta and Contessa and Anarchi.
Her relatives had raced her with success and he hoped that today she would absorb some of their lingering presence the track seemed to hold.
Ara shook her head and pulled at the bit ready to go. Jeff smiled and he asked her for a canter around the track. The track had stood the test of tim, but held that weathered look. The wind blew slightly and howled though the track...Jeff's hair raised at the sound, but Ara kept truding along. He smiled once again, at the filly's courage and her ability to focus on her job...running.
Jeff tapped her and they broke into a lope as he began to warm the filly up. She steps were smooth and elegant...confident... she was pure poetry in motion.
Jeff knew that Ara had a twin out there somewhere..Nick had mentioned something about ARS owning the colt...he'd had a jump start on them, but he was soon with Ara's fierceness she'd make a comeback...they just had to work at it.
These thoughts in his mind swirled...yes they would have to work and it started now. He took her the next two lengths and then tapped her again.. She threw her head forward, eyes wide open and eager as she upped the pace at Jeff's command...she was gld that he understood her....
She would be running against four other horses come race day...and it would take tasteful riding to secure the win. The competition would not be push overs...some had more experience, some had edge, but Jeff knew only one thing...the ability of his mount.
They flew around the track out racing the ghosts of the past, each out to prove something...Arachne, the power of spirit and determination against all odds and he...the evidence of his skills, out from under the shadows of his family.
Others may have race for the simple glory, or for the love of the sport...but they had something that set them apart from all others...inspiration.
The ghosts of the track watched in reverence of the age old scene of jockey and horse and silently watched with their approval...this was greatness in the making and their was no turning back now...they would now forever hold their peace...
