Post by Snowflake on May 4, 2014 8:23:37 GMT -5
FLY BY DARKNESS WORKS FOR THE ACORN STAKES*
The chestnut filly was the image of her dam, bar being almost a hand shorter. She also had that same talent Born To Fly had possessed. Personality wise though, the thoroughbred was slightly different. She still had the same get up and go, the same confidence and drive; but she was relatively easy to handle and ride compared with her firecracker of a mother. Sarah mounted up on the filly, a feeling of excitement filling her. Flyby was better than her record currently told. She worked out with some terrific racehorses at home, better than the caliber of competition she usually raced, and sometimes she came out on top. Lately, more often than not. She had won her last race, which had put the filly into such a state of confidence that she could do no wrong. It was an excellent mindset to be in before a big race. Before the Acorn Stakes.
Flyby moved off at a prancy dancy trot. She was still feeling as good today as she had been since winning the Silverbulletday Stakes nearly two weeks ago. The boost of confidence and the endless attention that came from standing in the winner's circle had reminded the filly why she raced. Why she loved to race. It was in her blood, in her bones. She had a Triple Tiara winning half sister, and a Kentucky Derby winning half brother. Two of her half sisters were in the Hall of Fame. Her half brother was a strong contender for the same honor. Now, Flyby had to remind the world where she came from. She had to show them she could do it. She had to show them she was made of the same stuff as all champions before her. Because she was a champion in the making.
The chestnut thoroughbred switched to canter with a flick of her tail. The training track was fairly quiet, with only a few other horses working. Flyby wanted to chase them down, but Sarah kept her in check. The Acorn Stakes was a matter of days away now - they couldn't afford to lose it before it even started. The competition was fierce. There were more contenders for the Tiara than there had been in previous years. They weren't all entered in the Acorn Stakes, though. In gate one would be Wishing For A Heroine, from Witch Creek Stables. The Everyday Hero x Warm Wishes filly clearly had excellent lineage and had won her first start of the season April Week 3 in the Kentucky Oaks. Her record was similar to Flyby's - she was just a little less experienced. In gate two was Battle Wings from Stride Of Perfection Stables. The Akuma Battlecry x Forbidden Wings filly was the horse Star Thoroughbreds wanted to win if Flyby didn't - she was sired by their prized stallion, after all. The grade three filly was a cut above Wishing For A Heroine and Flyby, but only by record. Finally, there was Reflected in Water. The Nature Blues filly was probably the favourite of the field after her strong win in the Santa Anita Derby.
All in all, the contenders were strong. Battle Wings was a front runner, so she would lead the race with Wishing For A Heroine and Reflected in Water hot on her heels. Flyby would run behind them, bringing up the rear although her usual position was midpack. It did not really matter in small fields, as long as there were a few horses in front to keep her interested right till the end. Flyby had an annoying lack of will once she got too far out in front, so her run always had to be timed just right so she won by a small margin - a length at most. Sarah knew that the competition would probably be underestimating them. Flyby hadn't been at the top of her game until very recently, so it was to be expected. But that gave them an advantage. The others probably wouldn't think to watch out for her. They'd be too busy with their eyes on catching Battle Wings, that they wouldn't even see Flyby soar up on the outside to claim the victory by a nose. Well, that was how Sarah kind of hoped it would play out.
With a slight release of the reins, Flyby launched into gallop. Today they were doing a three furlong blowout just to burn off excess energy. Flyby took strong strides as they rounded the corner, her breathing sounding in huffs. Sarah leaned with the filly as she turned, and imagined it to be the Acorn. Ahead of them would be all three of their competitors, and all three had their eyes on the prize, not watching out for the dark horse approaching from behind. Flyby began to make her move, going wide so that her run was unobstructed. With the stretch straight out before her, the thoroughbred began to really haul it. A burst of speed and she was noticeably catching up to her imagined opponents. Sarah drove the filly on, encouraged her with her voice, and the three year old responded. Within a matter of seconds, it was over. In her mind, they had won it. And hopefully, that would soon become a reality.
The chestnut filly was the image of her dam, bar being almost a hand shorter. She also had that same talent Born To Fly had possessed. Personality wise though, the thoroughbred was slightly different. She still had the same get up and go, the same confidence and drive; but she was relatively easy to handle and ride compared with her firecracker of a mother. Sarah mounted up on the filly, a feeling of excitement filling her. Flyby was better than her record currently told. She worked out with some terrific racehorses at home, better than the caliber of competition she usually raced, and sometimes she came out on top. Lately, more often than not. She had won her last race, which had put the filly into such a state of confidence that she could do no wrong. It was an excellent mindset to be in before a big race. Before the Acorn Stakes.
Flyby moved off at a prancy dancy trot. She was still feeling as good today as she had been since winning the Silverbulletday Stakes nearly two weeks ago. The boost of confidence and the endless attention that came from standing in the winner's circle had reminded the filly why she raced. Why she loved to race. It was in her blood, in her bones. She had a Triple Tiara winning half sister, and a Kentucky Derby winning half brother. Two of her half sisters were in the Hall of Fame. Her half brother was a strong contender for the same honor. Now, Flyby had to remind the world where she came from. She had to show them she could do it. She had to show them she was made of the same stuff as all champions before her. Because she was a champion in the making.
The chestnut thoroughbred switched to canter with a flick of her tail. The training track was fairly quiet, with only a few other horses working. Flyby wanted to chase them down, but Sarah kept her in check. The Acorn Stakes was a matter of days away now - they couldn't afford to lose it before it even started. The competition was fierce. There were more contenders for the Tiara than there had been in previous years. They weren't all entered in the Acorn Stakes, though. In gate one would be Wishing For A Heroine, from Witch Creek Stables. The Everyday Hero x Warm Wishes filly clearly had excellent lineage and had won her first start of the season April Week 3 in the Kentucky Oaks. Her record was similar to Flyby's - she was just a little less experienced. In gate two was Battle Wings from Stride Of Perfection Stables. The Akuma Battlecry x Forbidden Wings filly was the horse Star Thoroughbreds wanted to win if Flyby didn't - she was sired by their prized stallion, after all. The grade three filly was a cut above Wishing For A Heroine and Flyby, but only by record. Finally, there was Reflected in Water. The Nature Blues filly was probably the favourite of the field after her strong win in the Santa Anita Derby.
All in all, the contenders were strong. Battle Wings was a front runner, so she would lead the race with Wishing For A Heroine and Reflected in Water hot on her heels. Flyby would run behind them, bringing up the rear although her usual position was midpack. It did not really matter in small fields, as long as there were a few horses in front to keep her interested right till the end. Flyby had an annoying lack of will once she got too far out in front, so her run always had to be timed just right so she won by a small margin - a length at most. Sarah knew that the competition would probably be underestimating them. Flyby hadn't been at the top of her game until very recently, so it was to be expected. But that gave them an advantage. The others probably wouldn't think to watch out for her. They'd be too busy with their eyes on catching Battle Wings, that they wouldn't even see Flyby soar up on the outside to claim the victory by a nose. Well, that was how Sarah kind of hoped it would play out.
With a slight release of the reins, Flyby launched into gallop. Today they were doing a three furlong blowout just to burn off excess energy. Flyby took strong strides as they rounded the corner, her breathing sounding in huffs. Sarah leaned with the filly as she turned, and imagined it to be the Acorn. Ahead of them would be all three of their competitors, and all three had their eyes on the prize, not watching out for the dark horse approaching from behind. Flyby began to make her move, going wide so that her run was unobstructed. With the stretch straight out before her, the thoroughbred began to really haul it. A burst of speed and she was noticeably catching up to her imagined opponents. Sarah drove the filly on, encouraged her with her voice, and the three year old responded. Within a matter of seconds, it was over. In her mind, they had won it. And hopefully, that would soon become a reality.
