follow the hoofprints

[Snowflake]

INDIAN NIGHT WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE TURF*

It was three weeks on from his thrilling victory in the Empire Classic. He'd beaten out four other colts, all with more wins and more experience than him, to take the prestigious race. Three out of four of his competitors had been trying to pry the lead from him throughout the race, and not once did they succeed. It was a testimony to how strong a front runner and competitor Indy was.

Sarah mounted the colt and took a deep breath before allowing him to walk onto the turf track. They were back here at The Wire track to prepare for what would hopefully be another spectacular win. This weekend was the Follow The Hoofprints series, a highly regarded race day for two year olds. Indian Night was due to run in the FTH Juvenile Turf. It was the first race of the day, and had attracted a field of five. There were three fillies, and one other colt. All horses were extremely well bred, and so all of them had hoofprints to follow.

Indy's trot was a dance. The track was busy at this time, so there were a lot of fine fillies and colts to show off to. He wanted everyone to see how special and good looking he was. It was like riding a peacock, sometimes. Sarah grinned to herself, imagining what Indy would be like with a tail like a peacock. He'd be prancing around at a gallop like a magical unicorn or something. That image made her laugh out loud, and Indy snorted in surprise. No, you're lovely just the way you are. Sarah told him, still giggling a little. Then she asked him to canter.

While his neck was still arched and his tail still flew high in the hair, Indy didn't prance in his canter. It was rocking horse smooth. Sarah watched the track ahead, looking out for working horses that Indy might see and want to chase down. It wouldn't be good for the colt to work off too much energy now, this close to the race. The closest fast workers were moving around the turn already, too far ahead for Indy to care about.

The first entrant into the FTH Juvenile Turf was Proteus Prince, a Royal Red Richard sired colt. He had a record of 4-1-2-1 but had not raced since winning his maiden in mid February. Sarah was sure whatever the reason for the colt's absence, he was still a top contender. Any offspring of RRR's was. Next was a filly by the name of Taboo from Witch Creek. Sarah would happily have snapped her up when she'd been for sale, given her absolutely amazing bloodlines. But with no room for any more horses, it hadn't been possible. Taboo had proven herself in seven starts to be a consistent contender.

The third gate would hold a horse Sarah had once owned, and fully regretted giving up. Fantasy Island, now owned by Valkyrie Stables, had a record of 5-2-3-0. She'd beaten Wild Daisy three weeks ago in the East View Stakes. She was top competition. The final entrant was probably going to go in the favourite to win. Pandora of Stride Of Perfection Stables had the some of the most incredible bloodlines there could ever be. Her record showed it, at 7-3-2-1.

Moving on into gallop, it was time to consider race strategy. There were no other front runners in the field, so Indy would be free to set whatever pace he liked. He usually set a fast pace regardless, and then just set it higher and higher everytime someone tried to overtake him. He wouldn't have to do that in the FTH Juvenile Turf, which meant he would have plenty of stamina left when the time came to absolutely floor it. As Indy galloped by the finish, with strength evident in each stride, Sarah knew the colt was ready for another great race.

[Snowflake]

VENGEANCE WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE DIRT*

The track was chockers today. Marissa steered Ven well clear of any other horse, not because she was worried someone would kick or run into her, but because she was afraid of what Ven might do to another horse that got too close. Those who recognised the filly gave her a wide berth. Marissa nodded her thanks, a slight smile on her lips as she realised Ven had made a name for herself already, even though it wasn't exactly a good one.

The filly's record spoke for itself, though. She was a quality horse, and soon she would b labeled a champion. The Follow The Hoofprints series this weekend was the perfect time to get the right exposure - Ven just had to win. She was entered in the FTH Juvenile Dirt, a nine furlong race for two year olds only. There were five other horses to contend with, three colts and two fillies.

Ven switched to canter when asked, but her ears were pinned in warning to all the other horses and people who shared the track with them. Don't mess with me. Was the obvious message she sent to everyone within a furlong radius of her. Marissa allowed her thoughts to wander to the competition for the race. It was a decent sized field, and all entrants would be tough to beat. That went without saying even before Marissa knew anything about them. One didn't simply enter such a big race for juveniles without proving them worthy first. In this case, all had to have broken their maidens.

Gate one would hold a filly Marissa did want to see do well in her career. She was by Furious Passion, Marissa's Triple Crown Champion. Calypso's Fury was also half sister of Akuma Battlecry, who had been retired at grade three but went on to sire some of Star Thoroughbreds best recent champions. So far the Intrepid Racing filly had only three starts behind her, but all three had been a top three placing. The horse due to run from gate two was Vagabond, from Witch Creek. Marissa knew nothing of his bloodlines, but the colt had a nice record on him already, at 6-2-3-0. From what Marissa had heard, this would be his first race on the dirt.

From one of the newer stables to the scene, Firestone Racing, came a colt named Speak Easy. He would break from gate three. Already he had eight starts on his record, with two wins, two seconds and two thirds. The colt was consistent. Gate four would hold Dancing Fool from Nature Blue Stables. He was a colt with very, very nice bloodlines and had two wins and a third place in four starts so far. Finally there was Flaming Confidenza, to break from gate five. Also owned by Nature Blue Stables, Flaming Confidenza was a filly sired by Kentucky Derby winner Confianza, who Star Thoroughbreds had recently acquired. She had raced three times for a win, a place and a fifth.

Vengeance had herself a pretty nice record of 5-1-3-1. She'd only run in big races so far, so she was well used to top competition. Her last two races had resulted in second places, after her maiden win in the third week of February. Ven would be absolutely gunning for the win this time out.. well, just like she always did. Ven liked to take up position behind the front runners, and loved to lead races more. Marissa often ran her a little away from the rail to ensure she didn't get boxed in. If she got boxed, it wasn't a pretty ending. Ven was not known for being delicate. She would bust out of a box with violence.

The filly launched into gallop right on cue stretching her neck out as she took a few massive strides to get going. There was no one galloping in front of them now, and also now that Ven had her head she wasn't hauling on the reins. The filly actually chose a sensible pace and galloped somewhat calmly around the turn. Marissa just sat tight, allowing the horse to do her job. She'd just keep Ven from over exerting herself in the stretch. Ven's ears pricked as the stretch straightened out before her, and automatically picked up speed. Marissa took a tighter hold on the reins, taking measures to keep the filly from racing flat out down to the wire. Ven was intelligent enough that she knew race day must be near. When they crossed the line, Marissa knew that the filly was ready to put in a hell of a race in honor of her parents.

[Snowflake]

LIKE A LIONESS WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE DIRT MILE

Ah ah ah ah. Calm down. Sarah said in soothing tones as Like A Lioness tried to run ahead of her. The gorgeous grey filly was very eager to get down to the track and was nearly yanking Sarah's arm off to get there. Stopping at the mounting block, a track staff member held the filly while Sarah vaulted on. {b]Thanks![/b] She said, taking back control of her horse and steering the thoroughbred onto the dirt track.

Lila's trot was bouncy, and full of energy. She hadn't been raced in a month but she'd been working like crazy, and she had more and more energy each day. The filly had broken her maiden in her most recent race, and before that had placed second in her first two races and third in her third race. She'd taken a month between her third start and her maiden win, and with another month of just working out most days, she'd be completely ready for her second win.

This weekend Lila would run her fifth race. It was the Follow The Hoofprints series for two year olds, and the grey filly was entered in the FTH Juvenile Dirt Mile. Three out of five entrants were colts, and there was no doubt in Sarah's mind the race would be tough. But she fully believed the filly was capable. She had the bloodlines to back that up. Her sire was Like A Cheetah, who was a winner of both the Breeder's Cup Sprint and Breeder's Cup Mile. Her dam was Hall of Fame inducted Euphoria, who was also the dam of Euphoria's Warrior and Everyday Smile.

The FTH Juvenile Dirt Mile was of course an eight furlong dirt race for two year olds. Gate one would hold Sun King from Witch Creek Stables. He was a well bred colt with a nice record to match, with already two wins and four placings in six starts. Next would be Palisades Pirate, foaled by Star Thoroughbreds mare Palisades Silver and sired by SOPS's Shiver Me Timbers. he had already raced eight times for two wins, one second and four third places. Gate Three was to hold Nature Blues horse Noah's Radiance. Sired by Radiance he had three starts behind him which had resulted in one win and one third place as well as a fourth.

Nocturnal Runaway from the new Sugarhill Farm would break from gate five. She was a filly with great bloodlines and Sarah would have taken her in the other week if she'd had the room. She had four starts on her record, with a single win and single place. All in all, the field had potential but Sun King was obviously the favourite. Lila's race strategy was the same as always - she would break fast, take position behind one or two horses and gradually push them into a fast pace that suited her. In the last couple furlongs she'd squeeze through a gap or go wide, and drive hard down to the finish.

Sarah adjusted herself in the saddle and then asked the filly to gallop. Lila obliged quite happily, lurching forward into the four beat pace. She was comfortable running at quite a fast pace and so Sarah allowed the filly to pick a reasonable speed before they entered the turn. Lila leaned toward the rail and didn't slow down as they rounded the corner, but as the turn straightened out into the stretch she began to accelerate. Sarah didn't encourage her, not wanting the filly to go all out. That speed needed to be saved for the race. It was Lila's time then to follow in her parents hoofprints.

[Snowflake]

HOT LOOKS WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE TURF MILE

After handing Vengeance off, Marissa was legged up onto Hot Looks. Hottie, as she was nicknamed, was a stunning horse. She was very showy, with four white socks and a big blaze down her face. She was a little bit of a showoff too, but not to the same epic proportions as Indian Night, for example. Warming up at a trot, she high stepped it a little around the crowded areas. But as they moved off around the first turn for their warmup, she relaxed slightly.

The track was still busy, but that was no problem for Hottie. She wasn't one for chasing down the competition if it wasn't actually a race. She got a little excited as other horses galloped past, but it was nothing difficult to handle. Hottie was sired by Gorgeous George, making her a half sister of several talented turf horses. More impressive however, was her dam's bloodline. Lawliet's Girl had been a fantastic turf horse in her day, and for good reason. She was sired by HOF stallion Merry Bay King. That made Hottie related to many, many champions of the turf.

Marissa clucked to the filly, and she moved on into canter. They were out here today at The Wire track because in about 48 hours Hottie would be running in the Follow The Hoofprints series, in the FTH Juvenile Turf Mile. The race was big, and important. Hottie hadn't raced in two months, and had instead been working hard almost every day to build up her strength and stamina and speed. The filly was truly ready now to take on a competitive field and come out on top. They had gotten their wish for a competitive field - it was small but talented and the contenders would be tough to beat.

Gate one would hold Vetanda, from Intrepid Racing. He'd been off racing since his second start and maiden win in the third week of January, but like Hottie he'd probably been training hard. The colt had nice bloodlines for both turf and dirt and would definitely be one to look out for. Gate two would hold the favourite of the field, Spotlight Pride of Witch Creek Stables. Like Hottie and Vetanda, he'd had a brief break from racing and had come back shining at the end of April. The colt's record stood at 6-3-2-0.

Gate four would hold Spitterfly, now owned by new stable Sugarhill Farm. She'd also had time off, and after nearly two months off racing she'd been coming back looking for her third win. The filly already had a record of 4-2-1-1. Hottie herself didn't have an impressive record when compared with her competition, but she did have impressive heart. Hottie's determination to win would eventually see her climb to the top, when she was ready. Marissa had pitted her against some of Star Thoroughbreds best two year olds, and knew Hottie was up to the challenge. Her record of 5-1-1-1 would hopefully read 6-2-1-1 at the end of the weekend.

When asked to gallop, the chestnut filly gave a slight kick up of her heels before accelerating. Her hooves pounded the turf in a familiar four beat pattern, and as she ended the turn into the straight that pattern quickened. Hottie stretched her body to lengthen her strides and cover more ground, more quickly. She quickly showed bystanders how much strength and power was hidden away in her otherwise dainty body. The filly crossed the finish and slowed back through her paces like a lady. She was ready to follow in the hoofprints of her parents.

[Snowflake]

SWEET LIKE SUGAR WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE DIRT SPRINT

Blaze mounted up on his first ride of the day, Sweet Like Sugar. The grey filly was clearly full of herself today and immediately took off at a trot almost before he even asked for it. Sired by Sweet Sugar Cane, and out of Dash of Sugar, Candy had amazing bloodlines for sprinting and plenty to live up to. Her half sisters included Hall of Fame inductee Deadly Desires and grade ones Windbreaker, Afterglow and Sugar Jayde. Sweet Sugar Cane was grade one and a Breeder's Cup Sprint winner. Dash Of Sugar was also entered in the Hall of Fame and a three time Breeder's Cup winner. Yep, Candy had hoofprints to follow.

Today she was working for the FTH Juvenile Dirt Sprint, which was part of the Follow The Hoofprints series for two year olds. The six furlong dirt race had attracted a talented field of five, and it was already clear to Blaze how easy it would not be. He knew all the entrants were well bred and well trained. It would be a real fight to the finish, from the moment the five horses stepped out of the gate.

Blaze signaled Candy to moved on into canter, and enjoyed her rocking horse pace for a few minutes before turning his attention to going over the competition in his mind. Gate one would hold Lilith Wind, the Intrepid Racing owned Speed Demon x Windbreaker filly. She had run five races so far, with two wins and two seconds to show for it. Next was Nirvana, the Witch Creek filly who had beaten them last time out. She had a record of 5-3-0-1. In gate three would be Siren Call, a filly from Valkyrie Stables. With a record of 8-4-3-0 she was most certainly the race favourite. Silent Snap of Stride Of Perfection Stables would go in the second favourite, with a record of 8-4-1-3.

Candy herself had a record of 6-1-2-2. It looked small, next to the other entrants, but Star Thoroughbreds knew the entries before entering Candy and therefore they clearly had faith in her. The filly was strong, just like her Hall of Fame dam and her grade one sire. Just like all her high graded siblings. She was just as good as any other horse in the field, and she would prove it.

Blaze touched his heels to her sides again, asking her to gallop. Candy responded immediately and dug in to accelerate. Her gallop was strong but at the same time seemed effortless. She held a lot of power but looked as dainty and delicate as a horse could be. And as she crossed over the finish, Blaze knew that the filly was ready to run a terrific race.

[Snowflake]

WINGED PEGASUS WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE TURF SPRINT

He was short for a thoroughbred at only fifteen hands, but Winged Pegasus was built like a barrel and looked like a quarter horse. He had a wide chest, which gave him plenty of heart and lung room; and massive hindquarters which held the secret to his immense speed. Olivia clucked softly to him, and the two year old colt moved off at a brisk trot. His thick neck arched slightly, and there was a slight spring in his step. He was clearly proud of himself, and for good reason.

Winged Pegasus was the offspring of two Hall of Fame sprinters, Pegasus Wings and Deadly Desires. Both horses had been hugely successful (obviously) with Pegasus Wings ending his career with a record of 53-30-15-8, and Deadly Desires ending hers at 60-32-17-9. Both had won in the Breeder's Cup three times each. Pegasus Wings was sired by HOF Royal Red Richard and out of G1 producing Forbidden Wings, while Deadly Desires was sired by G1 Sweet Sugar Cane and out of Requiem. Winged Pegasus also had a twin sister, Athena's Desires, and an older half brother Demonic Desires, who was tearing up the three year old turf sprints with a record of 23-11-11-1.

The pair were out here on The Wire track today because Winged Pegasus was due to run in the Follow The Hoofprints series, a race day for two year olds. The colt was entered in the FTH Juvenile Turf Sprint, a six furlong race which had attracted a field of five. Olivia signalled Pegasus to canter and stood in her stirrups, thinking about the competition for the race. Pegasus had proved himself recently, but this would be a true test. The best two year old turf sprinters of both gender divisions were entered, including Pegasus' sister Athena's Desires.

Stiletto Allure had gate one. The Intrepid Racing filly was sired by Cryin Out Loud, foaled by Fashionista and had a record of 5-3-1-1. Next was Call Me Crooked, a filly from new stable Grayson Meadows. With a record of 6-2-1-2, she was sired by Crooked Fire and out of Royal Assault. Phantasm Frost was to break from the third gate, and was the only other colt in the field. He was in fact the twin of Stiletto Allure, and had earned himself a record of 3-2-0-1 for Valkyrie Stables. Finally, there was Athena's Desires, Winged Pegasus' own twin. Owned by Stride Of Perfection Stables, Athena had already made a name for herself by winning the Unicorn Juvenile Turf Sprint, The Wire Finish Cup Juvenile Sprint, and the Magic Millions Fillies Turf Sprint. She also had two seconds and two thirds behind her, bringing her record to 7-3-2-2.

Olivia vowed to Pegasus that they would settle the score with Athena in the FTH Juvenile Turf Sprint - she had beaten him twice and now it was time to get even. Olivia took a hunk of mane in hand and urged the colt on, holding tight as he burst into gallop. He accelerated so quickly that she did this to avoid falling off. The black colt accelerated straight into the turn, and Olivia could feel surges of strength and power coursing through him with each stride. She rated him as the turn ended, so that he wouldn't sprint all the way to the finish. He had to save that energy for the race, because he would definitely need it. He had hoofprints to follow in.

[Snowflake]

GREAT REVENGE WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE DIRT CLASSIC

Mounting up on her last ride of the day, Marissa was glad but knew this workout would probably be the most tiring yet. Great Revenge was a stunning colt, a great racehorse already, and he was difficult. She was well accustomed to difficult horses, though, and knew where and how to push his buttons. So far, he'd lost only twice in seven starts. He'd been second in his most recent loss just three weeks ago, and ever since the colt had been almost unbearable. Here and now, he hauled on the reins trying to take off after a horse that had just raced by on the inside rail.

As the son of Bank on Greatness and Vindictive Fury, Rev had four Hall of Fame horses in his pedigree. His parents weren't inducted, but Vindictive Fury was almost undefeated in her final season, and Greatness was a three time Breeder's Cup winner. Bank On Greatness was also full brother to Triple Crown Champion Impressario while Vindictive Fury was half sister to Triple Crown Champion Furious Passion. Basically put, Great Revenge had massive hoofprints to follow in.

They were here today to do just that, actually. The Follow The Hoofprints series ran this weekend, and Rev was entered in the FTH Juvenile Dirt Classic. It was an eleven furlong race on dirt for two year olds and it had attracted a field of five this year - including Rev's twin half sisters. One of them, Meritorious, had drawn gate one. The Intrepid Racing owned filly had been off the track since February and had come back last weekend for her second win, bringing her record to 4-2-1-1. The other was Impressionable from Stride Of Perfection Stables. She would start from gate one. Impressionable was consistent so far, with a record of 8-2-2-2.

Saintly Touch of Witch Creek Stables would break from gate two. The Night Stalker sired, The Devil's Touch foaled colt had a record of 6-3-2-1 and would be Rev's biggest competition in the race, having beaten Rev by a nose a few weeks ago in the Tempted Stakes. Marissa knew that when Rev saw or heard the other colt it would be a battle to keep him from launching his teeth into his throat. The final contender was Shenanigans, from Valkyrie Stables. Her record read 8-2-2-3 which showed that she was consistent, and Marissa knew she was a half sister to Saintly Touch's dam.

Rev would go in the favourite, given his 7-5-1-0 record. The field was strong though, and Marissa knew better than to count any of their competition out. All of those horses had potential to beat them. Marissa had done her homework and found that Shenanigans was the only horse likely to challenge for the lead throughout the race, but apparently mostly she raced behind the leader. Rev would probably be able to coast quite happily in the lead by his preferred length, and then explode into full speed once he saw the finish line straight ahead of him.

Softening her hands on the reins only very slightly, Marissa allowed the colt to spring into action. He was galloping within an instant, accelerating into the turn and not slowing down in the slightest when he reached it. Marissa took back an inch of rein to rate the colt, preventing him from going too hard in this workout simply to catch up to a group of horses beginning their gallop at the other end of the stretch. The wind whipped Rev's grey mane in her face as the colt pounded down the track but she didn't mind. It was this feeling of exhilaration that had gotten her into the racing game in the first place - there was nothing quite like galloping a horse. There was in fact no horse quite like this one, either. He was special.

[Snowflake]

WILD DAISY WORKS FOR THE FTH JUVENILE TURF CLASSIC

It had taken a ton of work, but Sarah had gotten Daisy to a point where she was far easier to work with. There was less fighting for her head, but she hadn't lost her spirit. Daisy would always be a bit of a control freak, it seemed. The filly's fitness had come on in leaps and bounds and recently she'd been training a lot at the beach in the deep sand. It had done wonders for her stamina levels, and she had more strength in her hindquarters to push herself faster than ever before. In between beach sessions, there had been swimming sessions and low impact aqua tread sessions in Star Thoroughbreds indoor horse pools. Daisy was fighting fit and on the hunt for her third win.

As the daughter of Hall of Fame mare Wild Flower, and G1 producing sire Jessie James, Wild Daisy was definitely a horse to look out for. She had already shown plenty of potential, and with each track workout her gallop times improved. Wild Flower had produced three grade ones already and another was quickly on his way up in his three year old year, contending in the Turf Triple Crown. Jessie James was also a grade one racehorse, and now the sire of grade one twins Infinite Warcry and Dazzling Dame. Wild Daisy's bloodlines were certainly something to boast about.

They were here at The Wire track this morning to work for the Follow the Hoofprints series. It was a day of prestigious races for two year olds, and Daisy was due to run in the last race of the day - the FTH Juvenile Turf Classic. It was eleven furlongs on turf, and had a small field of four this year. Wild Daisy was the only filly entered. The black thoroughbred trotted gracefully over the turf track, which was quiet now that the prime time for workouts was over. Her neck was arched, her tail held out like a black flag behind her. There were still plenty of spectators and Sarah could here the clicking of cameras now and then as they passed photographers.

Moving into canter on the turn, Sarah considered the competition Wild Daisy would face in her upcoming race. The first entrant was a colt named Casualty Of War from Witch Creek Stables. With a record of 6-1-3-1, and his most recent races resulting in second place, he would be gunning for the win. The next entrant was Black Magic, from the new stable Sugarhill Farms. He had raced five times so far for a win and two second places. Finally in gate three would be their biggest competitor, Devil's Flair. The Stride of Perfection Stables colt had a record of 7-3-1-2 and had beaten Daisy once before. She had also beaten him though, and if memory served correctly it was her turn to come out on top.

Unfortunately, it looked like Devil's Flair had the advantage because all other entrants were apparently front runners. It would be a very fast paced race. Hopefully Daisy's recent training would be enough to put the filly over the line in first. She had raced in front runner heavy fields before and won, so she could do it again especially now that she was better prepared for it. Daisy tugged on the bit, eager to get galloping. She knew the cue was coming and had been anticipating it since they began to canter. With the second turn coming up, the one that rounded into the stretch, she knew it was very soon. Sarah adjusted herself, taking a small chunk of mane just in chase. Then she sent Daisy flying.

The filly threw her entire body into the first stride, taking all the rein she could get as she accelerated into the turn. Sarah let go of the mane and took back a few notches of leather, effectively rating Daisy. The filly was happy now to be galloping, and moved along at a quick pace around the remainder of the turn. The stretch straightened out before them and Daisy automatically picked up speed. Before she knew it, the workout was done. Daisy was ready to follow in some hoofprints.