Post by Cruisey on May 23, 2014 19:52:41 GMT -5
RED HERRING && SAMMIE PICKETT
Y14 Summer Dawn Treader Cup Workout
Carter watched the morning workouts as he held the infamous Red Herring by the track. The colt was throwing his head around and moving all over the place“We are taking him six furlongs today, a fast blowout. Break him from the gate and let him go.” Carter said when he handed the fiery stallion to Sammie. The petit girl nodded. She had studied the other that had been entered in the summer Dawn Treader Cup; it was definitely a tough field this year.
In post one was Canadian Triple Crown champion, Italian Ice. The filly was a hard competitor, and her motive was always to move straight to the front no matter what size of field. She was the only front runner of the field as well. In gate two was GS SuperCharged, a hard closer and another one to watch for when coming around the final turn. Gate three had A Royal Legacy, another closer and GS SuperCharged’s stablemate. Sprinter Mastermind held stall four, whose recent record posed to be a major threat for the whole field. His stalking presence held a challenge for Red especially, he being a strong pace presser, Red could tire out, but Sammie had faith in the blazing red stallion. Intrepid Racing had Nightshade in gate five, another closer and waiting for his first win in year fourteen. Lustiana’s Soldier had gate six, yet another very strong closer and he was definitely the main horse to watch alongside Italian Ice. Red closed the field in post seven. Carter was frustrated with the starting number assigned to Red, but he had no doubts that the horse would have problems overcoming the wider section of the track to cut in.
Carter gave Sammie a leg up onto Red. The colt was ready to run, for sure. Sammie gathered her reins and asked the colt to walk over to the track. It was a challenge, since all he wanted to do was run full speed.
“Hey now, you can do that in the race.” Red flicked his ears back at Sammie. He stopped pulling on the reins, accepting the girl’s request.
Now that Red knew that he got to run when he went into the gate, he walked easily in, unlike when he was first introduced to the gate. He threw fits and gave the assistant starter’s nightmare, something like what he does in the post parade now. Sammie stroked the colt, waiting patiently for the gates to clang open.
The gates opened and Red broke well. Sammie urged him on, as the work was only six furlongs and Carter wanted fast but in control. The red colt would have to show his speed and stamina in this upcoming race, and this work was to refine his speed and keep him in shape. Red was striding out well and moving easily like Sammie had wanted. She clucked and let out a notch on the reins, asking for more speed. Red replied quickly and easily, lengthening his stride, ears pinned back as he focused on the track ahead.
For the next two furlongs, Sammie held the colt to the same pace, finishing four furlongs is about 0:43 flat. With two furlongs left to run, Sammie let Red’s reins out more, not going a blinding pace, but slightly faster than previously. Red responded readily, accelerating his speed with each stride. His strides were long and smooth as the fiery colt kicked up dirt down the track. The finish was coming up, and Red still was moving easily. She clucked, urging him to switch leads around the turn and run faster for the next few strides.
“Easy. Easy, bud.” Sammie said as she pulled up Red at the end of the run. The colt fought, shaking his head and trying to grab the bit. When he finally stopped, Sammie dismounted, instantly loosening his girth. She wasn’t surprised to see that the colt had hardly broken a sweat. Many horses would have worked up a sweat, but it just showed that Red was in prime condition for the race. Carter ducked under the track fence, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"That was great, Sammie. He looked amazing,” Sammie rubbed the colt’s head. Carter grabbed the reins to hold the colt so she could unsaddle him.
“He will be sharp for his next race, with his short break and this work. He gained weight, all muscle, and filled out since his last race. Just give him a good trip and he will run for you, Sammie.” Carter smiled at the girl, patting her shoulder.
“Thanks, Carter. All we gotta do now is win the Treader Cup and give this guy a break from the races.” Carter’s grin became wider.
“You just read my mind, Sammie.” Red snorted, making them both laugh.
Red Herring was ready and he was out for revenge.
