Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Mar 29, 2015 21:27:34 GMT -5
Just what has been going on at Stride Of Perfection recently? We haven't heard a word out of them in months. Indeed, this has perhaps been SOPS's most medially reclusive year. But as the beginning of the classics approaches, Amber Black did come forward with an article about her beloved horses. Here is what she had to say.
"My older horses are my pride and joy. They are the core of my roster and each and every one of them are absolutely impressive. SOPS has been exercising a healthy dominance in the sprinter ranks over both surfaces with Demonic Desires and Ventura. I'll talk about Demonic Desires first. Upon the retirement of last year's turf sprinting champions, Demon stepped into an empty void and has been filling it with ease. He began the season by reeling off two wins in the Unicorn Horn Turf Sprint and the Wire Finish Cup Sprint. The Finish Cup Sprint was Demon's second win in the Wire Finish Cup series. He also continued the SOPS tradition of winning the Finish Cup Sprint - SOPS has never lost that race."
"Ventura has stepped up as a real dirt sprinter now that Forbidden To Fly has retired. She is three for three at six furlongs - sound familiar? - and has proven that her favorite distances really are in the sprints, which essentially goes against everything in her pedigree but works for her regardless. We are still sticking to our plan of racing her once a month only. She's at win thirty-two right now and shows no signs of stopping. And let me tell you, riding her is like riding a whirlwind. She stalks those leaders, then unleashes this tremendous kick and then...they're just not there anymore. It's amazing."
"Let's speak about another Impressario daughter - Italian Ice. This Wire mainstay is showing some signs of age after her second Breeders Cup win in the Distaff. Regardless, she's been a strong mare. Her placings are anything but bad. We're keeping her to a really restricted schedule this season and she won't show again until the Summer Dawn Treader Cup. No, she's not running as much as other runners, but look at her. She loves this track - can you think of a horse who loves this track more?! - and she is the most classy worker we have on grounds. It would be a good idea not to underestimate the Dream Team of Valencia Andrews and Italian Ice."
"Speaking of our dirt division - Battle Wings and Limited Edition have both been tearing it up for us. Battle Wings began the season with a win and has not looked back. Ever since the Juvenile Fillies this mare has demanded no rest, just racing. Finishing second to Mastermind in the Dirt Mile only stoked the flames of her fire. She gives Italian Ice a run for her money and is developing into a fierce mare. Limited Edition just reeled off his first win of the season over Anodyne. He has been deadly consistent and is really looking sharp. Don't underestimate this horse - he won the Breeders Cup Juvenile and reeled off two Triple Crown legs last season. Want a horse that is sure to dominate as the year progresses? Ed is it."
"Let's take a look at the turf division. Many people are wondering how In The Spotlight came out of her dream-like win in the Breeders Cup Turf over newly inducted Hall of Famer Bella Luna. Well, she won first time out in the Eclipse Stakes and has been a bit all over the place, but is a deadly mare, no doubt about that. She is versatile and extremely talented and pulled off the seemingly impossible - let no one forget that. Joining her in the older turf division is Wish Upon A Star. This mare has been focusing mainly in the turf marathons, but just reeled off her first win of the season as well. Wish is really respected by everybody in the barn and by her competitors as well. She has so much heart and so much talent that Krystal Yhate has worked so hard to reveal. We should do well to remember another Everyday Hero mare's five year old season when looking at this mare. Vindictive Fury was well nigh unstoppable as a five year old and Wish could be the same way once the turf classics get rolling."
"Last but certainly not least, I'd like to draw attention to Call of the Wild. SOPS may have finally gained an older turf male to compete strongly in the classics. Call has been nothing short of astonishingly impressive this season. He's been quiet but good for the first two seasons of his career, and now...well, look at this record. He's reeled off two Horse Of The Year wins in the International Stakes and King Cup and has truly proven his worth as a miler. Much thanks to Ripley Marsh for the tip on that! It is really paying off. Call's season has never started off stronger. I'd be watching out if I were you. This horse is a rising star. Let me stress that one more time - he is one win off grade one and you should all be watching out as he keeps winning."
That was all Amber Black had to say for now, though she promised us a release on all of her other stock coming up soon. Stay tuned!
"My older horses are my pride and joy. They are the core of my roster and each and every one of them are absolutely impressive. SOPS has been exercising a healthy dominance in the sprinter ranks over both surfaces with Demonic Desires and Ventura. I'll talk about Demonic Desires first. Upon the retirement of last year's turf sprinting champions, Demon stepped into an empty void and has been filling it with ease. He began the season by reeling off two wins in the Unicorn Horn Turf Sprint and the Wire Finish Cup Sprint. The Finish Cup Sprint was Demon's second win in the Wire Finish Cup series. He also continued the SOPS tradition of winning the Finish Cup Sprint - SOPS has never lost that race."
"Ventura has stepped up as a real dirt sprinter now that Forbidden To Fly has retired. She is three for three at six furlongs - sound familiar? - and has proven that her favorite distances really are in the sprints, which essentially goes against everything in her pedigree but works for her regardless. We are still sticking to our plan of racing her once a month only. She's at win thirty-two right now and shows no signs of stopping. And let me tell you, riding her is like riding a whirlwind. She stalks those leaders, then unleashes this tremendous kick and then...they're just not there anymore. It's amazing."
"Let's speak about another Impressario daughter - Italian Ice. This Wire mainstay is showing some signs of age after her second Breeders Cup win in the Distaff. Regardless, she's been a strong mare. Her placings are anything but bad. We're keeping her to a really restricted schedule this season and she won't show again until the Summer Dawn Treader Cup. No, she's not running as much as other runners, but look at her. She loves this track - can you think of a horse who loves this track more?! - and she is the most classy worker we have on grounds. It would be a good idea not to underestimate the Dream Team of Valencia Andrews and Italian Ice."
"Speaking of our dirt division - Battle Wings and Limited Edition have both been tearing it up for us. Battle Wings began the season with a win and has not looked back. Ever since the Juvenile Fillies this mare has demanded no rest, just racing. Finishing second to Mastermind in the Dirt Mile only stoked the flames of her fire. She gives Italian Ice a run for her money and is developing into a fierce mare. Limited Edition just reeled off his first win of the season over Anodyne. He has been deadly consistent and is really looking sharp. Don't underestimate this horse - he won the Breeders Cup Juvenile and reeled off two Triple Crown legs last season. Want a horse that is sure to dominate as the year progresses? Ed is it."
"Let's take a look at the turf division. Many people are wondering how In The Spotlight came out of her dream-like win in the Breeders Cup Turf over newly inducted Hall of Famer Bella Luna. Well, she won first time out in the Eclipse Stakes and has been a bit all over the place, but is a deadly mare, no doubt about that. She is versatile and extremely talented and pulled off the seemingly impossible - let no one forget that. Joining her in the older turf division is Wish Upon A Star. This mare has been focusing mainly in the turf marathons, but just reeled off her first win of the season as well. Wish is really respected by everybody in the barn and by her competitors as well. She has so much heart and so much talent that Krystal Yhate has worked so hard to reveal. We should do well to remember another Everyday Hero mare's five year old season when looking at this mare. Vindictive Fury was well nigh unstoppable as a five year old and Wish could be the same way once the turf classics get rolling."
"Last but certainly not least, I'd like to draw attention to Call of the Wild. SOPS may have finally gained an older turf male to compete strongly in the classics. Call has been nothing short of astonishingly impressive this season. He's been quiet but good for the first two seasons of his career, and now...well, look at this record. He's reeled off two Horse Of The Year wins in the International Stakes and King Cup and has truly proven his worth as a miler. Much thanks to Ripley Marsh for the tip on that! It is really paying off. Call's season has never started off stronger. I'd be watching out if I were you. This horse is a rising star. Let me stress that one more time - he is one win off grade one and you should all be watching out as he keeps winning."
That was all Amber Black had to say for now, though she promised us a release on all of her other stock coming up soon. Stay tuned!
