Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2012 10:01:25 GMT -5
The two year old colt had excelled on the track so far, with two victories in as many starts. He had claimed his debut in style, only to go on and steal the Unicorn Horn Juvenile from those which had hoped to rival him. Now, the stable were taking things to the next step as they transferred the colt over to The Wire track to prepare for the Finish Cup Juvenile Turf where it was hoped he would once more be able to show his skills and claim yet another victory over his peer. But to prepare him for the big race, they had chosen to enter him in an earlier race - the Palfrey Stakes, where he would face older horses. It was a challenge, and it was a risk. Facing older horses was always difficult for two year olds, especially this early in the season, but there was a hope that Blue could pull off a top three position, just as Icee had done at the Green Horse Fields track earlier in the week.
The black colt was energetic, and clearly ready for a challenge. He moved quickly beside the handler, and pulled at the bit to move faster. He loved the track, he loved to run, and it was believed that these things had contributed to his successes thus far. All he wanted to do was get to the track, to get started. It was almost as if he could sense that he was going to be running a race soon, it was almost as if he wanted to prepare. Of course, neither could be true, but sometimes it just seemed that way.
Jacob, who rode the colt, felt he had found himself with a star in the making and was pushing to get the colt recognised. Things were not going badly so far, but there was definitely more which could be done. It all came from racing, and experience, and good results. Jacob knew they could get those results, he knew that they could expect great things from the colt. He would continue to work, and the colt would continue to produce the results they needed. With any luck, their season would continue as well as it had started.
There had been worry about how the colt would react to the new surroundings. Some horses struggled to focus in new environments, but Jacob was not sure why anybody had worried in this case. The colt had shown a little interest in the stables, but as soon as they had reached the track he had become as focussed as usual. He enjoyed running too much to give a damn about where he was running, and it was that which made him such a star.
The field as it stood consisted of four entrants; two older and one of two years old like Blue. This two year old was their main target for the race as they wished to be able to prove themselves against all their peers on the turf track. However, Bella Luna was not the only other horse on the track and she certainly was not the only horse they would focus on. It would be great to beat the two year old filly, but the older horses were even greater targets. If they could even beat one of the older horses, Blue would have an edge that most horses his age did not. Dazzling Dame and Snow Storm. Older, more experienced, and the biggest challenge they had faced so far.
Jacob walked over the track to where Lucas was struggling with a fidgeting Blue. The black colt hated to stay still, and often caused issues because of this. However, they were not issues which could not be overcome and all it took was a little initiative to mount the colt. Jacob stood at the side of the black thoroughbred, put his hand into his mane and waited for a second. As the colt shifted toward him, he pulled himself up into the saddle and found his seat. There, issue overcome.
Lucas released his grip on the colt's reins, and Jacob rose in his stirrups. Today, they were going to run a four furlong stretch up the turf and allow the colt to get a feel for the track in preparation for the race. The colt bolted forwards, moving at a high pace up the turf. He was confident, powerful and without fear as he propelled himself up the track. His strides were sure, his movement almost perfect as he moved up the turf. Muscles contracted and relaxed as his legs moved, four beats and then a pause as he moved through the air with no connection to the earth and then again and again.
Jacob pulled the colt to the rail and held him there, imagining the race. With the field as it was, he would likely push the colt (who usually ran as a preceder) into the lead and set a pace which was just about average. The other preceders, Bella Luna and Dazzling Dame, would be just behind them with Snow Storm as a closer. He would lead the race, and he would push the colt to perform beyond his usual potential. Due to the colt's speed and stamina, it should not be too much of an issue for him to run slightly different to what was usual and Jacob would be sure to maintain a pace where the colt would be comfortable.
Two furlongs of the stretch remained. Jacob crouched low to the colt's neck and drove him forwards. He threw all his energy into urging the colt forwards, and the colt responded well. The crop cracked, and the colt continued even stronger toward the finish. They fought together, every movement attuned to one another as they made their way toward the post. Their speed picked up, they were giving all their effort to the chase and then they passed the post. For Jacob and Blue the race was one step closer and Jacob felt ready.
The black colt was energetic, and clearly ready for a challenge. He moved quickly beside the handler, and pulled at the bit to move faster. He loved the track, he loved to run, and it was believed that these things had contributed to his successes thus far. All he wanted to do was get to the track, to get started. It was almost as if he could sense that he was going to be running a race soon, it was almost as if he wanted to prepare. Of course, neither could be true, but sometimes it just seemed that way.
Jacob, who rode the colt, felt he had found himself with a star in the making and was pushing to get the colt recognised. Things were not going badly so far, but there was definitely more which could be done. It all came from racing, and experience, and good results. Jacob knew they could get those results, he knew that they could expect great things from the colt. He would continue to work, and the colt would continue to produce the results they needed. With any luck, their season would continue as well as it had started.
There had been worry about how the colt would react to the new surroundings. Some horses struggled to focus in new environments, but Jacob was not sure why anybody had worried in this case. The colt had shown a little interest in the stables, but as soon as they had reached the track he had become as focussed as usual. He enjoyed running too much to give a damn about where he was running, and it was that which made him such a star.
The field as it stood consisted of four entrants; two older and one of two years old like Blue. This two year old was their main target for the race as they wished to be able to prove themselves against all their peers on the turf track. However, Bella Luna was not the only other horse on the track and she certainly was not the only horse they would focus on. It would be great to beat the two year old filly, but the older horses were even greater targets. If they could even beat one of the older horses, Blue would have an edge that most horses his age did not. Dazzling Dame and Snow Storm. Older, more experienced, and the biggest challenge they had faced so far.
Jacob walked over the track to where Lucas was struggling with a fidgeting Blue. The black colt hated to stay still, and often caused issues because of this. However, they were not issues which could not be overcome and all it took was a little initiative to mount the colt. Jacob stood at the side of the black thoroughbred, put his hand into his mane and waited for a second. As the colt shifted toward him, he pulled himself up into the saddle and found his seat. There, issue overcome.
Lucas released his grip on the colt's reins, and Jacob rose in his stirrups. Today, they were going to run a four furlong stretch up the turf and allow the colt to get a feel for the track in preparation for the race. The colt bolted forwards, moving at a high pace up the turf. He was confident, powerful and without fear as he propelled himself up the track. His strides were sure, his movement almost perfect as he moved up the turf. Muscles contracted and relaxed as his legs moved, four beats and then a pause as he moved through the air with no connection to the earth and then again and again.
Jacob pulled the colt to the rail and held him there, imagining the race. With the field as it was, he would likely push the colt (who usually ran as a preceder) into the lead and set a pace which was just about average. The other preceders, Bella Luna and Dazzling Dame, would be just behind them with Snow Storm as a closer. He would lead the race, and he would push the colt to perform beyond his usual potential. Due to the colt's speed and stamina, it should not be too much of an issue for him to run slightly different to what was usual and Jacob would be sure to maintain a pace where the colt would be comfortable.
Two furlongs of the stretch remained. Jacob crouched low to the colt's neck and drove him forwards. He threw all his energy into urging the colt forwards, and the colt responded well. The crop cracked, and the colt continued even stronger toward the finish. They fought together, every movement attuned to one another as they made their way toward the post. Their speed picked up, they were giving all their effort to the chase and then they passed the post. For Jacob and Blue the race was one step closer and Jacob felt ready.
