Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2012 3:20:10 GMT -5
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The Triple Tiara was one of the most prestigious race series anyone could ever want to race in with there three-year-old fillies. The races were for Grade 5 and above fillies, age three – and at the moment, there were some very serious contenders, the main contender being a bay filly belonging to Silver Stride Stables, Paradise Island. The filly won, placed, and showed in many serious races, including the Juvenile Fillies. Winning Touch had taken more ‘classed’ races, for her specific grades only at The Wire track this season, but she was a talented filly. She had won four out of five starts this year, and we were determined to make that five out of six starts. Fiery Touch was also entered. She was an entrant from Witch Creek Stable. The filly was half sister to Winnie through there sire, Touch Up.
Midnight Thriller, also known as Midtee belonged to Akita Rose Stables. She was another entrant in this race. The filly placed seventh in her first start of her two-year-old campaign in the Stormy Night Maiden Dirt. She then went on to win the September Maiden Dirt, but placed an unfortunate fifth and last in the Horseshoe Futurity. She then placed an unfortunate seventh in the Oscarianna Stakes, then placed third behind Paradise Island and Fiery Touch in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The start of her year this year had been good, taking a second behind Winnie in the Utanali Stakes. She placed an impressive third behind Paradise Island and Eternal Phantom in the Unicorn Horn Fillies Dirt, but a disappointing fourth in the Parfair Derby set the stables plans for her back a bit, but it hasn’t stopped her from entering the Alabama.
Fiery Touch, also known as Fie belonged to Witch Creek Stable. The filly didn’t have the best two year old season, grabbing a first and two seconds – one of the second places ahead of Midnight Thriller in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, beaten by Paradise Island. Currently in her three year old season, she had one hundred percent consistency, winning the Grande Derby, and placing third in three other starts, even placing behind Winnie and Midtee in the Utanali Stakes, the first Y12 start for all three of these fillies.
The winner of this race was practically obvious. Paradise Island was the major contender, and she wasn’t going down without a fight. She had won more major races than Winnie – making her the heavy favourite. The filly had eight wins under her belt, whereas Winnie only had five. The amount of preparation Winnie had could play a part, but Sonja had seen being worked a lot also in the past week. Paradise Island was the winner of the Juvenile Fillies Dirt, beating both Fie and Midtee. Winnie went to the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and placed second behind Unicorn Horn Fillies Turf winner, Georgie’s Girl.
Winnie was ready for this race. Though she raced last week, she wasn’t tired. And I wasn’t scared about Sonja. I had a feeling we’d be in the top two, but nothing is possible to see until the race tomorrow. I'd just finished tacking Winnie up when I lead her out. I hopped on very quickly and walked the filly to the dirt track. She pricked her ears tall, like she did in her workout yesterday. I smiled as she began to trot on the spot. A pony horse came up beside us. The man on board looked at me and smiled. So what can I do for you today? He asked me. I suddenly felt in a dream world. Five furlongs please. I said, trying to avoid eye contact. As the man took hold of the rein and broke into a trot. Instead of doing as she was supposed to, Winnie broke in to a canter beside the horse. I sighed. She’s just a bit excitable today, sorry. I think the oats in her feed last night are kicking in. When the pony horse broke into a canter, Winnie pricked her ears again.
As we got to the six furlong pole, he let us go. We began to gather speed. I took hold of the mane and pulled myself up into the racing stance. The bay filly broke onto the outside leg first, and began to run. I gave her some rein and he pounced along the dirt. I smiled and let her go. She really began to run. As we hit the turn, the filly changed her leads perfectly. I really let her go. She powered energetically along the dirt, stretching her whole body out. I began to niggle Winnie along, and we powered round the home turn and into the stretch. She ran as fast as she could, and trust me, it's fast. Very. This filly had finally matured from a two-year-old to a three-year-old. It was time to go kick some butt. Coming down the home stretch, I wanted her to excel. She ran on, and extended her stride as we flew across the line. I patted Winnie’s still dry neck, and grinned. I was so happy. The filly had done very well, and the day before her first major race of the year, I knew we could kick some ultimate butt now. Good girl Winnie. You’ve become very special to us, and I never want to let you go… I sighed, a tear came to my eye. I knew it probably wouldn’t be enough to beat Sonja, but I knew we could try.
