Post by Cavallo on Aug 17, 2012 10:01:22 GMT -5
This field was high caliber...there wasn't a dud filly in the contending for the triple tiara....and that included Arachne. Ara was all fire and passion as Jeff Sanders led the filly out onto the dirt track. Alert eyes took in the whole arena and Jeff saw her physically relax, but the fire flash within her eyes.
She was a three year old, like the rest of the contestants, but by far Ara was the least experienced, having started her career just his year...
They had waited a long time for the filly to come into her own and had willingly stepped in on Rockstar's behalf to train and launch the blood-blooded filly's career. Jeff had scoped the field, Winning Touch had been on a mad winning streak and Paradise Island was a BC winner...Yes there were some big titles on the field, but Jeff knew that none of the fillies on the field were as fresh and passionate as his Ara.
Ara would be the only true front runner of the field and there would be a lot of stalkers...If there was one thing Jeff had learned, racing experience did not determine the win in a race...but it was simply which horse was on the edge and on point that day...Ara had that edge and was truly coming into her own.
Dancing elegantly, Jeff got the brazen filly to briefly stand still to allow himself to mount. Her body trembled once with passion and then stilled as she waited with eager expectation of what she knew was soon to come. Ara was on point, she was rested and had just come off a win on GHF...Jeff knew she was more than ready to give these other gals a run for their money.
Jeff was about to spur on the black bay, when he suddenly heard the approach of another horse and rider. Jeff turned Ara to face another oncoming mare and her rider, he smiled when he quickly recognized Kyle and his beloved spitfire, Atalanta.
Ara immediately took an instant dislike of the mare, her dominating aura, setting Ara on a whole 'nother level of alertness. Heard you and Ara had a big race coming....would you like some experienced competition to train with? Jeff smiled at Kyle's words...Kyle...you know you're just looking for a reason to ride that tempered mare of yours...but yes....actually...that would be a huge benefit.
Kyle smiled and nodded, Attie simply glared at Ara, her countenance strong and vigorous...she had nothing to prove to this young horse, but she certainly wasn't about to let Ara walk over her...
We were just about to warm-up and go for four furlongs...sound good? Jeff gestured to the track, but kept a firm hand on the deadly still Ara.
Kyle simply nodded and nudged the older mare, and they were off. Ara had pulled on her bit and started after the mare, but Jeff kept her in hand....one thing that couldn't happen on the race day was to get carried away...there had to be strategy in this race.
He held the filly in check as they watched Kyle and Attie begin their warmup..they were an elite team and inwardly Jeff knew that one day he and Ara would be just like them...if not better, but it started now.
Jeff nudged his edgy charge onto the dirt track and they took off with ease...Ara minded every cue, but her eyes never left the dark mare ahead. She knew what she wanted and was willing to wait to get it.
Attie and Kyle finished their warmup first and Kyle held the older mare at a light canter, as they waited for Ara and Jeff to pull alongside.
Ara zeroed in on the mare and Jeff let her pick up her pace slightly to come alongside the mare. The two hot-tempered horses locked gazes and Jeff and Kyle nodded...
A true front runner, Ara immediately shot to the front, placing her head before Attie and they inched a lead as they moved in on the rail to save ground. Jeff ducked a peek and saw Attie and Kyle running smoothly behind them...Attie was a talented closer and Jeff knew he'd have to be careful of that closing kick.
Ara was not a horse to be pushed around and pressured and was old enough to not fall for the stalker bait...she controlled the pace and she would always make it hard for the others to sweep her lead...
Dirt flew and so did the furlongs...the final one in sight...Ara heard Attie making her bid....the older mare flew with a speed that shocked even Jeff as she began to gain on them...but Ara would have none of it...
The thing that amazed Jeff about this filly was her gears...she always seemed to have one more...she kicked it up and Attie wasn't ready for her sudden surge...they sweeped the finish and heard Attie's screams of fury.
It was like music to their ears...
