Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2012 4:32:46 GMT -5
Ivana Babicová and Union Jaque work for the Ruffian Handicap
When on a winning streak like this, you musn't work a horse too hard. Racing just twice this year, Jackie had won both her starts. She was fresh, willing and fit - but there was an obstacle standing in the way. A field of three other horses, including Alabama Stakes winner, Paradise Island, who nosed out Serendipity's other Triple Tiara contender, Winning Touch to win the race. The result was expected. Now it was time for a new challenge. Union Jaque - as known to the stables as Jackie, was Winnie's paddock pal often known as sisters to most. They would often chill together - so whether Winnie was giving Jackie some tips to try and win this race or not, the chances were still slim.
The filly was in good shape and had matured since failing to break her maiden as a two-year-old, capturing two seconds and a third. Paradise Island on the other hand broke her maiden within a couple of starts as a two-year-old, before claiming best two-year-old filly and Best Grade Three. While the winner of this race was clear, there was still places second, third, and fourth up for grabs. Being a filly full of determination, Jackie wouldn't back down without a fight. Jackie isn't happy unless she is the best at every game she plays, and to her racing is a game. She enjoys running, she enjoys being put against the other horses, and she is highly competitive due to her desire to win.
Jackie is the kind of filly that will not settle in the starting gate. Because of this, it causes her slow starts which is why she is raced as a closer rather than a front runner, or preceder. The fact she starts at the back of the group, however, does not phase the filly. In fact, she would rather be at the back of the group. Having dirt being kicked into her face doesn't phase her and she is able to reserve her energy. She listens well to her jockey, and can be quite responsive. I would be riding Jackie today again - the same as when I rode Winnie a couple of weeks ago, but now it was time to step up the game from maiden and grade five races, to bigger races.
Though the chances of a top three slot was very slim, she wasn't the only filly in the field who was slightly less experienced than Sonja. Fiery Touch was a hell of a lot more experienced than Jackie, but then again, Tears Of An Angel was the only two year old in the Grade Five field of three-year-olds. She beat Fie last week. Fie, though worked well, had been raced a lot this month. She was entered in the Alabama in Week One, Laimee Derby week three, and she was entered in the Ruffian this week, aswell as on the card for the Stable-Face Off the week later. She would definitely be tired if Witch Creek kept racing her.
Arachne had done well since only starting as a three-year-old, claiming a two firsts, second, third, and a fourth. She had done incredibly well recently considering this but placed fourth in the Alabama. Jackie was at an advantage considering Fie would be tired. Arachne was at the same experience level as Jackie, so it would be hard between these two for who would win. It was more than likely that Arachne would take the lead. Paradise Island would be lingering in behind her as a preceder, then we would be near Fie at the back. I was planning on breaking slow and staying behind Fie until around the three furlong pole. We would make our move down the centre of the track and hopefully pass them all to win or take a top three slot.
Walking the filly out on to the track, she seemed rather laid back. She wasn't fazed by the spring heat pounding down effortlessly onto the dry sand like dirt. I liked it when the filly was calm. It usually meantt she was saving the best until last, like she does. I took her for a quick canter round the bend before coming back to load. On this day Jackie was in a relatively good mood and she was responsive too. She boxed better than usual, only backing up once - almost as if she knew that the upcoming race was important. Her ears twitched as she waited for the gates to open and when they did her break was slow as usual, as she fidgeted and moved around quite a lot in the gate. I could feel the wind hit me as we suddenly surged forwards, Jackie pushing instantly into a gallop as she moved out onto the dirt track. her long, muscular legs moved quickly as we moved down the first few furlongs and I found there was very little I had to do in order to keep the filly on track.
Certainly, the experience of the filly shone during that workout, though only raced five times. With her head flung high and a gleam in her eye she moved with little concern. Each hoof was perfectly placed, each stride without error. It was rare to see such perfect conformation in a galloping horse and Jackie was special. I crouched low to the horses neck in order to reduce wind resistance and began to push as we reached the corner toward the end of the first straight. It was only a small push but the filly knew what it meant and her pace started to increase. As we rounded the corner the filly changed legs and as they came onto the straight I pushed myself into it as hard as I could.
I fed the filly's fire by driving harder now, cracking the crop only once on the filly's rump as we raced down the straight, the stride longer and more determined now. The wind whipped back the filly's mane and her tail flew behind us like a banner, almost as if challenging anyone around them to catch them if they could. A grin spread across my face as we flew past the post. She was definitely going to give it her best shot in this upcoming race, but would it be enough to beat Paradise Island? I stroked her neck and pulled her up, before walking her back to the entrance of the track to cool her off. The day was hot so she would get a wash down and a couple of hours in the paddock with Winnie before tomorrow. I walked through the barn and saw Meghan. Hey, Meg? Could you leave the oats out of her feed again please? She actually was more focused today than when she was on the oats, Meghan raised her eyebrow. Wow, go Jackie. I laughed at her and walked her to the wash area, where I removed her saddle and bridle, before washing her down.
