Post by Cavallo on Sept 20, 2012 0:09:15 GMT -5
This was the break they had been waiting for. The black bay three year old had just come off a second place finish and she was hungry for more. She was fully capable of taking this field, this three horse field. With Paradise Island gone, there was no such a window of opportunity that hadn't been there before and they were hungry and ready for this.
Jeff pushed Ara from their canter into a flying gallop. The Triple Tiara was two weeks away and Jeff and Nick were doing everything within their powers to get the Augusta daughter ready in time and that meant claiming this win. They needed it and wanted it desperately. The filly had come a long way. For having started her career at the age of three...she was doing phenomenal. She was mature, developed and most importantly hungry. Jeff had seen it, every time they breezed, conditioned or trained...the filly simply wanted to win like nothing else and with each defeat she had only grown wiser, edgier and more confident and determined.
She was not the same filly that Winning Touch had defeated before...no now she was more seasoned, experienced and not about to be denied what she thought was hers. This was going to be her race. The Winning Touch was coming off from a healing break and wouldn't be as in form as previous meets...and then there was After Dusk. The grade three filly from Star Thoroughbred was lightly raced this year, but still had much more experience. Ara would be the sole front runner, but he knew her mind and her cunning and knew that was wasn't about to be pressed mericlessly so that she was unable to fend off the other two in the end....no...now was not the time to play their games. They would run smart and they would take this window of oportunity.
Why was it that every time a lower grade horse lost to a higher grade? Yes, rationally this made sense...most times, but racing was more than grades, statistics and percentages. Racing was also heart, desire and passion and right now Arachne was inflamed with it so much so that Jeff simply had this feeling...
As they flew around the dirt track, Jeff pressed into the filly, felt her rhythm and listened to her heart as she demolished the dirt beneath her. Each pounding hoof communicated her resolve...her edge and her desire to leave these other horses in the dust. They had worked their way up to this point and they weren't about to let this chance slip through their fingers.
Ara moved under the talented hand of Jeff, she was like molding clay beneath his hands. Like a thunderstorm they rolled around the track. They were feeling and looking good when he brought the hot filly under control. That's my girl! He slapped her neck and she half-reared. Yes she was ready. He pointed Ara to the exit, where he saw Nick waiting with a smile.
How'd she feel? He admired the Augusta daughter and looked to Jeff. She's out for blood and solid as a rock. He smiled, knowing that what he had spoken was pure truth.
Nick nodded thoughtfully. Jeff, got bad news. Paradise Island is back in the race...I'm afraid we're pulling Ara. The odds just aren't in her favor. we'll enter her elsewhere.
Jeff was crestfallen, but he said nothing to reprove Nick...He knew what he was doing. Nick knew Jeff was upset. Hey, this is to help her run in the Tiara...not have destroyed confidence...
Jeff nodded, I know boss...it's jsut we were really looking forward to this. Nick nodded his face comforting. Yes...I know, but Ara needs a win...not just a place.
Jeff instantly perked up. Oh, she has a win coming her way...I can feel it.
