Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2012 11:22:51 GMT -5
TEARS OF AN ANGEL AND IVANA BABICOVA
LUCY'S WORKOUT FOR THE STRIDE OF PERFECTION HANDICAP
Serendipity Hills were beginning to prove everyone wrong about there horses. When Tears Of Blood placed a low seventh in a prospect show, there was much worry about how both filly and colt would perform on the track. Being twins, they were smaller than average which usually lead to both filly and colt failing in races, but both small racers had come back to prove them all wrong. Tears Of An Angel had defied all odds in The Wire Finish Cup, beating out fellow rival, Innocent Passion to win by a nose. Since then, she had been on an up, placing behind three-year-old Daydream of Oak Hill Stables to grab second place in the Laimee Derby. Being a filly of pure speed and muscle, she was going to prove herself over the seven furlong distance, the only distance she hadn't raced across yet.
For Stride Of Perfection stables, racing in their own race with the chance to win would be everything, but with Innocent Passion starting for the third time this month with only a week break between, she was bound to be tired. Lucy was rested and ready for the race. Her last start in the Under The Wire Stakes was in Week One, where she dualled with Cross My Heart to win. I was confident for the filly today, and let this be a warning to SOPS. Watch out, Lucy's about. She was ready, willing, and fit, and the current ground conditions on the turf were perfect for her. Her twin brother was entered in the opposite race against Ventura. They were hoping to make it some sort of phenomenon, and have both win, with the twins records equally set, both lingering over Grade Four. We weren't saying that they would win, but if they did, it would be a start for the twins as they climb up the rankings to becoming the best sprinters. At the moment, the best sprinter award for colts was set eagerly in the hands of Mastermind, starting eight times, winning five, placing in two, and placing fourth in one. The colt seemed almost unbeatable, but we were willing to go against him.
The only other entrant in the race was Bowen Arrow. The dun two year old who had achieved a fourth and a ninth. Bowen Arrow likes to be in the middle of the pack. He likes to be surrounded by the competitors before taking off into the final stretch. He has to be on the outside of course because being on the inside makes him uncomfortable. He has to be up front or his owners get ignored by this gentle colt. He is a competitor on the track and doesn't know how to back down. So the field was set. We were going to rest just behind Innocent Passion, only by about a length or so, just so we could shadow the lead, though Anna was odd. Innocent Passion doesn't like to be too far from the action. If she was placed any farther back than third or fourth in a race, she wouldn't feel very happy. She likes having the majority of the field behind her, with one or two horses ahead to keep her competitive fire sizzling. She prefers to avoid the lead, at least at first, so she can size up her competition.
There were now even more entries. They had been entered all last minute. Arlequinn was a maiden entrant from Oak Hill. The filly had started three times, and was half to the other entrant, Blazing Kiss. She had achieved two seconds and a third, but looked strong, ready, and fit. She was a strong closer, so we didn't have to worry about her until the final furlong. She would be starting in Gate Four. In Gate Five, Star Thoroughbreds had thrown there two year old filly in. Blazing Kiss. The filly had three wins, one second, and a fifth under her belt. She would be racing behind us - fortunately. She'd be in mid-pack, so one to watch coming for home. Finally, Speed Rush. We didn't have to worry about pace setting as this colt was going to do it for us. We were going to let him go to the lead and linger behind Innocent Passion until the home turn. I smiled and knew that this was something that we could only do if we really tried. We were ready.
I walked her on to the track after taking her out of her stall. She walked with her energetic bounce in her step, tossing her head and snorting with energy. Stopping to look around, she flared her nostrils up, and I walked her forward again. After she warmed up in a walk, I pushed her into a trot, the spring air brushing past me. She tossed her mane and nickered lightly to me as I continued to keep her at a lively trot. She lifted her knees high and flicked her toes, before breaking into a steady lope along the back stretch near the mile pole. Standing in my stirrups, I began to crouch down. She felt me do this and began to pick up her speed. She broke into a gallop, and began to run along the dirt. Pricking her ears, I pushed her. We flew past the six furlong pole and the workout begun. I urged her on effortlessly.
She sprinted with a great deal of power round the bend, past the four furlong post and changed her lead. I showed her the crop and she picked up the speed even more. Flying out of the bend, my crop rose and fell onto the filly’s rump. She powered along the surface, excelling rapidly along the dirt. She continued to gallop with power and she came to the line… flying under the line, there was a burst of relief. The filly didn’t want to pull up, but she did, pricking her ears and coming back to a trot, then a walk. I patted the small filly’s neck. Good girl, Lucy, I said to her, walking back over to Jacey, who’s eagle eye was set firmly on us. Well, well, well, another smashing workout from the twin. She said, smiling and walking on to the track. She handed me the timer. Wow… 1:05:02… I said out loud. She had aced this workout, once and for all.
