Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2012 5:53:55 GMT -5
MIZADORI AND IVANA BABICOVA
MIDA'S WORKOUT FOR THE DAMOISEAU STAKES
Since our defeat in the Cadilesker Stakes, Mida's efforts had been at an all time high. Since placing fifth in the Rosebud Stakes and coming into the Quiff Stakes as a fifty to one shot, we never thought we'd take the victory. Not against some of the horses that were entered anyway. We had defeated Royal Cadenza, a son of Hail To Prince and Bluebell Sonnet. Also, Cosmic Warfare, Carabella, and Turf Triple Crown Contender, Passionate Flyer. Now, that, was something to be proud of.
Mida's consistency was quite low. She started out her two year old season quite well, placing in the April Maiden Turf, and taking the victory in the May Maiden Turf. She had progressively gone down hill since then, and the long lay off had meant she had time to mature. After her poor performance in the Rosebud Stakes, the filly was found to have a strain in her front left. With time, she had matured nicely into a three year old, taking a win and a place since she joined us.
This race was a twelve furlong race over turf. It appeared that there weren't many Grade Five runners that could handle the distance, and the only two at this time were Mida and Legacy. Legacy being a two year old had less experience and physical maturity than Mida, which left us at an advantage. The race would be quite slow at the moment, with Mida leading, something she wasn't used to. She was a mid-packer, but as Royal Legacy was a strong closer, he would be at an advantage.
The filly had recovered from her loss in the Cadilesker Stakes, behind Ashes To Ashes. The colt was one to watch. He was a danger to the filly, and also a huge rival. He was going to be sent to the Triple Crown, but after the colt was pulled out from the Florida Derby, it seemed that his hopes of being in the starting gate has been smashed. Mida was rested and ready for this race, but although the competition seemed a little lax, it was time to show what we had. We didn't want to be too confident, just incase Legacy did pull something out the bag, but little did they know that Mida was back, fighting, and willing to put her heart and soul into the race, to attempt to take the victory.
The field was pretty easy, and the fact that the race was over a mile and a half made it seem all too overwhelming. Mida was going to set the pace unless there was a late entrant who was either a front runner or a preceder. Jacey stood and walked to beside Eve. Evie, you go and get ready, I'll tack her up for you. Jacey said, placing her hand on my shoulder. She nodded and scurried to the changing room, where she carefully put on her body protector and her purple hat with a blue pompom.
Walking back out, Jacey had already tacked up Mida. She checked her girth, before putting it up two holes either side. She walked the chestnut filly out of the stall and into the yard. We were going out for the win tomorrow. Mida was holding grudge against Ashes to Ashes at the moment. He wasn't in her good books when he won last time out. Whenever Eve thought of the loss, Mida could almost sense what she was feeling. In the yard, the stables that surrounded the outside of the yard were filled with the yearlings. Jester whinnied loudly trotting round his large stall. Attempting to grab the attention of the filly, she ignored him. Then again, he was only a yearling.
As Eve bounced up into the saddle, Jester kicked the door. Mida spooked, and Eve gripped the filly's mane, holding herself upright and central. She stroked the filly's neck when she calmed down. Easy Mida, She muttered. Jacey placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Don't scare me like that Eve, She said, giggling away afterwards. Evie smiled and placed her feet into the irons, taking hold of the reins. Jacey lead the filly out onto the turf track.
She walked out effortlessly, calmly after the incident which occured then. What would you like me to do, Jace? She said, halting the filly and turning her round. Jacey leant on the fence and smiled. I want you to breeze along the backstretch, then at the top of the stretch, I'm going to time you sprinting two furlongs. Eve nodded and turned the filly around, squeezing her forward into a trot. They trotted away from Jacey, into the distance.
Jacey watched as the filly moved. She flicked her toes and brought her head in nicely. It appeared that her weekly pessoa sessions on the lunge were helping with her posture. She no longer looked like a giraffe, but a sleek and elegant racehorse who was maturing perfectly like fine wine, rather than an off curry that some horses these days seemed like. For example, Lady Ophelia who ran a terrible two and three year old season finally came into her own, to take her fourth win this year, defeating Grade One racehorse, Flashy Wings, and Star Thoroughbreds very own Euphorion to win the 'These Old Bones Stakes'.
Rising effortlessly in her stirrups, Eve held the filly back. She wanted to go, and she wasn't going to like it for the next half a mile. Sighing, Eve let her rock into a canter. She tightened her grip on the reins and began to let her breeze. Confidence is something which Mida has in huge quantities; she is more sure of herself and her abilities than most race horses. In fact, due to her highly confident ways she might easily be described as overconfident. Mida is a determined creature. She is not phased by anyone or anything. She loves to run and she loves a challlenge. Actually, she thrives within a competitive environment and will take any challenge on. It doesn't matter what she has to do, no hurdle is too big for this competent and confident filly.
Though she always tends to run with the pack she will time her move differently in each race and who she marks as her main rival in that race can be a determining factor as to when she breaks. While she will take little guidance from her jockey due to her desire to do things her own way, though will respond to a whip in the stretch. Mida has a sharp mind for the track and is always prepared. Weighing up the competition in the pre-race parade she tends to have an idea what she is up against before even making it to the gates, but today would be a different story as we wouldn't be going in the gates. Eve smiled and continued to let her lope along the backstretch, but not so fast that she was tearing off at super high speeds.
Jacey gazed from the fence at the side as the track as the filly pulled Eve. She muttered under her breath and thought that maybe she was a little too fresh, but saying that, it appeared that she would really power her final two furlongs. The filly's stride was long, bold, and energetic, for a filly of her age. She was acting like some sort of champion, lifting her knees high and prancing along the surface. Not a champion yet, but there was nothing stopping her from being the champion she wanted to be, unless you count a field of solid horses, but today it was only Legacy.
Eve smiled, her arms aching as she held the filly back as much as she could. She wanted to move forwards, she really did, but Eve wasn't going to let her just yet. They'd approached the three furlong pole, and they were half way through their workout. Eve just couldn't wait to let the filly go. She was wincing with pain at the feeling of her arms practically being ripped off by the powerful filly as they rounded the bend into the top of the lane.
Jacey continued to watch, and could just about feel Evie's pain. She was really fighting the bit, and she couldn't help but wince for her. As they came into the lane, she began to watch the magnificent display unfold. Eve loosened all grip on the reins, and suddenly it was all hands on deck. Mida's short collected stride became long, speedy, and overwhelming. Eve pushed her on, the crop rising and falling onto the copper chestnut's rump. Into the final furlong, they were all out.
The wind hit Evie's face and Mida's mane blew. She blinked through the tears that flew down her face from the impact of the wind, and continued to ride the filly flew it. She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth, her small petit frame feeling the force of it all. Under the wire, Eve let it all go. She felt almost lifeless, but then again, amazing. She had just defied all the odds and proved that she could be a good jockey, especially onboard this fine animal.
Jacey slammed her thumb on the timer as they came under the wire, and couldn't help but stare at the time they had achieved. She saw that Mida was pulling, but when she did let the filly run, oh boy she ran, sprinting two furlongs in an effortless time of twenty point seven nine seconds. Evie's breath had been taken away by it all. She sat in the saddle shaking as she came back. She had to get off. Falling to her knees shaking, Jacey came over and helped her up, placing one hand on Mida's white rubber rein, and putting her other arm around Evie to hold her up. She had pushed herself so much it was unreal.
Jacey sat Evie down on the box, and grabbed a sponge and bucket full of water to brush Mida down after she had been untacked. She put Mida's tack on the side after washing the filly down as quickly as she could. She came out of the stall and sat beside Eve who was shaking. Eve was cut out to be a jockey, and today, her strength and willpower had paid off. She was an item of the stables, and tomorrow it would be all over the press about how she rose to the challenge and got back in the saddle after watching her first mount die right infront of her eyes. She looked at Jacey, the tears streaming down her face and said the two words that would stay in Jacey's heart for ever. Thank you. The tears streamed down her face as Jacey hugged her. Hey, if I didn't think you were good enough for me, I wouldn't have hired you, think about that. Evie smiled and watched as Jacey stood and walked away.
She waited for Jacey to leave the barn and she walked into Mida's stall, stroking the filly. Thank you Mida, she said, looking into the filly's dark brown eye. Thank you for giving me the strength, the courage, and the passion to believe in myself. She sat in the corner of the stall, Mida nuzzling her. Eve took a carrot out of her coat pocket and fed it to the filly. Sitting in the corner, she leant against the wooden side of the stall, resting her head before drifting off to sleep, Mida watching over her. She'd worked hard today, so hard that little did she know, the next morning, her efforts would be spread around the front cover of the Eighth Pole.
WORKOUT STATS
Words: 2,039
Distance: 6 furlongs
Jockey: Eve Stringer
Time: 20.79 seconds for two furlongs
