Post by Cavallo on Sept 30, 2012 8:29:41 GMT -5
ARACHNE and JEFF SAUNDERS PREP FOR ACORN STAKES
Jeff gritted his teeth as the bay mare reared, practically pulling his arms out of socket. Easy Ara...easy. he tried to bring the black bay filly in, but she wasn't having it. He stood and waited for her temper tantrum to cease.
Finally feeling like she had won this argument, she landed on all fours and stood proudly and calmly, eyes glaring her pride over at Jeff. He rolled his eyes and approached the filly. He was done leading her around, now was the time to ride.
They had just finished walking the track....the track where Ara would attempt to lay hold of the TT. Mounting up, Jeff clucked to the filly and she responded with powerful action and a flowing three-beat canter. A look of pure determination had settled upon both horse and man. They were running against odds, but Ara had faced these horses in all of the prep races...she wouldn't be surprised by these foes.
But she would still have to work hard in this race. Nick walked over to the fence and lingered as the seasoned trainer watched his TT competitor. It was heavily predicted that Paradise Island and Winning Touch were the top two placers, but then again there was little that was written in stone. The race hadn't happened and as of now...this race was any horses game...it certainly was Ara's.
Finding his seat, Jeff pointed the filly to the fence towards Nick. Nick watched their lithe motion. She was so commanding to watch, pure power. What's the order's boss? He pulled Ara up, he complied for the most part, but was doing her own version of a piaffe in anticipation.
Nick smiled She raced last week and won, so she's feeling good and we don't want to full-out run her. Take her three and bring her back in.
Jeff nodded and pushed the filly on, the reaction was explosive. She bolted and Jeff had to bring her gait back down to a canter. The first furlong flew with ease, but he eased her out more and more. The third furlong approached and by then she was going at a good clip. He could feel the filly playing with the bit, this wasn't her pace of her style. Jeff smiled. He now understood what Nick was doing...he was baiting her, provoking her to want more... Come race day she was going to a be a worthy competitor for all of the horses entered. Ara had fierce consistency and a fierce attitude. She was not dog meat to be walked over or ignored and she would make her presence known come race day.
Jeff attempted to pull up the filly and with a fight she eventually subcomded. She threw her crown frustrated. In her mind that wasn't a workout...only a teaser and she wanted more. They wanted more and they would come to this race expecting more.
Her and Paradise Island would be running in the front most likely and if he knew how devious they were, they would try to press Ara. But they would be ready for that. Winning Touch would be hot on their heels as well...they were going to have to be tasteful with how they ran. Jeff pointed the filly off the track after her light work. Nick was at the rail waiting.
How she feel Jeff? Nick eyed the filly. She had picked up so much more experience than when she'd entered her first prep race...in comparison to the others her record was more mild, but not unproven. Nick had carefully selected the races the filly had been entering and she was more than ready for this race. She had eight starts to her name which was about half of what the other competitors had, but she wasn't intimidated in the least. She'd beaten Fiery Touch once before and she could do it again and then some.
Jeff smiled, She's upset with me because I didn't let her out like you asked. Come race day she's going to be tearing it up. Nick smiled at the simple confidence this man had in his mount. So good.
Alright, let's talk field and strategy. Nick motioned for Jeff to dismount and come close, which he did. Okay. Ara is the only clear front runner. So you two will be setting the pace. Winning Touch will be trying to run third or second...I have a feeling Paradise Island and her jockey will try to push them into second and Fiery Touch will be running in the back as a closer....Here's the key. He paused making sure he had Jeff's full attention.
HOLD HER IN. She's gonna be hot to trot, but she's going to need every ounce of stamina and speed in the end. Fiery Touch will especially be gunning for you in the final stretch when she closes and you'll need to have enough left to fend off the entire field. She can do this...she can win, but we have to run her smart.
Jeff nodded he understood completely. Now, Paradise Island is dominant in nature...if you hold Ara back from a blistering pace and taunt her with her pace and location, we may get lucky and she might spend more energy than her jockey planned on, especially with Ara's nature. Now as for Winning Touch, block her if you can and before the race...don't rile Firey Touch. The more riled she is the more she focuses and the better she races....keep a good distance between her and Ara in the post-parade, the less riled the filly the better Ara's chances are.
Jeff nodded taking it all in, when Ara tired of waiting, tossed her head. Nick smiled and nodded to Jeff. Also...don't stress. It's just a race and you and Ara are a darn near perfect team... He let his words of encouragement sink in and he saw Jeff physically relax.
It's just so easy to get stressed out Boss... I know how badly you guys want this.. Nick shook his head, Yes...you're right...We want this, but all-in-all this is about having fun and improving Ara's skills, what better place than a field of the industries top fillies? He smiled and shooed the pair off. Go cool her down and take the night off!
There was a big day ahead.
