Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 12:03:25 GMT -5
The first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown had ended in victory for the Silver Stride Stables team who had been very pleased to once again place ahead of the Derby winner, Eternal Phantom although they had been disappointed that rival Euphoria's Warrior had been pulled at the last minute. Still, it was a victory worth claiming and they were more than pleased with the result. Of course, that victory had raised expectations of the chestnut colt, Instant Success, who had been able to claim the first running of such a prestigious event. But running a series he certainly could not stop now and was thankfully in great shape for the next race - the Prince Of Wales Stakes.
Being named for royalty, the race was supposed to be a tribute to the British royal family and, hailing from England himself, Jacob Donovan could certainly understand the honour of even racing in such a race. To win here would be a personal victory, as well as a career one. After all, unlike many of the english the jockey had a deep respect for the monarchy and even wished at times that they would take over again - it had to be better than the conservatives, right? So he had been preparing himself mentally while Matthias had been left in charge of ensuring that the colt was at his best.
The race would run in three days time, and the time to put the final pieces into place was upon them. Instant Success had grown into a very strong three year old whom, while smaller than many of the horses he ran again, had the courage and heart of a giant. This was a colt that never gave in, a colt who fought in every race. Jacob was proud to ride him, had been more than proud when they had claimed the Preakness and now had his eyes on bigger goals.
Three horses. That was all that would run in this years Prince Of Wales Stakes. Isa himself was set to start in gate one and was expected to run as a closer as was his usual style. Ashes To Ashes, of Witch Creek Stables, would be starting in gate two and would likely run as a preceder given that the gate three entrant, Top Admiral, liked to run as either a front runner or closer. Of course, there were no guarantees to such - Top Admiral could run at the back with Isa leaving Ashes To Ashes with the lead.
The betting office didn't seem to know which was to turn with all three colts performing so well this year and there was certainly no clear victor for the race. Jacob knew that if he wanted to claim victory in this race he would have to work for it and Isa would have to be on top form. Even then, nothing was guaranteed. The jockey, however, was excited for the race and anxious for the workout to begin. He had arrived early this morning, been on Matthias's case from the time he had arrived, and was only now - several hours later - getting to do the workout for the 9.5 Furlong dirt race.
The workout planned was short - a mere two furlongs - and was designed to ensure that the colt was not too hot while maintaining the energy to really pull something off. He had the endurance to race for two weeks in a row with ease and it had been two weeks since his last race but it was always best to be careful rather than push things too hard and ruin a good horse. A horse who they were hoping might be able to make a claim on fame and become better recognised across the country.
Lucas was pleased that Isa was behaving better than usual today - he wasn't pulling to challenge other horses, was not rearing and playing up in hand. In fact, he was being well behaved and was actually a pleasure to work with. Days like this were rare with the colt, but he still had that determined gleam in his eye and spring in his step. This was a horse who was ready to race. Due to the good behaviour of the colt they arrived at the track promptly and things were able to get underway. Certainly, Jacob was quick to greet his mount before receiving a leg up into the saddle.
They would be using the gates for this workout as Matthias felt it would do the colt some good and Jacob was not one to argue - he certainly did not want a repeat of Isa's knee drop at the Preakness from which they had been lucky to escape with no more than a scrape. Of course, it had made the victory all the sweeter but he did not want the colt to injure himself at this point in the year. Not when they had been performing so well thus far.
Gating was a little tricky, but that had been expected. The colt backed off from the gates, tossing his head and pawing at the ground but after only a few moments was led in without much of an issue. Jacob patted the colt's neck as he rose in his stirrups, closing his eyes for a moment as he waited for the buzzer to sound, the gates to crash open. Again his eyes opened, his breathing deep. This was it, this was his chance to prepare.
It didn't take long before what he was waiting for to happen and he urged the slow-starting colt forwards; glad that his mount was quick enough to find his stride on the track as he tucked himself to the colt's neck, driving him forwards. This workout was about speed, about ensuring the colt was pulling the acceleration that had come to be expected of him. If he wasn't, after all, it would affect the plan for the race. Not that it was ever set in stone - especially when you did not know how the field would play out.
Isa was speeding up nicely, however, responding well to the urging of his jockey as they moved powerfully up the dirt. Behind them, dust was kicked up as a fine dust and if the weather held track conditions would be fast although visibility might be an issue. Not that it was a problem, riding a closer meant you got used to having dirt and dust kicked up at you and Isa certainly did not seem to mind.
The first furlong closed in a nice time and now the jockey cracked the crop, throwing all his effort into a much stronger drive than before. The colt's audits pressed forwards as he lowered his head, his limbs moving even more quickly now as they battled through the final furlong in impressive style. All they needed now was a little competition, something to get Isa really running. This was a colt who did not like to lose, a colt who would find a little more if he was challenged, and it had certainly shown in recent races. They sped past the post and Jacob smiled. Isa was in great shape, he was ready, and they would give their all come race day.
Being named for royalty, the race was supposed to be a tribute to the British royal family and, hailing from England himself, Jacob Donovan could certainly understand the honour of even racing in such a race. To win here would be a personal victory, as well as a career one. After all, unlike many of the english the jockey had a deep respect for the monarchy and even wished at times that they would take over again - it had to be better than the conservatives, right? So he had been preparing himself mentally while Matthias had been left in charge of ensuring that the colt was at his best.
The race would run in three days time, and the time to put the final pieces into place was upon them. Instant Success had grown into a very strong three year old whom, while smaller than many of the horses he ran again, had the courage and heart of a giant. This was a colt that never gave in, a colt who fought in every race. Jacob was proud to ride him, had been more than proud when they had claimed the Preakness and now had his eyes on bigger goals.
Three horses. That was all that would run in this years Prince Of Wales Stakes. Isa himself was set to start in gate one and was expected to run as a closer as was his usual style. Ashes To Ashes, of Witch Creek Stables, would be starting in gate two and would likely run as a preceder given that the gate three entrant, Top Admiral, liked to run as either a front runner or closer. Of course, there were no guarantees to such - Top Admiral could run at the back with Isa leaving Ashes To Ashes with the lead.
The betting office didn't seem to know which was to turn with all three colts performing so well this year and there was certainly no clear victor for the race. Jacob knew that if he wanted to claim victory in this race he would have to work for it and Isa would have to be on top form. Even then, nothing was guaranteed. The jockey, however, was excited for the race and anxious for the workout to begin. He had arrived early this morning, been on Matthias's case from the time he had arrived, and was only now - several hours later - getting to do the workout for the 9.5 Furlong dirt race.
The workout planned was short - a mere two furlongs - and was designed to ensure that the colt was not too hot while maintaining the energy to really pull something off. He had the endurance to race for two weeks in a row with ease and it had been two weeks since his last race but it was always best to be careful rather than push things too hard and ruin a good horse. A horse who they were hoping might be able to make a claim on fame and become better recognised across the country.
Lucas was pleased that Isa was behaving better than usual today - he wasn't pulling to challenge other horses, was not rearing and playing up in hand. In fact, he was being well behaved and was actually a pleasure to work with. Days like this were rare with the colt, but he still had that determined gleam in his eye and spring in his step. This was a horse who was ready to race. Due to the good behaviour of the colt they arrived at the track promptly and things were able to get underway. Certainly, Jacob was quick to greet his mount before receiving a leg up into the saddle.
They would be using the gates for this workout as Matthias felt it would do the colt some good and Jacob was not one to argue - he certainly did not want a repeat of Isa's knee drop at the Preakness from which they had been lucky to escape with no more than a scrape. Of course, it had made the victory all the sweeter but he did not want the colt to injure himself at this point in the year. Not when they had been performing so well thus far.
Gating was a little tricky, but that had been expected. The colt backed off from the gates, tossing his head and pawing at the ground but after only a few moments was led in without much of an issue. Jacob patted the colt's neck as he rose in his stirrups, closing his eyes for a moment as he waited for the buzzer to sound, the gates to crash open. Again his eyes opened, his breathing deep. This was it, this was his chance to prepare.
It didn't take long before what he was waiting for to happen and he urged the slow-starting colt forwards; glad that his mount was quick enough to find his stride on the track as he tucked himself to the colt's neck, driving him forwards. This workout was about speed, about ensuring the colt was pulling the acceleration that had come to be expected of him. If he wasn't, after all, it would affect the plan for the race. Not that it was ever set in stone - especially when you did not know how the field would play out.
Isa was speeding up nicely, however, responding well to the urging of his jockey as they moved powerfully up the dirt. Behind them, dust was kicked up as a fine dust and if the weather held track conditions would be fast although visibility might be an issue. Not that it was a problem, riding a closer meant you got used to having dirt and dust kicked up at you and Isa certainly did not seem to mind.
The first furlong closed in a nice time and now the jockey cracked the crop, throwing all his effort into a much stronger drive than before. The colt's audits pressed forwards as he lowered his head, his limbs moving even more quickly now as they battled through the final furlong in impressive style. All they needed now was a little competition, something to get Isa really running. This was a colt who did not like to lose, a colt who would find a little more if he was challenged, and it had certainly shown in recent races. They sped past the post and Jacob smiled. Isa was in great shape, he was ready, and they would give their all come race day.
