Post by Cavallo on Nov 20, 2012 16:07:53 GMT -5
There wasn't a horse like Ice anywhere on the tracks these days and Nick couldn't help, but feel looking at the unique filly's record that she wasn't shining like the star she was, but was rather being penalized. He didn't know how to explain it...but he shrugged it off. The more exposure and work he did with the filly, the better she would be in the long run.
Her last two races, one in June and one in July has resulted in second places, but this week they were looking to break the trend and finally nose out a win. The grey filly had definitely improved since her nasty 6th place loss in March. Nick had decided to race the filly once a month and condition and train the filly himself in between races. Already the Spotted By a Star daughter had improved drastically. Nick smiled as he led the sedate filly up from the pasture. She had packed on more muscle, her rump was rounding and her chest muscles even more defined. She looked so good. The question now was, was she going to run good?
He'd decided to enter the filly in the 9F Pandemonium Stakes. There was some top quality horses declared, Apollo Bear (Arachne's twin), Ode to Glory, a juvenile from SOPS. Apollo Bear had a nice record behind him, coming second or third in some big named races. This black colt ran either in the front or in the preceder position. Ode to Glory liked to be in the middle of things. He was going to be one to watch for sure. Ice tossed her head mildly as she saw the track where Nick was leading her for a nice breeze. Nick smiled as he led the grey. Of all the horses in his current string, Ice was the easiest, but the most interesting to work with. She moved solidly alongside Nick, but her eyes and ears were definitely pricked forward.
Reaching the track, Nick pulled down his iron and put a foot in, hoisting himself up into the saddle. Ice snorted, but stood patiently. She knew the quicker her human got into the saddle, the quicker she'd get to run. She was a smart girl. Nick gathered his reins and found his seat, as he nudged the grey forward. At three years of age, Ice was now a mature looking filly. She'd always acted more mature than her stablemates and her more introverted nature caused her to be over looked by the louder personalities. Nick loved his horses and loved the more violent natures of his stock, but he had equal love for Ice, his strong silent filly.
As soon as her hooves kissed the turf, her sudden extroversion became more apparent. It had been a whole month since her last race and she was full of fire and energy. Nick had really been cultivating and tapping into the filly's drive over the past month. Breezing her against her more competitive stablemates and now...it was like an instant switch the moment she touched the track.
Her crown dipped as her forelegs majestically reached ahead, her hindquarters churning and reaching with power and confidence. This wasn't the filly seen indifferently ignoring her rowdy stablemates, no...the spotlight was now on her as she cruised over the turf, regalia and confidence personified. He slapped the filly's arched boa as they continued their canter about the track. Three furlongs into their warmup, Nick settled in and Ice took off. She didn't need to wait for a cue...she was ready and roaring to go. Nick gasped in excitement as the grey catapulted forward. She was purely free and uninhibited as the duo thundered down the track.
Nick let the filly run, she was more than well rested and they didn't need her to be too hot come race day. Race Day. It was soon and though she was the lightest raced horse, she certainly had consistency and maturity on her side. As Ice tugged for more Nick smiled and let her fully extend. Her motion was so smooth, so effortless and yet full of power and speed.
After their four furlong gallop, Nick pulled up the filly. Ice fought it. She was nowhere near done...she would never be done with running. Nick laughed as the filly soon snorted her surrender and allowed herself to be pulled up. Moving into a canter, then a trot and a lively walk, Nick managed to guide the filly around the track slowly before pointing her off. The clockers by the rail were comparing times and muttering to each other with nods of their heads. Nick was tempted to ask how his filly did, but he stopped himself.
He knew Ice's best speed, it had been steadily improving with all the two months of work he'd been putting into the filly and the only payoff he wanted wasn't to see an increased time...he wanted to point this filly to the winner's circle.
It was going to be a fight that was for sure, but he had a confidence in Ice's growing ability. Come race day, her versatility would be a great asset. Apollo Bear was also versatile, liking the front runner/preceder position, but Nick thought carefully. Come race day, Nick knew exactly where he'd run his grey star...the back. Ice loved to observe her competition and this way, the stubborn Apollo Bear could have his dominance and settle into a false security. Ode to Glory would be running mid-pack and would very well make his bid at the same time Ice did, but he had utter faith in Ice's acceleration speed, besides the bigger the challenge, the quicker Ice just seemed to get.
