Post by Cavallo on Nov 30, 2012 2:20:44 GMT -5
This was it. The final twilight stages of the bay filly's career. With the month of August coming to an end, it left only three months until the older filly's retirement and farewell to the racing world....Nick was saddened by the thought as he rode the filly at a jog around the turf track. The two had formed a solid bond and with Allure's maturity...she was practically a push-button ride....especially compared to the yearlings Nick was breaking in for the coming year. He could hardly believe that the year was swiftly approaching the end...where had all the time gone? He chuckled as he thought about where Allure had been last year at this time. Last season she didn't have a win and to look at this year's season you would think Allure a completely different horse. Nick had never seen a horse make such a comeback. With seventeen starts to her name this year so far, Allure had only place out of the money once and totally turned around her statistics. This season the filly was boasting eleven wins, four places and one third and a fourth.
He couldn't have been more proud. The bay tossed her head, briefly excited and curious as they jogged by a fellow breezer. He smiled...even in her older age, she hadn't lost her uniquely curious nature. It was this curious and adventurous nature that made Allure an amazing racehorse and Nick was careful to cultivate that aspect of Allure. Even after five years of racing she hadn't lost her desire to race and in fact...it had only intensified with age, as this season's record could testify too.
The Twilight Stakes was a huge deal. Only horses over the age of four or older could enter and it was here that the best of the best would show up. From this race out, Allure would be in constant prep and conditioning for the big stakes races....all pointing to challenge Sillenia for the Filly and Mare Turf crown in the Breeder's Cup. It all started now. Nick had heard it rumored that Sillenia would possibly enter the TS, but the last time he'd checked there had only been one other entrant besides Allure....but he didn't count the competition written off, there was still plenty of time for other entries.
Frankly though, Nick didn't need to worry about the competition. His sole job was to focus on Allure. In her final season he wanted to give the filly every opportunity and chance to shine, like she'd never done before. Allure was his sole focus and he knew that if he took care of her and prepped her properly, she could take of the competition on race day.
This wasn't Nick's first Twilight Stakes race...long ago he'd been in this race aboard his TC Winner, Admiral's Revenge...but the race had slipped through their fingers. Not this time though. Nick was determined to claim a TS win and not just for himself, but for the filly he rode...and he wasn't the only one who wanted it.
As the duo jogged about the track, Nick felt the tension on the bit. That's how Allure always was now. Always hungry and asking for more...more of her head...more speed...more races...and more worthy competition. Nick knew the filly would find what she was looking for in this race....
A race to spark her interest and adventurous spirit. As the duo finished their mile jog, he quickly shrunk his frame and fed the filly some reign. Allure didn't hesitate. Like a sports car shifting gears, she flew into a lead change and broke into her gallop. Nick had to hold her in slightly. It had been two weeks since her disappointing third in the Full Moon Derby* on GHF. Two stallions, whom she beaten before...somehow had gotten the advantage over her. Nick had seen to use the loss as a tool. He kept her off the tracks and simply conditioned her. He wanted the filly to be discontented with the loss...to sit in it...so that when TS day came....she would be a fierce competitor. Hell hath no fury....than a woman scorned. The saying seemed to work for horses too.
He felt the tension on his hands. She was full of fight and energy. Her eyes were locked ahead as they whipped by other horses on the track. This turf realm was her domain and she was fired up today. As they went into their fourth furlong, Nick eased his hands and could only smile, as once again, Allure found another gear. The pair tore down the track, unchallenged ad unrivaled....but the filly was looking and hungering for the competition...she was ready for a worthy foe and Nick knew she would find what she was looking for at the Twilight Stakes.
As the bay mare charged down the turf, he couldn't help but smile as he felt the pull of the wind, heard the breathing of his mount and the pole markers whizzing by....Allure had already proven herself, She had done what few could and win or loose this upcoming race, Nick knew that the TS race would only be a credit to her name. She'd done the work, turned her racing career around in eight months time and she was looking to only get better. One race at a time.
