Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2013 4:15:07 GMT -5
Image Credits: Cindy Pierson Dulay
Horse Credits: Tapizar
Tears No More was now officially stepping up his game. Big time. He was entered in The Wire Finish Cup Juvenile Sprint, against two big name sprinters who had proven themselves already. Taking a deep breath and sighing, Ivana groomed her colt. He was prepared for this race after being rested well since the Unicorn Horn. This had been his next big goal and Ivana wasn’t going to let it slip from her grip too easily. Though he’s a rather self-possessed colt, he has the chance to let this all go when he’s on the track. He doesn’t hold back, he launches for it and let’s himself go like his father.
Though he hates the gate with a passion, he will break as fast as a rocket, going for the lead and run to run as long and hard as he needs to, trying to fend off anyone who tries to challenge him. He has serious speed and stamina and remains quite happy as long as he is in first place. Trouble can get quite fiery when out on the track, attracting all the attention pre-race. When he breaks, he doesn’t charge off at stupid speeds, but gives it a contented enough lead. If anyone challenges him, he would match the horses stride and eye the rivalry to try and get them to back down.
The race that he was entered in had some fantastic competition. Starting In Gate One, Witch Creek had entered their potential turf star, Paranormal Hunter. This colt was amazing. He had earned two wins and a place, securing himself as a heavy favourite for this race. He raced over longer distances as well, meaning he was a sprinter and a stayer. He raced over the turf and ran as a closer. Ivana was hoping that not many of the runners were front runners which would leave us at an advantage.
Gate Two held us. It would be a good break and we'd run just like a bullet fired from a gun as soon as them gates opened. Gate Three held Wishing For A Heroine. This filly was renown for her lines and being full sister to Wish Upon A Star. She had a win and two places to her name and her best run was the one she broke her maiden in, the Legacy Dirt Sprint Stakes. She ran the same as us, sprint distances over both surfaces and she ran as a preceder, which meant she would be behind us. That was always a good thing.
Gate Four held Demonic Desires, the prospect champion who was going to try and defend his title. He'd ran a first and two seconds also, and in our second start we did beat him, but that didn't stop him from taking the win in the Legacy Turf Sprint Stakes. He was an extremely good colt and looked a good challenger for this race. He raced over the turf over sprint distances and was also a stalker, which was good for us, we'd secured the lead. The aim would be to lead from start to wire.
Ivana had spent the morning grooming the colt and plaiting his mane into golfballs in preparation for the race tomorrow, and today would be a little breeze round the track to get his blood flowing. The turf track that morning had a slight frost overnight so as it melted the track was a bit slippy. The decision had been made to breeze over the dirt surface in preparation for this race to be on the safer side.
After grooming the colt, she brought the saddle and exercise sheet into the stall. She placed the exercise sheet over his back by his shoulders and fastened it up before placing the light saddle on top. She then took the bridle off the hook and put the reins over his head before slotting the bit into his mouth and placing the bridle onto Trouble's head. Ivana had to reach considering he was sixteen hands and three inches tall.
After securing everything in place, she got herself ready. She took her body protector off the shelf after coming out of the stable again and securing it. She pulled her skinny jeans up and tightened the belt round her waist. She tied her red hair back into a hair tie and put her black hat over the top and did it up. She picked up her crop and put her gloves on before leading Trouble into the yard. She placed her crop in her belt. Troubles' ears pricked as he saw Tyra but not wanting a repeat of last time, she walked him round the other side so he didn't drag her through the yard again.
She mounted up onto the colt and tightened his girth after she did so. Smiling, she walked him out onto the dirt and looked around, watching as the other horses breezed through the stretch. She warmed Trouble up after a few laps of walk and then began to trot round the outside of the track, staying out of harms way. After a trot, they broke into a steady canter and drifted slowly to the inside rail. Ivana stood in her stirrups and Trouble's canter stayed collected.
As they rounded the bend, she began to pick up the speed and he breezed through the home stretch. He kept the pace as he rounded the bend back onto the home stretch. Ivana kept it steady and thought about what she was going to do next. Slowly but surely, she released the grip on her reins and he began to speed up a little bit. Rounding the bend, Ivana took her crop from her belt and tapped Trouble. He leapt into a high speed gallop as he entered the stretch. His ears were pricked as he sailed through the stretch, his long legs covering the dirt with his tremendous stride.
As they came through the final furlong, he extended his stride even more before crossing the wire and relaxing. Ivana pulled him up and cooled him off before walking him back to the barn. The race tomorrow would be tough but Trouble was more than ready for it, especially after the late scratch of Paranormal Hunter. It would be tough but Trouble being himself would push himself to the limit and do anything for Ivana, even though he was trouble himself.
