Post by Snowflake on May 7, 2013 6:01:19 GMT -5
WAR CRY AND BORN TO IMPRESS WORK FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY*
The morning was dawning at 4.30am at The Wire track. The pair of thoroughbreds followed their handlers as they walked briskly down to the dirt track. Even in the dim morning light, one could see the sparkle in each horse's eye. They were War Cry and Born To Impress, three year old filly and colt. Their riders, Marissa and Sarah Star, waited for them at the track. There were few others working at this time - many were just waking up as the deep blue morning sky took on an orange tinge on the horizon. There were no photographers yet, either. But by the time their workout was drawing to a close, the media would be out in force.
For the first time in a long time, Star Thoroughbreds had a filly they thought could actually make history and become the first filly Triple Crown Champion. She had run incredibly well this season, losing just once in seven starts. Her record stood at 20-11-9-0 overall, and she had been raced carefully to ensure she remained sound and healthy. Xena had her critics, of course. There were a few people knocking her back in racing news simply because she was a filly. But she was proving them wrong every time she raced, and proving her supporters right. Girl power! The Kentucky Derby was the first jewel in the crown they needed to win. Not many fillies had won it as the race was largely dominated by colts. With a lot of talent and a bit of luck though, it could be Xena's.
Also for the first time in a long time, Star Thoroughbreds had two of their top dirt three year olds entered in the Derby. Originally, Born To Impress had been the big hope for the Crown, but now the three races were being used as his preparatory races for the Canadian Triple Crown, which would run on this very track in June Week 4, July Week 2 and August Week 1. Maybe, just maybe, the talented colt would be the first Champion of the Canadian version of the Triple Crown.
As for their competition, gate one would hold Red Herring. The chestnut colt from Witch Creek had started six times for three wins and three second places. Four of the races had run at The Wire, so the colt knew the track well. Next, in gate two, was Bowen Acres colt GS Super Charged. Sired by Admiral's Revenge, he could well surprise in the race despite his less consistent record. He had started six times for two wins and three third places. Half had been run at The Wire track.
News had broken late last night about a surprise entry. Nightshade had been a late addition to the field, and had not been seen since the beginning of March in the Wood Memorial Stakes on the GHF track. There was much speculation as to why the filly had been missing from the races for so long. Maybe she had been injured, or sick. The reason was not important, whether the thoroughbred was still up to the same standard was. Because no one had seen the filly work, they had to assume Nightshade was still at the top of her game.
Born To Impress had drawn gate three, and had won three of seven starts this season. None of his starts had been on The Wire track, but it was not unfamiliar to the colt. He had raced a few times here last year, and he had arrived here the day following the Florida Derby two weeks ago with War Cry. They had had plenty of time to get used to the track in time for the big race. Impress had won the Unicorn Horn Dirt Mile, the Louisiana Derby, and dead heated with his stablemate in the Florida Derby. He had placed in the Spring Cup and Wood Memorial Stakes, come third in the Blue Grass Stakes and fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. Overall, he'd run a good start to the season and was well prepared for his run in the Triple Crown and Canadian Triple Crown. The colt had adjusted well to The Wire track and would be sure to race his best on Derby day.
War Cry had drawn gate four, and had not lost to a single horse in this field yet this year. She had won the Unicorn Horn Dirt, the Spring Cup G4 Dirt, the Blue Grass Stakes, the Ruffian Handicap, the Santa Anita Derby and dead heated with Born To Impress in the Florida Derby. The only race she had lost was to Ventura in the Alabama Stakes, where she had placed second. The Akuma Battlecry filly was a force like a tidal wave - fast, strong, and deadly. But it didn't take an earthquake to get her going, she ran because she liked to dominate.
As a front runner, Xena would rocket from the gate straight into the lead, and she would be setting a high pace as always. Behind her would be Red Herring, then Born To Impress, then GS Super Charged and finally Nightshade. Marissa imagined how the race would play out as Xena charged into gallop with Impress right by her side. They gained speed with each stride, responding instantly as their riders drove them down the homestretch. In a matter of seconds, they crossed the line, nose to nose as it had been intended. Neither horse had won this workout, so both would strive to win the race. The coal black colt and the fiery chestnut filly were ready to run for the roses.
