Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2013 5:08:39 GMT -5
A Royal Legacy was an amazingly bred colt with a lot of successful siblings but, so far, he had failed to make the same impression on the track. As a three year old, he had yet to win a single major race although he had claimed four victories in undercard races. But Lillith, who had recently purchased him from Stride Of Perfection Stables, knew that he had more to give. It would take time and patience, but she was sure that the colt could rise from the shadows to become a real star.
He certainly had the energy and temperament to make a splendid racer. He loved the track, had a determination and enthusiasm the likes of which was rarely seen and so she could only guess that his main issue in the past had been a mismatched jockey. Here, he had been paired with Vincent Black and while she felt that they were working well together during workouts she knew that the real test would come in a race. That race was set to be the Akuma Battlecry Stakes at The Wire which would have four starters. It was not going to be an easy race, if the horse and jockey did not work together as well as she hoped then it would result in another finish outside of the top three for the colt. But it was hard to predict the outcome, and she could only wait and see.
The colt's final workout before the race was scheduled for today and she had to admit to being a little nervous. She wanted him to do well, to start making a positive impression on the racing world and while he could happily race on both surfaces she had decided to go for the turf this time. Why she was not really sure, but with any luck he could show her it was a good decision.
Vincent was either nervous, excited, or both. She couldn't really decide. The jockey had been fidgeting the whole ride to the track and wasn't talking. He wouldn't admit to feeling anything, though - it just wasn't him. Of course, come race day it wouldn't be a problem as the man's competitive nature would take over - but would he let it get the better of him? Would he make sure he held the colt back for long enough? Maybe Lucas would have been a better option, he was so much calmer, but then Vincent had been her first jockey and he hadn't been doing badly, either.
She sighed as she watched the man walk out onto the track and over to where Jack had been warming up the colt. Legacy was impatient to get started and had been causing the poor handler issues with his will to get started. The longer he was kept waiting the more surly the colt seemed to become and so it was a relief to know that the workout could begin. Not that it would keep him satisfied for long. The two furlong sprint was literally a test of his closing speed and what this colt really wanted was a race.
The colt tossed his head as he was led to the two furlong marker where Jack again pulled him to a halt, Vincent patting his neck. "It's okay, Legacy, you'll be racing soon." the jockey assured the colt as he rose in his stirrups. "We're ready when you are, Jack." The handler nodded, waited for a moment and then released his grip on the reins, the colt moving off the mark well and then starting to build speed at an alarming rate as Vincent urged him forwards.
Frankly, if a horse ran a whole race at the speeds Legacy was hitting they would be exhausted by the end of it and yet the colt seemed more than comfortable as he pressed up the stretch, his jockey driving him with a determined look on his features. The whip wasn't used, but nor did it seem was it needed. The turf seemed to be flying past, the colt's long stride carrying them across it.
The first furlong closed quickly and with a furlong remaining the colt just kept going. Despite his raised head before the workout, he was now much more relaxed. His audits were pinned against his skull and determination was clear as he moved onwards. "Come on Legacy, we can do it." Vincent told him, cracking the crop and the colt built a little more speed, holding it until they sped past the post. If they were not ready now then they never would be.
He certainly had the energy and temperament to make a splendid racer. He loved the track, had a determination and enthusiasm the likes of which was rarely seen and so she could only guess that his main issue in the past had been a mismatched jockey. Here, he had been paired with Vincent Black and while she felt that they were working well together during workouts she knew that the real test would come in a race. That race was set to be the Akuma Battlecry Stakes at The Wire which would have four starters. It was not going to be an easy race, if the horse and jockey did not work together as well as she hoped then it would result in another finish outside of the top three for the colt. But it was hard to predict the outcome, and she could only wait and see.
The colt's final workout before the race was scheduled for today and she had to admit to being a little nervous. She wanted him to do well, to start making a positive impression on the racing world and while he could happily race on both surfaces she had decided to go for the turf this time. Why she was not really sure, but with any luck he could show her it was a good decision.
Vincent was either nervous, excited, or both. She couldn't really decide. The jockey had been fidgeting the whole ride to the track and wasn't talking. He wouldn't admit to feeling anything, though - it just wasn't him. Of course, come race day it wouldn't be a problem as the man's competitive nature would take over - but would he let it get the better of him? Would he make sure he held the colt back for long enough? Maybe Lucas would have been a better option, he was so much calmer, but then Vincent had been her first jockey and he hadn't been doing badly, either.
She sighed as she watched the man walk out onto the track and over to where Jack had been warming up the colt. Legacy was impatient to get started and had been causing the poor handler issues with his will to get started. The longer he was kept waiting the more surly the colt seemed to become and so it was a relief to know that the workout could begin. Not that it would keep him satisfied for long. The two furlong sprint was literally a test of his closing speed and what this colt really wanted was a race.
The colt tossed his head as he was led to the two furlong marker where Jack again pulled him to a halt, Vincent patting his neck. "It's okay, Legacy, you'll be racing soon." the jockey assured the colt as he rose in his stirrups. "We're ready when you are, Jack." The handler nodded, waited for a moment and then released his grip on the reins, the colt moving off the mark well and then starting to build speed at an alarming rate as Vincent urged him forwards.
Frankly, if a horse ran a whole race at the speeds Legacy was hitting they would be exhausted by the end of it and yet the colt seemed more than comfortable as he pressed up the stretch, his jockey driving him with a determined look on his features. The whip wasn't used, but nor did it seem was it needed. The turf seemed to be flying past, the colt's long stride carrying them across it.
The first furlong closed quickly and with a furlong remaining the colt just kept going. Despite his raised head before the workout, he was now much more relaxed. His audits were pinned against his skull and determination was clear as he moved onwards. "Come on Legacy, we can do it." Vincent told him, cracking the crop and the colt built a little more speed, holding it until they sped past the post. If they were not ready now then they never would be.
