Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2013 9:45:17 GMT -5
Lillith watched with pride as jockey Lucas put the chestnut through her paces in a warm up. A good height, with a strong build and firm stride the filly looked every bit the winner, and a winner she was. Despite having only been lightly raced so far this year, Elle had placed in the top two in every start and had proven herself not only against the best of her age category but older horses as well. Three of her wins had come in Horse of the Year selection races, and the latest in her comeback from a several month break.
The filly had a strong start to her career, but it was not enough. She was not seen as being among the top horses of her age category and in those top horses was exactly where she belonged. Of course, she also hadn't had as many chances to prove herself as some of the other juveniles on the track and the only way to fix that was to get her those chances and make sure she was well prepared to make the most of them which was exactly what was happening today. This would be Elle's preparation for the upcoming Antarctic Derby where she would face Stride Of Perfection Stables' Battle Wings who was definitely the more experienced horse and one of the horses seen as being in the top five two year old fillies at this stage in the year. Lillith intended to push for what seemed an unlikely victory. That was their latest challenge.
It was not completely impossible. Battle Wings had been in the field of the Lone Star Derby, and previously in the Unicorn Horn Juvenile - both times, Elle had claimed victory. But that didn't mean it would be easy to do again, and the smaller field could well work more in the front runner's favor. Although, of course, Lillith was hoping for the opposite. If they could continue to claim strong results in these important races then perhaps Elle would get the recognition that she deserved.
"Alright, time to get started." The trainer announced as she moved away from the fence and across the track, patting the filly's shoulder as she looked up at the jockey. "You know how important this is, but don't push her too hard today because she'll need her energy for the race." Lucas nodded, smiling slightly. He had faith in the filly, but he knew well that this was not going to be easy. Then again, quiet as he was he loved a challenge and if he could push Elle past that post in first he knew he would have earned the pride he felt as her jockey.
Gating was quick and simple, Elle was not one for messing around and her almost business-like calm was unnerving in a thoroughbred of her age. She was clearly mature, and her focus was sharp as the shutters were closed behind her. She breathed out, tail snapping slightly at her rump as she felt the jockey rise in the stirrups and then they were ready.
The gates opened and Lucas smirked as the filly moved forwards, her break quick and clean as she picked up the pace. Beyond having to hold her back a little so she didn't speed off too quickly - her mentality better suited to running as a stalker due to a tendency to become excitable if allowed to lead - he had to do very little at this stage. He guided her toward the rail where she ran happily and waited until they reached the two furlong mark.
This was where Elle shone. She wasn't a closer, with huge bursts of speed, but she was no normal stalker either. As Lucas urged her on she built speed, and while it was not like she had suddenly been shot from a cannon the constant increase meant she was soon reaching incredible speeds. Lucas drove strongly, cracking the crop only once to encourage her and felt the excitement within him growing stronger. Yes, this was what it was all about. As they sped past the post he felt victorious, even though the race still lay before them.
In the stands, Lillith was smiling. "We have a chance, now bring on the challenge." she muttered to herself.
[Please note this was started before the Star Thoroughbreds entries were made, and I didn't have the muse to rewrite.]
The filly had a strong start to her career, but it was not enough. She was not seen as being among the top horses of her age category and in those top horses was exactly where she belonged. Of course, she also hadn't had as many chances to prove herself as some of the other juveniles on the track and the only way to fix that was to get her those chances and make sure she was well prepared to make the most of them which was exactly what was happening today. This would be Elle's preparation for the upcoming Antarctic Derby where she would face Stride Of Perfection Stables' Battle Wings who was definitely the more experienced horse and one of the horses seen as being in the top five two year old fillies at this stage in the year. Lillith intended to push for what seemed an unlikely victory. That was their latest challenge.
It was not completely impossible. Battle Wings had been in the field of the Lone Star Derby, and previously in the Unicorn Horn Juvenile - both times, Elle had claimed victory. But that didn't mean it would be easy to do again, and the smaller field could well work more in the front runner's favor. Although, of course, Lillith was hoping for the opposite. If they could continue to claim strong results in these important races then perhaps Elle would get the recognition that she deserved.
"Alright, time to get started." The trainer announced as she moved away from the fence and across the track, patting the filly's shoulder as she looked up at the jockey. "You know how important this is, but don't push her too hard today because she'll need her energy for the race." Lucas nodded, smiling slightly. He had faith in the filly, but he knew well that this was not going to be easy. Then again, quiet as he was he loved a challenge and if he could push Elle past that post in first he knew he would have earned the pride he felt as her jockey.
Gating was quick and simple, Elle was not one for messing around and her almost business-like calm was unnerving in a thoroughbred of her age. She was clearly mature, and her focus was sharp as the shutters were closed behind her. She breathed out, tail snapping slightly at her rump as she felt the jockey rise in the stirrups and then they were ready.
The gates opened and Lucas smirked as the filly moved forwards, her break quick and clean as she picked up the pace. Beyond having to hold her back a little so she didn't speed off too quickly - her mentality better suited to running as a stalker due to a tendency to become excitable if allowed to lead - he had to do very little at this stage. He guided her toward the rail where she ran happily and waited until they reached the two furlong mark.
This was where Elle shone. She wasn't a closer, with huge bursts of speed, but she was no normal stalker either. As Lucas urged her on she built speed, and while it was not like she had suddenly been shot from a cannon the constant increase meant she was soon reaching incredible speeds. Lucas drove strongly, cracking the crop only once to encourage her and felt the excitement within him growing stronger. Yes, this was what it was all about. As they sped past the post he felt victorious, even though the race still lay before them.
In the stands, Lillith was smiling. "We have a chance, now bring on the challenge." she muttered to herself.
[Please note this was started before the Star Thoroughbreds entries were made, and I didn't have the muse to rewrite.]
