Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2013 5:36:28 GMT -5
With entries closed, the Provetto Derby had been announced to have a strong and somewhat intimidating field which was not to be taken lightly. All four entrants had a proven record on the track, all had the heart and will to win, and there was no doubt that the stables would be fully behind their entrants. A field like this was bound to draw spectators and press, and none of these stables were in the nature of backing down from a challenge.
Dark Justice Stables were not without an entrant in the Grade One and Two restricted, ten furlong dirt race and he was not incapable of taking on this level of competition - something he had proven in his comeback race three weeks previously. Souvenir would not go down without a fight, and Lucas was unlikely to make a mistake. After all, in their own way every horse that had once ran for Silver Stride Stables were a part of his brother's lasting legacy. The bay stallion had quite the record under him, a determined team and was nicely rested for the race. He would be going in at his best, and hopefully he would provide the results that everyone was hoping for. If things went well he would then go on to run in the Risorgimento Cup but first they had to earn his place there.
Lillith had the field spinning through her mind as she took a place in the stands. Sou would be starting in gate three of four in a field which included Stride Of Perfection's Fire Dancer and Eternal Phantom as well as Star Thoroughbreds Stalker's Fury. Of the three stables running there was no doubt that Dark Justice Stables had the most to prove, but that did not mean their horse was inferior in any way.
The huge horse looked almost majestic as he was led out onto the practice track, his long strides carrying him forwards with a determined air. Lucas seemed comfortable in the saddle, his gaze clearly on the track ahead. Of course, it was rare that Lucas wasn't focused. His mannerisms were almost cold at times, his grief obvious, and the track was his only release.
The jockey knew this was a chance to shine. Eternal Phantom was seen as one of the top dirt horses and it had been an amazing experience to beat her out in the Euphoria Memorial Stakes several weeks previously - but it was more than that. The Risorgimento Cup was gaining more and more prestige and this, one of the qualifiers, was their chance to secure a place in the final race. It would be phenomenal to get that chance, and Souvenir had the talent to do it. Or at least he believed he did.
All in all, the field shaped up quite well. Stalker's Fury would lead, followed by Souvenir, then Fire Dancer and finally Eternal Phantom at the back. It meant no one had a real advantage over anyone else and on a nicely matched field the excitement level would be huge and this was just the icing on the cake for the jockey. He thirsted to prove himself in the role his brother had always denied him and he had been doing just that.
In order to keep the horse in tip-top condition for the race - and he clearly was, looking at him - it was important not to let his energy levels rise too high. This workout, only two furlongs, would do just that while making sure he was not fatigued. They would run one furlong at a good speed and then really push for the other, just to make sure his movement was looking as good as it had three weeks previously.
As ever, Souvenir was not quick to break when the gates opened but it only took a little urging to get him pressing forwards with those long, ground-eating strides and soon his pace was a good, strong one and leveled off with around half a furlong to go before the big push would begin. Lucas patted the bay's neck, taking the short interim as a chance to prepare for the one furlong battle which would soon commence. After all, with this horse it was important to be prepared for quite the rush and it was not unheard of for an unprepared jockey to be taken aback by the force.
The break did not last for long. Lucas leaned closer to the horse's neck, driving for several strides which told the horse to prepare and then cracked the crop. Just like that, Souvenir was off. His strides lengthened as his speed surged, determination clear in every move as they moved up the short dirt stretch. This was a horse that knew how to run, his movement powerful and sure as they sped onwards and that building speed was a fearful thing to see as they moved toward the post.
It had barely begun when it was over. The post flew past and Lucas felt a rush of mixed feelings. Thrill, for there was nothing like that closing run, but also disappointment that it had ended so soon. He started to pull the horse back, sure now that if they were not ready for the race after that then they weren't going to be.
Dark Justice Stables were not without an entrant in the Grade One and Two restricted, ten furlong dirt race and he was not incapable of taking on this level of competition - something he had proven in his comeback race three weeks previously. Souvenir would not go down without a fight, and Lucas was unlikely to make a mistake. After all, in their own way every horse that had once ran for Silver Stride Stables were a part of his brother's lasting legacy. The bay stallion had quite the record under him, a determined team and was nicely rested for the race. He would be going in at his best, and hopefully he would provide the results that everyone was hoping for. If things went well he would then go on to run in the Risorgimento Cup but first they had to earn his place there.
Lillith had the field spinning through her mind as she took a place in the stands. Sou would be starting in gate three of four in a field which included Stride Of Perfection's Fire Dancer and Eternal Phantom as well as Star Thoroughbreds Stalker's Fury. Of the three stables running there was no doubt that Dark Justice Stables had the most to prove, but that did not mean their horse was inferior in any way.
The huge horse looked almost majestic as he was led out onto the practice track, his long strides carrying him forwards with a determined air. Lucas seemed comfortable in the saddle, his gaze clearly on the track ahead. Of course, it was rare that Lucas wasn't focused. His mannerisms were almost cold at times, his grief obvious, and the track was his only release.
The jockey knew this was a chance to shine. Eternal Phantom was seen as one of the top dirt horses and it had been an amazing experience to beat her out in the Euphoria Memorial Stakes several weeks previously - but it was more than that. The Risorgimento Cup was gaining more and more prestige and this, one of the qualifiers, was their chance to secure a place in the final race. It would be phenomenal to get that chance, and Souvenir had the talent to do it. Or at least he believed he did.
All in all, the field shaped up quite well. Stalker's Fury would lead, followed by Souvenir, then Fire Dancer and finally Eternal Phantom at the back. It meant no one had a real advantage over anyone else and on a nicely matched field the excitement level would be huge and this was just the icing on the cake for the jockey. He thirsted to prove himself in the role his brother had always denied him and he had been doing just that.
In order to keep the horse in tip-top condition for the race - and he clearly was, looking at him - it was important not to let his energy levels rise too high. This workout, only two furlongs, would do just that while making sure he was not fatigued. They would run one furlong at a good speed and then really push for the other, just to make sure his movement was looking as good as it had three weeks previously.
As ever, Souvenir was not quick to break when the gates opened but it only took a little urging to get him pressing forwards with those long, ground-eating strides and soon his pace was a good, strong one and leveled off with around half a furlong to go before the big push would begin. Lucas patted the bay's neck, taking the short interim as a chance to prepare for the one furlong battle which would soon commence. After all, with this horse it was important to be prepared for quite the rush and it was not unheard of for an unprepared jockey to be taken aback by the force.
The break did not last for long. Lucas leaned closer to the horse's neck, driving for several strides which told the horse to prepare and then cracked the crop. Just like that, Souvenir was off. His strides lengthened as his speed surged, determination clear in every move as they moved up the short dirt stretch. This was a horse that knew how to run, his movement powerful and sure as they sped onwards and that building speed was a fearful thing to see as they moved toward the post.
It had barely begun when it was over. The post flew past and Lucas felt a rush of mixed feelings. Thrill, for there was nothing like that closing run, but also disappointment that it had ended so soon. He started to pull the horse back, sure now that if they were not ready for the race after that then they weren't going to be.
