Heavan Knows

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Heaven Knows 

Indian Darling and Alex Shade 

Alex fought against the firey daughter of Native Flame on their way to The Wire’s dirt track for their final workout before the bay would run against GS Supercharged and Canadian Triple Crown Winner Italian Ice in the G1+G2 Provetto Derby*. Her odds of winning weren’t great, she hadn’t done too great since she’d come to Grayson Meadows, but Alex was determined to figure out what made this mare tick. Her sire was Native Flame, and the bay could run quite effortlessly and heaven knows she had the potential to do something great.

The Provetto Derby* was a long 11 furlongs around The Wire’s dirt track, squaring off against Italian Ice who was an absolute monster on The Wire’s dirt, and the late charging GS Supercharged. Truth was, to the betting public, Darla was way out of her league, but that is what made her dangerous. Italian Ice would be too busy holding off GS Supercharged to notice Darla slip right past her, and it was Alex’s job to make that happen.

The strategy was to stay behind Italian Ice, and let her have her way, but not let her run too far away from them. Rounding the far turn GS Supercharged would be making his move, so Darla would inch up slowly, but still keep an eye on GS Supercharged. Into the home stretch, it was likely that Italian Ice would already have a nice lead, so Alex was to let GS Supercharged run after Italian Ice and Darla would get to the outside of the two and hopefully have a big enough kick to bring the race home. It wasn’t a flawless plan by any means, but it was one that may get the job done.

Darla tugged hard on the reins and tossed her head; nearly throwing Alex from her back. Alex restrained the mare again and was praying that he would make it to the gates before Darla threw him off of her back.

White foam dripped from the mares mouth, every powerful, defined muscle shimmered in the sunlight, her bay coat looking as if it was three sizes too small for her. Her eyes looked as if with just a glance, that she could burn a hole right through her opponents. One could easily mistake it as her simply being high strung and misbehaved, but Darla had fight in her. Truthfully, the mare was just happy to be out on the track.

Darla loaded quietly into the gate and soared out of it, with in just a few stride she was easily at a nice cruising speed, a bit faster than normal, but they would need that. Alex fell into a nice rhythm with Darla, they looked to be quite the pair out on the track. Darla’s nice effortless, smooth stride, and Alex’s gentle, encouraging hands made them look as if they’d been together for years, instead of just about a month. Darla continued on strongly, and to Alex she seemed to be doing the best she’d ever done for him today. They rounded the final turn and the wide homestretch opened up in front of them. Alex called on Darla for almost everything she had and Darla responded quickly, in just a matter of strides she was nearly at a full out sprint, but Alex held her back. Darla continued running strongly and Alex let out the last notch which launched the mare into full flight for the wire.

A very solid work under her, and some good luck, and Darla could be looking to pull the upset on her foes come race day.