Post by Cruisey on Dec 26, 2014 19:34:01 GMT -5
SILENT HEART && JOHNNY GARNER
With Breeders Cup workouts on the roll for Carter, he had one undercard workout scheduled for Johnny. The bay filly by the name of Silent Heart had only twelve times this season with only four placing’s in the money. It had been disappointing, but not entirely unexpected. Heather had come to Firestone in the middle of the season with a blank card. Her lines were unknown and she had never stepped on the track before Carter acquired her. Lucky for Carter, both of her wins were HOTY races; one win in the Winter Cup Grade Five Dirt and one win in the Stable Face Off Maiden Dirt.
The next and last race of the season was scheduled at The Wire. The Blue Mountain Stakes was a HOTY race for two year olds, and Heather was up against the tougher two year olds who weren’t running in the Breeder’s Cup. She was in a constant fourth to seventh place slump, which really agitated Carter because she would work so well at home but then fall in the race.
Johnny looked up the track with a grin and patted the filly's muscular neck as they moved out onto the track. The bay's tail swished as she walked at a good speed; her ears pressed forwards and eyes bright and alert. Everything about this filly said that she was ready to run, and run she would. Johnny knew the filly felt good and ready for a win, but would it be enough to overcome her competition?
They had already decided to use the starting gates as practice, so Carter let the horse go warm up. As soon as the pressure on her bridle was released, she jogged forwards which lead into a nice canter. Her sleek long legs ate up the dirt as they warmed their way up to the starting gates. Johnny sat atop the horse quietly as he allowed her to stretch into the bridle before bringing her back to a walk. Carter had met them at the gate and he once again took a hold of her bridle, leading her into the narrow chute. Johnny could feel her start to panic as they were locked inside of the gate, but he reassured her by giving her a quick pat on the neck. The gates were soon released and there was a blur of brown that shot out of the opening. Heather tore out of those gates like she was being chased by a banshee.
As they moved down the dirt, the filly's stride was long and smooth as she ate up the dirt. In a race, she would be hanging around near the front of the pack, away from the entire crowd. You could say Heather was a bit claustrophobic when it came to being bumped around like a mid-runner. She was moving at a high pace, no dirt was being kicked in her face, and the track was hers. Johnny need not encourage the filly; with the flick of a rein Heather was off. Four furlongs had passed, and soon there were only two remaining furlongs. Johnny whispered something in her ear and the filly lurched forwards, pushing her weight and all her effort into the run. They worked together, tearing up the track as they crossed the finish marker in a blur. The workout was over, and they could only hope it would be enough come race day.
