Post by Cruisey on Feb 3, 2015 22:08:29 GMT -5
INFERNO && JOHNNY GARNER
LOST IN MEMORIES && SAMMIE PICKETT
DEVIL'S BLESSING && TALIA SMITH
January Week Three at Green Horse Fields and The Wire hosted three horses’ first races of year fifteen. Devil’s Blessing – who Carter had decided against running in the Breeder’s Cup – was entered in the Fast And Furious Stakes after a disappointing fourth in the Christmas Cup during December Week 3. Carter was hoping he would be better as a four year old with some maturity and time off. Lost In Memories was another one starting in the Fast And Furious Stakes. Her last race was December Week 3 in the End Of Year Turf, where she placed a solid third against an open field. The race they were entered in was a smaller field of five horses, most of which were three-year olds. Both Cian and Emma had the advantage of age, but anything could happen.
Coming off of a minor injury was Inferno, one of Firestone’s original horses. His three year old season ended horribly, with him only achieving one win before he went downhill with his injury. But low and behold, the gray teddy bear was ready to start fresh. Carter thought he looked better than ever, and since he could not be bred, he would be raced until he didn’t want to anymore. Fern was entered in the Insight Stakes against stablemate Vetanda.
The track was on the harder side due to the colder temperatures, not something Carter wanted with a recently injured horse, but he would have to be taken lightly. The first horse to step onto the track was Fern. He looked excited to be back onto the track for good, and Johnny could feel the horse underneath him. At one point, Carter had made the decision to put the horse up for lease, but due to the lack of interest in the gelding they decided to race him instead. Their turf string had increased and that was the only reason the horse was up on the board.
The second horse to arrive onto the turf was Cian. The break may have helped the colt a lot as he seemed fresh and ready to go. His black mane shone under the sun’s rays as Talia rode him up beside Fern. Cian flattened his ears at the gelding, but knew better than to do anything under Talia’s watch. The third and final horse to arrive was Emma. The quiet mare was tip-toeing her way across the turf under Sammie’s guidance. She had the quality to be a great horse, but sadly it hadn’t shown just quite yet.
The trio headed across the track to warm up, all cantering side by side. Fern looked quite regal as he felt the energy pulsating from the ground and into his body. Johnny could tell he had missed the long race days and the feeling of the turf on his hooves. They all had been kept in shape, although Fern’s porky stall-rest belly had started to get smaller. Once they were all warmed up, they headed over to the gates, which were ready as they all brought their mounts to a walk. The horses were loaded with little fuss as they prepared for the break.
After a pause, the gates sprung open and all three broke cleanly. Cian shot straight to the front, with Emma hot on his tail and Fern was just behind them, running steadily in his closing position. The field ran fast, pieces of grass being thrown in the back’s faces by Cian. The bay stallion ran confidently in front with his ears pressed forwards as if to say this was too easy for him. Emma was running beside his flank, trying to get under the colt’s skin. She was a fierce competitor, and nobody would see her dirty tricks coming. Fern was content in the back, sound and sane as ever. He wouldn’t be making his move for a little bit.
Their marker was coming up close, and the final turn added more emphasis on the ‘get up and go’ of the whole workout. Emma broke wide from the pack and was now almost leading the mock race. Cian did not look happy and kicked up his tail, increasing his speed. Fern saw the two pulling away, so he pushed himself harder to catch up. The disadvantage of him being off showed in his stamina, but the gelding had the heart to finish.
The three thundered on past the finish marker, Emma sneaking a head in front of Cian to steal the win, and Fern had managed to catch up enough to finish half a length behind the two grade fours. Carter was hoping he had the age advantage, but the lack of race exposure would surely have an effect on the placing. As for Emma and Cian, it would be hard to tell where the two would place, but Carter sure did know the two looked stronger in the new year, and he could hope for the best.
