Post by LK on Apr 15, 2015 7:44:35 GMT -5
FLAMING CONFIDENZA (ACORN STAKES*) && MAVERICK HARRIS
BEYOND THE LIES (SUMMER) && CLINTON WARD
DISTANCE = 7 FURLONGS
STRATEGY = Leah pushing Denza from behind
The time had come for the golden filly to get in her final work and she seemed to be calmer than ever. Over the past couple weeks since her last workout, Flaming Confidenza had taken to lazing around in the paddock all day and even resting on the cross ties, a behavior almost unheard of in the mare who usually dances on the rail and eyes her grooms with mistrust. As all the workers and staff around Oceanic View were getting worked up over the Acorn Stakes and Triple Tiara, Denza just kept getting calmer and calmer as the days wore on.
Maverick affectionately brushed Denza's sleek golden pelt as he prepared her for the last workout before the first big race. The glowing mare stood quietly at the ties, barely showing any attention to what was going on around except for a ear twitch here and there. She did not even turn her head at her jockey tossed the saddle and silks up on her narrow withers and strapped the girth and martingale around her barrel and chest. The mare swished her tail once in slight irritation when Mav had to convince her to raise her head up for the bit. This was unlike the mare usually, but had become the norm in the past couple weeks. It was as if she was waiting for the challenge to come and was determined to store all of her energy until the big day.
The two looked up when they heard a whistle from the end of the barn. Denza's breezing partner was ready to go and from the looks of it, was ready to bolt at the first chance she got. Beyond the Lies was Maverick's nightmare ride in a bottle rocket, per say. The filly had more energy than all of their stallions combined and she usually focused it all on whoever was dumb enough to try to ride her. Clinton was up for the challenge today, however, and would take the grey fillies broad back fully aware of how quickly the horse could throw him. Felicity was either extremely gutsy to be pinning the Triple Tiara mare against the fireball of a yearling, or brilliant. Denza would be facing an extremely tough field come the Acorn Stakes and would need to face just about any scenario possible to be ready.
They were going to run a shorter distance of seven furlongs today, not enough to wear either horse out but just enough to keep them on their toes. The boss wanted Clinton to push Denza from behind to give her some go in case the mare got pushed out in front during the race. The palomino preferred to stick to the middle of the pack, but with the odds of the field missing a front runner, they wanted her to be ready for anything.
Denza had woken up slightly from her warm up and was well aware of who she would be running with as the younger filly danced around with Clinton barely being able to keep her focused. Maverick found it slightly comical that the older jockey was now faced with the troublesome horse, but not much. He knew exactly what it was like to feel the filly's wrath. Satisfied that they had warmed the horses up enough, they signaled the grooms that they were ready to be loaded into the gate.
Both horses gated quietly and quickly, a good sign that they were paying attention and ready to go. When the gates finally flew open, a new horse erupted from beneath Maverick. Flaming Confidenza was suddenly underneath him, bursting with immense speed from the metal gates and quickly opening up a few lengths on the younger grey filly. When they had finally settled into their pace, Denza slowed a little on Mav's command, giving Leah a chance to gain on her flank. From there they ran at a faster clip, keeping the golden mare in front with the smaller filly right on her heels.
They flew around the track, dirt clumps flying up in their wake. Neither horse had opened up in speed but Leah was bouncing between the rail and her running partner, not quite liking her position. Clinton eased her back slightly, giving her the chance to run on the outside of Denza instead of on the inside. Almost immediately the filly began pulling on the reins and trying to push past the older horse. Telling her no, Clinton managed to hold Leah back but not for much longer. Denza, on the other hand, was set at a brisk pace and was determined not to give up her lead the rest of the race. The once calm horse had been transformed into a full blooded racehorse, determined to beat whoever and whatever tried to get in her way.
Maverick could feel the change in his horse as they rounded onto the backstretch. The mare's ears were pricked, but flicked back to listen to her jockey and the other horse behind her. Always an attentive runner, Denza paid attention to her surroundings but faltered a step when she realized once again that there were no horses in front to set the pace. As soon as she had slowed up, there was Leah pushing from behind. This gave her a boost of confidence and the mare quickly gained her position once again, where she sat for most of the way around the track.
They rounded the last turn and both jockeys knew their mounts were not going to just sit for the rest of the distance. Pretty soon Clinton could feel the grey pulling away from his hands, now completely ignoring his signals. Typical of the mare. Being close enough to the last furlong, the older jockey gave up and let the filly have her head. Almost immediately she sprung out from underneath him, gaining on Denza and Maverick.
Being the smart mare she was, Denza almost sensed when the younger horse would move and pretty much told her jockey it was time to go. Mav got the hint and let out more rein, sending the mare at an even faster pace than before. Leah did not gain much ground before the golden mare exploded next to her, stretching out to gain a full length on them. Furious, Leah sprang after the older horse, determined to beat her at whatever costs.
Denza was too determined to win, however, and soon had opened up a great distance between her and the grey filly. Maverick glanced under his arm and was amazed to see the other two struggling behind. His mare had opened up a distance of three lengths in a matter of a few seconds. At this time he had enough time to glance in the inside at the poles. A furlong left and the mare would do it in an astonishing speed. His mental clock counting, Mav hoped the trainer would have this work ticking because it was going to be a whirlwind.
They flew past the final marker, both horses fighting until the end. Denza had held the open space between them but Leah had closed it by a couple lengths, only losing by a length in the end. Not bad for a yearling still. Mav pulled up the mare and made sure to walk her for a full lap before looping back towards the barn. Felicity was there to meet him, a rather grim look on her face. Feeling disappointed, Maverick asked the question he was dreading at this point. How bad was it boss? Should we scratch? He was sure the mare was doing faster than he had seen before, and was positive the watches were wrong, however bad they were showing.
At that moment his trainer broke into a huge wolf grin. Her eyes were sparkling when she answered. I wouldn't scratch her if it meant the last of me. She just broke 7 furlongs in 1:20:58. And is only getting faster. We have a running mare on our hands, Maverick. Hold onto your belt, cause she's gonna take us for one hell of a ride.
