Post by Cruisey on Apr 23, 2015 20:10:52 GMT -5
SPEAK EASY && JOHNNY GARNER
with galloping partner Red Herring && Sammie Pickett
Workout for the Preakness Stakes
The week was coming to an end, which only brought one thing closer...the Preakness Stakes. The second prestigious race in the Triple Crown was a sacred jewel, and it was either make or break for the winner of the Kentucky Derby. And this years’ Derby winner was none other than Firestone’s home-bred colt, Speak Easy. After that thrilling five-length finish over Baciami, his jockey Johnny had truthfully shed a few tears in the winners’ circle. Now that they got their first win, it was time to focus on their next challenge. No doubt the field for the Preakness would more or less be the same, but the horses and riders would be out for revenge on the Firestone horse.
Following the same routine as last time, the black colt was accompanied by Red Herring. Johnny was given a leg up onto Sonny and Sammie onto Red as they stepped onto the dirt for the last time before the Preakness. Sonny’s ears were pointed and forward, not showing any signs of fatigue from his marvelous effort in the Derby. This workout however, would not be as forward or rushed like the last. In order to keep Sonny content and relaxed, they were just going for a nice four furlong gallop at a moderate pace. The Derby champion didn’t need a hard work after his race, and they wanted to reduce the risk of possible injury in the next few weeks. It was more than enough for the colt, and he was already in top form. Red and Sonny were guided towards the outside rail at a walk, both horses anticipating the run ahead of them. Red seemed a little bit tired from his run last week, but Carter was all about keeping the red horse in shape for whatever workout he needed to be thrown in.
The black colt arched his neck, chewing at the bit, when Johnny gave him the signal to move up into a trot. Without hesitation, he marched forwards, head down in a frame as Red followed suit, although he was giving Sammie a harder time. Red being Red, he just wanted to go. Sonny was happy to please Johnny, so there wasn’t too much fighting when Johnny kept a steady hold on the horses’ mouth. Johnny and Sammie kept them slow and steady for the first half of the workout and around the curve, leaving about two furlongs for Red to challenge the black colt once again. Red was quite strong under Sammie’s hold, but that was nothing new of him to do. He didn’t understand the ‘slow and steady’ world of racing, which Sonny was aiming for since the Preakness was around the corner. The jockeys eyed each other and nodded, both loosening their hold on the reins just a notch.
Sonny took the cue and increased his galloping stride, ever willing to please. The man had little work to do on Sonny other than encourage and keep his pace steady. Red had other plans and fought with Sammie, but finally agreed to stay stride for stride with Sonny. And he'd keep going, and going, and going. The black colt knew what was asked of him, and Sonny always went as far as he could to try and fulfill the request that was asked of him. Nothing extravagant was being asked of the young horse, but he felt well-rested, worked, and ready to go for the Preakness. All Johnny could do was sit tight and win another race.
