Post by Cruisey on May 27, 2015 16:12:05 GMT -5
GHOST RIDER && SAMMIE PICKETT
FLASHING THE DECLARATION && TALIA SMITH
The start of the long day for Firestone staff started at 3:30am and was bound to last all day. Carter Leeson was one of the first people down at the track that morning, keeping a watchful eye on his racing string as the lights of the track illuminated the stable row. The sun had yet to rise, but since all of his horses needed their workouts, nothing was going to stop him from turning on the track lights and galloping out there as early as possible.
There was a slight fog that settled around the grounds as Carter watched his grooms tack up the first two horses that were scheduled to run. Big, black, and bold, Flashing The Declaration was standing in his stall, tied to the walls, causing a huge commotion. The colt's ears pricked forwards, dark, almost black eyes looking ahead. He was a flurry of pawing legs and tail flicks as his groom tightened his girth one last time. It was a bit of unusual behaviour from the colt, but Carter took it as a sign that he was aiming for that one win that would break his years long G5 streak.
The filly beside him wasn’t much better. Although slightly calmer, Ghost Rider pawed at the shavings in her stall, creating a giant mess behind her. Her lips wiggled as she tried to chew on the chained cross ties that confined her to her current position, and her chestnut face bobbed up and down in protest. Carter sighed as he rubbed his temples. It was way too early for these two to be making so much noise. Once bridles were on, he signalled Sammie and Talia to move up onto their mounts. Helping them each onto their horses, the three of them made their way onto the dirt track. Today was just going to be a five furlong gallop, an easy start to the day and another easy start for the two horses who would be one of the first groups running July Week One.
The two jockeys rode their mounts on a short warm up trip at a trot, then a canter, then headed on over to the gates that were awaiting them. Flasher loaded without a problem as Talia settled lightly on his back, pulling her goggles down over her eyes. Gia was being the world’s laziest Thoroughbred and refused to load in the midst of the early hours. Sammie couldn’t help but smirk. If she was a horse, she wouldn’t want to be galloping across a dirt track at 4am, but alas here she was on the back of a moody chestnut mare. Flasher stamped a hoof and snorted in pure impatience, but was otherwise quiet under the hand of his rider. With a few handlers helping Gia, she finally loaded with a flick of her tail.
The gates slammed open and a kick later, the two horses were in motion, tearing up the dirt, nostrils flaring with every breath into the fog. As noted, Flasher took the early lead, and Talia kept him going, not letting him fall behind an imaginary field around him. He rode Crux as close as he dared to the inside, not letting up on the black colt. Gia settled in not far behind him, dropping her lazy façade as her eyes were locked on the horse in front of her. Sammie kept her in check, not letting her fall too far behind the younger horse in front.
Faster, faster, faster, the jockeys pushed, and their horses obliged as best as they could, tugging at the reins and throwing themselves into every single step. It wasn’t meant to be a fast gallop at all, but the horses were taking charge with every stride as they battled headlong into the stretch. By the time they crossed the five furlongs, they had given it all. Sammie knew Gia could handle longer distances, but this was good enough to keep her in shape and well rested. Flasher could go a slightly longer, but he tended to be in his element in the sprinting distances. He was certainly getting stronger, and looking for that grade four win soon enough.
