Post by Ripley on Jul 28, 2015 11:35:22 GMT -5
Moment Of Faith
featuring: Uno Momento and Coveted Faith
mission: Fall Workout
Justin heard the murmurs from the crowd and knew they were discussing his chosen mount. It'd been a while since he'd received this much attention. Not since Dazzling Dame had Justin really been mentioned in the news. He was a low key rider, unlike David Carter and Laura DeComte. Those two always had a whimsical comment ready for the press, but he let his riding and his horses do the talking. He'd taken the utmost satisfaction in wiring the Queen's Plate this season with Casualty Of War. He'd ridden at his absolute best and guided his horse to a sensational victory. Any other year, Sultan would have been pointed for the Derby or the roses, but Saint, Vagabond and Pride had taken his place. It'd been exciting to get his chance in the spotlight and he was out to get that addicting feeling again.
The horse beneath him was unlike any other horse Justin Santiago had ridden before. This horse had a reputation at stake thanks to his Hall of Fame mother and her FOUR grade one winners, two of which--not counting Sun King's unfinished career--were destined for the Hall Of Fame. Uno was the proverbial black sheep of the family. He was neither black nor chestnut. He was not shaped like an agile dirt monster. He hadn't really come out of the gates running, but now... Justin was sure he had the horse to watch for next year's Triple Crown.
Uno Momento had been out of sight, out of mind since the end of June. He'd finished second in the Radiance Classic and had been given time off. He was back though, and to Justin's mind, the big colt had never looked better. Justin lowered his gaze from the track to the horse beneath him. Every muscle roiled beneath a glistening bay hide. The horse strode confidently over the ground, mouth on the bit. He pressed forward and marched like a king in a parade. This confidence was new. It had been built up through impressive gallop sessions over the turf hills and the dirt track. The son of Barely A Moment had roared through a stunning gate workout and prompted Ripley to declare him ready for the track.
Reporters tagged along as Ripley followed her two returning juveniles. Uno was joined in his return by Coveted Faith, one of the most followed youngsters in Witch Creek's string. Her almost black coat gleamed like a raven's wing and she watched the gathering crowd with very alert eyes. She pranced beneath Maggiletti Reynolds and flashed her teeth when Brooks rode up aboard Ashanti. Faith launched a cow kick, but she gave up when Brooks snatched her rein and pulled her close to Ashanti. Maggie patted the GS Ultimate Challenge filly on the neck, liking the spirit she saw.
"They both were a little tired after the early season," Ripley commented as she walked. "It's not my usual thing to completely remove horses from training, but these two needed time. I have no doubts that they'll be ready for next spring."
"Do you think Uno Momento will get you that elusive Derby win?" a skinny reporter asked. Ripley scanned him with her green eyes and shrugged. "Anything can happen. We've got a long way to go, but from what I've seen at home... I think we might be the Derby favorite at the end of Year Fifteen."
A wave of murmurs followed her words as Ripley left the spectators behind to scoot between her runners. Faith eyed her owlishly, but Uno merely touched her arm with his muzzle, ever the sweetheart. "I don't mind hyping them up a bit. I know we have the horses to back it up."
Justin and Maggie exchanged glances as Ripley gave the orders. "Five furlongs in 1:00 or 1:01. Don't get into an all out battle and make sure you have plenty of horse. I think they'll be coming back September Week Three."
Uno Momento moved into a long-strided gallop upon command. The bay horse drew eyes as he floated over the track. Some of the attention reverted back to Ripley in shock. They would never understand how the gangly early season juvenile had turned into the horse beneath Justin. Ripley ignored the looks and kept her eyes only on her horses.
Maggie loved what she was feeling beneath her as Coveted Faith zoomed up to keep pace with Uno. The sleek filly moved impressively over the ground with her neck bowed. She snorted every other stride and mouthed the bit. Her stout form looked like that of a black dragon. Maggie felt a zing of electricity when the dark horse swapped leads and found another gear. Uno responded on the inside without encouragement from Justin.
The duo began their five furlong workout with a sudden burst of speed. Uno fell back slightly under the outright quickness of Coveted Faith. The smaller filly had an innate cruising speed and she knocked off fractions without much effort at all. While Faith clicked off the pace, Uno settled into a relaxed gallop. Justin could practically feel every hoof step. He sat absolutely still on the colt's back and let him dictate his pace. Uno stayed a stalking 3/4 length back.
Faith tugged on the rein for more as she cut into the far turn. Maggie kept the GS Ultimate Challenge filly straight, not wanting to cut the workmate off. She knew if she let Faith go now, the filly would bury Uno. Her agility on the turns outweighed Uno's power. Maggie tucked down into the filly's neck and let her skip on through the stretch.
Justin knew Faith had Uno beat on the turn. When the filly zipped to the rail, Justin had no choice, but to let his free wheeling colt drive down her outside. Uno uncoiled his stride and within two powerful leaps, the son of Barely A Moment was at Faith's throat-latch. In another, Uno had the filly in defense mode. Justin grinned when Faith gathered herself and surged back up the inside. Still... Uno was gliding along easily.
Ripley could practically see the atmosphere thickening around the clockers as Uno and Faith whipped through the wire. She glanced down at her clock and shook her head in muted shock. The bay colt had beaten Faith by a half-length. He'd nabbed the five furlongs in :59.92 while Faith had crossed in 1:00 flat.
She ducked out of sight before the reporters could find her at the rail. They'd gone faster than she'd asked, but she'd seen exactly what she'd needed to see to enter the horses. Uno and Faith were ready for the competition.
