Post by Cruisey on Aug 21, 2015 15:50:46 GMT -5
BARELY SMOKIN && TALIA SMITH
Mission: The Youth Challenge
Barely Smokin is what the son of Barely A Moment has not been doing. The bay colt was in fact smoking up the whole juvenile dirt division and making his name known. Though the colt had only claimed four wins in fifteen starts, three of them have been important HOTY races leading up to the Breeder’s Cup. He had encountered a glitch in the Magic Millions, placing third behind Incognito and Night Visions, but had then bounced back onto a win in The Wire’s Tempted Stakes. Carter hoped he would at least climb to grade three before the Breeder’s Cup.
Following their plans, he was next scheduled to run in the Youth Challenge held at the Wire - a two year old only racing series which would test him against the best of his peers. It was not expected to be an easy race… in fact there was no doubt that all of the stables would be sending their best into the series. The field as it stood promised an interesting race. He was already up and running against Incognito, whom he hoped to get some revenge on, Stride of Perfection’s Adrasteia, Valkyrie’s hot filly Aphrodite’s Chant whom was a close rival to Firestone’s own Fire Goddess, and Witch Creek’s Uno Momento. Carter knew this would be a true test of Harley’s mentality, but he had full confidence in the colt to rally up a win, place, or show.
Harley was kicking up a fuss in the stable area, ignoring all manners that he had and was eager to get onto the track. Following suit were his two best friends, Rolo and Tank. The donkey and the miniature pony proved to be an odd combination for the growing colt, but they both seemed to relax the Thoroughbred just enough for people to be around him. Lucky for his jockey Talia, Carter was already at the track holding the colt. As soon as the colt saw her walking down the walkway, he let out an ear-piercing whinny that made Carter jump in fright. Talia couldn’t help but laugh at the colt’s antics. She gave Rolo and Tank a quick scratch before getting a leg up onto the bay colt. She scratched his long neck, ready to get instructions on their workout.
The planned workout would run over only five furlongs. It was hard to have a set plan for Harley seeing as his running style depended on how he felt that day, so that’s how they were going to run things in the workout. Carter only hoped he felt the same way he looked now on race day. The field of horses had a variety of running styles which didn’t help Carter’s race day plan, so they were going to play it by ear.
As they weren't using the gates, Carter let Talia walk the colt further out on to the track. Harley tossed his head, half-rearing in excitement; all he wanted to do was run and he knew it was so close. He was a determined horse, and both Talia and carter could tell that there was no point in waiting for the colt to settle down. Instead, Talia rose in her stirrups and allowed Harley to move up underneath her. Talia had quite the job trying to slow the colt down - all Harley wanted was to do was power forwards and he was quite unhappy when his jockey started to pull him back. Harley’s strides were wonderful as he galloped up the track; he appeared comfortable and at ease with the start of the workout. His head was being carried naturally, his powerful legs surging forwards with ease over the dirt.
Talia crouched lower against Harley’s thick, black, mane letting a notch of rein out from her grip on his mouth. Harley responded by lengthening his stride, but not quickening the pace. From there on out they covered more ground but cruised along at the same speed, eating up the dirt like it was nobody’s business. A smile started to spread across Talia’s face as she felt Harley shift up another gear with the finish post in sight ahead of them. Another furlong closed, and Harley’s speed really surged now. Naturally, Harley fought for the post. Even without encouragement, the bay colt was going for it and he was not showing any signs of slowing down.
One furlong remained and Talia gave in to her own desires. They were really hitting high speeds that Carter was sure Harley had never achieved before. They flew past the post, and the grin on Talia’s face said it all. She knew he had it in him and if he possessed the speeds he had today then she was sure they could win…no she was sure they would win.
