Post by Cavallo on Jul 4, 2012 18:03:42 GMT -5
Cos had had a rough go in the first race of his three year old season, but then they had made a late entry into the year. As he'd progressed through the season he'd placed in the money in his other two races, 1st and 2nd and they were just beginning.
Cos' lines were nothing to sneer at. They were proven wining thoroughbred lines and this year Nick was sure they were going to prove it! The competition wouldn't know what hit them this year with Cos fully committed to being on the tracks this year, both here and and GHF. Cos' engine was just getting started and was probably one of the freshest four year olds out on the track...Nick was definitely going to have this boy racing until he was six. He had too much fire to just retire next year.
Nick sat astride the lively grey colt and asked him for a light canter as they went about the track. Ahead Nick could see Kyle conditioning Atalanta.
Cos' eyes seemed to lock on the black bay mare, but Nick kept the colt in check. Gotta warm up first Cos'. He fought the bit asking for more of his head desire burning within him to overtake the mare. Easy Cos! Nick kept him at a canter.
Cos gave up the fight for a brief moment and Nick began to relax into his seat, that's when the crafty colt made his move. As soon as Cos had felt Nick relax he grabbed the bit and started to run after the black bay mare...
WHOA COS! Mentally Nick was kicking himself for letting this colt get the better of him. Sometimes this guy was too intelligent for his own good!
Nick fought for control of the colt's head for the next two furlongs, but Nick eventually won out. Cosmic Warfare threw his head up as he watched Atalanta draw farther and farther away...
Nick had the colt settle in again into their canter. Geeese Cos...I think it's safe to say that you're warmed up now...
Come race day there was going to be a full field, There were three other horses entered in the Ameliorate Stakes. In gate one there was Kacey Hill's Dawn of Silence. Cos had raced once before against this horse on his return race to GHF and had placed lower to this colt...but Cos was much more in tune and fit than his previous race and he had a trend going....a trend of improvement. Nick felt sure they could catch this preceder in the final stretch....but they were going to keep an eye on the bay colt....he did have more race experience after all...
They had drawn gate two. In gate three was a new horse from Witch Creek Stale, Frozen Motion. This colt was sired by G1 Spitz and had a decent racing record. Nick knew that this was a horse capable of pulling an upset and it would be important to keep an eye on this front runner/preceder horse too. Then in gate four there was Snow Storm. This grey colt was in the same boat as Cosmic Warfare, having a late start in their racing careers and would be running in the back as well, challenging the leaders with his strong closing style.
As Nick thought of the field it really did feel like this win could go to anyone...
Cos was extremely lively today as Nick finally gave him more of his head...if he was acting like this come race day...Nick wold have to place him up at the front...and use his fighting spirit to run the lead from wire to wire.
Cos took up the extra slack with passion and surged forward. Nick felt the colt's long stride and the determined air he exuded. The furlongs flew by three in less than 40 seconds...the speed of this colt was astonishing...
They went another furlong and still Nick felt the raw power and stamina reserves still strong within this intelligent colt's haunches.
He began to gradually slow the colt down, but he still tried to grab his bit as though he wasn't quite done...Easy boy...save it for the race day.
Nick pointed the turf prodigy to the track exit, come what may on race day, Nick knew that this horse was on the edge of greatness. HE was hungry and he wanted the wins....Nick knew deep down that this year, the crowds were gonna see this grey wonder fight to the top.
