rise of the champion

BLUE ME AWAY WORKS FOR THE PREAKNESS CHAMPION STAKES

It had happened almost than two weeks ago - the return of Blue Me Away, Everyday Smile and Mighty News - but Blaze still couldn't believe his luck. Silver Stride Stables was getting out of the business due to the owners' personal issues, and had sold back some of their prized horses to Star Thoroughbreds. It had been four long months since Blaze had last ridden Blue Me Away to victory, and then he had been on lease. Now he was under Star Thoroughbreds' ownership, and Blaze would get to ride him again, and again to victory.

The black colt had settled back in here nicely, though there had been no time to take a holiday. He was due to run in the second leg of the Turf Triple Crown and after his third place loss in the Kentucky Open, they had to make sure he was fit and healthy enough to run. The vet had run blood tests and watched the colt run, then checked his heart and breathing rate. They had not expected any problems and did not encounter any. Blue was as fit and healthy as he needed to be, so they got right down to business planning out his workout schedule and future races.

Before going right into track work, they made the decision to condition the three year old by riding him on the beach and trails. The heaviness of the sand had helped to build stamina, giving Blue more energy to use his considerable speed. The trails to and from the beach contained various inclines and declines, keeping the thoroughbred's mind stimulated as well as his body. Silver Stride Stables had only tried the colt up to eleven furlongs, but Blue's new trainer was confident he would be able to run the Belmont Turf Stakes with no problems in three weeks time, especially since starting his new training regime.

Today, however, they were working on the turf track. It was time to see how Blue was progressing, to time him breezing half a mile. Blaze was legged into the saddle, and given the simple instructions. Trot for ten minutes, then canter to the four furlong pole. Breeze from there. James said, and Blaze nodded his understanding. Then the leadline was unclipped, and the black colt walked briskly to the turf, attempting to break into trot. Once they were on the track, Blaze gave a gentle squeeze with his legs and Blue immediately began to trot.

The Preakness Champion Stakes was eleven furlongs, and had some tough competitors entered. Bella Luna, the filly who had won the Kentucky Open, was entered in gate one. Six wins to two second in eight starts this season further solidified her as one to beat. Italian Ice was entered in gate two, but it was not certain if the Impressario filly would be running or not. Then there was Ode To Glory, who was returning after a tired fourth place in the Silk Road Stakes. He'd had an entire month to recuperate, so they would be watching out for him in the race.

Blue and Blaze would start from gate four. The black thoroughbred had had a good but not great season leading up to this, so hopefully from here on he would be great. With three wins, three seconds and a third place this year, he was not going to be counted out by anyone, but the competition was as fierce. Ode To Glory had dead heated with him for the win in the Breeder's Cup. Bella Luna had beaten him two weeks ago. He had beaten both Bella Luna and Ode To Glory in the Silk Road Stakes a month ago. They were a very even bunch.

As Blaze cued the thoroughbred to gallop, and felt Blue's powerful first gallop stride, he was transported back to their last two wins together. Even though Ode To Glory had been with them at the wire in the Breeder's Cup, that couldn't detract from the winning feeling, which was what Blaze felt every time he rode Blue. The horse rounded the turn quickly with Blaze's guidance, and then accelerated rapidly into the stretch. The power and strength that could be felt in each stride was better than it had been then, and Blaze knew that Blue was stronger and faster now than he had ever been. As he galloped on past the finish, Blaze didn't need a stopwatch to tell him that it was Blue's fastest time yet. He knew that this horse was something special.

This horse was a champion.