Post by Snowflake on Mar 30, 2014 10:15:42 GMT 10
BORN TO IMPRESS AND LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER WORK FOR THE BORN TO SOAR MEMORIAL STAKES*
Mounting up on Lusitania's Soldier, Marissa was on a mission. The five year old stallion had raced five times this season but had not yet secured a win. His results were good though, three second places, a third place and only one out of the money. The son of Akuma Battlecry and Lusitania had it in his blood to do better though, and Marissa vowed to take him to the top in his final season.
Working with them today was Born To Impress, ridden by Sarah. The four year old stallion was also probably in his last season and needed to make it great. He had not yet secured a Breeder's Cup win and that was the big one on the cards for him this year. He had run third in both the Juvenile and the Classic, and this year he would step it up a notch and finally take one of the coveted races. Which one was still unknown.
Beginning with a quick trot, the pair warmed up on the dirt track. Impress was his usual self, trying to dominate over his workout partner. Soldier just pinned his ears and carried on as he was, ignoring the colt mostly. They had a rivalry, and had come up against each other time and time again. It never got old for either horse - they were fighting for dominance, and mares. Their future careers at stud were clearly never far from their minds, but for now racing was number one.
The Born To Soar Memorial Stakes honored one of their own. Born To Impress' half sister, in fact. The nine furlong race was almost a steal with only three entrants in it, including themselves. The only horse brave enough to face the pair was Dirty Diana, who happened to be Soldier's younger half sister. Like Soldier, she'd been slow to make her mark on the racing world, but she was on her way to stardom now. With three wins and four second places this season, Diana would be looking for another win.
Pushing on into canter, the riders thought about how the race would play out. Given that two out of three entrants were closers, Impress would have to set the pace. He was a versatile runner and had run and won from all positions. Pace setting a field of three would be a walk in the park. He just had to stay ahead at all times and the race would be his. Soldier had strength in his chosen position and would give Impress a run for his money, and hold off Dirty Diana. She would try, but she had not run in the same level of races he had and would not be expecting to be left in the dust.
Time to gallop. Impress took off like his tail was on fire. Soldier followed quickly, keeping pace with the black colt. Rounding the turn, both thoroughbreds hugged the rail. Sarah glanced back at Marissa, and then back to her colt's ears. The turn was ending. Marissa released the reins, allowing Soldier to take his head and run like the wind. In moments, they were right by Impress' side, and inching ahead. The turn ended and the black colt was pouring on the speed, a fierce look in his eyes. Soldier continued to move ahead, already in full flight when Impress was just getting going. Marissa grinned, and began to urge Soldier on so he maintained his top speed.
Impress was also at his highest speed now, and was battling to catch Soldier with all he had. Soldier had pulled a full two lengths in front and held that lead until the finish. Marissa punched her hand into the air triumphantly as they galloped out. Soldier had done well. He was so ready to win. But Impress was so ready to beat him. Who would triumph on race day?
Mounting up on Lusitania's Soldier, Marissa was on a mission. The five year old stallion had raced five times this season but had not yet secured a win. His results were good though, three second places, a third place and only one out of the money. The son of Akuma Battlecry and Lusitania had it in his blood to do better though, and Marissa vowed to take him to the top in his final season.
Working with them today was Born To Impress, ridden by Sarah. The four year old stallion was also probably in his last season and needed to make it great. He had not yet secured a Breeder's Cup win and that was the big one on the cards for him this year. He had run third in both the Juvenile and the Classic, and this year he would step it up a notch and finally take one of the coveted races. Which one was still unknown.
Beginning with a quick trot, the pair warmed up on the dirt track. Impress was his usual self, trying to dominate over his workout partner. Soldier just pinned his ears and carried on as he was, ignoring the colt mostly. They had a rivalry, and had come up against each other time and time again. It never got old for either horse - they were fighting for dominance, and mares. Their future careers at stud were clearly never far from their minds, but for now racing was number one.
The Born To Soar Memorial Stakes honored one of their own. Born To Impress' half sister, in fact. The nine furlong race was almost a steal with only three entrants in it, including themselves. The only horse brave enough to face the pair was Dirty Diana, who happened to be Soldier's younger half sister. Like Soldier, she'd been slow to make her mark on the racing world, but she was on her way to stardom now. With three wins and four second places this season, Diana would be looking for another win.
Pushing on into canter, the riders thought about how the race would play out. Given that two out of three entrants were closers, Impress would have to set the pace. He was a versatile runner and had run and won from all positions. Pace setting a field of three would be a walk in the park. He just had to stay ahead at all times and the race would be his. Soldier had strength in his chosen position and would give Impress a run for his money, and hold off Dirty Diana. She would try, but she had not run in the same level of races he had and would not be expecting to be left in the dust.
Time to gallop. Impress took off like his tail was on fire. Soldier followed quickly, keeping pace with the black colt. Rounding the turn, both thoroughbreds hugged the rail. Sarah glanced back at Marissa, and then back to her colt's ears. The turn was ending. Marissa released the reins, allowing Soldier to take his head and run like the wind. In moments, they were right by Impress' side, and inching ahead. The turn ended and the black colt was pouring on the speed, a fierce look in his eyes. Soldier continued to move ahead, already in full flight when Impress was just getting going. Marissa grinned, and began to urge Soldier on so he maintained his top speed.
Impress was also at his highest speed now, and was battling to catch Soldier with all he had. Soldier had pulled a full two lengths in front and held that lead until the finish. Marissa punched her hand into the air triumphantly as they galloped out. Soldier had done well. He was so ready to win. But Impress was so ready to beat him. Who would triumph on race day?