Post by Snowflake on Apr 17, 2014 11:04:51 GMT 10
BLUE ME AWAY WORKS FOR DONCASTER CUP*
PASSIONATE FLYER WORKS FOR LITTLE MISS INNOCENT MEMORIAL STAKES*
The pair were frequent workout partners nowadays. There was something in each that got the best of the other during workouts, and if they trained well, they raced even better. Blue Me Away, ridden by Blaze, was already having a cracker of a season. With five starts behind him, four were wins. His first race of the season had resulted in second place. The four year old's form was fantastic. It seemed he could do no wrong. The races he had run in so far this year were only to prepare him for the year's second half. That was when it got real - that was when champions got their names. If he could sweep the turf this year, Blue would undoubtedly go into the Hall of Fame. That's what they were aiming for.
Passionate Flyer, ridden by Sarah, was being gradually reintroduced to the big leagues. The five year old stallion had yet to have his big break, seeming to run third nearly every time he ran in a big race. In fact, he only had one HOTY* win in his whole career, which was very unfortunate considering the success his parents. But maybe they were not a good mix. Anyhow, it was time for the stallion to step it up. He would become a champion even if he had to run another season or two after this. Sarah was that determined.
After a lap of trotting, the pair moved on into canter. There was pure power beneath both riders, just waiting to be released. Blaze's thoughts turned to the Doncaster Cup, in which Blue would race this weekend. It was a five horse field, but the entrants were all up and coming runners. In gate one was Hokum. The four year old Witch Creek colt had gone from grade five to grade one last year, which was enough for Blaze to watch out for him despite his results for this year not being quite so amazing. Next there was the only filly of the field, Fleet Majesty. The newly grade two Stride of Perfection filly was having a good season, but had only run in one HOTY race so far. It had resulted in a win, but maybe she wasn't quite ready for this level of competition just yet, seeing as it had been a grade three race. Next was another Stride of Perfection horse, four year old Ode to Glory. He was beginning to pick up in performance, and was looking more and more like the two year old who had dead heated in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf with Blue. Just more physically mature, of course. Then lastly there was GS Supercharged, the Admiral's Revenge colt who was also gaining momentum. He was not as good on turf though, and had only raced on dirt so far this year. All in all, the field looked like it could challenge, but Blue was far and away the favourite.
Passionate Flyer had only two other horses to contend with in the Little Miss Innocent Memorial Stakes. Funnily enough, they were both former Star Thoroughbreds horses that Sarah had been reluctant to sell, but had to because there hadn't been enough riders for their number of horses then. Since Chris had started riding for them, life had gotten easier and they'd been able to take back some of the horses they'd sold. Calamity Queen and Royal Assassin had both gone to excellent homes though - Calamity Queen back to her breeder Witch Creek Stables, and Royal Assassin to Stride of Perfection Stables. Both horses had come along in leaps and bounds, and were both on the verge of grade one. They would be tough competition for Prince.
Time to gallop. Blue Me Away sprung forward to take the lead by half his body length, while Prince switched to gallop more gracefully, not revealing the masses of power hidden in his hind. That would be released when it was time. They headed into the turn of their four furlong blowout, holding their positions. Prince began to inch forward. Within moments, his nose was equal with Blue's neck. Then they were both going flat out, and for a few long seconds it looked like no one was going to get in front. But then Blue put on another burst of speed, effectively edging ahead of Prince as they flashed by the finish. Prince also burst forward, but it was too late. He roared passed Blue as the other colt slowed up, but he knew he had lost again. Sarah patted him, a smile crossing her face. If Prince could take on Blue like that, he was better than he thought he was. He just needed to run like that in the race, and he would suddenly be on top.
PASSIONATE FLYER WORKS FOR LITTLE MISS INNOCENT MEMORIAL STAKES*
The pair were frequent workout partners nowadays. There was something in each that got the best of the other during workouts, and if they trained well, they raced even better. Blue Me Away, ridden by Blaze, was already having a cracker of a season. With five starts behind him, four were wins. His first race of the season had resulted in second place. The four year old's form was fantastic. It seemed he could do no wrong. The races he had run in so far this year were only to prepare him for the year's second half. That was when it got real - that was when champions got their names. If he could sweep the turf this year, Blue would undoubtedly go into the Hall of Fame. That's what they were aiming for.
Passionate Flyer, ridden by Sarah, was being gradually reintroduced to the big leagues. The five year old stallion had yet to have his big break, seeming to run third nearly every time he ran in a big race. In fact, he only had one HOTY* win in his whole career, which was very unfortunate considering the success his parents. But maybe they were not a good mix. Anyhow, it was time for the stallion to step it up. He would become a champion even if he had to run another season or two after this. Sarah was that determined.
After a lap of trotting, the pair moved on into canter. There was pure power beneath both riders, just waiting to be released. Blaze's thoughts turned to the Doncaster Cup, in which Blue would race this weekend. It was a five horse field, but the entrants were all up and coming runners. In gate one was Hokum. The four year old Witch Creek colt had gone from grade five to grade one last year, which was enough for Blaze to watch out for him despite his results for this year not being quite so amazing. Next there was the only filly of the field, Fleet Majesty. The newly grade two Stride of Perfection filly was having a good season, but had only run in one HOTY race so far. It had resulted in a win, but maybe she wasn't quite ready for this level of competition just yet, seeing as it had been a grade three race. Next was another Stride of Perfection horse, four year old Ode to Glory. He was beginning to pick up in performance, and was looking more and more like the two year old who had dead heated in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Turf with Blue. Just more physically mature, of course. Then lastly there was GS Supercharged, the Admiral's Revenge colt who was also gaining momentum. He was not as good on turf though, and had only raced on dirt so far this year. All in all, the field looked like it could challenge, but Blue was far and away the favourite.
Passionate Flyer had only two other horses to contend with in the Little Miss Innocent Memorial Stakes. Funnily enough, they were both former Star Thoroughbreds horses that Sarah had been reluctant to sell, but had to because there hadn't been enough riders for their number of horses then. Since Chris had started riding for them, life had gotten easier and they'd been able to take back some of the horses they'd sold. Calamity Queen and Royal Assassin had both gone to excellent homes though - Calamity Queen back to her breeder Witch Creek Stables, and Royal Assassin to Stride of Perfection Stables. Both horses had come along in leaps and bounds, and were both on the verge of grade one. They would be tough competition for Prince.
Time to gallop. Blue Me Away sprung forward to take the lead by half his body length, while Prince switched to gallop more gracefully, not revealing the masses of power hidden in his hind. That would be released when it was time. They headed into the turn of their four furlong blowout, holding their positions. Prince began to inch forward. Within moments, his nose was equal with Blue's neck. Then they were both going flat out, and for a few long seconds it looked like no one was going to get in front. But then Blue put on another burst of speed, effectively edging ahead of Prince as they flashed by the finish. Prince also burst forward, but it was too late. He roared passed Blue as the other colt slowed up, but he knew he had lost again. Sarah patted him, a smile crossing her face. If Prince could take on Blue like that, he was better than he thought he was. He just needed to run like that in the race, and he would suddenly be on top.