impressive
Jul 30, 2014 21:44:53 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Jul 30, 2014 21:44:53 GMT 10
LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER WORKS FOR THE IMPRESSARIO MEMORIAL STAKES WITH BORN TO IMRPESS
Soldier was five years old and still hadn't managed to claim the all important grade one status. He was a single win away, but had been since April. With over fifty races under his girth, twenty one of them had resulted in second and a further nine were third places. With twelve wins, Soldier was so close Marissa could almost taste the victory. But each time he raced, Soldier seemed to lose heart at the last moment, allowing whoever he was neck and neck with to win. It was incredibly frustrating, to say the least. It was possible he had peaked last year, but Marissa wasn't going to let the stallion retire until he reached grade one. It was in his blood.
Born To Impress and Sarah worked with them today. The four year old colt had been lightly raced this year, but the second half of the season would bring more opportunities for him. Together they began with a brisk trot on the dirt, with Impress acting like a complete showoff as always, even though there wasn't really anyone watching. Soldier pretty much ignored him, but Marissa knew if Impress annoyed him enough, Soldier would lash out, so she ensured he kept his distance.
The Impressario Memorial Stakes was named after Impress' phenomenal sire, and Soldier was also related to him. He was kind of an uncle. The race was twelve furlongs on dirt, and had attracted three other entrants, all fillies. They would be tough to beat, but Marissa decided to ignore that fact and just concentrate on riding her stallion to the best of her ability. Then the rest was up to Soldier, and whether he wanted to win or not.
Moving on into canter, Sarah thought about Born To Impress. He'd only run in seven races so far this season, so an average of a race a month. From September onwards though, he'd be running in two or three races a month. Sarah's goal for the colt was at least 25 wins, but hopefully he'd surpass that. He currently had sixteen wins. Impress would probably head for the Breeder's Cup Classic again after running third last year, but nothing was set in stone. This year's three year old dirt division was tough, and Impress needed to run the rest of his season strongly before the Breeder's Cup. He'd be meeting the three year olds in races soon now that the three year old only races were done.
Finally it was time to gallop, and the two stallions set off at a fast pace, held neck and neck by their riders. After rounding the turn, the pair accelerated hard into the stretch. Lusitania's Soldier pulled ahead of Impress momentarily, but the Impressario colt fought back to level with him, and then pass him. Marissa drove Soldier on, but for a few moments the stallion didn't respond. This is what he was like in races. The end was near, and Marissa brought down the crop hard on Soldier's rump. The stallion finally listened and put on an impressive burst of speed, enough to draw level with his four year old competitor again by the finish. Marissa was almost satisfied. Maybe, just maybe, there was real hope for Soldier yet.
Soldier was five years old and still hadn't managed to claim the all important grade one status. He was a single win away, but had been since April. With over fifty races under his girth, twenty one of them had resulted in second and a further nine were third places. With twelve wins, Soldier was so close Marissa could almost taste the victory. But each time he raced, Soldier seemed to lose heart at the last moment, allowing whoever he was neck and neck with to win. It was incredibly frustrating, to say the least. It was possible he had peaked last year, but Marissa wasn't going to let the stallion retire until he reached grade one. It was in his blood.
Born To Impress and Sarah worked with them today. The four year old colt had been lightly raced this year, but the second half of the season would bring more opportunities for him. Together they began with a brisk trot on the dirt, with Impress acting like a complete showoff as always, even though there wasn't really anyone watching. Soldier pretty much ignored him, but Marissa knew if Impress annoyed him enough, Soldier would lash out, so she ensured he kept his distance.
The Impressario Memorial Stakes was named after Impress' phenomenal sire, and Soldier was also related to him. He was kind of an uncle. The race was twelve furlongs on dirt, and had attracted three other entrants, all fillies. They would be tough to beat, but Marissa decided to ignore that fact and just concentrate on riding her stallion to the best of her ability. Then the rest was up to Soldier, and whether he wanted to win or not.
Moving on into canter, Sarah thought about Born To Impress. He'd only run in seven races so far this season, so an average of a race a month. From September onwards though, he'd be running in two or three races a month. Sarah's goal for the colt was at least 25 wins, but hopefully he'd surpass that. He currently had sixteen wins. Impress would probably head for the Breeder's Cup Classic again after running third last year, but nothing was set in stone. This year's three year old dirt division was tough, and Impress needed to run the rest of his season strongly before the Breeder's Cup. He'd be meeting the three year olds in races soon now that the three year old only races were done.
Finally it was time to gallop, and the two stallions set off at a fast pace, held neck and neck by their riders. After rounding the turn, the pair accelerated hard into the stretch. Lusitania's Soldier pulled ahead of Impress momentarily, but the Impressario colt fought back to level with him, and then pass him. Marissa drove Soldier on, but for a few moments the stallion didn't respond. This is what he was like in races. The end was near, and Marissa brought down the crop hard on Soldier's rump. The stallion finally listened and put on an impressive burst of speed, enough to draw level with his four year old competitor again by the finish. Marissa was almost satisfied. Maybe, just maybe, there was real hope for Soldier yet.