soldier on
Sept 1, 2014 21:13:04 GMT 10
Post by Snowflake on Sept 1, 2014 21:13:04 GMT 10
LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER WORKS FOR THE EL SO DEL MAR MEMORIAL
DYSPHORIA WORKS FOR THE DELAWARE HANDICAP
With upcoming big races this weekend, Lusitania's Soldier and Dysphoria were paired together for their final workouts. The pair were both well bred, up and comers who just needed a little luck to get them back on track. Lusitania's Soldier was having a bad run of luck, but hopefully that would change very soon. He hadn't won since April, and before that he had taken a few tries to get his first and only win of the season. His rider Marissa was determined to get the five year old stallion to grade one status before his retirement next year. It was September now, giving them four months left of racing. But Marissa didn't only want Soldier to reach grade one, she wanted him to reach beyond. She wanted twenty wins from him, but that was eight wins away and meant he'd probably have to win every race from now until the end of the season, which seemed unattainable despite Soldier's untapped potential.
Dypshoria, on the other hand, had had a great start to the season before an injury forced her to take time off. She'd had two races back now and both had resulted in third place. The filly had come out of both races well and now she was possibly going for a third run in a row. She was entered in The Delaware Handicap, but they didn't want to push her too hard so soon after coming back from her injury, so there was no certainty that she would run. Basically, that decision would be made the night before the race. Stella personally hoped she'd be scratched - being the filly's rider, she knew her pretty well and was quite sure the four year old wasn't up to strenuous racing yet. Especially since the race in question was eleven furlongs, after a ten furlong race last week.
Pressing on into canter, the two thoroughbreds were held neck and neck. Neither were inclined to pace set anyway - Soldier was a closer and Dee liked to run behind the leaders. Relaxing into the rocking horse canter, Marissa began to consider the competition for the race. It was the El Sol Del Mar Memorial Stakes, a ten furlong dirt race for grade fours and over. Being a Horse of the Year Selection race, it had of course attracted tough competition, even though there were only three other entrants. Eternal Phantom was the big name, with former stablemate Akumabuelle and Blue Cross Estates colt Predator also entered.
Predator was four years old, and grade two with a record of 37-11-14-4. Marissa knew nothing of his bloodlines or racing results, but the numbers of his record alone indicated he could be a threat. Akumabuelle was of course well known to Marissa. She had been a sad, reluctant but unfortunately necessary sale. With a record of 28-7-10-6, it was undeniable the well bred four year old filly had talent hidden away. Marissa just hoped her new home could bring it out of her. Finally there was the favourite - Eternal Phantom. The Stride of Perfection mare was Soldier's age, and had been crowned Horse of The Year as a three year old. Now her record stood at 61-30-23-6, and it was clear that she somewhat outclassed the field. In saying that, however, one of Soldier's relatives GS Supercharged had beaten her a few weeks ago, so there was hope for Soldier.
Dysphoria's race was full of stiff competition. There was Italian Ice, Nightshade, Wish Upon A Star and a new up and comer, Maliah. Italian Ice was four years old, winner of the Canadian Triple Crown, sired by HOF Impressario and foaled by G1 mare Cute Italian. With a record of 44-20-14-5, Icee was easily the most accomplished horse of the field and would be the biggest threat. Next was another Stride Of Perfection horse, another four year old mare named Wish Upon A Star. She'd caught everyone's attention last week when she won the Pegasus Stakes, a prestigious turf race. Sired by Everyday Hero and out of Warm Wishes and with a record of 39-15-8-6, she was also a major contender.
From Ivory Storms Stables came Maliah, a three year old filly just beginning to really rise through the ranks. While Stella knew nothing of the thoroughbred's breeding, she knew that Maliah had seven wins this season, most recently in the Autumn Cup Grade Three Dirt. She could be a wild card, so if Dysphoria raced Stella would keep an eye on her as much as the others. Finally there was Nightshade, from Intrepid Racing. Always a threat, Nightshade had a record of 48-17-19-7. All in all, the field was a tough one and Stella seriously didn't want Dysphoria straining herself running a third week in a row. She was sure the decision would be made to scratch the filly, and wait for another race at least a week later.
Now it was time to gallop, and the two horses sprung into action. Soldier allowed Dee to take the lead, hanging back slightly in true closer style. After the first furlong of their four furlong gallop, the pair settled into a medium pace, and headed towards the turn ready to pick up speed at any moment. As the stretch straightened out in front of them, Dysphoria and Stella burst forward, hoping to hold Lusitania's Soldier and Marissa off by surprising them with early speed. At first, it worked, and Dysphoria pulled ahead by about two and a half lengths before Soldier kicked into gear. Marissa drove him on and the stallion responded, showing what he was really made of by not only catching the four year old filly, but passing her and winning by a half length. Stella knew it - Dee was a little tired. Marissa grinned, happy for the confidence boost for Soldier. Dysphoria would be scratched, but Soldier would be going for gold.
DYSPHORIA WORKS FOR THE DELAWARE HANDICAP
With upcoming big races this weekend, Lusitania's Soldier and Dysphoria were paired together for their final workouts. The pair were both well bred, up and comers who just needed a little luck to get them back on track. Lusitania's Soldier was having a bad run of luck, but hopefully that would change very soon. He hadn't won since April, and before that he had taken a few tries to get his first and only win of the season. His rider Marissa was determined to get the five year old stallion to grade one status before his retirement next year. It was September now, giving them four months left of racing. But Marissa didn't only want Soldier to reach grade one, she wanted him to reach beyond. She wanted twenty wins from him, but that was eight wins away and meant he'd probably have to win every race from now until the end of the season, which seemed unattainable despite Soldier's untapped potential.
Dypshoria, on the other hand, had had a great start to the season before an injury forced her to take time off. She'd had two races back now and both had resulted in third place. The filly had come out of both races well and now she was possibly going for a third run in a row. She was entered in The Delaware Handicap, but they didn't want to push her too hard so soon after coming back from her injury, so there was no certainty that she would run. Basically, that decision would be made the night before the race. Stella personally hoped she'd be scratched - being the filly's rider, she knew her pretty well and was quite sure the four year old wasn't up to strenuous racing yet. Especially since the race in question was eleven furlongs, after a ten furlong race last week.
Pressing on into canter, the two thoroughbreds were held neck and neck. Neither were inclined to pace set anyway - Soldier was a closer and Dee liked to run behind the leaders. Relaxing into the rocking horse canter, Marissa began to consider the competition for the race. It was the El Sol Del Mar Memorial Stakes, a ten furlong dirt race for grade fours and over. Being a Horse of the Year Selection race, it had of course attracted tough competition, even though there were only three other entrants. Eternal Phantom was the big name, with former stablemate Akumabuelle and Blue Cross Estates colt Predator also entered.
Predator was four years old, and grade two with a record of 37-11-14-4. Marissa knew nothing of his bloodlines or racing results, but the numbers of his record alone indicated he could be a threat. Akumabuelle was of course well known to Marissa. She had been a sad, reluctant but unfortunately necessary sale. With a record of 28-7-10-6, it was undeniable the well bred four year old filly had talent hidden away. Marissa just hoped her new home could bring it out of her. Finally there was the favourite - Eternal Phantom. The Stride of Perfection mare was Soldier's age, and had been crowned Horse of The Year as a three year old. Now her record stood at 61-30-23-6, and it was clear that she somewhat outclassed the field. In saying that, however, one of Soldier's relatives GS Supercharged had beaten her a few weeks ago, so there was hope for Soldier.
Dysphoria's race was full of stiff competition. There was Italian Ice, Nightshade, Wish Upon A Star and a new up and comer, Maliah. Italian Ice was four years old, winner of the Canadian Triple Crown, sired by HOF Impressario and foaled by G1 mare Cute Italian. With a record of 44-20-14-5, Icee was easily the most accomplished horse of the field and would be the biggest threat. Next was another Stride Of Perfection horse, another four year old mare named Wish Upon A Star. She'd caught everyone's attention last week when she won the Pegasus Stakes, a prestigious turf race. Sired by Everyday Hero and out of Warm Wishes and with a record of 39-15-8-6, she was also a major contender.
From Ivory Storms Stables came Maliah, a three year old filly just beginning to really rise through the ranks. While Stella knew nothing of the thoroughbred's breeding, she knew that Maliah had seven wins this season, most recently in the Autumn Cup Grade Three Dirt. She could be a wild card, so if Dysphoria raced Stella would keep an eye on her as much as the others. Finally there was Nightshade, from Intrepid Racing. Always a threat, Nightshade had a record of 48-17-19-7. All in all, the field was a tough one and Stella seriously didn't want Dysphoria straining herself running a third week in a row. She was sure the decision would be made to scratch the filly, and wait for another race at least a week later.
Now it was time to gallop, and the two horses sprung into action. Soldier allowed Dee to take the lead, hanging back slightly in true closer style. After the first furlong of their four furlong gallop, the pair settled into a medium pace, and headed towards the turn ready to pick up speed at any moment. As the stretch straightened out in front of them, Dysphoria and Stella burst forward, hoping to hold Lusitania's Soldier and Marissa off by surprising them with early speed. At first, it worked, and Dysphoria pulled ahead by about two and a half lengths before Soldier kicked into gear. Marissa drove him on and the stallion responded, showing what he was really made of by not only catching the four year old filly, but passing her and winning by a half length. Stella knew it - Dee was a little tired. Marissa grinned, happy for the confidence boost for Soldier. Dysphoria would be scratched, but Soldier would be going for gold.