the way to fame

EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR THE GALLOP TO THE GALLOWS STAKES*

So, the decision had been made. Warrior would run in the Gallop To The Gallows Stakes. It meant he was up against some of the best dirt two year olds - namely Paradise Island and Forbidden To Fly. After Dusk could have run in this race, too, but the filly had come out of the Just A Trot Futurity lame, and would most likely be sitting out until Breeder's Cup week. Stella was pretty upset about it. The filly had almost fallen shortly after breaking from the gate, but had pulled herself together and run on strongly. By the time the stretch came around though, the filly couldn't get up the speed and when she slowed down after the finish, was noticeably limping. Stella blamed herself.

Sarah focused on Warrior. He played up, like always when they were home. Dancing, prancing, shaking his head.. But at least he moved forward. She drove him on with her legs, holding the reins firmly so that he continued at the pace she wanted, without moving into canter. The track was clear, for now - Warrior was first to work this morning, but she knew Marissa would be out shortly with Lusitania's Soldier. The other colt was practically Warrior's twin. Unfortunately he'd sustained an injury earlier in the year and had barely raced.

On into canter. Sarah thought about the race. It would mean a lot if Warrior won. The colt was her new pride and joy, now that Born To Soar and Bank On Greatness were nearly out of the picture. She loved Euphorion dearly, but Warrior's older brother wasn't performing as well as she'd hoped the Merry Bay King colt would. He was the first horse in Green Horse Fields to have a pedigree with four HOF horses in it. Warrior's neck arched proudly as he cantered. His stride contained a little bounce and she could hear his tail flick now and then.