warrior's revenge

EUPHORIA'S WARRIOR WORKS FOR THE BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE
AFTER DUSK AND SWEETNESS UNLIMITED WORK FOR THE BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE SPRINT


Hello sweet boy. Sarah greeted Warrior affectionately, rubbing his neck before she was legged into the saddle. Olivia and Stella also mounted up, and they started their warm up on the dirt track, side by side on the outer edge to avoid fast workers.

After Dusk and Sweetness Unlimited were entered in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Sprint. It was a race for two year olds only, G5+, over five furlongs on dirt. Last year was the first year it had run, and their stablemate Seraphim had won it. This year, the two fillies were in a field of five. Lynara's Kingdom had drawn gate one. She was grade four, with four wins in twelve starts and one place. She had won her last two races and therefore would definitely be one to watch out for.

Wannabe Hero would start from gate two. The colt was grade five, with a record of 11-2-3-2. He could possibly contend. Royal Assassin was the last of their competition. Bred by Star Thoroughbreds, he was born to win. His record was 18-4-4-6, and he would be a real threat. Sweetness Unlimited probably wouldn't pose a threat at all. She was running mainly for the experience, especially because there were so few entries. She was a good filly, so hopefully she'd run well.

After Dusk was one with a good chance of winning. Her record was currently 11-4-2-3, and she'd won the Magic Millions Fillies Dirt Sprint and the Eagle Cup, both major races for two year olds. Royal Assassin and Wannabe Hero were both frontrunners, so Stella hoped the pair would burn out before the stretch. Lynara's Kingdom on the otherhand had a variable style. Stella guessed she would most likely run in a closer position, since After Dusk and Sweetness Unlimited were both preceders.

Euphoria's Warrior was running in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, and he
certainly had a battle ahead of him. The only horse that he hadn't faced before was Apollo Bear, who had raced just three times for a win, place and show. Sarah wasn't sure what the other colt was capable of so she couldn't count him out. Instant Success was to start from gate two. The chestnut colt had been in the headlines all year, and for good reason. He was a good racehorse, and it showed. His record was currently 16-6-4-2.

Lucky Silver was another horse bred by Star Thoroughbreds. The Mr Lucky x Palisades Silver colt had earned himself a record of 12-1-4-4 and could be in contention. Forbidden to Fly had drawn gate two. The Flying Colours sired colt had a record of 14-5-2-4 and was the winner of the Just A Trot Futurity. He was definitely one to watch out for. Eternal Phantom was the last entry and Sarah wondered why she hadn't been entered in Juvenile Fillies, where there was less competition and no colts. Her record was great, at 11-4-6-0. She was another one who could steal the win.

Euphoria's Warrior himself was another great young colt, with a record of 14-6-2-4. He'd most recently won the Gallop To The Gallows Stakes, against most of the horses here. In saying that, most of the horses had beaten and been beaten by one another. They were so equal, there was no telling really which of them was the best. This was the race that would decide that.

Apollo Bear was a front runner, or preceder. Instant Success was a closer. Lucky Silver was a closer. Forbidden To Fly was a closer, and his stablemate Eternal Phantom was also a closer, or she could pace set. Warrior was also a closer. The field was full of closers, which made it a little difficult to predict how the race would be run. Would Eternal Phantom take the lead, or opt to close? Would Apollo Bear take the lead, or allow someone else? would any of the closers move into preceder and mid pack positions?

The four furlong pole was ahead, and the three riders prepared to gallop. As the pole flashed by, the horses burst forward on cue. As they had agreed, they stayed neck and neck as best they could. They thundered towards the turn, with Sweetness Unlimited on the inside, After Dusk in the middle and Warrior on the outside. They'd made it this way to help Sweetness gain confidence. Warrior and Dusk lost a bit of ground on the turn, and as Sweetness made her move and bounded ahead, the pair had to make up the ground, and fast.

Both dug in, and began to gain on their friend, nose to nose, all the way to the finish. Sweetness managed to hold on, and won by a nose. Yes! Olivia exclaimed, grinning. Maybe they had a shot of placing in the top three afterall..They were ready for the Breeder's Cup.