make history

WAR CRY AND BORN TO IMPRESS WORK FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY*

The morning was dawning at 4.30am at The Wire track. The pair of thoroughbreds followed their handlers as they walked briskly down to the dirt track. Even in the dim morning light, one could see the sparkle in each horse's eye. They were War Cry and Born To Impress, three year old filly and colt. Their riders, Marissa and Sarah Star, waited for them at the track. There were few others working at this time - many were just waking up as the deep blue morning sky took on an orange tinge on the horizon. There were no photographers yet, either. But by the time their workout was drawing to a close, the media would be out in force.

For the first time in a long time, Star Thoroughbreds had a filly they thought could actually make history and become the first filly Triple Crown Champion. She had run incredibly well this season, losing just once in eight starts. Her record stood at 20-11-9-0 overall, and she had been raced carefully to ensure she remained sound and healthy. Xena had her critics, of course. There were a few people knocking her back in racing news simply because she was a filly. But she was proving them wrong every time she raced, and proving her supporters right. Girl power! The Kentucky Derby was the first jewel in the crown they needed to win. Not many fillies had won it as the race was largely dominated by colts. With a lot of talent and a bit of luck though, it could be Xena's.

Also for the first time in a long time, Star Thoroughbreds had two of their top dirt three year olds entered in the Derby. Originally, Born To Impress had been the big hope for the Crown, but now the three races were being used as his preparatory races for the Canadian Triple Crown, which would run on this very track in June Week 4, July Week 2 and August Week 1. Maybe, just maybe, the talented colt would be the first Champion of the Canadian version of the Triple Crown.