blue blooded

BLUE ME AWAY WORKS FOR THE BREEDER'S STAKES

Losing all the Turf Triple Crown races, the ones he had been bred for, meant that Blue was eligible to run in the only turf race of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeder's Stakes. Of course they hadn't originally planned for Blue to run in the CTC at all, they had planned to take at least two of the three TTC legs. But Bella Luna had proved tough to beat and had become the first Turf Triple Crown Champion. Blue had been right up there with her, placing third in the first leg and second in the second and third legs, so he had only lost by a small margin each time. But there had been enough losing in the last few months, and the colt was filled with a fire, a burning desire to win.

The Breeder's Stakes was twelve furlongs, a distance Blue had recently proved himself capable of. The contenders included Hokum, GS Super Charged, and Italian Ice. Italian Ice had won the first two legs of the series, so she was the one they'd be keeping one eye on at all times. With all but one entrant usually running as a front runner or preceder, the pace would be fast and the field would be breathing down each other's necks. GS Super Charged could be at an advantage, as the only closer.

Blue moved beautifully, strength evident in each stride. He was quiet, taking direction right on cue. They had the track to themselves, so Blue knew he would not be racing today, but he would be in the coming days. Blaze reminisced the times they had won. Most recently they had claimed the Fourstardave Stakes in the third week of June. Before that, he'd been back at Silver Stride Stables, which had closed down after the Kentucky Open where Blue had run third. He'd now been resting for a month since his last two races, where he'd placed second in both. It would be an advantage in the Breeder's Stakes, as all other entrants had raced within the last three weeks. After Blue, Italian Ice had had the most rest. Another reason to watch out for his former stable mate.

Moving on into canter, Blaze could feel the power coursing through Blue with each beat of the thoroughbred's heart, with each thud of a hoof against the green turf. He could feel Blue's determination, see it in the thoroughbred's eyes and ears. The canter was fast, on the verge of gallop speed. They were quickly approaching their gallop marker. Blaze felt momentarily like he had left his body and was watching himself ride this horse. He watched the velvety black coat shine with each ripple of a muscle. He watched the silky black mane whip in the wind. He watched his own hands allow the reins to slip a few inches, and then watched as the colt accelerated.

Blue's stride lengthened, his hooves dug deep. He stretched every part of his body to cover more ground as he picked up speed. As they made the turn, the black thoroughbred leaned in to the rail expertly and held his speed, ready for the big burst. As the stretch straightened out before them, the moment came. Blue accelerated again, this time going right to the top. The final blowout before the big race he so needed to win. He kicked out powerfully and crossed the line triumphantly. The blue blooded colt was ready for the Breeder's Stakes, and he would try valiantly to win it until it was over. It was Blue's time to shine.