a daring desire

AKUMABUELLE AND LUSITANIA'S SOLDIER WORK FOR THE VALORIZZARE DERBY

The two thoroughbreds were sired by the same stallion, and it was evident in their appearance and attitudes. With the exact same shade of bay colouring their coats, the two shone even in the dim morning light. It was a chilly morning with a blizzard forecast for later, and both horses wore exercise sheets. Warming up together, they began to trot on the dirt track. Marissa turned Lustiania's Soldier through a few figure eights to get the colt's complete attention, and then Sarah did the same up ahead with Akumabuelle. It was more to wait for her sister than to get the filly's attention.

The pair were today preparing for the Valorizzare Derby, which was the second leg in the lead up to the Risorgimento Cup. Akumabuelle was the only grade four in the field, but she was well prepared for the race. She'd placed second in two of the Triple Tiara preps and had won her last two races, and she had been racing well in other big races as well. With the confidence of coming off two wins, Ella would be ready to put in another top performance in this race. The competitors would probably disregard her, despite her record this year and breeding, just because she was currently a lower grade.

Lusitania's Soldier had also been racing well this year, blooming later in his career as his dam had. He had won nearly half of his starts this year and had also run in a few big races. After taking nearly two months off to train hard, the four year old stallion had placed second in the Autumn Cup and was ready to win his next race. He had some important races ahead of him for the rest of the year and was even being considered for a run in the Breeder's Cup Marathon if he did well over the next couple of months.

Moving on into canter, each rider silently considered the race they were preparing for and the competition they had to face in their bid to win it. Following the late scratching of Intrepid Racing's entry, Arachne, there was just two fillies to beat. They were Sweet Inferno from Stride Of Perfection Stables, and Indian Darling from Witch Creek Stables. Sweet Inferno had put herself on the radar when she won the Belmont Stakes back in June. She had a record of 35-8-15-8 and had come fourth in her most recent start, winning the start before that. Indian Darling had raced very consistently this year, and had most recently placed second in August Week Four. The Witch Creek filly's record stood at 19-7-8-2.

With each race position filled in the four horse field, Sweet Inferno would lead, Akumabuelle would follow closely behind, Indian Darling would take mid pack, and Lusitania's Soldier would bring up the rear. Sarah would be sure to keep Ella right on Sweet Inferno's heels until the final furlongs, to ensure the front runner did not get too far ahead. Marissa would have to time Soldier's close just right, but she had faith that the young stallion would come through for her anyway, and do his utmost to win the race. He was certainly beginning to bloom and so was Ella, and the ten furlong Valorizzare Derby was the perfect race for either horse to make their breakout win in.

Right on cue, the thoroughbreds burst into gallop. Staying nose to nose, they made their way at a reasonable pace towards the turn. Their riders stayed low over their withers, sights set between their ears. The horses entered the turn and leaned into it to avoid slowing down. Akumabuelle had the inside, but Soldier didn't lose any ground. They passed the three furlong pole by and the turn began to end. With the two furlong pole in view, the riders prepared to send their mounts flying. The horses anticipated the released, and began to really tug on the bit in their excitement.

Go! Sarah encouraged Ella as they came up to the two furlong marker. Marissa didn't release Soldier immediately, allowing the Akuma Battlecry filly to find her stride first. The young stallion fought for his head in frustration, but Marissa wanted some space between the two horses so Soldier could demonstrate his closing power. Ella pulled a length ahead, then two. With one and a half furlongs to go, Marissa released Soldier. He hauled his body into gear, stretching it as far as it would go with powerful, massive strides. Already they were closing on Ella. Sarah glanced over her shoulder, wondering where their competition was, and turned back quickly to urge the filly on more.

As Soldier drew level with her, Ella really turned on the speed and neither horse gained any ground over the other. They sprinted for the finish, glaring at one another with ears pinned against their skulls. When they flashed by the finish, neither horse had won. They expressed their frustration vocally in snorts as they slowed off reluctantly. They were daring each other to another race. Without a shadow of doubt, the Valorizzare Derby would be a tough race but they were ready for it.