natural pegasus

WILDLY NATURAL AND AMBER BLACK

TURA'S WORKOUT FOR THE PEGASUS STAKES

The stable had removed the actual steeplechase jumps from the old steeplechase course a long time ago. Now, it was just a two mile long turf track used for maintenance or endurance training of the turf horses. Even so, it was rarely used, so when Amber stepped onto the turf track aboard Wildly Natural it was with an air of refreshing familiarity, as though greeting something familiar that she had not seen for a long time. Beneath her, Tura danced in place, eager to be off, yet Amber held her in. The tough turf races were coming up, and the competition was fierce; Tura had been racing and working hard, often with stablemate Sillenia. However, Sillenia had been given this week off to recover from the Dubai Filly Cup and prepare for the Dubai World Cup next week. Thus, it was only Tura entered in the highly prestigious Pegasus Stakes. This race was one of the key jewels on the calendar for turf racing. A win here would prove their dominance.

Tura was having nothing less than a successful season of course, but they needed to win more if they were to stand a chance in the Breeders Cup Turf and a shot at the Best Turf Horse award, among other laurels. They were facing two other horses, both talented, in the Pegasus, and Amber wanted a win badly. Tura had most recently finished second in the Melbourne Cup, a race that usually eluded the SOPS team. It had been won by Executioner's Apprentice, the hugely talented three year old turf colt who they were facing once again in the Pegasus Stakes for another show down. The new addition was Indian Delight of Star Thoroughbreds, a four year old with the capability to surprise and who was also well rested. He was a front runner, and App was a preceder. Tura was a closer. The race being ten furlongs, Tura would have plenty of time to catch up to those speedy front runners, and Amber intended to take advantage of every furlong.

The black mare made a beautiful image as they trotted and then cantered across the turf. Each stride was more like a loping bound, free and easy, effortless. She was the picture of perfection, the epitome of what SOPS strove to have in their horses. Why else would they be called Stride of Perfection? Tura had the perfect stride they looked for and bred for. This was her fifth and final season of racing and they were going out with a bang. Amber would even go so far as to call this the mare's most successful season yet, and that was a hard call to make considering how successful the mare truly was. Numerous wins were to her name, and she had even won over thirty races in her lifetime. Now they just had to uphold the standard and prove that they were the top dogs.

After some light cantering, it was time to gallop. Amber let the mare out slowly, and the mare instantly focused and gobbled up the rein and any speed it let her have. She moved forward fast, accelerating beautifully, but found further acceleration blocked by Amber's firm hands. She didn't want them to go much faster. This was going to be an easy workout. She didn't want to overwork Tura when they were so close to getting what they deserved and desired. So they rocked along, and two furlongs passed in this easy going manner. Sensing that she wasn't going to be asked to go faster any time soon, Tura had shifted her focus to the world around her and was hardly paying attention to Amber. The only time when she was truly focused for an entire run was during a race.

After a half mile, Amber let Tura out a little bit more, satisfying the mare's secret desire to run a bit faster. Tura played indifference as she accelerated, but Amber felt the mare's joy. She continued to hold her back as they went for another quarter mile for a total of six furlongs in their run. Then Amber pulled the mare up and pat her. They would canter the rest of the two miles to the track exit and then leave. It had been good to work out at this peaceful yet not often used track. Amber made a plan to do that more often, especially with her star mare. Hopefully they would inspire in the Pegasus Stakes this week.