paint a pretty picture

[S u N f r O s T ~]

Another day out on the track for Cobalt, another prep for the Over The Rainbow Stakes. I was desperate for him to do well. He was one win away from grade four status, and after one win many more good things would come and gift him. He needed a boost in his career. At three years old, Positively Precious was nearing the peak of his fitness and would have his boost. I had been working him more than hard in preparation for the three year old debut. He would be facing a challenging field - but every field was challenging to Cobalt. He needed to prove many things before his greatness was recognized.

For today, a four furlong breeze would boost his speed and have it ready. His stamina was exactly where I wanted it to be - I wasn't worried about that. He needed to be up to speed, though. Cobalt had bad stakes experience which could mar his performance, but he had done beautifully once we figured out his running style.

Right now the chestnut was stubbornly pulling on the reins and asking for some speed. I complied, letting him canter rather then trot and doing two full circles to stretch out his muscles before the first turn. I needed him prepped, because at the end of the backstretch I would ask him to begin breezing. A gallop would be established at the middle of the backstretch. I need the young thoroughbred prepped and ready.

To further relax and loosen his muscles as well as to test his agility, I turned him in a full circle right before the turn. He made the circle beautifully, his legs not stretching far as not to lose his balance. His turn to go back to the rail instead took him to the curved fencing of the first turn, which led him along to the backstretch. His pace right now was a good and steady, precisely where I wanted it to be. My hands held high, I let him go into a gallop early. Cobalt warmed up fast.

The first five strides of his gallop were uncomfortable, but then suddenly equal weight - equilibrium - was reached and his pace became a bit bouncy in parts but smooth and powerful at the core. He continued to ask for his way. If any other rider had been up here, they'd have long succumbed - but since I had his trust he would ask and not be too headstrong with me. Having a bond with a horse certainly helped in many situations, as all experienced and even newbie horse riders knew.

The first furlong of the backstretch disappeared behind us. I let his smooth, slow pace take the furlongs away inch by inch. I was in no hurry - yet. I had disappeared after working Radiance into the barns, while Krystal had to go much out some stalls before getting to working Foolish Lad. It would be a long day, prepping so many two year olds, but I was confident that we could achieve greatness with our stock this year. All the horses this year were spanking good, though, which made me work doubly hard. Working was important.....

The middle of the backstretch reached, and I started readying myself. I checked that my heels were down, my reins not too tight and just the right length, my weight evenly distributed, and my hands off his bobbing neck. The muscular chestnut remained relaxed through my preparations, just enjoying his run. The warm air was welcome after the cold winter - not that he had raced in winter. I had been to busy conditioning him to race him. Besides, Breeder's Cup month was a relaxation month to horses not entered. Might as well take advantage of it.

At last, our cue spot was reached. My hands slid away from the rein as I beckoned from him the speed he had just started thinking about showing. His strides lengthened first, swallowing up the earth in his amazingly low body. He did not let me feel discomfort as we went through the turn. In fact, his quiet hoofbeats only increased in tempo as we went along - nothing more. I could hardly notice him accelerating, but as he sprinted into the stretch I knew the crowd would be wowing at the speed spectacle he now showed, which had been absent at two years old.

I felt his body stretch and elongate itself over the ground, trying to take up as much space as possible. The more space, the better the chance at winning that photo finish and going faster. I was exhilarated at this show of speed from the chestnut colt, as always. I had had him when he was a weanling and a yearling, but not for his two year old year - but I still knew the colt well, and the speed he had possessed. Which was even greater now, might I add.

He flashed like lightning under the wire, leaving no marks of his passing on the dirt but carrying a triumphant aura around him. A broad grin broke out on my face as I pulled the thoroughbred up. My low, murmured words were easy for him to hear in his pricked ears. The real champion of this jungle is you.....