Y19 Juvenile WorkoutFeaturing Passionate Whisper & Seattle Harbor The birds were out chirping away in the trees as the two horses stepped onto the track. The black filly was in frisky spirits, prancing about when the riders urged the horses into a canter. The chestnut colt's rider shook his head at the filly's antics and guided the colt forwards. Both horses had high expectations for them. The filly's two half-brothers had done exceedingly well last year, and the team hoped she would do the same. The colt was a full brother to newly-retired grade one winner Seattle Lightning. Saying they had huge shoes to fill would be an understatement.
It would be an easy workout today, nothing too strenuous. Just a chance for the horses to stretch their legs. Although with both horses preferring to go for the lead, neither rider would be surprised if the workout turned into a speed duel. And considering what happened with Whispering Soldier last year in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, they were hoping that it wouldn't. The less speed duels they got their horses into, the better it would be. The riders let the horses gallop once they passed the three furlong pole. The black filly took the lead with the chestnut colt right behind her. Harry fought against the reins as Bradley held him back. If any of the juveniles on the farm needed to learn how to rate themselves, it was Seattle Harbor. Even Knight's Ransom had finally learned to settle down. The black filly put on a burst of speed, eager to get away from her rival, but Harry wasn't having any of it. Bradley let the horse speed up just a bit, enough to catch up to Lilly, but nothing more.
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Y19 Juvenile WorkoutStorm Dancer ridden by Bradley Corette and Fly By Legacy ridden by Scotia Anderson The fog covered the ground lightly, with the sun peeking just above the horizon. The dark bay colt already on the dirt track, tossed his head, clearly displeased at being made to wait. He wanted to run, and he wanted to do it now. Bradley had to keep a tight hold on the reins to keep the colt from bolting forward. Storm Dancer stomped a hoof on the ground, ears pinned back.
"Just a couple more minutes," Bradley told him as he looked around for their workout companion. Out of the fog cantered a second bay colt. His rider pulled him up next to the pair, out of reach of Storm's teeth. Fly By Legacy tossed his head, eager to get on with the running. His rider patted him on the neck. Compared to Storm, Finn was a delight. Nothing seemed to put him in a bad mood, whereas with Storm, every day was a toss-up as to whether they'd get a cooperative one or not. "Be glad you got the easy horse," Bradley told Scotia. "Who said I was complaining?" She replied. "We need another rider since Hailey's out, and both horses need a workout. As long as I'm not on that horse, I'm okay." The pair moved on to the starting gates where George was waiting. Finn easily went into the starting gate, already acting the professional. Storm took a bit longer to get into the gate. After a couple of minutes, he finally decided to stop messing around and loaded into the gate. Once the horses were settled, or standing still for a second, at the very least, George pressed the button, releasing the horses onto the track. Finn surged to the front with Storm right behind him, just off the other colt's flanks. Bradley had to hold Dancer back from going after the other bay, both with his teeth and going for the lead. This was a short workout, but there was no need for either of them to get into a speed duel, not with it being so close to Storm's first race. This was just a tune up. Finn loped easily along the dirt, gliding over it as easily as he did turf. While the team had plans for him to run on mainly turf, it wouldn't hurt him to run on dirt every now and then, just as his dam had. His ears flickered back to listen for Scotia's cues, just in case she told him to go all out. But not yet. The colt wasn't too concerned about the other horse beside him, though he did keep an ear turned back towards him. Storm, tired of running at the speed they were going at, fought for his head. His rider was tempted to keep holding him back, to try and teach him some patience, but he also liked his arms where they were. That lesson could always be taught another time. So he let the dark bay colt have his head. The horse charged forwards, passing the other pair to take the lead by a length. Startled, Scotia let Finn go all out. The two horses charged down the track, nearing the five furlong pole that marked their finish line. Every time one horse would get their nose in front, the other would come up and take the lead. Dancer managed to push forward and get his head in front as they passed the pole. |