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Post by Cavallo on Jul 23, 2012 20:20:27 GMT -5
Cosmic Warfare and Nicholas Landing - Prepping for Nov. Week 2 Turf Maiden - 9F
Nick smiled as he rode atop the three year old colt. Cosmic Warfare had entered the racing season lat this year and was still running as a Maiden. It was a bit frustrating to see this BC Turf Winner prodigy suffering so. They needed this win. They were looked at as underdogs...he knew, but maybe that could play to their advantage. Cosmic was the freshest horse on the turf here and that also would play to their advantage.
It had been a good month since this colt's last race and he was was well rested, trained and hungry for the upcoming running. Nick smiled, he would need it. As of now there were two other horses in Cos' field, WannaDo Voodoo, and Royal Cadenza. Both were horses that Cos had bested in his last race, but Nick knew in a field this small anything could happen and they would prepare for as many situations as possible. Voodoo was a two year old with seven starts and no places, but that gave this horse more "racing" experience. Nick looked thoughtful as he asked the colt to up his pace to a light canter, as he felt his mount waiting for him to warm-up and loosen up. Experience did play a role out on the track, but it wasn't everything. Royal Cadenza was another 3 year old maiden like Cos and seemed to be just as fresh, that could be a huge challenge.
Nick flicked through what he had read about the competitors. Both horses were mid-pack runners. Cadenza was at the peak of her distance and Voodoo matched Cos' 8-11 furlong distance. This would be a close race.
Nick felt that Cos was ready and he let Nick know as he arched his boa eager to be off and asking for more of his head. Easy boy. Let's head to the gates.
The dynamic duo made their way over to the gates and Cos tossed his head, wild with excitement and eagerness. Gracefully, they slowed their canter to a walk and eased themselves right in. Cosmic Warfare was a versatile runner. Usually he preferred to close. He liked to run the back and gradually up his pace till he bulldozed the competition in a final challenge, but then he also didn't have any issue's taking the lead and running with it. In an odd sense he relished defending his lead from other horses. Nick sat thoughtful as he jockeyed into position.
Alright boy...both of these horses like to run mid-pack. Voodoo doesn't break fast which means we'll probably be the leaders of this race...unless another entry comes....So let's break hard and fast. Cadenza is at the peak of her distance..if the pace is a little faster, she should tire more and be easier to fend off in the final stretch.
Nick thought hard about how to handle Voodoo. The two year old filly would most likely challenge from the outside in the final stretch.
The key to this race would be calculated moderation. Cos was an intelligent horse, it really was one of his best attributes and he knew that this upcoming race would be a challenge, he also knew to follow Nick's ques..
The pace for this race had to start off fast, but not too fast that they couldn't fend off the 2yo's challenge...and they shouldn't write Cadenza off... This was their strategy, but come race day Nick and Cos knew they would do all that was within their power to secure that win...they had come so close in the last race...placing second to another underdog horse...well maybe this race belonged to this underdog. Nick prayed that it did.
Cos stood, body still and anticipating. Alright boy...5 furlong blow-out...
The gates flung wide and Cos broke true and fast as his legs churned below. He quickly found his stride at a pace that was moderately fast, but not strenuous. Good boy. They held the pace for 2 furlongs, before Nick pulled Cos back. (come race day the audience would probably think Cos was already tuckered at the 4th furlong, but boy would they be in for a surprise!) With three furlongs left in the blow-out, Nick felt his mount and smiled He was just warming up.
The final furlong was in sight and Nick gave the colt his full head and Cos knew exactly what to do. He turned the speed on and surged forward, his motion carrying him like a tidal wave about to crash and smite the competition. They flung by their mock finish and Nick gradually slowed the colt down and had Cos start cooling down at a light canter.
This race was any horse's race, but deep down Nick hoped it was theirs for the taking.
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