June Week 1
Bringing Home The Belmont
Fifty in Front and Taylor Jordan
*Belmont Stakes Workout*
*Belmont Stakes Workout*
It was just a little over a week until the running of the Belmont Stakes. Taylor was up early, ready to start her day. It was a humid morning. She made her way to the barn just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. She would be taking new resident Fifty in Front for his first workout on Sugarhill's dirt track. He was being prepped for the Belmont Stakes. She had a feeling he would have a very good chance of winning. He certainly had the experience. He recently came here from Valkyrie Stables. He was a ravishing racehorse for them. Taylor knew he had a huge chance for it.
Taylor went into the tack room, real quick. She checked the current entries for June Week one at Green Horse Fields. The only other entrant in the Belmont, so far, was In Front, an upcoming champion 3 year old colt for Witch Creek Stable. In Front was a forever foe of Finn's. They had run against each other many times. He would be fair competition for Finn. Taylor knew Finn would prevail. He was a magnificent colt. He has already shown that he could run with horses of this caliber. He had missed out on the Derby and the Preakness. The Belmont was his chance to really show everyone what he was made of. He had three wins, so far, this season. He had a really good record.
Taylor went to the stall of the big chestnut colt. He gazed at her through the stall bars. "Hey boy. Are you ready to run?" She asked. He snorted in response. She entered his stall with a grooming kit. She brushed him to perfection, removing the dust from his golden copper coat. He was an incredible colt, Taylor had to admit. She couldn't wait to get him out to the track. He was well relaxed at the moment, but the relaxation would subside when he would make his way to the track.
Once tacked, Taylor mounted and rode Finn out to the dirt track. The colt was really calm. He danced sideways. Excitement was building inside him. Once he saw that open oval ahead, he gave a little buck and let out a whinny of happiness. He had only been off the track for a few weeks. He was well rested and in amazingly excellent shape. He was ready for anything. He was more than ready for the big race. He had it in him to bring home the Belmont.
Once his hooves hit the dirt, he bowed his neck and trotted elegantly along the outside rail. He was bulky for a Thoroughbred. He was well built with muscle and power. When he arrived, the stable hands joked around saying he looked fat. He wasn't fat, just built spectacularly well. Taylor patted his shoulder. Then, she gave him some more rein. He responded instantly. His stride was very fluid, not choppy like some horses. He was a beautiful mover. He would be well respected around the barn. He was already getting ahead of himself. He knew he would reach champion status. Maybe even horse of the year. They would have to wait and see.
Taylor finally got him into a brisk gallop. This boy knew how to run. He edged himself in towards the rail. One mile was how far they were going. He would be running the full dirt course. This is what he lived for. He stayed settled at the rail, setting a blazing pace. Taylor held on for the ride, not giving him too much rein. It wouldn't matter to him though. He was filled with hot energy. He could run a two mile race if you let him. He was ready for the Belmont. He had the bring it on attitude.
They came around the first turn. Finn was still flying. He pushed into the backstretch. His pace was still fast, much quicker than others. He was setting a blazing speed. Taylor just let him go. She let him run the way he wanted to. They were coming to the final turn. He was ready for it. Once they came into the top of the stretch, he switched into his right lead without ease and lengthened his stride. He was pushing himself eagerly to the finish. He still had plenty of strength and energy left once they passed the wire. It was one of the fastest miles anybody had seen.
Taylor went into the tack room, real quick. She checked the current entries for June Week one at Green Horse Fields. The only other entrant in the Belmont, so far, was In Front, an upcoming champion 3 year old colt for Witch Creek Stable. In Front was a forever foe of Finn's. They had run against each other many times. He would be fair competition for Finn. Taylor knew Finn would prevail. He was a magnificent colt. He has already shown that he could run with horses of this caliber. He had missed out on the Derby and the Preakness. The Belmont was his chance to really show everyone what he was made of. He had three wins, so far, this season. He had a really good record.
Taylor went to the stall of the big chestnut colt. He gazed at her through the stall bars. "Hey boy. Are you ready to run?" She asked. He snorted in response. She entered his stall with a grooming kit. She brushed him to perfection, removing the dust from his golden copper coat. He was an incredible colt, Taylor had to admit. She couldn't wait to get him out to the track. He was well relaxed at the moment, but the relaxation would subside when he would make his way to the track.
Once tacked, Taylor mounted and rode Finn out to the dirt track. The colt was really calm. He danced sideways. Excitement was building inside him. Once he saw that open oval ahead, he gave a little buck and let out a whinny of happiness. He had only been off the track for a few weeks. He was well rested and in amazingly excellent shape. He was ready for anything. He was more than ready for the big race. He had it in him to bring home the Belmont.
Once his hooves hit the dirt, he bowed his neck and trotted elegantly along the outside rail. He was bulky for a Thoroughbred. He was well built with muscle and power. When he arrived, the stable hands joked around saying he looked fat. He wasn't fat, just built spectacularly well. Taylor patted his shoulder. Then, she gave him some more rein. He responded instantly. His stride was very fluid, not choppy like some horses. He was a beautiful mover. He would be well respected around the barn. He was already getting ahead of himself. He knew he would reach champion status. Maybe even horse of the year. They would have to wait and see.
Taylor finally got him into a brisk gallop. This boy knew how to run. He edged himself in towards the rail. One mile was how far they were going. He would be running the full dirt course. This is what he lived for. He stayed settled at the rail, setting a blazing pace. Taylor held on for the ride, not giving him too much rein. It wouldn't matter to him though. He was filled with hot energy. He could run a two mile race if you let him. He was ready for the Belmont. He had the bring it on attitude.
They came around the first turn. Finn was still flying. He pushed into the backstretch. His pace was still fast, much quicker than others. He was setting a blazing speed. Taylor just let him go. She let him run the way he wanted to. They were coming to the final turn. He was ready for it. Once they came into the top of the stretch, he switched into his right lead without ease and lengthened his stride. He was pushing himself eagerly to the finish. He still had plenty of strength and energy left once they passed the wire. It was one of the fastest miles anybody had seen.
Let The Boy Run
Baciami and Raven Stone
The colt was fierce and fiery. Raven was the only one who could handle him. Ami stood his ground. He waited gallantly impatiently for his rider's instructions. Raven sat quietly. She was teasing him. She wanted him to get all worked up before they started their workout. Ami couldn't handle it anymore. He needed to get out onto the track. He yanked at the bit and let out a whinny. "Alright, let's go", Raven said.
Ami was a great addition to Sugarhill. He was an incredible colt. His last race he ended up second in the Horseshoe Futurity. Taylor was hoping to race him soon. He needed a good stretch of the legs. He was starting to show similar qualities to his sister, Italian Ice. Taylor was thrilled to have him. He was young and still had a lot of maturing to do. He would grow into himself. He was a big, strong colt. It wouldn't be long till he had another win under his belt.
Raven trotted him out onto the Dirt track. Here was a Triple Crown contender for Y15. He was a graceful mover. His stride was long and intimidating. Raven held him up. Soon she had him up to a steady gallop. His strides just flourished. He was a strong front runner. He had amazing early speed and always had some energy saved for the stretch run. He didn't like to lose. He just couldn't handle the sight of another horse on his flank.
He pushed out from his hindquarters and he shot off like a cannon. Raven sat high and mighty in the saddle. She had given the colt all the rein he needed. They flashed around the first turn. His head was high, nostrils flared. He ran like a king. They flew down the backstretch like there was nothing in sight. Ami was incredible, Raven could sense this. He was quite powerful for such a young horse. He had a lot of potential to fly up the rankings at Green Horse Fields and The Wire.
They dashed around the final turn. Ami still didn't let up. He only pushed harder. He never broke a sweat as they thundered down the straight away. Raven flashed the whip, but it wasn't needed. Ami was already gaining incredible speed. This was a champion in the making. She just let the boy run. He did run. He ran perfectly. He ran his heart out. He still had plenty of stamina as they reached the wire. It was one of the best runs done by any 2 year old. Baciami would be a star before they knew it.
Ami was a great addition to Sugarhill. He was an incredible colt. His last race he ended up second in the Horseshoe Futurity. Taylor was hoping to race him soon. He needed a good stretch of the legs. He was starting to show similar qualities to his sister, Italian Ice. Taylor was thrilled to have him. He was young and still had a lot of maturing to do. He would grow into himself. He was a big, strong colt. It wouldn't be long till he had another win under his belt.
Raven trotted him out onto the Dirt track. Here was a Triple Crown contender for Y15. He was a graceful mover. His stride was long and intimidating. Raven held him up. Soon she had him up to a steady gallop. His strides just flourished. He was a strong front runner. He had amazing early speed and always had some energy saved for the stretch run. He didn't like to lose. He just couldn't handle the sight of another horse on his flank.
He pushed out from his hindquarters and he shot off like a cannon. Raven sat high and mighty in the saddle. She had given the colt all the rein he needed. They flashed around the first turn. His head was high, nostrils flared. He ran like a king. They flew down the backstretch like there was nothing in sight. Ami was incredible, Raven could sense this. He was quite powerful for such a young horse. He had a lot of potential to fly up the rankings at Green Horse Fields and The Wire.
They dashed around the final turn. Ami still didn't let up. He only pushed harder. He never broke a sweat as they thundered down the straight away. Raven flashed the whip, but it wasn't needed. Ami was already gaining incredible speed. This was a champion in the making. She just let the boy run. He did run. He ran perfectly. He ran his heart out. He still had plenty of stamina as they reached the wire. It was one of the best runs done by any 2 year old. Baciami would be a star before they knew it.
We Are Seeing Stars
Miss Josephine and Taylor Jordan
Stalking the Stars and Raven Stone
Stalking the Stars and Raven Stone
Taylor and Raven rode the two three year old fillies out onto the turf track. Both of them were close to becoming grade four racehorses. Josey had built a strong bond with Taylor. The two were inseparable. Taylor was getting ready to place her into a race. The bay filly didn't care too much for her competition. Sassy wasn't either. Both fillies constantly attempted to nip at one another. Taylor and Raven had to keep a gap between them.
Raven kept Sassy on the rail. That is where the black filly loved to be. She seemed to mellow out a little bit, now that her taller contender was away from her. She was lucidly comfortable. She was a small and slender filly. She wasn't big and bulky like some others. Josey was slender, too, but she was more built like a colt with good muscle. Both fillies were show stoppers. They were eye catchers. Many eyes glued to them. They knew they were the stuff.
Once the fillies started to gallop, Sassy took a swift lead on the rail. They were only going seven furlongs. It would be a nice sprint for these milers. Josey didn't hold up. She let Sassy know she was there and that she would be some tough competition for her. Sassy held the lead as they rushed into the turn. Raven ran her hands up the black filly's neck, feeling her weaken just a bit. Once Josey sensed her competition was slowly easing up, she took her chance. She gained on the smaller filly.
Sassy's ears danced back and forth. She obeyed Raven's cues, but the sound and feel of a horse so close to her just startled her. Her head flashed up a little, causing her to rear a little bit while running. Josey and Taylor dashed right by them. Raven got the filly out of her daydream and urged her on. Sassy still had plenty left, but Josey was pulling away. The filly was absolutely unstoppable. She pulled away, five lengths ahead, as they shot down the stretch.
Once they passed the wire, Taylor eased her up. Raven wasn't too far behind with Sassy. The filly was still out of shape from her recent race. It was time for her to have a deserving rest. Raven patted her on the rump. "You're just too tired girl. You ran great, though." She said. Taylor joined her and they walked the fillies around the track. Josey was still full of energy. She pranced along beside Sassy. It didn't bother either of them. They had their little dual. They were only getting used to each other.
Raven kept Sassy on the rail. That is where the black filly loved to be. She seemed to mellow out a little bit, now that her taller contender was away from her. She was lucidly comfortable. She was a small and slender filly. She wasn't big and bulky like some others. Josey was slender, too, but she was more built like a colt with good muscle. Both fillies were show stoppers. They were eye catchers. Many eyes glued to them. They knew they were the stuff.
Once the fillies started to gallop, Sassy took a swift lead on the rail. They were only going seven furlongs. It would be a nice sprint for these milers. Josey didn't hold up. She let Sassy know she was there and that she would be some tough competition for her. Sassy held the lead as they rushed into the turn. Raven ran her hands up the black filly's neck, feeling her weaken just a bit. Once Josey sensed her competition was slowly easing up, she took her chance. She gained on the smaller filly.
Sassy's ears danced back and forth. She obeyed Raven's cues, but the sound and feel of a horse so close to her just startled her. Her head flashed up a little, causing her to rear a little bit while running. Josey and Taylor dashed right by them. Raven got the filly out of her daydream and urged her on. Sassy still had plenty left, but Josey was pulling away. The filly was absolutely unstoppable. She pulled away, five lengths ahead, as they shot down the stretch.
Once they passed the wire, Taylor eased her up. Raven wasn't too far behind with Sassy. The filly was still out of shape from her recent race. It was time for her to have a deserving rest. Raven patted her on the rump. "You're just too tired girl. You ran great, though." She said. Taylor joined her and they walked the fillies around the track. Josey was still full of energy. She pranced along beside Sassy. It didn't bother either of them. They had their little dual. They were only getting used to each other.
Royal Unicorn Therapy
Royal Assassin and Raven Stone
The Unicorn and Kelly Maccabee
Radiation Therapy and Taylor Jordan
The Unicorn and Kelly Maccabee
Radiation Therapy and Taylor Jordan
Kelly was the first one out on the track riding The Unicorn. Uni was fresh off of a 4th place finish in the Summer Cup Grade Four Turf. The dirt track was different for him. He would've had a chance of winning if he had an up to date workout. Kelly enjoyed riding the young stallion. He was a huge horse with a fierce heart. He was extremely hot-headed. Kelly didn't mind. She felt thrilled to ride him. She would choose to ride him over any of the other horses. They would retire him at the end of the season. Taylor felt he would do great in the breeding shed. Kelly reached down and stroked his shoulder as she walked him along. It wasn't long until she heard some approaching hooves,
Taylor approached them aboard Radiation Therapy. She recently claimed him from Nature Blue Stables. He was a fantastic addition to the farm. He was younger and less experienced. She had hoped to get him into the Triple Crown, but that was too late. Maybe the Belmont Stakes? No, she thought. He wasn't experienced enough to go against those horses. Besides, he was still Grade Five as many of Sugarhill's racers were. Taylor was done taking in stock. It would either be breeding stock or forget it. Duke was feeling good under her. His muscles rippled under his shiny dark bay coat. He held his head high and sniffed the air. She trotted him up to Uni's side. The black stallion glanced at them and let out a snort.
A high whinny was heard from the barns. Here came Raven and Royal Assassin. Prince was prancing wildly. He was more than ready to get out onto the track. Once he saw the other two horses, his business attitude came out and he wanted to explode. Raven stood in the stirrups, holding him back. He bucked and reared. He wanted to get them. He settled soon after. He had a crazy mind. Raven could only smile and run her fingers through his silky black mane. He settled next to Duke. The young colt nickered a welcome to him. He nickered back in a friendly manner, but deep inside the fighter was ready to come out. He was the only sprinter and going against these two milers. He would show them just who was boss.
Once the girls got the boys up to a canter, their attitudes started to change. This was business, now. Not play time. Duke wanted to edge ahead of the two older horses. Once they reached the five furlong mark, the three horses just thundered forward at full gallop, Duke kept the lead and Taylor pointed him to the rail. He took his place there. The turn was fast approaching. Prince was right on the outside of him. Uni stayed behind the leaders, but he was still creeping the entire way around the full turn.
Down the stretch they came. Duke was still full of energy. He didn't let up, but the other horses were more experienced. Prince dashed ahead of him, trying to tire him out before Uni made his move. Taylor pulled Duke back a little, afraid he would clip heels with the bay stallion. Prince edged ahead, but his lead wouldn't last long. Uni was waiting for this. Kelly had her hands full. Once she let him go, he was past Duke in about a half a second. He was full of strength and speed.
Uni was gaining on Prince. Prince tried to hold on but Uni caught him by a nose right at the wire. The three girls were laughing when they pulled the horses up. Raven turned back to Taylor. "Why did you hold Duke up? He could've won that." Taylor smiled and patted Duke on the neck. "I just saw us clipping heels. That's all. I know he could've gotten up front. It was my fault, but I was just looking out for him." Kelly and Uni ended up beside Taylor and Duke. Raven and Prince were just ahead of them. "This is a mega stallion. You may want to reconsider retiring him next year." Taylor smiled in response. "If he ran that good, I'm sure he will go up a couple grades before the season is done. If I don't retire him at the end of the year, I will mid season next year."
With that, the girls cooled the horses out. It was a good run for all three of them. Taylor was relieved to have her workouts done for the week. She was ready to get horses entered into races.
Taylor approached them aboard Radiation Therapy. She recently claimed him from Nature Blue Stables. He was a fantastic addition to the farm. He was younger and less experienced. She had hoped to get him into the Triple Crown, but that was too late. Maybe the Belmont Stakes? No, she thought. He wasn't experienced enough to go against those horses. Besides, he was still Grade Five as many of Sugarhill's racers were. Taylor was done taking in stock. It would either be breeding stock or forget it. Duke was feeling good under her. His muscles rippled under his shiny dark bay coat. He held his head high and sniffed the air. She trotted him up to Uni's side. The black stallion glanced at them and let out a snort.
A high whinny was heard from the barns. Here came Raven and Royal Assassin. Prince was prancing wildly. He was more than ready to get out onto the track. Once he saw the other two horses, his business attitude came out and he wanted to explode. Raven stood in the stirrups, holding him back. He bucked and reared. He wanted to get them. He settled soon after. He had a crazy mind. Raven could only smile and run her fingers through his silky black mane. He settled next to Duke. The young colt nickered a welcome to him. He nickered back in a friendly manner, but deep inside the fighter was ready to come out. He was the only sprinter and going against these two milers. He would show them just who was boss.
Once the girls got the boys up to a canter, their attitudes started to change. This was business, now. Not play time. Duke wanted to edge ahead of the two older horses. Once they reached the five furlong mark, the three horses just thundered forward at full gallop, Duke kept the lead and Taylor pointed him to the rail. He took his place there. The turn was fast approaching. Prince was right on the outside of him. Uni stayed behind the leaders, but he was still creeping the entire way around the full turn.
Down the stretch they came. Duke was still full of energy. He didn't let up, but the other horses were more experienced. Prince dashed ahead of him, trying to tire him out before Uni made his move. Taylor pulled Duke back a little, afraid he would clip heels with the bay stallion. Prince edged ahead, but his lead wouldn't last long. Uni was waiting for this. Kelly had her hands full. Once she let him go, he was past Duke in about a half a second. He was full of strength and speed.
Uni was gaining on Prince. Prince tried to hold on but Uni caught him by a nose right at the wire. The three girls were laughing when they pulled the horses up. Raven turned back to Taylor. "Why did you hold Duke up? He could've won that." Taylor smiled and patted Duke on the neck. "I just saw us clipping heels. That's all. I know he could've gotten up front. It was my fault, but I was just looking out for him." Kelly and Uni ended up beside Taylor and Duke. Raven and Prince were just ahead of them. "This is a mega stallion. You may want to reconsider retiring him next year." Taylor smiled in response. "If he ran that good, I'm sure he will go up a couple grades before the season is done. If I don't retire him at the end of the year, I will mid season next year."
With that, the girls cooled the horses out. It was a good run for all three of them. Taylor was relieved to have her workouts done for the week. She was ready to get horses entered into races.
True Determination
Wild Determination and Andrew Carpenter
Destiny towered over many of the horses at Sugarhill. Her bloodlines were rare, She was pretty much an outsider when she came to the farm. Taylor was told that she was used to better younger horses. She was forced to lose in dual workouts. It caused a great deal of pain to her. She once had a love of racing. It was up to Taylor to help her gain that love back.
Taylor lead Destiny and new rider Andrew to the turf track. The dapple-gray mare was so sweet It was hard to believe anybody could be so cruel to such an innocent horse. Taylor had a feeling the mare wouldn't be a maiden for long. She knew this girl would have a killer winning streak. Andrew was quiet, as he usually was. He never really said anything to anybody. He was a sweet person, though. He was easy to get along with. He still needed some time to get used to everything. This would be his first ride aboard one of Sugarhill's horses.
Once on the track, Andrew started Destiny out at a jog. The mare looked stunning out on the track. She was afraid to get back out, remembering the past and how she was treated. Taylor stood at the rail. It would just be a four furlong breeze. It was something to get the mare on her feet. She felt it was all she needed to get ready for a race. Andrew and the beautiful mare jogged by her. "Let her go!" She called out to the young rider. He gave a nod.
To the inside rail they went, cantering now. Andrew clucked to her and she shot off. She thundered around the turn, hugging the rail tightly. She was a rail horse. It was where she felt comfortable. It was where she always was. Used to having a horse pass her, she started to slow coming into the stretch. Andrew coaxed her on. He let her know it was okay to go on faster. It took her a little to understand, but once she understood all of her energy came out into a blazing speed.
The pair just flew down the straight away. This is what Destiny was born to do. This is what she was bred to do. She flew down that track. Nothing could stop her. She passed the finish with a quick time. Taylor was mightily impressed. Here was another future star for her. Destiny showed true determination.
Taylor lead Destiny and new rider Andrew to the turf track. The dapple-gray mare was so sweet It was hard to believe anybody could be so cruel to such an innocent horse. Taylor had a feeling the mare wouldn't be a maiden for long. She knew this girl would have a killer winning streak. Andrew was quiet, as he usually was. He never really said anything to anybody. He was a sweet person, though. He was easy to get along with. He still needed some time to get used to everything. This would be his first ride aboard one of Sugarhill's horses.
Once on the track, Andrew started Destiny out at a jog. The mare looked stunning out on the track. She was afraid to get back out, remembering the past and how she was treated. Taylor stood at the rail. It would just be a four furlong breeze. It was something to get the mare on her feet. She felt it was all she needed to get ready for a race. Andrew and the beautiful mare jogged by her. "Let her go!" She called out to the young rider. He gave a nod.
To the inside rail they went, cantering now. Andrew clucked to her and she shot off. She thundered around the turn, hugging the rail tightly. She was a rail horse. It was where she felt comfortable. It was where she always was. Used to having a horse pass her, she started to slow coming into the stretch. Andrew coaxed her on. He let her know it was okay to go on faster. It took her a little to understand, but once she understood all of her energy came out into a blazing speed.
The pair just flew down the straight away. This is what Destiny was born to do. This is what she was bred to do. She flew down that track. Nothing could stop her. She passed the finish with a quick time. Taylor was mightily impressed. Here was another future star for her. Destiny showed true determination.