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Description
1st Place [$27,000]
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HA-RD Monthly Races April 2017 (Allowance)
Belmont Park, NY, USA | 2 YO | 5 furlongs on turf | $45,000
CP Stryker
2yo TB mare
March 19th // After winning her maiden race, Emily felt certain that Stryker was going to be a successful racer. The pride she felt for the young mare was immense, after all, she had raised her from a weanling. Emily had seen the potential from the start, and with a strong training program and a good jockey, they had made it! The eight and a half furlong race had been close right until the end, where Stryker powered ahead of the bay mare from Skyy Ridge Estates and crossed the finish line in front. Patrick O'Shey was an excellent young rider, and Emily was ecstatic to have brought him on to the Clover Park team. Stryker earned herself a few days of turnout in the paddock to unwind, while Patrick and Emily celebrated with a night out in the city. However, it was now time to get back to work and start prepping for their next race - the Belmont Park allowance. This race was only 5 furlongs, and on turf - and it wasn't restricted to fillies only. They had work to do.
April 1st // A couple of weeks later, Patrick and Stryker were ready. They had been working on running ahead instead of staying, and Emily was pleased with their progress as she watched the pair one morning at the track. She was confident in their ability. When they returned home from their morning workout, Patrick got started on preparing Stryker for the race, which was in two days. He washed her until she shone, scrubbing the grass stains out of her white sock, and the mud from her pasterns. After her bath, she was treated to an hour under the solarium whilst she ate her lunch - this helps to increase circulation, assisting muscles with recovery from intense workouts. Patrick applied oil to her hooves and brushed out her mane and tail, before cleaning her racing tack, and then his racing silks. The next day, Stryker would have a day off from the track, and stay home to have a light workout with Emily, ensuring that she was ready for the race.
April 3rd // Emily and Patrick woke up bright and early at 6am on the day of the race. They had traveled to Belmont Park the night before to save any panicking on the big day, and Stryker had settled into her stable well. The 2YO allowance race was at 10am, so they had some time before they would start to get ready, opting for a light breakfast in the nearby hotel. They talked over their coffees, going over their game plan before heading back to the track to tend to Stryker - who was happily munching on her hay. Patrick got her out of the stall and groomed her, then began to hand walk her to warm up her muscles and joints and allowed her to pick at some grass in the still morning light. After a while Emily took over to let Patrick go get ready, and while she was tacking up, the young mare started to pick up, it was as if she had just realised what was happening. She was a competitive horse, determined and strong. She walked out to the mounting yard with her head held high and with a spring in her step. Patrick mounted up and they made their way to the starting gates at a trot, Stryker was more than ready to go. They loaded into the gates, and there was a brief moment of quiet... "And they're off!"
[586 words]
Entry Form
Horse's Name: Stryker
Reference: link
Age: 2.5 year old
Jockey: Patrick O'Shey
Class: Allowance
referenced: stock 1, belmont park website
do not use without my permission
Clover-Park
Image size
1600x1200px 1.24 MB
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Comments2
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Great shading!