living up to his name?

[Snowflake]

I took a deep breath as I settled in the tiny exercise saddle, trying to clear my head. I couldn't believe how much press Glory was getting - he hadn't even raced yet! It was that unbelieveable. It seemed they wanted the fourth baby out of Bank On Silver to take the track by storm just as his older siblings had. Except for Lusitania, who had suffered an injury in a workout and had been layed off for three months, Silver's offspring had amazing careers so far. Most recently, Impressario by Merry Bay King from Stride Of Perfection Stables had won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile, and Euphoria, Lustiania's twin sister by True Enough, who we owned ourselves, had won the Breeder's Cup Distaff. So yeah. Glory had alot to live up to. It had been that way for all three of his siblings, but they had now risen to the challenge beautifully, and were living up to their names. It was worse for Glory, since he had even more to live up to with his half sister and half brother's sucesses.

I urged the colt into a trot, warming him up on the outside of the turf. We were going to breeze four furlongs in preparation for his first race on saturday, which was said to be against the top colts in the country - but who knew, really, until they had first raced? Glory trotted happily, minding me perfectly. He had fire in his belly, like all of Silver's babies, but he used it only when I said. His stride was long and smooth, easy to sit to and just as good as his canter. I turned him through some easy figure eights and circles, just as I always did to warm him up, gradually getting him to increase his speed until he broke into canter. Good boy. I praised, petting his silky grey neck.

We repeated the same exercises at canter, then when we were both ready we broke into gallop. Four furlongs just a slow gallop to work out his non existent kinks, then we would really get down and work. Glory's ears were pricked in interest as always. There was never a dull moment with Glory; he was always a bright colt looking for some fun and entertainment. Fortunately, racing was his game and his fun was to win - or at least, that's the way it was in the mock races we'd had here at GHS. But I guess we wouldn't really know what to expect from Glory until he ran his first race. And not really until he'd run about five.

The four furlongs were nearly over now; I hunkered down and urged the eager colt faster, grinning at his immediate response. He lengthened his stride and increased his speed dramatically, flattening his ears now against the flowing wind. I stayed perfectly in sync with him, giving him a little extra rein as he needed. He wasn't running full out yet, he had more left to give when it was asked for. I knew this from past experience - Glory didn't really give it everything unless he had an opponent. But he gave enough to impress.

Come on boy! I urged, and felt a slight increase in his pace. That's it, come on! I encouraged, kneading my fists on his neck and withers. He responded properly this time, pouring it on. we flashed by the finish, with me triumphant and Glory glorious.
I praised him for his efforts by petting his now sweat dampened neck with a big grin and a few words. That was great, Glory! We had a great chance of doing well, if not winning Glory's first race..

finished