PEOPLE: Kirsten Jade & Melanie Mackenzie
PLACE: Green Horse Fields Track
Posted on December 2 2012
They never expected this. The beginning of the year had been bad for ARS, especially with their three year old stock. They had had no chance in the prestigious Triple Crown and Triple Tiara. Apollo Bear had been their best bet but then he started losing. Kirsten had her hopes on the Night Stalker daughter, Midnight Thriller but she had a slow start. Now she was slowly climbing the ranks into becoming one of the top three year old fillies. She would never come close to being the caliber of Paradise Island or Eternal Phantom but at least she was getting out there and winning.
The biggest surprise perhaps this year had been the increasing talent of their other three year old filly, Silver Secret. Kirsten had had big hopes for the filly as a yearling but then never really raced as a two year old. She had started off this year as a maiden three year old with nearly no experience and no chance for the classic races. Then after her sixth time out she finally won one. Soon she started improving and started winning some small races here and there. Kirsten was impressed. Sissy was improving each day and she had a feeling she would be quite the four year old. She didn't dare voice those thoughts out loud though. No point in jinxing it.
The gray filly was moving under the careful riding of her sister, Melanie Mackenzie. Kirsten smiled as she watched her. She will be running in the Red Stakes this weekend. It will be her first race on the GHF track since she started winning. Kirsten had not found the filly ready to move back onto this track against tough competition... until now. She will be running against some great horses such as Italian Ice, Predator, and Mercurial Magic. It will be tough for her but she needs to be given the chance.
Speaking of chances... she looked over to watch Midnight Thriller get warmed up. Chantal Leblanc was on her at the moment but soon it will be Kirsten. Chantal sometimes warmed up her mounts so that Kirsten is able to watch the horse's movements for signs of lameness. Midtee was looking great like usual, her black coat glistening under the rising sun. It was time for Kirsten to ride the amazing filly. Boy did she ever love her Night Stalker babies.
She gestured for Chantal to ride her over. Once she was on the back of the filly she turned her towards the rail and gestured for Melanie to bring Sissy over. Midtee threw her head up and eyeballed the gray filly. Sissy shifted to the outside. Sissy hated Midtee. She was scared of her. Midtee bobbed her head, proud of herself. "You big bully. Behave yourself." Midtee snorted and moved into a smooth gallop on the rail. Sissy followed behind them.
Midnight Thriller will be racing in the huge CLIMAX CUP this weekend. They were mostly just hoping for a good show. There was no way she would be getting better than third. Kirsten sighed. She felt bad putting Midtee in a race that she knew she would lose but if she wanted Midtee to be seen as top competition she really had no choice. The filly has been working super hard this last couple of months. She deserved a chance to run against the very best. And the very best happened to be her twin sister: Eternal Phantom. There was also the winner of the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, Instant Success, in this race. Really... Midtee had no chance.
Kirsten sighed and focused on the upcoming pole. Midtee may not have a chance at winning but she was going to try her best. She was going to give it her all. She was going to fight. She was going to RUN.