People: Kirsten Jade and Charlie Burke Junior
Place: Akita Rose Stables Track
Date: February 10 2013 (January Week One)
it feels like...
we're locked out of heavennn.
Charlie made a quick note on his clipboard and looked back up at the track. The horses at Akita Rose Stables were full of potential but they still needed a lot of work to be top caliber racehorses. He was impressed with the two year old crop of this year though, it seems as though the quality of horses gets better and better around the tracks every year. It will be a very competitive year. The three year olds will need an insane amount of work if they are going to pull off any decent wins and the four + year olds should be in much grade grades than they are. It was no wonder that Kirsten called in a new head trainer.
Kirsten stole a quick glance at Charlie on the rail. This was the first time she had hired a head trainer since Charlie Burke Senior and he had been her mentor. It felt weird to have someone come into her stable and criticize her training and riding when she was the one that built Akita Rose Stables up from the ground to the status it is now. She took and deep breath and concentrated on the young colt beneath her. At least she will now get the chance to ride more - which was her true passion.
The young colt is Coco Cabana, Kirsten's true love of this year's two year old crop. It was the first foal of her precious champion filly Fleet Goddess and he was just as gorgeous as his dam. She still remembered the morning he was born. It was only two years ago after all... He came out all leggy and frail. He took in his surroundings with these big brown eyes, pausing to look at Kirsten before attempting to make it on his feet. Kirsten remembered feeling the awe and love that she felt for the colt. The awe and love was still there and had increased over time. Kirsten was not going to let Coco be just another horse on the track. He was going to be her new Limitless Time (who by the way was his uncle).
They picked up the pace and Coco increased his gait like a typical juvenile, choppy at first but then it eventually evened out. Kirsten finished warming him up and led him to the iron gates. They would be doing a two furlong breeze and finish the mile at an easy gait. Coco will be racing in his first race this weekend and Kirsten wanted to make sure he was prepared. Actually, Charlie wanted to make sure he was prepared. The trainer was stern and extremely competitive, he has always scratched Ali Alakazam from his maiden race this weekend due to being unprepared.
Coco Cabana took in the silent track and followed his commands. He seemed to have a spring in his step, but he always did. He typically moved as though he was dancing. His gaze focused on the activities around him, taking in the action. Kirsten shook her head. She has never, NEVER, met a horse with the intelligence and charisma that Coco Cabana shows.
They moved into the gate fluently. Not a sound was heard. The gate slammed open and Coco lunged out with extreme power in his legs. They moved as a pair, partnered already as though they have been a team forever. Just a shadow over the track, the focus was solely on the galloping duo.
At the end of the mile Kirsten pulled up her horse and filled her lungs with air, not even realizing she had been holding her breath. An amazing experience. Was he ready for competition? Absolutely.