Spooky, Acid Rain, Cold Hard Cash
Nov 27, 2010 20:59:57 GMT -5
Post by Swede on Nov 27, 2010 20:59:57 GMT -5
Name: Spooky
Age: 3 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
Color: Grey (black base)
Eye color: Black
Gender: Female
Markings: n/a
Race record: 0-2-0:6
LE: $23,577
Spooky was born on a small farm in Delaware, and was auctioned off as a yearling to a British enthusiast. The new owner placed her in the care of a known East Coast trainer, where she began her work in preparation for the track. In her first start as a two year old, she gave a mediocre performance, ending up in the middle of the pack. Her next start was better, a solid second; this was followed by a couple more unimpressive finishes. She almost won once- the other horse nosed her out at the line. But the owner thought it was a good result anyway. Then she finished dead last in pouring rain. The trainer was not very hopeful and suggest selling her, but the owner decided to bring her overseas. He was confident that a change of scenery, some time to mature, and a fresh trainer would bring her into top gear. And if not, her bloodlines were rare enough back home to make her an interesting broodmare prospect. Soon after arrival, Spooky began preparation for her three year old season. Of course, that all changed when the horses were set loose...
Name: Acid Rain
Age: 5 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 15.3 hh
Color: Bay
Eye color:Chocolate brown
Gender: Female
Markings: n/a
Race record: 2-5-8:49
LE: £32,814
Unspectacular bloodlines. Unspectacular results. That was what Acid Rain was. Her owner had bought the cheapest yearling at the auction, as he couldn't afford any better; then he sent her into training, praying for a miracle.
To her credit, Acid Rain tried, at least during the first few races. She managed third in her first start, and was pushed into a win in her second. Trainer and owner were both pleasantly surprised, and bumped her up into a G3 stakes race. Acid was woefully outclassed, and struggled across the finish line in last place. After that, it was a good run if she made back the entry fee. Occasionally she would surprise everyone with a second or third placing, and these were the only reason she didn't vanish from the track as so many other racehorses did. (Plus the owner was quite a sentimental sort, and very fond of his mare). The trainer began pushing her harder, racing her more and more often, deciding that if she couldn't win big money, she could at least win lots of little money. And suddenly, late in her fourth year, she won again- a cheap claimer where the second horse turned up lame and the third was disqualified- but it was a win, nonetheless. Owner and trainer were ecstatic: what if she had finally hit her stride? They never found out. The next race was her last; three lengths out of the gate and she was pulled up, limping on her right foreleg.
Her bowed tendon stood a fair chance of healing, but she would never be fit to race again, and though her owner toyed with the idea of breeding her, the trainer recommended avoiding that route. Perhaps it is a lucky thing that she was set loose- what might have happened otherwise?
Name: Cold Hard Cash
Age: 2 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
Color: Black
Eye color: Brown
Gender: Male
Markings: Blaze, hind socks
Cash had quite a nice pedigree, and the owners were excited for his first start. Then the activists showed up, and Cash, always eager to run, sprinted for freedom. So much for racing.
Age: 3 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
Color: Grey (black base)
Eye color: Black
Gender: Female
Markings: n/a
Race record: 0-2-0:6
LE: $23,577
Spooky was born on a small farm in Delaware, and was auctioned off as a yearling to a British enthusiast. The new owner placed her in the care of a known East Coast trainer, where she began her work in preparation for the track. In her first start as a two year old, she gave a mediocre performance, ending up in the middle of the pack. Her next start was better, a solid second; this was followed by a couple more unimpressive finishes. She almost won once- the other horse nosed her out at the line. But the owner thought it was a good result anyway. Then she finished dead last in pouring rain. The trainer was not very hopeful and suggest selling her, but the owner decided to bring her overseas. He was confident that a change of scenery, some time to mature, and a fresh trainer would bring her into top gear. And if not, her bloodlines were rare enough back home to make her an interesting broodmare prospect. Soon after arrival, Spooky began preparation for her three year old season. Of course, that all changed when the horses were set loose...
Name: Acid Rain
Age: 5 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 15.3 hh
Color: Bay
Eye color:Chocolate brown
Gender: Female
Markings: n/a
Race record: 2-5-8:49
LE: £32,814
Unspectacular bloodlines. Unspectacular results. That was what Acid Rain was. Her owner had bought the cheapest yearling at the auction, as he couldn't afford any better; then he sent her into training, praying for a miracle.
To her credit, Acid Rain tried, at least during the first few races. She managed third in her first start, and was pushed into a win in her second. Trainer and owner were both pleasantly surprised, and bumped her up into a G3 stakes race. Acid was woefully outclassed, and struggled across the finish line in last place. After that, it was a good run if she made back the entry fee. Occasionally she would surprise everyone with a second or third placing, and these were the only reason she didn't vanish from the track as so many other racehorses did. (Plus the owner was quite a sentimental sort, and very fond of his mare). The trainer began pushing her harder, racing her more and more often, deciding that if she couldn't win big money, she could at least win lots of little money. And suddenly, late in her fourth year, she won again- a cheap claimer where the second horse turned up lame and the third was disqualified- but it was a win, nonetheless. Owner and trainer were ecstatic: what if she had finally hit her stride? They never found out. The next race was her last; three lengths out of the gate and she was pulled up, limping on her right foreleg.
Her bowed tendon stood a fair chance of healing, but she would never be fit to race again, and though her owner toyed with the idea of breeding her, the trainer recommended avoiding that route. Perhaps it is a lucky thing that she was set loose- what might have happened otherwise?
Name: Cold Hard Cash
Age: 2 years
Breed: Thoroughbred
Height: 16.2 hh
Color: Black
Eye color: Brown
Gender: Male
Markings: Blaze, hind socks
Cash had quite a nice pedigree, and the owners were excited for his first start. Then the activists showed up, and Cash, always eager to run, sprinted for freedom. So much for racing.
