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Description
while not as bad as churchill downs, pimlico is still a pain in the ass

note: results were rerolled after my previous system had a greater than 85% loss rate. story has been updated.

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Horse: MSR Absolut Royalty
Horse Age: 3
Rider: Jillian Hayes
Show: PHE Event | Preakness Stakes
Placed: 1st

Extra Image: Is This The Wild Life?

Story (1909 words)
  The morning of the Preakness was still. A light mist covered the track at daybreak, and the clopping of hooves along with the hushed voices of the backstretch workers rang throughout the air. The media was bustling early, getting glimpses of the horses that would run that day. The hopes for a triple crown were alive once more with the Derby winner moving onto the 2nd leg. Prince still drew attention, but not as he had in the past. Aaron was grateful for it, somewhat. A quieter barn meant he could get his champion colt focused. He had healed nicely, and he was ready for his next challenge. He had shipped to Pimlico shortly after his win in the Derby and had spent the last five days getting a feel for Pimlico's track. His post position was decent enough – #4 �– which would allow him to stay forward-placed. There was only one speed horse to his inside and two others to his outside, so he would need to maneuver like he had to in the Derby. The main difference was that the Derby field had 19 others; this time, it was 7.
  As the day went on, the louder it got. The infield was packed. The music acts and the roars of the crowd could be heard in the barns. The People's Party was in full swing, and would be capped off with Pimlico's feature race, the Preakness. The day was warm and sunny, and the track was rated fast. His odds sat at 6/5, the favourite of the field.

  As he walked around the paddock, there was a level of focus to him that Aaron had never seen before. While he still had his antics, his ears were forward instead of chaotically swivelling. He was pulling Santiago who fought to hold him back at the colt's shoulder. The paddock at Pimlico was much quieter than at Churchill, resembling something more akin to Woodbine, which Prince was more comfortable with having schooled in his early days in the indoor saddling area. Even though a majority of his audience was far from him, he turned his head at the sounds of the snapping camera shutters, his eye unusually kind for race day. Normally, there was an intensity in his look. There was a massive amount of attention on him now, even more than what he'd faced in any of his previous stops. With the bid for a Triple Crown newly renewed for another year, the Derby winner was one of massive attention.

  "A shorter distance will hopefully help him," Aaron said to Jillian as she stood next to him. "Small field shouldn't be much in terms of traffic. Just get him out of the gate – that seems to be our worst enemy with him."
  "Easier said than done," Jillian said with a nod. "This horse has a mind of his own when it comes to the gate."
  "He's not unlike his mother in that regard."
  The rest of the pre-race passed without incident, and he turned his head in every way as he walked out onto the track, racing fans so close to him as he pranced away in every direction before he eventually found solace in his pony.

  The many broadcast crews were previewing the field, and they were giving Prince a big share of the air time. His replay of the Derby was shown over and over again, showing off the bad trip he'd suffered with the tough break.

  "Absolut Royalty currently sits as the top choice in this field. He answered the distance questions and he's clearly a confident horse, training well into the Preakness."
  "The speed hasn't been holding so far today on the track, but we know he likes to sit up close, within a couple lengths of the leader."
  "The main issue for him in the Derby was getting checked hard out of the gate. He has issues in the gate already – that's well-known, and he fought very hard in the Derby. You'll notice that he likes to ride the rail as well – he did so in the Breeders' Cup and in the Derby as well. He'll be breaking from the 4th hole here – there's a possibility he might get the rail but he has the tactical speed to reserve on the outside."

  And so the gate stood before him once more. The kindness that was in his eye faded, and he widened his eyes as the pony horse trotted him behind it. The multiple gate attendants and starters coming over to him, whip in hand, did not settle him. Jillian leaned forward, patting his neck in firm, comforting strokes, trying to ease his wired mind. He let out a sharp blow. He trotted up to the gate before the gate attendants slowed him slightly, wanting to make sure he had as much forward momentum to encourage him forward into the tight quarters. His hooves brushed over the dirt, and it seemed for a moment that he might go in without incident…

  The gasp from the crowd echoed over the grandstand and infield before the announcer could explain.

  "Absolut Royalty reared behind the gate, jockey is off."

  The grey colt trotted away from the gate only to be caught shortly afterwards. Jillian got herself back on her feet , brushing off the orange-brown dirt.
  "Are you okay?" one of the starters asked. Prince had twisted himself awkwardly, unseating Jillian as she lost her balance on him.
  "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, looking up as Prince was walked behind the gate, waiting for her to mount once more.

  From his view in the infield, Aaron shook his head. He knew they were on the clock. A late scratch now would be heartbreaking after everything that Prince had shown him in the days leading up to the race and the heart he'd displayed in the Derby. If only he would just go in peacefully. Jillian had sprung right back up after he'd thrown her, not the first time he'd done so, but the first time he ever had in a race. It had to be this race, one that had millions watching around the world. He's already cemented himself was a head case and his most recent antics would not help him shed that label.

  "Rider is back on Absolut Royalty."

  The starters pushed him toward the gate once more, and he lifted his knees high. Jillian gave him an encouraging tap on the flanks with her boots as he stepped forward, and he tensed under her. She branded for another outburst, but it was only one stutter step before he finally gave in, and the gate clunked shut behind him. His starter climbed up onto the barrier, holding his bridle to get his head straight. Once more, Jillian found herself staring down the stretch, not nearly as overwhelming as Churchill Downs, but intimidating in its own regard. A bid for the Triple Crown was on the line. It was her job to further it.

  "They're all in line."

The Call of the 144th Preakness Stakes
  "They're off in the 144th Preakness Stakes! All got away well, and Timeless Tornado is sent to the early lead from the outside and he'll get it. Capable King is hot on his heels to the inside and these two will take this field by the grandstand for the first time with Timeless Tornado a half length in front. Then it's back a length to All Star Cast who's on the outside of Absolut Royalty running two wide with Until the End on the rail. Hidden Citizen is tucked behind those three and the trailer is King of the Ice.
  "The first quarter is an honest twenty-two and five fifth seconds and it's still Timeless Tornado who now holds the lead by a length. All Star Cast has moved up on the outside to take second by a head over Capable King, and King of the Ice has moved up to challenge and now sits forth. Absolut Royalty is fifth going wide with Until the End on his flank down at the rail. Persevere is reserved second last, then it's Hidden Citizen who's the trailer now as they run along the backstretch but they're all tightly packed as they hit the half.
  "Timeless Tornado continues to lead them along as the half is up in forty-six and twenty seconds. He's still a length clear of the rest of them with All Star Cast the danger on the outside, then King of the Ice who's moved up now to take third by a neck over Capable King who is settling back. Trialing them is Absolut Royalty who is content in fifth with the Derby winner Until the End still sitting on the rail, unhurried in sixth. Persevere follows him, and Hidden Citizen is beginning to drop back as they approach the far turn.
  "Timeless Tornado is still travelling well and has led them the entire way. All Star Cast is fighting along but King of the Ice pressures All star Cast to take 2nd, then it's Capable King and Absolut Royalty on the outside who's starting to move and Until the End is gearing up on the rail as well. Persevere and Hidden Citizen are starting to drop out as they round the far turn with Timeless Tornado's lead shrinking but he'll look to finish them off here as they move into the stretch, but his lead is down to just a half length as About Royalty is charging on the outside, and Absolut Royalty is chasing Capable King who's making up ground with every stride! King of the Ice is done and is also beginning to drop back from 2nd as the closers come after them.
  "They're now into the stretch in the Preakness and Timeless Tornado is dropping back fast! There's a new leader now – Capable King, the longshot, has taken the lead! Absolut Royalty comes after him on the outside and All Star Cast is not doing enough but here's Until the End moving effortlessly up the rail! There's an eighth of a mile to go and Until the End is fighting on but he'll have to catch Capable King and Absolut Royalty who are stride for stride as they fly down the stretch! Absolut Royalty has his nose in front but Capable King refuses to give in! And now here're Until the End on the rail! Absolut Royalty is pushed along now and Absolut Royalty has shaken loose of Capable King! Until the End not doing enough and it's Absolut Royalty by two lengths! Your prince has arrived; Absolut Royalty has won the Preakness!
  "Order of finish is official – number One Absolut Royalty to win by two lengths over Capable King, who was 2nd and held off Until the End who settles for third. Then it's about 4 lengths back to All Star Cast fourth, Timeless Tornado fifth. Persevere, then King of the Ice and Hidden Citizen. The final time was one minute fifty-four and four-one seconds."

  Jillian stood as Prince galloped out, giving him three big slaps on the neck before smoothing his mane down along the crest his neck. A grin was plastered square on her face as she looked up at the grandstand where she knew Aaron and the team were on their way down to the infield. The colt was keeping everyone's hopes alive.

You wanna get competitive
But I stay on top, yeah I call the shots
Get used to it
Nothing's gonna bring me down
Feeling that adrenaline
The rush in my veins
Fuel to the flame, I live for it
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Take Over - Hidden Citizens

Results will likely be on my picarto account in due time. There will be a status post when that occurs.

Actually drew this top to bottom within 2 weeks – began drawing this on Feb 17th or 18th.

Refs used:
- Sketchsage.com (for human)
- No specific refs for horse, looked up a lot of this angle + pose on getty
- multiple refs for grandstand

Description
while not as bad as churchill downs, pimlico is still a pain in the ass

note: results were rerolled after my previous system had a greater than 85% loss rate. story has been updated.

<< Previous || Next >>

Horse: MSR Absolut Royalty
Horse Age: 3
Rider: Jillian Hayes
Show: PHE Event | Preakness Stakes
Placed: 1st

Extra Image: Is This The Wild Life?

Story (1909 words)
  The morning of the Preakness was still. A light mist covered the track at daybreak, and the clopping of hooves along with the hushed voices of the backstretch workers rang throughout the air. The media was bustling early, getting glimpses of the horses that would run that day. The hopes for a triple crown were alive once more with the Derby winner moving onto the 2nd leg. Prince still drew attention, but not as he had in the past. Aaron was grateful for it, somewhat. A quieter barn meant he could get his champion colt focused. He had healed nicely, and he was ready for his next challenge. He had shipped to Pimlico shortly after his win in the Derby and had spent the last five days getting a feel for Pimlico's track. His post position was decent enough – #4 �– which would allow him to stay forward-placed. There was only one speed horse to his inside and two others to his outside, so he would need to maneuver like he had to in the Derby. The main difference was that the Derby field had 19 others; this time, it was 7.
  As the day went on, the louder it got. The infield was packed. The music acts and the roars of the crowd could be heard in the barns. The People's Party was in full swing, and would be capped off with Pimlico's feature race, the Preakness. The day was warm and sunny, and the track was rated fast. His odds sat at 6/5, the favourite of the field.

  As he walked around the paddock, there was a level of focus to him that Aaron had never seen before. While he still had his antics, his ears were forward instead of chaotically swivelling. He was pulling Santiago who fought to hold him back at the colt's shoulder. The paddock at Pimlico was much quieter than at Churchill, resembling something more akin to Woodbine, which Prince was more comfortable with having schooled in his early days in the indoor saddling area. Even though a majority of his audience was far from him, he turned his head at the sounds of the snapping camera shutters, his eye unusually kind for race day. Normally, there was an intensity in his look. There was a massive amount of attention on him now, even more than what he'd faced in any of his previous stops. With the bid for a Triple Crown newly renewed for another year, the Derby winner was one of massive attention.

  "A shorter distance will hopefully help him," Aaron said to Jillian as she stood next to him. "Small field shouldn't be much in terms of traffic. Just get him out of the gate – that seems to be our worst enemy with him."
  "Easier said than done," Jillian said with a nod. "This horse has a mind of his own when it comes to the gate."
  "He's not unlike his mother in that regard."
  The rest of the pre-race passed without incident, and he turned his head in every way as he walked out onto the track, racing fans so close to him as he pranced away in every direction before he eventually found solace in his pony.

  The many broadcast crews were previewing the field, and they were giving Prince a big share of the air time. His replay of the Derby was shown over and over again, showing off the bad trip he'd suffered with the tough break.

  "Absolut Royalty currently sits as the top choice in this field. He answered the distance questions and he's clearly a confident horse, training well into the Preakness."
  "The speed hasn't been holding so far today on the track, but we know he likes to sit up close, within a couple lengths of the leader."
  "The main issue for him in the Derby was getting checked hard out of the gate. He has issues in the gate already – that's well-known, and he fought very hard in the Derby. You'll notice that he likes to ride the rail as well – he did so in the Breeders' Cup and in the Derby as well. He'll be breaking from the 4th hole here – there's a possibility he might get the rail but he has the tactical speed to reserve on the outside."

  And so the gate stood before him once more. The kindness that was in his eye faded, and he widened his eyes as the pony horse trotted him behind it. The multiple gate attendants and starters coming over to him, whip in hand, did not settle him. Jillian leaned forward, patting his neck in firm, comforting strokes, trying to ease his wired mind. He let out a sharp blow. He trotted up to the gate before the gate attendants slowed him slightly, wanting to make sure he had as much forward momentum to encourage him forward into the tight quarters. His hooves brushed over the dirt, and it seemed for a moment that he might go in without incident…

  The gasp from the crowd echoed over the grandstand and infield before the announcer could explain.

  "Absolut Royalty reared behind the gate, jockey is off."

  The grey colt trotted away from the gate only to be caught shortly afterwards. Jillian got herself back on her feet , brushing off the orange-brown dirt.
  "Are you okay?" one of the starters asked. Prince had twisted himself awkwardly, unseating Jillian as she lost her balance on him.
  "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, looking up as Prince was walked behind the gate, waiting for her to mount once more.

  From his view in the infield, Aaron shook his head. He knew they were on the clock. A late scratch now would be heartbreaking after everything that Prince had shown him in the days leading up to the race and the heart he'd displayed in the Derby. If only he would just go in peacefully. Jillian had sprung right back up after he'd thrown her, not the first time he'd done so, but the first time he ever had in a race. It had to be this race, one that had millions watching around the world. He's already cemented himself was a head case and his most recent antics would not help him shed that label.

  "Rider is back on Absolut Royalty."

  The starters pushed him toward the gate once more, and he lifted his knees high. Jillian gave him an encouraging tap on the flanks with her boots as he stepped forward, and he tensed under her. She branded for another outburst, but it was only one stutter step before he finally gave in, and the gate clunked shut behind him. His starter climbed up onto the barrier, holding his bridle to get his head straight. Once more, Jillian found herself staring down the stretch, not nearly as overwhelming as Churchill Downs, but intimidating in its own regard. A bid for the Triple Crown was on the line. It was her job to further it.

  "They're all in line."

The Call of the 144th Preakness Stakes
  "They're off in the 144th Preakness Stakes! All got away well, and Timeless Tornado is sent to the early lead from the outside and he'll get it. Capable King is hot on his heels to the inside and these two will take this field by the grandstand for the first time with Timeless Tornado a half length in front. Then it's back a length to All Star Cast who's on the outside of Absolut Royalty running two wide with Until the End on the rail. Hidden Citizen is tucked behind those three and the trailer is King of the Ice.
  "The first quarter is an honest twenty-two and five fifth seconds and it's still Timeless Tornado who now holds the lead by a length. All Star Cast has moved up on the outside to take second by a head over Capable King, and King of the Ice has moved up to challenge and now sits forth. Absolut Royalty is fifth going wide with Until the End on his flank down at the rail. Persevere is reserved second last, then it's Hidden Citizen who's the trailer now as they run along the backstretch but they're all tightly packed as they hit the half.
  "Timeless Tornado continues to lead them along as the half is up in forty-six and twenty seconds. He's still a length clear of the rest of them with All Star Cast the danger on the outside, then King of the Ice who's moved up now to take third by a neck over Capable King who is settling back. Trialing them is Absolut Royalty who is content in fifth with the Derby winner Until the End still sitting on the rail, unhurried in sixth. Persevere follows him, and Hidden Citizen is beginning to drop back as they approach the far turn.
  "Timeless Tornado is still travelling well and has led them the entire way. All Star Cast is fighting along but King of the Ice pressures All star Cast to take 2nd, then it's Capable King and Absolut Royalty on the outside who's starting to move and Until the End is gearing up on the rail as well. Persevere and Hidden Citizen are starting to drop out as they round the far turn with Timeless Tornado's lead shrinking but he'll look to finish them off here as they move into the stretch, but his lead is down to just a half length as About Royalty is charging on the outside, and Absolut Royalty is chasing Capable King who's making up ground with every stride! King of the Ice is done and is also beginning to drop back from 2nd as the closers come after them.
  "They're now into the stretch in the Preakness and Timeless Tornado is dropping back fast! There's a new leader now – Capable King, the longshot, has taken the lead! Absolut Royalty comes after him on the outside and All Star Cast is not doing enough but here's Until the End moving effortlessly up the rail! There's an eighth of a mile to go and Until the End is fighting on but he'll have to catch Capable King and Absolut Royalty who are stride for stride as they fly down the stretch! Absolut Royalty has his nose in front but Capable King refuses to give in! And now here're Until the End on the rail! Absolut Royalty is pushed along now and Absolut Royalty has shaken loose of Capable King! Until the End not doing enough and it's Absolut Royalty by two lengths! Your prince has arrived; Absolut Royalty has won the Preakness!
  "Order of finish is official – number One Absolut Royalty to win by two lengths over Capable King, who was 2nd and held off Until the End who settles for third. Then it's about 4 lengths back to All Star Cast fourth, Timeless Tornado fifth. Persevere, then King of the Ice and Hidden Citizen. The final time was one minute fifty-four and four-one seconds."

  Jillian stood as Prince galloped out, giving him three big slaps on the neck before smoothing his mane down along the crest his neck. A grin was plastered square on her face as she looked up at the grandstand where she knew Aaron and the team were on their way down to the infield. The colt was keeping everyone's hopes alive.

You wanna get competitive
But I stay on top, yeah I call the shots
Get used to it
Nothing's gonna bring me down
Feeling that adrenaline
The rush in my veins
Fuel to the flame, I live for it
Nothing's gonna stop me now
Take Over - Hidden Citizens

Results will likely be on my picarto account in due time. There will be a status post when that occurs.

Actually drew this top to bottom within 2 weeks – began drawing this on Feb 17th or 18th.

Refs used:
- Sketchsage.com (for human)
- No specific refs for horse, looked up a lot of this angle + pose on getty
- multiple refs for grandstand