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Description
Show form:
Show: 2023 TS Triple Crown
Race: 2023 TS Kentucky Derby (G1)
Post Position Number: #2
Horse: 687 Fade
Jockey: Alex Guerra
Training/Arrival: Fade - Kentucky Derby 2023 - Arrival
Extra(s): Prize donation - 1 fullbody image for 1st place winner (see show journal for more details); advertisement
Featuring: LWC's Baptiste, ridden by Won Eunyoung, owned by LunatoAnime

--

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
You fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance

It's race day! Wooooo!!!

What do you guys think of this background? For some reason I'm not quite as satisfied with it as I am with the background on Fade's arrival image, but I can't quite put my finger on what it might need.
Also, jockeys are so weird to draw for some reason. It took me so many tries to get that pose remotely right.

I did use a photo reference for the background - here
According to Google, the weather for the day of the race this year was mostly cloudy. I did my best to replicate that here.

Barring any unexpected delays, I think I'm still on track to finish all entries and extras on time. Wish me luck!

--
Story:

"Riders up!"

Adrenaline coursed through Alex's veins at the sound of those words. It was almost show time, and he was ready.

Cate held Fade's bridle to keep him in place while Naomi gave him a boost up. Alex was a couple inches taller than the average jockey, so it was the slightest bit easier for him to climb up, but a helping hand never hurt. You try mounting a 16 hand horse from the ground without any help.

Fade could clearly tell that the race was almost upon him, as he pranced in place and huffed loudly. Alex would have to make sure he didn't take off too fast and wear himself out early - Fade liked to run near the front of the pack, but he had to time his final burst of speed just right if he wanted to have a shot at the lead. He settled down a bit once Alex settled into the saddle, and followed the line of racers out onto the track.

Once they reached the track, they were passed off to one of the track ponies and riders, and Cate and Naomi scurried off to get to their seats before the race started. Naomi had said their seats were right above the finish line. He hoped they'd have a good show.

Fade behaved pretty well in the post parade, perhaps enjoying soaking up the attention from the crowd. He was second in line, right behind the big buckskin stallion who was his main competition. Alex had seen Baptiste training in the days leading up to the race, and he would definitely give Fade a run for his money. He liked to run further back in the pack, so Fade would have to pass the leaders and hold him off at the same time. But Alex was confident that he was up for the challenge.

When the horses started loading, Alex and Baptiste's jockey - Won was his name - shared an encouraging and respectful nod. May the best horse and rider win.

Fade skittered and pranced a bit while he was loaded, but settled down once he was inside. Alex could feel him coiled up like a spring underneath him. The moment that gate opened, he was going to off like a bullet. Alex made sure he had a good grip on the reins and he was stable in the saddle.

After a few minutes of activity, the last horse was loaded, and everything stilled. There was a moment of silence as everyone braced for the start.

Then -

CLANG!

The gates opened, and they were off.

Word count: 431

--

XP earned:
  Thoroughbred-Society XP:
Show image - +1.5
100-499 word story - +0.5
Total: 2 XP

rail-birds XP:
    Fullbody - +5
    Detailed background - +2
    Detailed shading - +2
    Detailed handler - +2
    HARPG race entry - +3
    1 point per 100 words - +4 for 400 words
        Total: 18 XP

Description
Show form:
Show: 2023 TS Triple Crown
Race: 2023 TS Kentucky Derby (G1)
Post Position Number: #2
Horse: 687 Fade
Jockey: Alex Guerra
Training/Arrival: Fade - Kentucky Derby 2023 - Arrival
Extra(s): Prize donation - 1 fullbody image for 1st place winner (see show journal for more details); advertisement
Featuring: LWC's Baptiste, ridden by Won Eunyoung, owned by LunatoAnime

--

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
You fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance

It's race day! Wooooo!!!

What do you guys think of this background? For some reason I'm not quite as satisfied with it as I am with the background on Fade's arrival image, but I can't quite put my finger on what it might need.
Also, jockeys are so weird to draw for some reason. It took me so many tries to get that pose remotely right.

I did use a photo reference for the background - here
According to Google, the weather for the day of the race this year was mostly cloudy. I did my best to replicate that here.

Barring any unexpected delays, I think I'm still on track to finish all entries and extras on time. Wish me luck!

--
Story:

"Riders up!"

Adrenaline coursed through Alex's veins at the sound of those words. It was almost show time, and he was ready.

Cate held Fade's bridle to keep him in place while Naomi gave him a boost up. Alex was a couple inches taller than the average jockey, so it was the slightest bit easier for him to climb up, but a helping hand never hurt. You try mounting a 16 hand horse from the ground without any help.

Fade could clearly tell that the race was almost upon him, as he pranced in place and huffed loudly. Alex would have to make sure he didn't take off too fast and wear himself out early - Fade liked to run near the front of the pack, but he had to time his final burst of speed just right if he wanted to have a shot at the lead. He settled down a bit once Alex settled into the saddle, and followed the line of racers out onto the track.

Once they reached the track, they were passed off to one of the track ponies and riders, and Cate and Naomi scurried off to get to their seats before the race started. Naomi had said their seats were right above the finish line. He hoped they'd have a good show.

Fade behaved pretty well in the post parade, perhaps enjoying soaking up the attention from the crowd. He was second in line, right behind the big buckskin stallion who was his main competition. Alex had seen Baptiste training in the days leading up to the race, and he would definitely give Fade a run for his money. He liked to run further back in the pack, so Fade would have to pass the leaders and hold him off at the same time. But Alex was confident that he was up for the challenge.

When the horses started loading, Alex and Baptiste's jockey - Won was his name - shared an encouraging and respectful nod. May the best horse and rider win.

Fade skittered and pranced a bit while he was loaded, but settled down once he was inside. Alex could feel him coiled up like a spring underneath him. The moment that gate opened, he was going to off like a bullet. Alex made sure he had a good grip on the reins and he was stable in the saddle.

After a few minutes of activity, the last horse was loaded, and everything stilled. There was a moment of silence as everyone braced for the start.

Then -

CLANG!

The gates opened, and they were off.

Word count: 431

--

XP earned:
  Thoroughbred-Society XP:
Show image - +1.5
100-499 word story - +0.5
Total: 2 XP

rail-birds XP:
    Fullbody - +5
    Detailed background - +2
    Detailed shading - +2
    Detailed handler - +2
    HARPG race entry - +3
    1 point per 100 words - +4 for 400 words
        Total: 18 XP