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Awake As I Am Shows His Heart
Original article written by Chelsey Craig posted 15 years 2 weeks agoLast night, Awake As I Am was able to do it again. This story is beginning to become surreal. The end to a 10 year Triple Crown drought seems to be in sight. The vision of the undefeated colt bounding down the stretch at Baltimore Race Course conjured up three distinct images. The huge striding chestnut Priceless Forever swooping to the lead on that same dirt, the white blazed face of Tremendous as he scorched his way down that very stretch, and the gray figure of Jet Ski as he ghosted over the Baltimore track. These were the 3 Triple Crown winners, who all made their distinct marks at Baltimore Race Course on their way to greatness and immortality. Yesterday, Awake As I Am stirred up the memories of these 3 greats, and fanned the flames of hope that the 10 year Triple Crown drought has finally come to an end.
We witnessed a new Awake As I Am yesterday. A new dimension to an already phenomenal racehorse. Awake As I Am got into a fight yesterday in the home stretch. Never before had the champion been tested the way Much Like Falling tested him over the historic Baltimore oval. Awake As I Am had to show he had as much grit and determination as he did speed. His ears pinned back on his handsome head, his strong dark legs stretched impossibly further that before, his thick tail and mane streaming out from his frozen in time form. Head and head with a rival for the first time, Awake As I Am responded with flared nostrils and more heart than we've witnessed in a race horse for many years. Hurtling his body faster and faster, trying with all his might to outrun a formidable and more rested rival, Awake As I Am revealed the spirit that has been behind his 7 consecutive wins leading up to this race. He showed his heart, his courage, and most of all, his desire to win.
This colt, trained by Dave Shields, is one in a million. Awake As I Am has passed every test with flying colors. Major Grade 1 wins at 2 and 3, he is already a Steward's Cup winner and Simmy Champion. Can he become a Triple Crown winner? He seems like the best candidate in many years. With 2 jewels of the Triple Crown already in his possession, the dark brown super-colt looks strong. He now gets 2 weeks to rest in preparation for the most grueling leg of the Triple Crown, the Long Island Classic. The current news with the superstar is that after the final leg of the Triple Crown, he will be retired. What kind of stud fee will he have if he can become an undefeated Triple Crown winner that retires unbeaten? And eventually, will he have to find a new home when Dave Shields' stable shuts down? What kind of auction price would a horse of this caliber go for? For now, however, those questions seem insignificant. The main question on everyone's mind is, can this horse do it again? So often in his 8 race career, people have doubted he could keep his undefeated streak alive for whatever his next race was to be. Now, with all his rallying support, there are still people that doubt whether he can keep his streak alive for this one last race. However, we have witnessed his unparalleled speed in all his starts, and now, after last night's race, we have witnessed his enormous heart. With a colt who has a will like this, who could hope to beat him? Who will come to the Long Island Classic to try to take down one of the most talented horses the sim has ever seen? Is there any 3-year-old that can match him? For that matter, is there any 4 or 5-year-old that can match him? Awake As I Am seems every inch a Triple Crown winner. The flame of hope still burns bright in all racing fans craving the Triple Crown drought to end.