EARLY OCTOBER YEAR THIRTEEN
AXIS MUNDAE & INNOCENT PASSION.
DEMONIC DESIRES & SUGAR JAYDE.
FORBIDDEN TO FLY & ALUCARD.
WITCHCRAFT.
AXIS MUNDAE & AMBER BLACK.
INNOCENT PASSION & KRYSTAL YHATE.
Amber Black was fuming as she set about sweeping her own barn aisle. Reporters had come crawling onto her stable property to pester her with questions about her stock - and a lot of those questions had not been polite. Why hadn't she sent Eternal Phantom to the Independance Cup? How did she feel about Demonic Desires losing to Paranormal Hunter in the Hawk Cup? Would Italian Ice ever post another win after the Breeders Stakes? How did she feel about Lynara's Kingdom and Forbidden To Fly losing the King's Bishop? Did she feel like her horses were becoming sub-par? Was Sweet Inferno's inconsistent star performances due to being on drugs? Amber snorted. Now the last one had absolutely caused her to boil over with anger. She had threatened to sick Jessie James on them. Now to the uninitiated, Jessie James was just the sire of Infinite Warcry and Dazzling Dame. To others, he was the hellion only Amber Black could ride who had injured Dashing In The Firelight. They left pretty speedily after hearing that.
Oh I don't know, maybe I use witchcraft on my horses or something and should be burned at the stake she muttered mutinously. Phantie had kicked butt in the Provetto. Demon had lost by a nose and usually won every other race he entered anyway. Icee had dead heated with Turf Triple Crown winner Bella Luna and lost to a desperate horse in Blue Me Away. Lynara had lost by an ever decreasing nose and Fly's record was nearly flawless and this didn't mean that Mastermind was better than them. She certainly did NOT think her horses were subpar. And Sweetie was just growing up. She wasn't the typical SOPS prodigy, but that didn't mean they didn't recognize signs of talent, and they had had room to work with Sweetie, unlike with Fiery Touch and Moondance and all the others she had sold that had gone on to decimate their competition. Hell, horses with SOPS blood were more than triumphant on the track as racehorses and even as prospects. Just look at the full blooded Impress The Moonlight, far and away the prospect division leader! So with all of those things in mind...Amber laid down the broom, checked her watch and strode away for her planned workout.
At the other side of the property, Krystal Yhate was wondering her sanity. She was the only one on the SOPS crew who had never had a breakdown. Henna had been breaking down with Flashy Wings during his three year old and sometimes during his four year old seasons. And Amber had broken down during Infinite Warcry's Turf Triple Crown campaign. But even when the pressure had mounted with each Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf aboard Sillenia, Krystal had never broken down. She was the strongest of them all. As Krystal contemplated this, she finished grooming and tacking Innocent Passion before swinging aboard the lean and graceful filly. Anna snorted and took her to the turf track. She knew its location well. The daughter of Passionate Class and Little Miss Innocent was an epitome of SOPS talent - blue blooded, prodigious from the start and a turfer. Last month she had ended Cross My Heart's campaign for the Turf Triple Tiara with a victory in the Butter Cup Sprint and then gone on to place second in an incredibly tough field versus older horses in the Just A Game Stakes. Now she returned to a proven distance of hers - the mile - in the First Lady Stakes in two weeks. Krystal was hoping to make more than an impression in that race. She wanted to walk away with Anna's seventeenth victory.
Amber was having similar thoughts as she swung aboard Axia, but hers were more of the Caulfield Cup that week. Axia had placed second in the Dash Stakes before putting on a show September Week Three. Now she was rested and ready to take on the Caulfield Cup this week at her master distance of eight furlongs versus Frozen Motion, and then the First Lady Stakes the week after. Two races at her favorite distance, and Axia could reach win twenty eight if they got under the wire fast enough. Amber was confident in her mare's abilities. Axia was in a class of her own and moved as though she was as well. She was strong, tough and talented. This was her final season and she was making a strong statement. The mare never shirked her competition. Those that thought she stuck to mainly restricted company had to look again. Axia had taken on the Juvenile Turf against the boys for her first Breeders Cup. Then she had attempted the Turf Sprint for the last two seasons. She was tough and if she faced restricted competition occasionally it was to avoid conflicts with the rest of the SOPS crew. And her restricted competition were tough as nails too. So to downgrade Axia for that was ridiculous. Everything Axia did only added to her impressive resume and made her more of a champion to Amber.
Krystal glanced up as Amber emerged from the barn aboard her rather masculine black mare. Axia was tough as nails and looked more the part of a stallion than a mare. But the fire in her eyes was one hundred percent female fire. You could always tell the difference there. Mares always expressed their fiery sentiments in a unique way from the males. Krystal glanced down at the neck of the beautiful bay three year old she rode. Anna's frame was full of power, but she was a lot more feminine than her stablemate. Axia was all rough power; Anna was graceful. Anna was destined to fill the gap Axia would leave in the roster upon her retirement. Krystal wanted to make sure Anna was worthy of that spot. She glanced up and smiled at Amber. She knew that Amber had been having some doubts lately, and she wanted to reassure her boss and oldest friend. Amber smiled back, but said nothing. Planned workouts at SOPS were typically conducted in silence, so all the focus could go to the horses they rode.
Anna took one look at Axia and snorted. She puffed her chest out slightly, eyes glaring at the her stablemate. Working out with said stablemate had led to victory in the Rose Mile Cup. Who knows what it could do for the First Lady Stakes. But Axia hadn't been her competition then. The black racemare likewise recognized Innocent Passion. Her eyes narrowed and her stride became more bold, more daring. Axia didn't back down from challenges. Anna fed off of them. Krystal felt the filly bring her A-game to the table. She glanced at Amber, grinned in excitement. It was always great to work the two out together. The two riders brought their horses up alongside each other and went straight into a canter. Dead even, the two competitive thoroughbreds didn't give an inch as they swept into the backstretch and opened up into the gallop. Now it was truly time to play the racing game.
Eye to eye, the mares breathed fire as they journeyed down the track. Anna's graceful strength was seemingly overwhelmed by the brute force of Axia's strides, but Anna was fully capable of keeping up. The bay and black were each other's worst enemy and greatest rival. To Anna, Axia was the same color as Cross My Heart, and that may have inflamed her slightly, but Anna knew Axia was Axia. She knew Cross lacked the masculine boldness of Axia, did not have that same build. Axia was unique and Anna wanted to pummel her just as badly. Four furlongs elapsed at the gallop before both riders eased out their horses another notch. The turf couldn't contain either one of them. They were simply too great, too fast and too deadly determined to do each other in. Still eye to eye, still nose to nose, still whisker to whisker, the two ended their workout in a blaze of speed, guts and determination.
Amber was panting from the exhilaration as she slowed her horse down. Krystal felt similarly. They slapped high fives before parting ways on their sweaty and satisfied mounts. Krystal could have sworn she heard Amber muttering Well it's damned good witchcraft if anything. And she beamed, shaking her head in laughter. Indeed it was.
Oh I don't know, maybe I use witchcraft on my horses or something and should be burned at the stake she muttered mutinously. Phantie had kicked butt in the Provetto. Demon had lost by a nose and usually won every other race he entered anyway. Icee had dead heated with Turf Triple Crown winner Bella Luna and lost to a desperate horse in Blue Me Away. Lynara had lost by an ever decreasing nose and Fly's record was nearly flawless and this didn't mean that Mastermind was better than them. She certainly did NOT think her horses were subpar. And Sweetie was just growing up. She wasn't the typical SOPS prodigy, but that didn't mean they didn't recognize signs of talent, and they had had room to work with Sweetie, unlike with Fiery Touch and Moondance and all the others she had sold that had gone on to decimate their competition. Hell, horses with SOPS blood were more than triumphant on the track as racehorses and even as prospects. Just look at the full blooded Impress The Moonlight, far and away the prospect division leader! So with all of those things in mind...Amber laid down the broom, checked her watch and strode away for her planned workout.
At the other side of the property, Krystal Yhate was wondering her sanity. She was the only one on the SOPS crew who had never had a breakdown. Henna had been breaking down with Flashy Wings during his three year old and sometimes during his four year old seasons. And Amber had broken down during Infinite Warcry's Turf Triple Crown campaign. But even when the pressure had mounted with each Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf aboard Sillenia, Krystal had never broken down. She was the strongest of them all. As Krystal contemplated this, she finished grooming and tacking Innocent Passion before swinging aboard the lean and graceful filly. Anna snorted and took her to the turf track. She knew its location well. The daughter of Passionate Class and Little Miss Innocent was an epitome of SOPS talent - blue blooded, prodigious from the start and a turfer. Last month she had ended Cross My Heart's campaign for the Turf Triple Tiara with a victory in the Butter Cup Sprint and then gone on to place second in an incredibly tough field versus older horses in the Just A Game Stakes. Now she returned to a proven distance of hers - the mile - in the First Lady Stakes in two weeks. Krystal was hoping to make more than an impression in that race. She wanted to walk away with Anna's seventeenth victory.
Amber was having similar thoughts as she swung aboard Axia, but hers were more of the Caulfield Cup that week. Axia had placed second in the Dash Stakes before putting on a show September Week Three. Now she was rested and ready to take on the Caulfield Cup this week at her master distance of eight furlongs versus Frozen Motion, and then the First Lady Stakes the week after. Two races at her favorite distance, and Axia could reach win twenty eight if they got under the wire fast enough. Amber was confident in her mare's abilities. Axia was in a class of her own and moved as though she was as well. She was strong, tough and talented. This was her final season and she was making a strong statement. The mare never shirked her competition. Those that thought she stuck to mainly restricted company had to look again. Axia had taken on the Juvenile Turf against the boys for her first Breeders Cup. Then she had attempted the Turf Sprint for the last two seasons. She was tough and if she faced restricted competition occasionally it was to avoid conflicts with the rest of the SOPS crew. And her restricted competition were tough as nails too. So to downgrade Axia for that was ridiculous. Everything Axia did only added to her impressive resume and made her more of a champion to Amber.
Krystal glanced up as Amber emerged from the barn aboard her rather masculine black mare. Axia was tough as nails and looked more the part of a stallion than a mare. But the fire in her eyes was one hundred percent female fire. You could always tell the difference there. Mares always expressed their fiery sentiments in a unique way from the males. Krystal glanced down at the neck of the beautiful bay three year old she rode. Anna's frame was full of power, but she was a lot more feminine than her stablemate. Axia was all rough power; Anna was graceful. Anna was destined to fill the gap Axia would leave in the roster upon her retirement. Krystal wanted to make sure Anna was worthy of that spot. She glanced up and smiled at Amber. She knew that Amber had been having some doubts lately, and she wanted to reassure her boss and oldest friend. Amber smiled back, but said nothing. Planned workouts at SOPS were typically conducted in silence, so all the focus could go to the horses they rode.
Anna took one look at Axia and snorted. She puffed her chest out slightly, eyes glaring at the her stablemate. Working out with said stablemate had led to victory in the Rose Mile Cup. Who knows what it could do for the First Lady Stakes. But Axia hadn't been her competition then. The black racemare likewise recognized Innocent Passion. Her eyes narrowed and her stride became more bold, more daring. Axia didn't back down from challenges. Anna fed off of them. Krystal felt the filly bring her A-game to the table. She glanced at Amber, grinned in excitement. It was always great to work the two out together. The two riders brought their horses up alongside each other and went straight into a canter. Dead even, the two competitive thoroughbreds didn't give an inch as they swept into the backstretch and opened up into the gallop. Now it was truly time to play the racing game.
Eye to eye, the mares breathed fire as they journeyed down the track. Anna's graceful strength was seemingly overwhelmed by the brute force of Axia's strides, but Anna was fully capable of keeping up. The bay and black were each other's worst enemy and greatest rival. To Anna, Axia was the same color as Cross My Heart, and that may have inflamed her slightly, but Anna knew Axia was Axia. She knew Cross lacked the masculine boldness of Axia, did not have that same build. Axia was unique and Anna wanted to pummel her just as badly. Four furlongs elapsed at the gallop before both riders eased out their horses another notch. The turf couldn't contain either one of them. They were simply too great, too fast and too deadly determined to do each other in. Still eye to eye, still nose to nose, still whisker to whisker, the two ended their workout in a blaze of speed, guts and determination.
Amber was panting from the exhilaration as she slowed her horse down. Krystal felt similarly. They slapped high fives before parting ways on their sweaty and satisfied mounts. Krystal could have sworn she heard Amber muttering Well it's damned good witchcraft if anything. And she beamed, shaking her head in laughter. Indeed it was.
DEMON'S BLESSING.
SUGAR JAYDE & HENNA TURATH.
DEMONIC DESIRES & aMBER bLACK.
Amber Black critically analyzed the condition of her top juvenile sprinter. Muscles gleamed throughout the cobalt black's coat and his eyes glowed with keen intelligence as he met Amber's gaze, eye to eye with the person who rode him. The son of Speed Demon and Deadly Desires was descended from speed and he was certainly all speed out there on the track. He was beautiful in motion, strong and sure and devastatingly fast. Not to mention he carried himself with a princely arrogance that spoke of his talent. On top of him, Amber felt like she was on board a destroyer at sea, set to charge and blaze away at the other ships that stood in its way. Or perhaps Demon was the ocean during a storm, roiling with power and fury. The colt was certainly physically domineering, as he had proved through various paddock spats with his stablemates. Amber smiled gently at the look in Demon's eyes. He was all fire and willingness to run now. This was what happened whenever the colt lost. Amber loved his thirst for victory, his constant striving for nothing less than success. It was what had made him so successful thus far, and it was also what had made her a stable owner with the name Stride of Perfection in the first place.
Amber looked up as she heard gentle cooing coming down the aisle. There was Henna Turath, leading the mare that had her wrapped around her hoof. Sugar Jayde's bay coat gleamed, muscles bulging underneath. She looked the picture of a sprinter with a powerful kick. Henna looked thrilled, and Amber knew why. Her little speed demon was getting ready to get on the back of a sprinter. There was nowhere else Henna would have wanted to be. But the mighty Sugar Jayde would face worthwhile competition out there on the track. Sugar Jayde may have been apparently the top sprinter grade one out there right now, but Demonic Desires was on the rise, and Royal Assassin as well as Innocent Passion were on the rise to take her place. Henna had already spoken to Amber about sharing Sugar Jayde with the world next year and focusing on the horses they had. She didn't deserve to retire, not yet, but she did deserve focus. As did the rest of the crew. And Amber had stated she would think about Henna's plan, and carefully, for Sugar Jayde was no ordinary mare and she could not go to an ordinary home.
Within ten minutes the pair were out on the flat turf track, not the cross country course. Amber shifted in the saddle, stretching as Demonic Desires led himself through his own paces. The black colt strutted over the turf as though he owned it. Arrogance played in his gaze and exuded around him. He was a horse with a big ego and enough speed to back it up. Amber let the colt go, not concerned. Demon was becoming a bit of a professional out on the track. He had learned what was expected of him and now did nothing less. A true professional indeed. Amber felt her heart soar as she finally righted herself and sent Demon cantering down the track at his quick, loping pace. Demon settled into her hands smoothly, all focus now on the turf ahead and the bay mare that had accelerated quick as lightning to glide alongside. Sugar Jayde was not to be left behind. Henna glorified in the feeling of her quick strides, grinning madly as they increased in tempo along the turn and shot down the backstretch. The mare's own joy at the faster pace enriched her own. Soon they would be flying.
Side by side the young horse and older veteran began to fly. They sprouted wings and accelerated into their gallop, both taking their high cruising speeds and then realizing that they were still alongside each other. Intelligence glinted in Jayde's eyes now. She had found a fellow sprinter who ran just the way she did, and perhaps enjoyed it just as much. She took stock of the juvenile now, and then refocused on the task at hand. She could dispatch him. And she would, when the time came. Henna perched on top of the mare, joyously feeling the wind in her face and laughing as Jayde just continued to gain speed with each half furlong that passed. As for Amber and Demonic Desires, there was nothing but deadly focus between that pair. They had developed the idiosyncratic two-parts-of-the-same-machine Amber Black style now, and they worked in smooth harmony. Two furlongs passed, then another two, and the pace just kept on gradually increasing.
The wind sang and the horses hooves skimmed lightly over the turf. Jayde was all smooth joy, Demon all predatory power. They thundered side by side around the far turn and into the stretch and found another gear. Still side by side, the two ran home in a blaze of speed and then slowed upon their riders' commands. Henna and Amber were flushed by the speed and the cool chill in the air, but their hearts were warm with pride. These two were ready to go. They had proven their class here indeed.
Amber looked up as she heard gentle cooing coming down the aisle. There was Henna Turath, leading the mare that had her wrapped around her hoof. Sugar Jayde's bay coat gleamed, muscles bulging underneath. She looked the picture of a sprinter with a powerful kick. Henna looked thrilled, and Amber knew why. Her little speed demon was getting ready to get on the back of a sprinter. There was nowhere else Henna would have wanted to be. But the mighty Sugar Jayde would face worthwhile competition out there on the track. Sugar Jayde may have been apparently the top sprinter grade one out there right now, but Demonic Desires was on the rise, and Royal Assassin as well as Innocent Passion were on the rise to take her place. Henna had already spoken to Amber about sharing Sugar Jayde with the world next year and focusing on the horses they had. She didn't deserve to retire, not yet, but she did deserve focus. As did the rest of the crew. And Amber had stated she would think about Henna's plan, and carefully, for Sugar Jayde was no ordinary mare and she could not go to an ordinary home.
Within ten minutes the pair were out on the flat turf track, not the cross country course. Amber shifted in the saddle, stretching as Demonic Desires led himself through his own paces. The black colt strutted over the turf as though he owned it. Arrogance played in his gaze and exuded around him. He was a horse with a big ego and enough speed to back it up. Amber let the colt go, not concerned. Demon was becoming a bit of a professional out on the track. He had learned what was expected of him and now did nothing less. A true professional indeed. Amber felt her heart soar as she finally righted herself and sent Demon cantering down the track at his quick, loping pace. Demon settled into her hands smoothly, all focus now on the turf ahead and the bay mare that had accelerated quick as lightning to glide alongside. Sugar Jayde was not to be left behind. Henna glorified in the feeling of her quick strides, grinning madly as they increased in tempo along the turn and shot down the backstretch. The mare's own joy at the faster pace enriched her own. Soon they would be flying.
Side by side the young horse and older veteran began to fly. They sprouted wings and accelerated into their gallop, both taking their high cruising speeds and then realizing that they were still alongside each other. Intelligence glinted in Jayde's eyes now. She had found a fellow sprinter who ran just the way she did, and perhaps enjoyed it just as much. She took stock of the juvenile now, and then refocused on the task at hand. She could dispatch him. And she would, when the time came. Henna perched on top of the mare, joyously feeling the wind in her face and laughing as Jayde just continued to gain speed with each half furlong that passed. As for Amber and Demonic Desires, there was nothing but deadly focus between that pair. They had developed the idiosyncratic two-parts-of-the-same-machine Amber Black style now, and they worked in smooth harmony. Two furlongs passed, then another two, and the pace just kept on gradually increasing.
The wind sang and the horses hooves skimmed lightly over the turf. Jayde was all smooth joy, Demon all predatory power. They thundered side by side around the far turn and into the stretch and found another gear. Still side by side, the two ran home in a blaze of speed and then slowed upon their riders' commands. Henna and Amber were flushed by the speed and the cool chill in the air, but their hearts were warm with pride. These two were ready to go. They had proven their class here indeed.
OPPOSITES.
FORBIDDEN TO FLY & HENNA TURATH.
ALUCARD & kRYSTAL yHATE.
Such a workout as this was practically unprecedented. Krystal stared in complete, awestruck horror at her name attached to Alucard planned for a workout against Forbidden To Fly with Henna on her other ride. What kind of workout was Amber Black planning? The two horses were practically opposites, united in no way other than their similar affinity for sprinting. Perhaps Amber just wanted to drive Krystal insane. She sighed and swung off to go and grab the horse that Henna Turath usually rode. It was no surprise that she was Alu's second. The colt was hard to get along with due to his cold, burning indifference. But Krystal had a way with difficult horses. And Henna had a way with sprinters. Well, better her on Fly than Krystal on Fly. She would have gone insane within minutes. Krystal opened the stall door and was greeted by the blankly indifferent gaze of Alucard. The son of Scripture's Sapphire and Finale Slew was cold, indifferent and devastatingly beautiful. He had the most Arabian head in the barn and a unique kind of grace. He was gorgeous, absolutely a perfect specimen of thoroughbred racehorse.
Krystal went through the paces and got the dark bay juvenile outside. Alu regarded her coldly the entirety of the time. As she mounted up and proceeded to the track, she detected no change in attitude in regard to this change in rider. He just perked up ever so slightly at the sight of the dirt track, swiveling one ear around to her while keeping the other focused ahead. This was alert attention, not something she had expected from the usually haughty colt. She pressed no control upon him, instead letting him walk out on his own before gently stopping him. Alu obeyed immediately, almost in a business like manner. He gazed out over the track and shifted slightly underneath her. Krystal knew exactly what the colt wanted to do and grinned. You'll have to give it a moment boy. You'll know when the time is coming - ah, there it is. The trumpeting neighs of the crazy Forbidden To Fly echoed down the dirt track and Krystal suppressed a groan. Alu's ears swiveled to the sound, but he didn't appear bothered by it at all. Nothing much seemed to bother him.
Krystal turned to frown at Henna as she walked Fly over to them. The small gray stallion was constantly making noise, and now was no exception. Henna noticed Krystal's frown and smirked. She yanked once on the reins and Fly shut up on command. Krystal gazed with admiration at Henna. When did you teach him that trick? Almost immediately Fly started up again, and she groaned. Henna laughed and repeated said trick. If anybody else starts talking, he starts up again. So I would suggest you don't talk. Now, Amber just wanted a quick workout, nothing big. Minimal gallop, some sprinting on the end. She hasn't seemed to be in the mood for big things lately. Krystal shrugged and said Probably doesn't want to do anything before those big races next week. Fly started trumpeting again and Krystal snarled while Henna laughed gaily.
The two opposite thoroughbreds were turned and cantered down the dirt now. Alu carried himself like an Arabian prince. He was all businesslike and handsome at the canter. His cold eyes ignored everything, even the stallion who wasn't used to being ignored on his outside. Fly seemed to not notice or care about Alu's indifference. He was still keeping up a steady stream of snorts with almost every stride, and was absolutely overflowing with energy. Yet despite this absolute juxtaposition to Alu's cool attitude, the riders felt almost comfortable as they glided down the dirt track. Fly kept snorting and Alu continued to be indifferent to it. Every so often Krystal caught the flick of an ear from her mount. She paid closer attention each time she saw that, trying to learn the colt's attitude. What she gleaned was that Alu was only tough because he pretended not to acknowledge your existence. In truth, he was rather intelligent and alert, and he was also beautifully built and a gorgeous mover. Krystal glanced over at Fly and snorted. There wasn't much depth to that laughing horse. Only uncontained energy and speed.
After cantering through four furlongs the pair accelerated to a gallop. Alucard stretched out and Krystal picked up some emotion from the stone horse. He was truly happy to finally be going at this faster pace. It showed in the alertness she could feel crackling through the reins. Henna settled into Fly's quick stride with a grin on her face. Who would have thought Fly would win the Breeders Cup Juvenile or win anything at all? He just didn't have the serious mind of a typical racehorse. But the gray stallion was amazing at what he did, and he loved to run. That was what counted to Henna. The wind started to sing and Henna smirked. She coaxed Fly along more and he happily responded, stretching out and leaving Alucard a half length behind. Krystal felt a flash of irritation crackle through the reins. She grinned and responded by leaning forward, inviting some more speed. Alu provided it in spades, accelerating to go stride for stride with his elder once more.
The gallop blurred and suddenly Henna knew exactly what she wanted. She let Fly go. The gray stallion poured it on, sprinting away in a sudden flash that had Henna cackling. She glanced over her shoulder and grinned as Alucard smashed into their slipstream, his legs on full throttle as he worked to cover the ground and stay stride for stride with Fly. He was determined now not to be left behind. His pride was perhaps a sign of his good breeding. Krystal let the colt fly, simply letting him go. This one was intelligent enough to not need a pilot, but a partner. That was what Krystal would give him when the time was right. Alu flew now with his heart and his legs, his eyes burning as she made up an inch, then another inch on the joyous Fly. He crossed the wire barely a half length behind and blew past Fly as the gray stallion folded in Henna's hands upon command.
Henna watched the black tail of Alucard stream away from her and grinned. Fly was well in hand and energetic as ever now, and Alu looked nothing less than impressive as he carved a path into the far turn as he was pulled up by Krystal. Both horses looked and felt nothing less than ready for their next starts.
Krystal went through the paces and got the dark bay juvenile outside. Alu regarded her coldly the entirety of the time. As she mounted up and proceeded to the track, she detected no change in attitude in regard to this change in rider. He just perked up ever so slightly at the sight of the dirt track, swiveling one ear around to her while keeping the other focused ahead. This was alert attention, not something she had expected from the usually haughty colt. She pressed no control upon him, instead letting him walk out on his own before gently stopping him. Alu obeyed immediately, almost in a business like manner. He gazed out over the track and shifted slightly underneath her. Krystal knew exactly what the colt wanted to do and grinned. You'll have to give it a moment boy. You'll know when the time is coming - ah, there it is. The trumpeting neighs of the crazy Forbidden To Fly echoed down the dirt track and Krystal suppressed a groan. Alu's ears swiveled to the sound, but he didn't appear bothered by it at all. Nothing much seemed to bother him.
Krystal turned to frown at Henna as she walked Fly over to them. The small gray stallion was constantly making noise, and now was no exception. Henna noticed Krystal's frown and smirked. She yanked once on the reins and Fly shut up on command. Krystal gazed with admiration at Henna. When did you teach him that trick? Almost immediately Fly started up again, and she groaned. Henna laughed and repeated said trick. If anybody else starts talking, he starts up again. So I would suggest you don't talk. Now, Amber just wanted a quick workout, nothing big. Minimal gallop, some sprinting on the end. She hasn't seemed to be in the mood for big things lately. Krystal shrugged and said Probably doesn't want to do anything before those big races next week. Fly started trumpeting again and Krystal snarled while Henna laughed gaily.
The two opposite thoroughbreds were turned and cantered down the dirt now. Alu carried himself like an Arabian prince. He was all businesslike and handsome at the canter. His cold eyes ignored everything, even the stallion who wasn't used to being ignored on his outside. Fly seemed to not notice or care about Alu's indifference. He was still keeping up a steady stream of snorts with almost every stride, and was absolutely overflowing with energy. Yet despite this absolute juxtaposition to Alu's cool attitude, the riders felt almost comfortable as they glided down the dirt track. Fly kept snorting and Alu continued to be indifferent to it. Every so often Krystal caught the flick of an ear from her mount. She paid closer attention each time she saw that, trying to learn the colt's attitude. What she gleaned was that Alu was only tough because he pretended not to acknowledge your existence. In truth, he was rather intelligent and alert, and he was also beautifully built and a gorgeous mover. Krystal glanced over at Fly and snorted. There wasn't much depth to that laughing horse. Only uncontained energy and speed.
After cantering through four furlongs the pair accelerated to a gallop. Alucard stretched out and Krystal picked up some emotion from the stone horse. He was truly happy to finally be going at this faster pace. It showed in the alertness she could feel crackling through the reins. Henna settled into Fly's quick stride with a grin on her face. Who would have thought Fly would win the Breeders Cup Juvenile or win anything at all? He just didn't have the serious mind of a typical racehorse. But the gray stallion was amazing at what he did, and he loved to run. That was what counted to Henna. The wind started to sing and Henna smirked. She coaxed Fly along more and he happily responded, stretching out and leaving Alucard a half length behind. Krystal felt a flash of irritation crackle through the reins. She grinned and responded by leaning forward, inviting some more speed. Alu provided it in spades, accelerating to go stride for stride with his elder once more.
The gallop blurred and suddenly Henna knew exactly what she wanted. She let Fly go. The gray stallion poured it on, sprinting away in a sudden flash that had Henna cackling. She glanced over her shoulder and grinned as Alucard smashed into their slipstream, his legs on full throttle as he worked to cover the ground and stay stride for stride with Fly. He was determined now not to be left behind. His pride was perhaps a sign of his good breeding. Krystal let the colt fly, simply letting him go. This one was intelligent enough to not need a pilot, but a partner. That was what Krystal would give him when the time was right. Alu flew now with his heart and his legs, his eyes burning as she made up an inch, then another inch on the joyous Fly. He crossed the wire barely a half length behind and blew past Fly as the gray stallion folded in Henna's hands upon command.
Henna watched the black tail of Alucard stream away from her and grinned. Fly was well in hand and energetic as ever now, and Alu looked nothing less than impressive as he carved a path into the far turn as he was pulled up by Krystal. Both horses looked and felt nothing less than ready for their next starts.