February Year Thirteen
Week One + Week Two Workouts
Fleet Majesty and Wild Kiss.
Demonic Desires and Aquatic Addiction and Prideful Limits and Sugar Jayde.
Call of the Wild and Axis Mundae.
Lynara's Kingdom and Limited Edition.
WILD MAJESTY
fLEET mAJESTY AND aMBER bLACK
wILD kISS AND vALENCIA aNDREWS
Muscles of steel lined the gray filly's body, and her eyes roved around the turf track with an alertness that had not formerly been present. This was SOPS's turf track. There was no slacking about out here. Amber Black's fingers were coiled lightly around the reins, her seat firm in the saddle as she walked Fleet Majesty down the springy turf. The filly felt distinctly different to her now. Amber understood her movements, felt them as though they were her own. She had just run second to Hokum in their first race together and now the All Along Stakes awaited them, for a race against other Witch Creek stablemate Wish Upon A Star. Amber dearly hoped that Mage would get the win she had been working for in that race. It would be a major accomplishment and comeback.
Her workout partner was Wild Kiss, generally Amber's ride as well but worked out today by Valencia Andrews. Valencia liked the slim and lady-like mare. She was speedy quick and made of the will to rock and roll. Kiss had been searching for a win all season but had just been missing. Now that they had worked the January kinks out of her system is was time to try again. Valencia posted smoothly to Kiss's trot, her face thoughtful. Amber had been making Valencia ride for hours every day and it was really starting to show in her conditioning level. She felt stronger than she had ever felt before. A sly smirk crossed her face. Strong enough to take down the world. Unfortunately that wasn't her job on Kiss's back. She was just the passenger for today, aiding the young Fleet Majesty in her development to champion turf router.
Amber and Mage had their eyes on the prize for sure. Amber asked and Mage gave, her interest heightening as they quickened to a trot and took position alongside Kiss. Kiss snorted in a friendly manner to Mage and the gray three year old responded as well, her nostrils quivering with excitement as the two were then asked to canter. Mage was a high energy horse loaded with stamina, a product of the Witch Creek training program. What she was receiving now was what Amber termed the SOPS special touch. There had already been a drastic improvement in the filly's performance and Amber and was searching for more. Mage had it in her. It had to be unlocked and worked with, and Amber knew she loved her turf routers. That was part of why Kiss was a special horse to her as well. Kiss's older half sister Wildly Natural had blazed the turf. Kiss followed in those hoofprints as closely as she could, but she was capable of more than she was giving. She just had to find the right gear in the mare to pull her along.
They cantered for a half before going to a full gallop for an additional mile and a half. SOPS wasn't without bottom either. Mage naturally dropped back a bit, letting Kiss have the opening pace, but Kiss was a closer herself. Nevertheless the blood bay mare responded easily to take the lead, her seniority showing through. She had worked to overcome situations like this. She galloped strongly, eyes ablaze with the determination of her sire DW Flamekissed. She would make this work this time. Victory would not be snapped from her jaws. And Mage felt similarly. The filly was filling with the thrill of the hunt, her eyes focused on one and only thing as she strode along. This would be her win, at last.
Six furlongs passed and nobody moved a muscle. Then the mile, then the nine furlong marker and finally there was movement. Amber sent Mage forward and the filly responded rapidly. She was off and woken up, chasing down Kiss and making as if to pass her. The five year old mare was a natural at rebounding from these charges. She was a charger herself. Kiss dug in and showed her heart, pulling away almost easily. Mage couldn't keep up unless she went faster. Amber growled, shook the reins and held on as Mage fulfilled the command instantly. She was not to be left behind. She raced off to Kiss, easily closing the gap. Kiss rebounded again, but Mage continued to accelerate and stayed with the older mare.
Panting evenly in tandem, youth clashed with experience and the two thoroughbreds stared eye to eye as the workout finished. Mage was filled to the brim with true heart and Kiss had felt like a machine. They were both as ready as they could be for their next starts. Especially Mage. Her climb to the top would start in the All Along Stakes and there was no telling how far she could go.
Her workout partner was Wild Kiss, generally Amber's ride as well but worked out today by Valencia Andrews. Valencia liked the slim and lady-like mare. She was speedy quick and made of the will to rock and roll. Kiss had been searching for a win all season but had just been missing. Now that they had worked the January kinks out of her system is was time to try again. Valencia posted smoothly to Kiss's trot, her face thoughtful. Amber had been making Valencia ride for hours every day and it was really starting to show in her conditioning level. She felt stronger than she had ever felt before. A sly smirk crossed her face. Strong enough to take down the world. Unfortunately that wasn't her job on Kiss's back. She was just the passenger for today, aiding the young Fleet Majesty in her development to champion turf router.
Amber and Mage had their eyes on the prize for sure. Amber asked and Mage gave, her interest heightening as they quickened to a trot and took position alongside Kiss. Kiss snorted in a friendly manner to Mage and the gray three year old responded as well, her nostrils quivering with excitement as the two were then asked to canter. Mage was a high energy horse loaded with stamina, a product of the Witch Creek training program. What she was receiving now was what Amber termed the SOPS special touch. There had already been a drastic improvement in the filly's performance and Amber and was searching for more. Mage had it in her. It had to be unlocked and worked with, and Amber knew she loved her turf routers. That was part of why Kiss was a special horse to her as well. Kiss's older half sister Wildly Natural had blazed the turf. Kiss followed in those hoofprints as closely as she could, but she was capable of more than she was giving. She just had to find the right gear in the mare to pull her along.
They cantered for a half before going to a full gallop for an additional mile and a half. SOPS wasn't without bottom either. Mage naturally dropped back a bit, letting Kiss have the opening pace, but Kiss was a closer herself. Nevertheless the blood bay mare responded easily to take the lead, her seniority showing through. She had worked to overcome situations like this. She galloped strongly, eyes ablaze with the determination of her sire DW Flamekissed. She would make this work this time. Victory would not be snapped from her jaws. And Mage felt similarly. The filly was filling with the thrill of the hunt, her eyes focused on one and only thing as she strode along. This would be her win, at last.
Six furlongs passed and nobody moved a muscle. Then the mile, then the nine furlong marker and finally there was movement. Amber sent Mage forward and the filly responded rapidly. She was off and woken up, chasing down Kiss and making as if to pass her. The five year old mare was a natural at rebounding from these charges. She was a charger herself. Kiss dug in and showed her heart, pulling away almost easily. Mage couldn't keep up unless she went faster. Amber growled, shook the reins and held on as Mage fulfilled the command instantly. She was not to be left behind. She raced off to Kiss, easily closing the gap. Kiss rebounded again, but Mage continued to accelerate and stayed with the older mare.
Panting evenly in tandem, youth clashed with experience and the two thoroughbreds stared eye to eye as the workout finished. Mage was filled to the brim with true heart and Kiss had felt like a machine. They were both as ready as they could be for their next starts. Especially Mage. Her climb to the top would start in the All Along Stakes and there was no telling how far she could go.
FOUR WAY STREET
dEMONIC dESIRES AND aMBER bLACK
In THe Spotlight AND vALENCIA aNDREWS
pRIDEFUL liMITS AND kRYSTAL yHATE
sUGAR jAYDE AND hENNA tURATH
The moment Amber Black realized that there were enough turf sprinters in the barn to go around, she had grinned, punched the air and announced this four-way workout. It was a clash of age and talent and experience rolled into one. And above all, it would be short but fast. Only one among these four horses was not a sprinter, and that was In The Spotlight. Her powerful victory and two-for-two record suggested plenty of early talent, but she needed the speed to temper the rolling stamina that she possessed. Innie was the attention hogging front runner who would likely easily adapt to the sprinting today. And she would be working out against her last workout partner, Demonic Desires.
The black son of Speed Demon and Deadly Desires was dual Hall Of Fame bred and blue blooded at that for the sprints. He had already put in a powerful victory and two near misses and was looking to be a top turf sprinter among the two year olds. His half brother Mastermind had definitely rolled in the sprinting divisions and Demon looked to be the same. He was similarly arrogant, powerfully built and magnificent to behold. He had tactical speed that Innie found difficult to temper, hence why the two worked out together. But there were also two new additions to this usual pair of workout partners. Prideful Limits was one of them. He was the oldest and the brattiest, with a terrible attitude towards humans that softened only slightly in the presence of Krystal Yhate. He was yet another front runner putting the pedal to the medal for Innie.
Sugar Jayde rounded out the pair, and she was the sole grade one among them. At four years old, she stood at nearly sixteen hands and as a proud winner of two Breeders Cup races. She was good, but she wasn't the best. Henna hoped to change that. The Sweet Sugar Cane and Queen Of Hearts filly was bred to the best and to quit being overshadowed by stablemate Lynara's Kingdom. It was time to rock and roll. Jayde was an absolute sweetheart, even on the track, but when she got racing along she became a tough nut to crack. Now as she walked out onto the turf she obeyed Henna's commands almost instantly, playfully. She was ready to rock and sprint her heart out.
Demon was already there before them, waiting, standing tall and proud with his eyes fixed with interest on the rising sun. He looked like a phantom emerging from the darkness. Amber kept him on a loose rein, languishing on his back with a coy grin playing around her lips. She looked happy about something. Henna rose her eyebrows inquiringly. Oh, it's nothing Henna. Demon just ran second in his race to a Witch Creek horse. I love that. Now everybody will judge those other juveniles as better. The quicker ones in this part of the season. Just let them wait! Demon's going to get them all, aren't you boy? Henna watched with intense interest as Amber directed her conversation to her horse, then sighed and shook her head. Jayde neighed once as though in agreement with her thoughts.
Did I miss something? inquired Valencia as she arrived on the scene, eyebrows furrowed as she gazed at the giggling Amber. Henna shook her head. Amber having an attach of hysterics. Nothing to worry about. Two straight Horses of the Year seem to have gone to her head. Valencia snorted once, and Innie snorted with her before prancing almost lovingly before Demon. Demon utterly ignored her. Innie was a beautiful chestnut filly, but Demon had other things on his mind. Like racing, and the hulking five year old bay Prideful Limits making his way towards them. Perry was a monster out there. He was pure muscle and was using every ounce of it to attempt breaking away from Krystal's hold. To all intents and purposes it looked as though he had failed, as though a sullen black cloud covered him. Krystal seemed cheery enough, and not worried whatsoever about Perry's condition.
At last! exclaimed Amber with a hint of her well-known, at least to SOPS, mania. She wheeled Demon around and set off in the lead. Demon exuberantly responded, picking up the paces quickly, as powerful as a tsunamii of water rolling over the track. Innie followed quickly, light as a wisp of wind, eager and graceful. Pure class. She took the lead from Demon and exulted in the attention she felt she received as a result. Demon dropped back willingly, tactically. Jayde was now here, and then Perry. Perry joined Innie on the lead while Jayde clung close to them. Demon dropped even farther back now, as though interested in watching the three others interact with each other.
They all eased into the gallop. Innie really wanted that lead, but Perry wanted it more and took it forcefully. Innie snorted but stayed close as Perry made off with his prize. Jayde ghosted behind them, ready at any moment to stake her own claim. Demon was two lengths behind them, and he seemed to be waiting for something. His eyes glittered with calculation as he strode along. Within four furlongs the plan was made clear. Perry shook off Innie in a sudden turn of foot that had the router reeling. By the time she had recovered Jayde had taken advantage and shot after Perry. Determined as she was, the gray mare drew up alongside and then opened up a length of lead. Perry dug in and gave back as good as he got, finding a new gear and drawing up alongside again.
Immersed as they were, it was hard to notice Demon. He slipped up on the inside and simply roared away with a massive turn of foot, almost laughing in the faces of his competitors. Only Jayde possessed the rebound to deal with him and she dug in to make up for the lost space. Perry got trapped in between the two horses and made to swung to the outside just as the determined Innie made her reappearance, sealing him in. Krystal snarled in frustration and went with waiting. She made sure Perry didn't take a chunk out of the other horses as she searched anxiously for a gap that wasn't appearing. As Innie gained more ground she swung Perry down and to the outside, making for the gap.
Demon was rolling on that lead and Jayde was only just beginning to challenge the juvenile. She was neck to head with him, and neither was letting up. Perry was coming back with his charge and so was Innie, but at the wire it was Jayde and Demon about a length ahead with Innie following and Perry just behind. A close workout...but a fabulous one. The riders pulled their horses up, all separately exhilarated and excited by their run. It had been fast!
The black son of Speed Demon and Deadly Desires was dual Hall Of Fame bred and blue blooded at that for the sprints. He had already put in a powerful victory and two near misses and was looking to be a top turf sprinter among the two year olds. His half brother Mastermind had definitely rolled in the sprinting divisions and Demon looked to be the same. He was similarly arrogant, powerfully built and magnificent to behold. He had tactical speed that Innie found difficult to temper, hence why the two worked out together. But there were also two new additions to this usual pair of workout partners. Prideful Limits was one of them. He was the oldest and the brattiest, with a terrible attitude towards humans that softened only slightly in the presence of Krystal Yhate. He was yet another front runner putting the pedal to the medal for Innie.
Sugar Jayde rounded out the pair, and she was the sole grade one among them. At four years old, she stood at nearly sixteen hands and as a proud winner of two Breeders Cup races. She was good, but she wasn't the best. Henna hoped to change that. The Sweet Sugar Cane and Queen Of Hearts filly was bred to the best and to quit being overshadowed by stablemate Lynara's Kingdom. It was time to rock and roll. Jayde was an absolute sweetheart, even on the track, but when she got racing along she became a tough nut to crack. Now as she walked out onto the turf she obeyed Henna's commands almost instantly, playfully. She was ready to rock and sprint her heart out.
Demon was already there before them, waiting, standing tall and proud with his eyes fixed with interest on the rising sun. He looked like a phantom emerging from the darkness. Amber kept him on a loose rein, languishing on his back with a coy grin playing around her lips. She looked happy about something. Henna rose her eyebrows inquiringly. Oh, it's nothing Henna. Demon just ran second in his race to a Witch Creek horse. I love that. Now everybody will judge those other juveniles as better. The quicker ones in this part of the season. Just let them wait! Demon's going to get them all, aren't you boy? Henna watched with intense interest as Amber directed her conversation to her horse, then sighed and shook her head. Jayde neighed once as though in agreement with her thoughts.
Did I miss something? inquired Valencia as she arrived on the scene, eyebrows furrowed as she gazed at the giggling Amber. Henna shook her head. Amber having an attach of hysterics. Nothing to worry about. Two straight Horses of the Year seem to have gone to her head. Valencia snorted once, and Innie snorted with her before prancing almost lovingly before Demon. Demon utterly ignored her. Innie was a beautiful chestnut filly, but Demon had other things on his mind. Like racing, and the hulking five year old bay Prideful Limits making his way towards them. Perry was a monster out there. He was pure muscle and was using every ounce of it to attempt breaking away from Krystal's hold. To all intents and purposes it looked as though he had failed, as though a sullen black cloud covered him. Krystal seemed cheery enough, and not worried whatsoever about Perry's condition.
At last! exclaimed Amber with a hint of her well-known, at least to SOPS, mania. She wheeled Demon around and set off in the lead. Demon exuberantly responded, picking up the paces quickly, as powerful as a tsunamii of water rolling over the track. Innie followed quickly, light as a wisp of wind, eager and graceful. Pure class. She took the lead from Demon and exulted in the attention she felt she received as a result. Demon dropped back willingly, tactically. Jayde was now here, and then Perry. Perry joined Innie on the lead while Jayde clung close to them. Demon dropped even farther back now, as though interested in watching the three others interact with each other.
They all eased into the gallop. Innie really wanted that lead, but Perry wanted it more and took it forcefully. Innie snorted but stayed close as Perry made off with his prize. Jayde ghosted behind them, ready at any moment to stake her own claim. Demon was two lengths behind them, and he seemed to be waiting for something. His eyes glittered with calculation as he strode along. Within four furlongs the plan was made clear. Perry shook off Innie in a sudden turn of foot that had the router reeling. By the time she had recovered Jayde had taken advantage and shot after Perry. Determined as she was, the gray mare drew up alongside and then opened up a length of lead. Perry dug in and gave back as good as he got, finding a new gear and drawing up alongside again.
Immersed as they were, it was hard to notice Demon. He slipped up on the inside and simply roared away with a massive turn of foot, almost laughing in the faces of his competitors. Only Jayde possessed the rebound to deal with him and she dug in to make up for the lost space. Perry got trapped in between the two horses and made to swung to the outside just as the determined Innie made her reappearance, sealing him in. Krystal snarled in frustration and went with waiting. She made sure Perry didn't take a chunk out of the other horses as she searched anxiously for a gap that wasn't appearing. As Innie gained more ground she swung Perry down and to the outside, making for the gap.
Demon was rolling on that lead and Jayde was only just beginning to challenge the juvenile. She was neck to head with him, and neither was letting up. Perry was coming back with his charge and so was Innie, but at the wire it was Jayde and Demon about a length ahead with Innie following and Perry just behind. A close workout...but a fabulous one. The riders pulled their horses up, all separately exhilarated and excited by their run. It had been fast!
ARCANE ARTS
Call of the Wild and Krystal Yhate
Axis Mundae and Amber Black
Amber Black eyed the beautiful bay colt whom her most senior jockey rode. Now that's an SOPS turfer she thought, eyes gleaming. By Foolish Lad and out of Wild Flower, Call of the Wild was indeed exactly what Amber had just claimed he was. He was loaded with turf bloodlines that gave him the talent he possessed, shaped by careful breeding to be as great as he was. The juvenile had started three times for a first and two seconds, a great record to start off with. He had only just broken his maiden last week and now Amber would work to address the colt's weaknesses. As with any router, Call had loads of stamina, which was why she wanted to work on his speed. Hence, the mare she rode, five year old Axis Mundae out of her beloved Little Miss Innocent.
Axia had tons of speed and stamina. She was no newcomer to the ways of the racetrack and carried herself with poise and confidence. Her eyes flickered over the familiar turf as she approached and snorted once as though to announce her arrival. It took barely a flick of communication for Axia to accelerate into her jog, then into her canter. She was all strength, power and determination as she got down to business and took note of her workout partner for today. Call was definitely smaller than she was, but he was built very compactly and boasted impressive musculature. Unlike many juveniles, he already carried himself with seniority over the track. It just wasn't in Call's nature to be high strung. He came from the calmest of sires and the cleverest of dams. Though that cleverness rarely poked through until it came down to racing, where he excelled.
Amber...after we're done working out for the day, can I talk to you about Ode? I want to make sure we're ready to go Krystal spoke up suddenly, eyes glittering with sudden ideas. Amber watched her with amusement, fully relating to her jockey's ideas, and nodded. Of course. But first, this workout. One mile gallop, two furlong sprint-off. Don't let Call drag his hooves or anything. Get him after Axia or we're leaving you in the dust. Krystal nodded, smirking slightly as Call accelerated just a bit to keep pace with Axia. It seemed some of that calm shell was breaking off as Call reveled in the turf beneath his hooves and pointed his nose to the wire, wanting to get to it first. The two horses smoothly accelerated into a gallop as they passed under it, with Axia taking a slight lead and Call dropping back slightly to his preferred position.
Unlike many horses, Call could care less if dirt was flung into his face. He galloped along with it, eyes on the prize. Krystal steered him clear of the worst of the turf thrown up by Axia's hooves, her mind also set on making sure the older mare didn't get away from them. Axia had been planning this game for a while and she knew what was up. She positioned herself expertly to deal with Call should he come from the inside or the outside. Amber Black barely had to direct her mount, instead enjoying the ride and dreaming of the possibilities for Axia's last season. Axia had raced to two firecracker victories and a second so far this season and looked to be peaking for her best season yet. She was at nineteen career victories, very near the beautiful number twenty, and that was exactly where Amber wanted to go.
They drifted a bit to the outside as they approached the end of the mile. Call was well known for his outside charges and Amber wanted Axia ready to give the juvenile the race of his life. As they passed the appropriate marker Amber released her black mare and Axia was off like a shot. She unfurled her legs and streamed forward like a waterfall, thundering with all the power in the world. It was quick, very quick. Krystal had to work fast. She asked Call for some more speed and received some almost instantly - but it wasn't enough. Call was still lumbering along as though the fact Axia was five lengths in front and getting farther away did not bother him. Krystal cursed silently and steered Call so that there was no way he could miss Axia's streaming tail.
Something changed. Call saw the tail and suddenly he was all business. He stormed forward, eyes on nothing but that tail and the lengths separating him. Krystal urged him on, and the bay juvenile was coming up fast to his new nemesis. Axia was quick, but Call in flight was especially quick. He got to within a length of her before the veteran rebroke and pulled away again, just as the two furlongs ended. The two riders pulled their horses out of flight almost breathlessly. I think Call learned something out there today Amber. It worked! called Krystal. Amber grinned widely. I suppose we'll have to have a rematch sometime, hmm? The answer was a definitive yes.
Axia had tons of speed and stamina. She was no newcomer to the ways of the racetrack and carried herself with poise and confidence. Her eyes flickered over the familiar turf as she approached and snorted once as though to announce her arrival. It took barely a flick of communication for Axia to accelerate into her jog, then into her canter. She was all strength, power and determination as she got down to business and took note of her workout partner for today. Call was definitely smaller than she was, but he was built very compactly and boasted impressive musculature. Unlike many juveniles, he already carried himself with seniority over the track. It just wasn't in Call's nature to be high strung. He came from the calmest of sires and the cleverest of dams. Though that cleverness rarely poked through until it came down to racing, where he excelled.
Amber...after we're done working out for the day, can I talk to you about Ode? I want to make sure we're ready to go Krystal spoke up suddenly, eyes glittering with sudden ideas. Amber watched her with amusement, fully relating to her jockey's ideas, and nodded. Of course. But first, this workout. One mile gallop, two furlong sprint-off. Don't let Call drag his hooves or anything. Get him after Axia or we're leaving you in the dust. Krystal nodded, smirking slightly as Call accelerated just a bit to keep pace with Axia. It seemed some of that calm shell was breaking off as Call reveled in the turf beneath his hooves and pointed his nose to the wire, wanting to get to it first. The two horses smoothly accelerated into a gallop as they passed under it, with Axia taking a slight lead and Call dropping back slightly to his preferred position.
Unlike many horses, Call could care less if dirt was flung into his face. He galloped along with it, eyes on the prize. Krystal steered him clear of the worst of the turf thrown up by Axia's hooves, her mind also set on making sure the older mare didn't get away from them. Axia had been planning this game for a while and she knew what was up. She positioned herself expertly to deal with Call should he come from the inside or the outside. Amber Black barely had to direct her mount, instead enjoying the ride and dreaming of the possibilities for Axia's last season. Axia had raced to two firecracker victories and a second so far this season and looked to be peaking for her best season yet. She was at nineteen career victories, very near the beautiful number twenty, and that was exactly where Amber wanted to go.
They drifted a bit to the outside as they approached the end of the mile. Call was well known for his outside charges and Amber wanted Axia ready to give the juvenile the race of his life. As they passed the appropriate marker Amber released her black mare and Axia was off like a shot. She unfurled her legs and streamed forward like a waterfall, thundering with all the power in the world. It was quick, very quick. Krystal had to work fast. She asked Call for some more speed and received some almost instantly - but it wasn't enough. Call was still lumbering along as though the fact Axia was five lengths in front and getting farther away did not bother him. Krystal cursed silently and steered Call so that there was no way he could miss Axia's streaming tail.
Something changed. Call saw the tail and suddenly he was all business. He stormed forward, eyes on nothing but that tail and the lengths separating him. Krystal urged him on, and the bay juvenile was coming up fast to his new nemesis. Axia was quick, but Call in flight was especially quick. He got to within a length of her before the veteran rebroke and pulled away again, just as the two furlongs ended. The two riders pulled their horses out of flight almost breathlessly. I think Call learned something out there today Amber. It worked! called Krystal. Amber grinned widely. I suppose we'll have to have a rematch sometime, hmm? The answer was a definitive yes.
UNLIMITED
Lynara's Kingdom and Amber Black
LImited Edition and Valencia Andrews
Her horse was a machine, a real powerhouse, a champion yet unrecognized by the headlines. At least, that was what Valencia Andrews thought of the beautiful chestnut Limited Edition. Ed was a rising star to her. He burned with passion and ambition, just like she did. She understood Ed like the back of her hand and wanted nothing less than the top for him. And the best part was, he wanted the top as well, so badly that she felt it every time they were defeated, every time they faced a partner during a workout. Ed was going to work his way under his competitors' skins and walk away laughing. As would she. But today, their competition was different. They were facing the brilliant Lynara's Kingdom, superstar sprinter on the Wire who was racing in the Test Stakes next week.
Amber Black was cautious as she vaulted into Lynara's saddle and guided her to the dirt track. The mare had never taken defeat easily, especially to a horse like Executioner's Apprentice. She detested the older stallion and was burning with the desire to trample him. The Test Stakes was her next start and she would be releasing some healthy aggression in it. Lynara hated losing and she had already suffered two straight narrow defeats to App. But they weren't going to back off. They were going to be his top competition out there and they would aim to obliterate him. The pushy preceder currently had the edge, but they were going to come back strong to face him again. Amber nodded once, pleased with her vow, and then her eyes lit up upon catching sight of Ed and Valencia out on the dirt. She trotted Lynara over, and the mare coldly ignored Ed and waited for the command to run.
And how is Lynara today Amber? Hopefully ready to get her butt handed to her by Ed smirked Valencia overconfidently and very arrogantly, eyes glittering. It was just her way to be overconfident. Lynara would obliterate Ed any day of the week, but that was just how Valencia and Ed were. Stubbornly confident no matter the odds. Amber grinned. If you're confident of Ed's abilities at seven furlongs, you might give us a run for our money. That's exactly what we're doing today anyway. And we're going right into it too. This was exactly what Valencia wanted to hear. She grinned and followed Lynara and Amber as they began to warm up. When Lynara cantered, it was with the grace of a predator or the power of an aggressor. She was a volatile creature, and her running style was her greatest asset. It was difficult to predict and you had to be a great jockey to counter it once you identified it. Especially considering there wasn't a lot of time to do so, with Lynara being a sprinter.
The chestnut and gray thoroughbreds were cantering side by side now. Lynara seemed willful today but Amber kept the mare in check until the time to gallop was called. Ed was naturally a hunt-style closer and he kept a close eye on Lynara's position as he galloped on the outside, taking the longer trip for better position. After four furlongs Amber clucked once and let Lynara out. The mare didn't have to be asked twice. In a blur of speed she was off and up the track. Out of nowhere she opened up a three length gallop and then settled into stride. Amber could practically hear the mare cackling and grinned along with her, thoroughly enjoying the speed of their ride. Valencia and Ed were apparently floundering behind. But as Valencia rode Ed forward at a cruising pace, Amber recognized this was not true. They were just biding their time.
The pairs rode hard through the first three furlongs. Now Ed began to pick it up a little bit. Valencia opened him up and the powerful chestnut responded. He looked like a fiery bullet tearing along the dirt track as he set off in pursuit now, closing the comfortable four length gap Lynara had opened up. His approach was almost unnoticeable, but Amber knew better. She could feel the prickling on the back of her neck. As Ed got to within one length of them she leaned further down and kneaded her hands along Lynara's neck, asking for more speed. The four year old as off like a shot, and now Amber really did cackle. Until she found out that Ed was keeping pace with them, and driving up alongside with a smirking Valencia on board. Valencia had known what Amber was going to do and had timed her own move perfectly. And now Ed was here to challenge, deadly determined for the win.
Lynara shook off her challenger, or at least attempted to, but Ed was like an annoying fly. He was doing what he did best - getting under everybody's skin. And Lynara's wasn't tough to crack. But cracking Lynara unearthed her most deadly speed, and that was what Lynara revealed now as she kicked for home with a resounding increase in speed that floored Ed. The colt did not yet have the experience and development to keep up with her. As they flashed through the last furlong and pulled up their mounts, Amber was smirking while Valencia and Ed in turn both seethed and swore revenge. Their victory would not be denied next time. They had limitless potential to develop.
Amber Black was cautious as she vaulted into Lynara's saddle and guided her to the dirt track. The mare had never taken defeat easily, especially to a horse like Executioner's Apprentice. She detested the older stallion and was burning with the desire to trample him. The Test Stakes was her next start and she would be releasing some healthy aggression in it. Lynara hated losing and she had already suffered two straight narrow defeats to App. But they weren't going to back off. They were going to be his top competition out there and they would aim to obliterate him. The pushy preceder currently had the edge, but they were going to come back strong to face him again. Amber nodded once, pleased with her vow, and then her eyes lit up upon catching sight of Ed and Valencia out on the dirt. She trotted Lynara over, and the mare coldly ignored Ed and waited for the command to run.
And how is Lynara today Amber? Hopefully ready to get her butt handed to her by Ed smirked Valencia overconfidently and very arrogantly, eyes glittering. It was just her way to be overconfident. Lynara would obliterate Ed any day of the week, but that was just how Valencia and Ed were. Stubbornly confident no matter the odds. Amber grinned. If you're confident of Ed's abilities at seven furlongs, you might give us a run for our money. That's exactly what we're doing today anyway. And we're going right into it too. This was exactly what Valencia wanted to hear. She grinned and followed Lynara and Amber as they began to warm up. When Lynara cantered, it was with the grace of a predator or the power of an aggressor. She was a volatile creature, and her running style was her greatest asset. It was difficult to predict and you had to be a great jockey to counter it once you identified it. Especially considering there wasn't a lot of time to do so, with Lynara being a sprinter.
The chestnut and gray thoroughbreds were cantering side by side now. Lynara seemed willful today but Amber kept the mare in check until the time to gallop was called. Ed was naturally a hunt-style closer and he kept a close eye on Lynara's position as he galloped on the outside, taking the longer trip for better position. After four furlongs Amber clucked once and let Lynara out. The mare didn't have to be asked twice. In a blur of speed she was off and up the track. Out of nowhere she opened up a three length gallop and then settled into stride. Amber could practically hear the mare cackling and grinned along with her, thoroughly enjoying the speed of their ride. Valencia and Ed were apparently floundering behind. But as Valencia rode Ed forward at a cruising pace, Amber recognized this was not true. They were just biding their time.
The pairs rode hard through the first three furlongs. Now Ed began to pick it up a little bit. Valencia opened him up and the powerful chestnut responded. He looked like a fiery bullet tearing along the dirt track as he set off in pursuit now, closing the comfortable four length gap Lynara had opened up. His approach was almost unnoticeable, but Amber knew better. She could feel the prickling on the back of her neck. As Ed got to within one length of them she leaned further down and kneaded her hands along Lynara's neck, asking for more speed. The four year old as off like a shot, and now Amber really did cackle. Until she found out that Ed was keeping pace with them, and driving up alongside with a smirking Valencia on board. Valencia had known what Amber was going to do and had timed her own move perfectly. And now Ed was here to challenge, deadly determined for the win.
Lynara shook off her challenger, or at least attempted to, but Ed was like an annoying fly. He was doing what he did best - getting under everybody's skin. And Lynara's wasn't tough to crack. But cracking Lynara unearthed her most deadly speed, and that was what Lynara revealed now as she kicked for home with a resounding increase in speed that floored Ed. The colt did not yet have the experience and development to keep up with her. As they flashed through the last furlong and pulled up their mounts, Amber was smirking while Valencia and Ed in turn both seethed and swore revenge. Their victory would not be denied next time. They had limitless potential to develop.