SEPTEMBER WEEK ONE Y13
Axis Mundae & Sugar Jayde & Innocent Passion & Italian Ice.
Lynara's Kingdom & Aquatic Addiction & Forbidden To Fly.
SPEED ON THE TURF
Axis Mundae and Amber Black.
Sugar Jayde and Henna Turath.
Innocent Passion & Krystal Yhate.
Italian Ice & Valencia Andrews.
What a comeback party this would be. Valencia looked up at the sky and briefly wondered if they could actually do it. When Amber had told her the workout plans today before swinging into Axis Mundae's stall, Valencia had expected a distance workout with horses more like Italian Ice. She had not expected to be pitting the only Canadian Triple Crown winner in existence against the best turf sprinters in the barn (some of which could brag of being the best turf sprinters in the country) as Icee's workout for her comeback September Week One, where she would face off against Bella Luna for the first time since winning the Canadian Triple Crown. Valencia knew that she was nothing but excited about the encounter. She knew that she made a deadly combination when paired with Italian Ice. But she also knew that Icee was a classic horse, not a sprinter.
Amber looked just a bit too gleeful as she swung aboard Axis Mundae. The daughter of Warlock and Little Miss Innocent was a rocket out there. She was the top turf miler when she raced, and she made sure the world knew it. Her solid record of only top two places and fantastic wins against ridiculous fields was solidifying her with an overwhelming fan base. No fan could be moreso than Amber Black her rider, of course. Axia was the bold and daring first daughter of Missy, Amber's beloved turf mare, and she let her warm regard for Axia show through her eyes. Axia was the daredil on the track, the jokester off of it. She brought life to the stables. She and stablemate Sugar Jayde would be waging a Senior Turf Sprinter Series campaign which started with the first prep race, the Dash Stakes. Amber was eager for the race. And so was Henna. As Henna swung into the saddle of the sweetheart Sugar Jayde, daughter of Sweet Sugar Cane and Queen of Hearts, she grinned and slapped a high five with Amber.
Jayde was a year younger than Axia and would be taking her place as senior turf sprinter next year. As it was, Jayde was running an even more fantastic season than Axia, with only three losses to her name so far and a win against the top turf sprinters last time out. She felt strong and fluidly moved beneath Henna. Needless to say, Axia and Jayde were both full of speed and ready to stomp on the Canadian Triple Crown champion - and Valencia knew it. But the superfecta would not be complete without Innocent Passion, the well bred half sister of Axis Mundae who would seek to fill the hole Axia left in the ranks even moreso than Sugar Jayde. Anna was a small but tough three year old who had faced down the champions of her division on a daily basis. She proved to be just as tough when she won, but was sometimes still underrated in Krystal's eyes. She loved the insanely competitive filly, and fifteen wins at three years old was nothing to sniff at, but she thought Anna was often overlooked next to her competitors. She lost to her main competition, Cross My Heart, too much for Krystal's liking. Even if they did return the favor in the next race. Anna was prepping for the Butter Cup Sprint against said competitor. She had to prevent Cross from winning the Sprinter Turf Tiara. So this was an important workout for her.
Anna felt fluid and powerful beneath Krystal, as well as well rested. While Cross had duked it out with the top turf sprinters - such as Sugar Jayde - last week, Anna was rested and ready for this task. Not to mention that her top races came at seven and eight furlongs. She was practically bred to be the best at those distances. It was time to greet the winners' circle once more. Krystal grinned and posted to Anna's stride as they rode to meet the challenge Amber had presented to them today. The head trainer was waiting with Axia, who was already eyeing up Jayde like a piece of meat. These three turfers all knew each other. They formed a line of succession in the stable, where lines of succession were very important, and often worked out together. Their muscles were coiled, ready to spring. And all turned as Valencia finally arrived aboard Italian Ice.
The tall black three year old was glowing with vigor after her one month vacation. The Breeders Stakes had been a well fought turf marathon and now as the time to further the filly's turf campaign. Icee was the singularly most talented horse Valencia had ever ridden, and her talent burned within her like a bright spark. None could help but notice it. Henna threw an admiring glance in the shifting filly's way, and Amber's eyes glowed with pride as she took note of the daughter of Impressario. Icee was truly ready to go and run her heart out in the Wildly Natural Memorial Stakes. She would keep the world's eyes on her black form. Valencia could feel it, and grinned excitedly as Amber laid out the workout plans. She was still intimidated by the other fillies, but instead of letting that control her she let it excite her, loving the challenge. And Icee felt similarly to her rider. They never backed down, and even now Icee met the challenge with all of her confident boldness.
The four horses set off for their gallop over the turf. They accelerated smoothly and remained two in front, two in the back for the mile and a half gallop set to them. Anna and Jayde led - Anna because she was too competitive to do otherwise and Jayde because she loved to go fast as soon as possible. Icee took the rear because that was where she liked to be in small races like this, Axia's coltish body crushing them in on the outside with the experience of a closer. All four horses galloped with the smoothness of fitness and experience. They all felt respectively wonderful to their riders. The mile pole whipped on by, and the pace increased slightly for the last half mile in preparation for the break. Anna was gutsily sticking her neck out in front even now. Jayde's speed was also increasing as the joy of her running meshed with her rider's joy. Axia was prowling to the outside, and Icee felt like a ticking time bomb.
The appropriate pole was passed and it was like a bomb went off. Suddenly all four horses were blistering infernos of speed. Anna exploded, but even as she did Axia came up from the outside with her run. Jayde responded in kind and now Icee was faced with a wall of horses to run through. Valencia cursed, guided her horse to the outside and renewed her run for the win in this mini sprinting race. Icee listened immediately, her speed not slacking even as her competitors sprinted away at blisteringly fast speeds from her. They swung to the outside and then Valencia asked. Icee exploded, her eyes burning as she gunned it for the lead. She was fast as could be as she matched the turf sprinters stride for stride and caught up alongside Axia.
Anna was feeling the crush on the rail. Krystal encouraged her, asked her constantly to just keep going. Jayde was enlivened by the challenge of Axia. Axia wanted nothing but victory. And Icee was bearing down now on Axia's outside, and the coltish Axia swung out and bumped Icee slightly on the far turn. Valencia cursed but Icee didn't hesitate. The gutsy filly responded with a bump of her own and then rebroke, taking off again and leaving Axia in the dust. Amber was shocked. Jayde raced to meet Icee's challenge and suddenly Anna was behind. In the midst of all this confusion, the distance for the race ended, and Amber had to shout for the riders to pull their mounts up. Wide and gleeful grins split everybody's faces as the steaming horses were indeed pulled up, some with a lot more difficulty than others. But every rider was happy and pleased that their next performances would be great.
Amber looked just a bit too gleeful as she swung aboard Axis Mundae. The daughter of Warlock and Little Miss Innocent was a rocket out there. She was the top turf miler when she raced, and she made sure the world knew it. Her solid record of only top two places and fantastic wins against ridiculous fields was solidifying her with an overwhelming fan base. No fan could be moreso than Amber Black her rider, of course. Axia was the bold and daring first daughter of Missy, Amber's beloved turf mare, and she let her warm regard for Axia show through her eyes. Axia was the daredil on the track, the jokester off of it. She brought life to the stables. She and stablemate Sugar Jayde would be waging a Senior Turf Sprinter Series campaign which started with the first prep race, the Dash Stakes. Amber was eager for the race. And so was Henna. As Henna swung into the saddle of the sweetheart Sugar Jayde, daughter of Sweet Sugar Cane and Queen of Hearts, she grinned and slapped a high five with Amber.
Jayde was a year younger than Axia and would be taking her place as senior turf sprinter next year. As it was, Jayde was running an even more fantastic season than Axia, with only three losses to her name so far and a win against the top turf sprinters last time out. She felt strong and fluidly moved beneath Henna. Needless to say, Axia and Jayde were both full of speed and ready to stomp on the Canadian Triple Crown champion - and Valencia knew it. But the superfecta would not be complete without Innocent Passion, the well bred half sister of Axis Mundae who would seek to fill the hole Axia left in the ranks even moreso than Sugar Jayde. Anna was a small but tough three year old who had faced down the champions of her division on a daily basis. She proved to be just as tough when she won, but was sometimes still underrated in Krystal's eyes. She loved the insanely competitive filly, and fifteen wins at three years old was nothing to sniff at, but she thought Anna was often overlooked next to her competitors. She lost to her main competition, Cross My Heart, too much for Krystal's liking. Even if they did return the favor in the next race. Anna was prepping for the Butter Cup Sprint against said competitor. She had to prevent Cross from winning the Sprinter Turf Tiara. So this was an important workout for her.
Anna felt fluid and powerful beneath Krystal, as well as well rested. While Cross had duked it out with the top turf sprinters - such as Sugar Jayde - last week, Anna was rested and ready for this task. Not to mention that her top races came at seven and eight furlongs. She was practically bred to be the best at those distances. It was time to greet the winners' circle once more. Krystal grinned and posted to Anna's stride as they rode to meet the challenge Amber had presented to them today. The head trainer was waiting with Axia, who was already eyeing up Jayde like a piece of meat. These three turfers all knew each other. They formed a line of succession in the stable, where lines of succession were very important, and often worked out together. Their muscles were coiled, ready to spring. And all turned as Valencia finally arrived aboard Italian Ice.
The tall black three year old was glowing with vigor after her one month vacation. The Breeders Stakes had been a well fought turf marathon and now as the time to further the filly's turf campaign. Icee was the singularly most talented horse Valencia had ever ridden, and her talent burned within her like a bright spark. None could help but notice it. Henna threw an admiring glance in the shifting filly's way, and Amber's eyes glowed with pride as she took note of the daughter of Impressario. Icee was truly ready to go and run her heart out in the Wildly Natural Memorial Stakes. She would keep the world's eyes on her black form. Valencia could feel it, and grinned excitedly as Amber laid out the workout plans. She was still intimidated by the other fillies, but instead of letting that control her she let it excite her, loving the challenge. And Icee felt similarly to her rider. They never backed down, and even now Icee met the challenge with all of her confident boldness.
The four horses set off for their gallop over the turf. They accelerated smoothly and remained two in front, two in the back for the mile and a half gallop set to them. Anna and Jayde led - Anna because she was too competitive to do otherwise and Jayde because she loved to go fast as soon as possible. Icee took the rear because that was where she liked to be in small races like this, Axia's coltish body crushing them in on the outside with the experience of a closer. All four horses galloped with the smoothness of fitness and experience. They all felt respectively wonderful to their riders. The mile pole whipped on by, and the pace increased slightly for the last half mile in preparation for the break. Anna was gutsily sticking her neck out in front even now. Jayde's speed was also increasing as the joy of her running meshed with her rider's joy. Axia was prowling to the outside, and Icee felt like a ticking time bomb.
The appropriate pole was passed and it was like a bomb went off. Suddenly all four horses were blistering infernos of speed. Anna exploded, but even as she did Axia came up from the outside with her run. Jayde responded in kind and now Icee was faced with a wall of horses to run through. Valencia cursed, guided her horse to the outside and renewed her run for the win in this mini sprinting race. Icee listened immediately, her speed not slacking even as her competitors sprinted away at blisteringly fast speeds from her. They swung to the outside and then Valencia asked. Icee exploded, her eyes burning as she gunned it for the lead. She was fast as could be as she matched the turf sprinters stride for stride and caught up alongside Axia.
Anna was feeling the crush on the rail. Krystal encouraged her, asked her constantly to just keep going. Jayde was enlivened by the challenge of Axia. Axia wanted nothing but victory. And Icee was bearing down now on Axia's outside, and the coltish Axia swung out and bumped Icee slightly on the far turn. Valencia cursed but Icee didn't hesitate. The gutsy filly responded with a bump of her own and then rebroke, taking off again and leaving Axia in the dust. Amber was shocked. Jayde raced to meet Icee's challenge and suddenly Anna was behind. In the midst of all this confusion, the distance for the race ended, and Amber had to shout for the riders to pull their mounts up. Wide and gleeful grins split everybody's faces as the steaming horses were indeed pulled up, some with a lot more difficulty than others. But every rider was happy and pleased that their next performances would be great.
SPEED ON THE DIRt
Lynara's Kingdom and Amber Black.
Aquatic Addiction and Valencia Andrews.
Forbidden To Fly and Henna Turath.
It was time for a certain horse to grow up. Valencia eyed Aquatic Addiction with something akin to frustration in her gaze. The bay son of Shiver Me Timbers and GS Addicted To Love had been sitting on a big race her last start, she had been certain of it, but he had just gone out in the Red Wine Sprint and spun his wheels. Now he was prepping for the last leg of the Sprinter Crown next week, the Speedway Stakes. Valencia was deadly determined to win it this time around. She felt like Theo was training better and understanding more. His gallops had been strong and certain. A more mature and hopefully ready colt was going into the Speedway. There was a lot he had to do on the track before he retired. And his workout today was against Lynara's Kingdom and Forbidden To Fly, the finest dirt sprinters in the barn. He would be getting the work he needed today for sure.
Lynara's Kingdom felt explosive and ready for her start in the Burst Stakes today. Amber felt the power rippling through the monstrous dirt mare's body as they strode along the dirt track as though they owned it. Today, Lynara was displaying one of her rarest moods - affection. It touched Amber's heart to suddenly have such a pliable and obedient mount that responded to her commands with liking rather than coldness or dislike. This was an attitude Amber loved, even if it was essentially short-lived. Lynara was the most surprising horse Amber had trained. She had trashed her juvenile season in the middle and end of it, then had come out swinging her three year old season and not stopped since. She was something special, a horse Amber admired the competitiveness and talent of. She was now a top horse and she faced good competition in the Burst Stakes. Amber personally hoped to walk away with the mare's twenty fourth win on the day of the race. Their run in the Autumn Cup had shown that Lynara was tuned up and she was still sharp today, if how she felt was anything to judge by.
Henna looked at the loud stallion that was Fly and laughed out. Who would have guessed that a horse like this came from fabled bloodlines and was so good? It was probably the most surprising thing about the fun colt. Aboard this horse, Henna could just relax. The gray stallion would take good care of her, and keep her awake with his loud trumpeting. His record was almost exactly like Lynara's, except he took on races solely at the Wire. It was where the stallion preferred to run and he was an excellent sprinter over there. He had only lost three times this season as well, which was very impressive. He had coasted in the Smarty Jones Stakes last week. Henna remembered the feeling and grinned. Lynara was an old rival and Theo a protege. They would work well today together. The plan was a mile gallop and two furlong sprint. Short and to the point.
The trio met on the track. Lynara snorted darkly, eyed Fly - the stable clown - and Theo - the stable wannabe sprinter - with some skepticism, before snorting and taking off. Amber stood in the irons, reveling in the gray's motions. Theo took off eagerly after the older horse. He was in high spirits despite the Red Wine Sprint. Valencia leaned in to his neck, felt the motion, grinned hugely. He felt great and ready to give these two grade one champions runs for their money. It was time for some speed on the dirt. Fly coasted alongside Theo, keeping him company as Lynara disdainfully took the lead. This was where he wanted to be, right with company. They coasted through a quick half mile before Lynara decidedly became a handful. The mare was pulling sharply at the reins, eyes suddenly glaring as her affectionate attitude evaporated and became replaced with stubbornness and a need for speed. Amber sighed, counted out the furlongs before she could let Lynara have her wish. Valencia and Henna obeyed the silent command and caught up with Lynara. They would start the workout together.
The command came and all riders dropped their reins, eased out their horses and leaned closer to their horses' necks. Lynara burst like a cannon. There was no holding back the gray mare as she rolled away with devastating speed, blitzing the dirt with her quick fractions. Her eyes were ablaze now with fury and Amber was half considering taking bets on what attitude the mare would exhibit next. Fly and Theo plodded along behind at decidedly faster paces, but both appeared to be slightly shocked at Lynara's turn of foot. But the workout was only two furlongs, and they would need to push the pace in order to catch up to her. So push the pace they did. Valencia pleaded with Theo and the bay responded, digging deep and bursting forward from underneath her.
The speed of Theo encouraged Fly to stay engaged and alongside. Together the pair sprinted over the dirt towards Lynara. The gray mare was not flagging and the two doubled their efforts to catch up. But in no time at all the two furlongs were behind and all horses were being pulled up. Lynara looked ready to explode as they galloped out six furlongs to make the distance two miles. She felt ready, able and more than willing. Amber was grinning as she eased the mare, allowing Theo and Fly to catch up. The trio excitedly discussed the workout and what it could mean for their horses as they cooled down in a group. All of the horses felt sparky and full of run. They were ready for their next starts.
Lynara's Kingdom felt explosive and ready for her start in the Burst Stakes today. Amber felt the power rippling through the monstrous dirt mare's body as they strode along the dirt track as though they owned it. Today, Lynara was displaying one of her rarest moods - affection. It touched Amber's heart to suddenly have such a pliable and obedient mount that responded to her commands with liking rather than coldness or dislike. This was an attitude Amber loved, even if it was essentially short-lived. Lynara was the most surprising horse Amber had trained. She had trashed her juvenile season in the middle and end of it, then had come out swinging her three year old season and not stopped since. She was something special, a horse Amber admired the competitiveness and talent of. She was now a top horse and she faced good competition in the Burst Stakes. Amber personally hoped to walk away with the mare's twenty fourth win on the day of the race. Their run in the Autumn Cup had shown that Lynara was tuned up and she was still sharp today, if how she felt was anything to judge by.
Henna looked at the loud stallion that was Fly and laughed out. Who would have guessed that a horse like this came from fabled bloodlines and was so good? It was probably the most surprising thing about the fun colt. Aboard this horse, Henna could just relax. The gray stallion would take good care of her, and keep her awake with his loud trumpeting. His record was almost exactly like Lynara's, except he took on races solely at the Wire. It was where the stallion preferred to run and he was an excellent sprinter over there. He had only lost three times this season as well, which was very impressive. He had coasted in the Smarty Jones Stakes last week. Henna remembered the feeling and grinned. Lynara was an old rival and Theo a protege. They would work well today together. The plan was a mile gallop and two furlong sprint. Short and to the point.
The trio met on the track. Lynara snorted darkly, eyed Fly - the stable clown - and Theo - the stable wannabe sprinter - with some skepticism, before snorting and taking off. Amber stood in the irons, reveling in the gray's motions. Theo took off eagerly after the older horse. He was in high spirits despite the Red Wine Sprint. Valencia leaned in to his neck, felt the motion, grinned hugely. He felt great and ready to give these two grade one champions runs for their money. It was time for some speed on the dirt. Fly coasted alongside Theo, keeping him company as Lynara disdainfully took the lead. This was where he wanted to be, right with company. They coasted through a quick half mile before Lynara decidedly became a handful. The mare was pulling sharply at the reins, eyes suddenly glaring as her affectionate attitude evaporated and became replaced with stubbornness and a need for speed. Amber sighed, counted out the furlongs before she could let Lynara have her wish. Valencia and Henna obeyed the silent command and caught up with Lynara. They would start the workout together.
The command came and all riders dropped their reins, eased out their horses and leaned closer to their horses' necks. Lynara burst like a cannon. There was no holding back the gray mare as she rolled away with devastating speed, blitzing the dirt with her quick fractions. Her eyes were ablaze now with fury and Amber was half considering taking bets on what attitude the mare would exhibit next. Fly and Theo plodded along behind at decidedly faster paces, but both appeared to be slightly shocked at Lynara's turn of foot. But the workout was only two furlongs, and they would need to push the pace in order to catch up to her. So push the pace they did. Valencia pleaded with Theo and the bay responded, digging deep and bursting forward from underneath her.
The speed of Theo encouraged Fly to stay engaged and alongside. Together the pair sprinted over the dirt towards Lynara. The gray mare was not flagging and the two doubled their efforts to catch up. But in no time at all the two furlongs were behind and all horses were being pulled up. Lynara looked ready to explode as they galloped out six furlongs to make the distance two miles. She felt ready, able and more than willing. Amber was grinning as she eased the mare, allowing Theo and Fly to catch up. The trio excitedly discussed the workout and what it could mean for their horses as they cooled down in a group. All of the horses felt sparky and full of run. They were ready for their next starts.