UNICORN HORN SERIES WORKOUTS y13
DEMONIC DESIRES AND IN THE SPOTLIGHT.
INNOCENT PASSION AND fLEET mAJESTY.
INFINITE WARCRY AND ODE TO GLORY.
LYNARA'S KINGDOM AND FORBIDDEN TO FLY.
ETERNAL PHANTOM AND fLASHY wINGS.
DEMON'S SPOTLIGHT
Demonic Desires and Amber Black
In THe Spotlight and Valencia Andrews
The short chestnut miss was ready to rock and roll. After very impressively breaking her maiden first time out, Innie would face other impressive juveniles in the first face off of the year, the race that would determine the prodigies among the prodigies of the two year old crop. She was facing a field of five others, all loaded with class and the potential to take this race. What Innie had with her was lots of rest and workouts. She was primed and ready to win again. Innie craved attention in all forms and she wasn't going to give up that attention now. She wanted it again, wanted to feel the eyes on her. She was going to break fast, go to the front and attempt to wire the field as she had last time. Valencia Andrews felt deadly determined to win this race.
Her workout partner was the impressive black son of Speed Demon and Deadly Desires who had just broken his maiden last week. He would have run this week had he not run twice already this month. This workout was a prep for future encounters in his races. He had the potential to head his division in the turf sprints but only hard work would get them there. Demon was naturally talented and had a great jockey if Amber could just say so herself. She grinned at herself and then refocused on the workout. As per usual Demon was practically strutting as he pranced onto the turf track. He was arrogant and showed it in ever fiber of his being, down to the appropriate flick of the rail in a very impressive manner as he finally reached the turf. His hooves lightly touched down and lifted off as he welcomed the soft contact with the green, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed and sudden excitement.
Innie could care less that her workout partner had arrived. The chestnut filly was one hundred percent self absorbed and she exuded a presence all her own. She snorted and danced though as Amber approached aboard the black, craving attention. Valencia responded in kind, giving the filly a little bit of attention with a scratch behind the ears and a muttered praise. She straightened up then and focused in Amber, awaiting instructions. Well, you seem to be working great with Innie Valencia. You really won impressively last time out. She's never seen the Green Horse Fields track but she's worked there once or twice before and should be fine as long as you're focusing on her. Valencia nodded in keen agreement with Amber's points. My main concern is just keeping her focused throughout the race Amber. If that happens and the pace plays out just right, we stand a solid chance. Even if we don't do well, this is great experience for her. Amber grinned. She loved Valencia's positive attitude. We're going to gallop a mile. That will be it. Pick it up right at the end and let her coast.
The two riders wheeled their horses away and began to canter. Innie, of course, came calling on the inside, strategically placed there by Valencia to conserve strength with a shorter distance. Demon dropped back slightly on the outside, adopting his natural tendency to stalk his victims. Demon's gallop was speedy and fast. He was completely focused. Last race had of course been a bit green but his next race would be different, with two races under his belt. He tracked Innie into the turn. Innie naturally just kept her lead and was happy. All eyes were on her and she was kept focused because of Demon's presence at her side. This was the perfect race set-up for her.
The pair flew into the stretch and their riders asked for more. Breaking into the gallop, Innie lost focus briefly in the whirlwind of speed and Demon used the opportunity to creep a bit closer on her side. Snorting indignantly, Innie rebounded with a firm kick to get off and running again. She extended her lead to a length and didn't let up. Valencia took a tighter hold on the filly, knowing that Demon's best effort happened in the stretch. They ran side by side for all of six furlongs before Valencia's prediction came true. Demon struck, in a sudden whirlwind of black inferno that threatened to engulf the petite Innie. He was close and then past, utterly charging with Amber urging him on. Valencia snorted once and released Innie who, seeing her attention being taken away, reacted with a firm charge of her own.
Innie chased Demon into the wire and caught up just as the workout came to an end. Sweating, she was pulled up as was Demon, who seemed smug despite his near loss. It was clear that Innie was fired up and ready to go for the Unicorn Horn.
Her workout partner was the impressive black son of Speed Demon and Deadly Desires who had just broken his maiden last week. He would have run this week had he not run twice already this month. This workout was a prep for future encounters in his races. He had the potential to head his division in the turf sprints but only hard work would get them there. Demon was naturally talented and had a great jockey if Amber could just say so herself. She grinned at herself and then refocused on the workout. As per usual Demon was practically strutting as he pranced onto the turf track. He was arrogant and showed it in ever fiber of his being, down to the appropriate flick of the rail in a very impressive manner as he finally reached the turf. His hooves lightly touched down and lifted off as he welcomed the soft contact with the green, his eyes gleaming with barely suppressed and sudden excitement.
Innie could care less that her workout partner had arrived. The chestnut filly was one hundred percent self absorbed and she exuded a presence all her own. She snorted and danced though as Amber approached aboard the black, craving attention. Valencia responded in kind, giving the filly a little bit of attention with a scratch behind the ears and a muttered praise. She straightened up then and focused in Amber, awaiting instructions. Well, you seem to be working great with Innie Valencia. You really won impressively last time out. She's never seen the Green Horse Fields track but she's worked there once or twice before and should be fine as long as you're focusing on her. Valencia nodded in keen agreement with Amber's points. My main concern is just keeping her focused throughout the race Amber. If that happens and the pace plays out just right, we stand a solid chance. Even if we don't do well, this is great experience for her. Amber grinned. She loved Valencia's positive attitude. We're going to gallop a mile. That will be it. Pick it up right at the end and let her coast.
The two riders wheeled their horses away and began to canter. Innie, of course, came calling on the inside, strategically placed there by Valencia to conserve strength with a shorter distance. Demon dropped back slightly on the outside, adopting his natural tendency to stalk his victims. Demon's gallop was speedy and fast. He was completely focused. Last race had of course been a bit green but his next race would be different, with two races under his belt. He tracked Innie into the turn. Innie naturally just kept her lead and was happy. All eyes were on her and she was kept focused because of Demon's presence at her side. This was the perfect race set-up for her.
The pair flew into the stretch and their riders asked for more. Breaking into the gallop, Innie lost focus briefly in the whirlwind of speed and Demon used the opportunity to creep a bit closer on her side. Snorting indignantly, Innie rebounded with a firm kick to get off and running again. She extended her lead to a length and didn't let up. Valencia took a tighter hold on the filly, knowing that Demon's best effort happened in the stretch. They ran side by side for all of six furlongs before Valencia's prediction came true. Demon struck, in a sudden whirlwind of black inferno that threatened to engulf the petite Innie. He was close and then past, utterly charging with Amber urging him on. Valencia snorted once and released Innie who, seeing her attention being taken away, reacted with a firm charge of her own.
Innie chased Demon into the wire and caught up just as the workout came to an end. Sweating, she was pulled up as was Demon, who seemed smug despite his near loss. It was clear that Innie was fired up and ready to go for the Unicorn Horn.
mAJESTIC pASSION
Innocent Passion and Krystal Yhate
flEET mAJESTY AND aMBER bLACK
Amber Black eyed the gray filly inside the stall critically. Fleet Majesty was on training lease from Witch Creek Stable. The filly seemed to need a different touch to potentially bring out her true colors. So thus Amber would take care of the filly for now. Mage had yet to be truly successful in her career but Amber fervently hoped to change that. Horses like Mage were horses she clicked with - turf routers with a sense of fun and the love of the hunt. Mage had talent and she wasn't a lonely two year old now. No, the gray filly was three years old and SOPS's only shot at the last leg of the Turf Triple Tiara, if she was around for that long. Mage was filling in an empty spot on the SOPS team while she was here and Amber intended to make her as good as possible.
Which led to Mage's first test, a workout against champion turf sprinter Innocent Passion. Anna had had a very successful two year old season and in her first start at three had dead heated with Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Nightshade. That was a great accomplishment for her, but Krystal desired the win that would catapult them into grade two. Tears Of An Angel waited for them there, Anna's rival of the ages whom she hadn't met as often as she should have last year. Anna was prepping for the Unicorn Horn Turf Sprint as well against four others, including stablemate Axis Mundae. It would be a rough race, one that would truly test Anna's class against her own age group and established runners. Krystal Yhate was excited, to say the least. Anna's competitive spirit inflamed her own desire to win, and she felt so alive when she was astride the beautiful bay filly. They had big shoes to fill, considering her parents, and fill them they would.
Anna was competitive and determined. Mage was competitive and determined as well, but also incessantly energetic. Amber tacked her up and the filly was jumping the entire time, shifting side to side and nickering excitedly like an overexcited youngster. Amber grinned and when she swung up into the filly's saddle became aware of just how much power was coiled into the body of this thoroughbred. Mage was all energy and power. She danced beneath Amber's hands and Amber took it all in, interested to see how Mage was. Coming out of Witch Creek's conditioning program, she would have plenty of bottom. All they needed to work on was some speed, primarily why Anna was perfect for this task. Krystal and Anna were already waiting on the track, Anna dancing in place beneath Krystal with fire blazing in her eyes. Mage was similarly affected by Anna's presence. She locked gazes and only looked away when Amber made her. Amber grinned. Backbone.
The two three year old fillies swung onto the inner turf track, already marked slightly by the hooves of others. Mage immediately took to the inside rail with the ease of buried experience. She seemed really eager to stay ahead of Anna was well, who was mainly a preceder. Amber noted this all intently and then decided to try something. Mage was just gliding in the lead...but would she work better in the back? She tested this theory, easing down on the reins and letting Anna get slightly ahead. Anna got ahead by two lengths and swung to the inside comfortably. Mage seemed slightly upset at this, but a furlong flew by and suddenly the focus was back. Mage tracked Anna almost like a pro, and Amber felt glorious. The thrill of the hunt surged through the reins, and that thrill carried them forward into a gallop.
Anna curved closer to the inside, her eyes alight with flames. She wasn't going to back down and she was coaxing the closer Mage into a faster pace. Mage responded only slightly. She was definitely moving at a good clip but not at the pace Anna was going at. The sprinter filly bounded forward with all the energy in the world and quickly established a commanding lead of five lengths that was only increasing. And yet Mage continued to track and hunt, her eyes never leaving her prey. Her stride grew stronger, faster as time passed and she began to run Anna down. Four furlongs in they were four lengths off. Another furlong and only two off. They were curving into the stretch now and Amber felt Mage's heart pumping and released her at the opportune moment.
Mage cut a swathe of speed to the front, harrying after Anna for that win. Her turn of foot was so impressive that Anna wasn't prepared to meet the charge. Mage bounded past Anna and opened up some daylight. Not that Anna was going to stand for that. The bay filly responded quickly, turning it up a notch, and caught right up to Mage. She looked eye to eye with the gray and didn't back down. Full of guts and determination, the two fillies in majestic flight blazed across the finish line, full of fire and ready to go.
Which led to Mage's first test, a workout against champion turf sprinter Innocent Passion. Anna had had a very successful two year old season and in her first start at three had dead heated with Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Nightshade. That was a great accomplishment for her, but Krystal desired the win that would catapult them into grade two. Tears Of An Angel waited for them there, Anna's rival of the ages whom she hadn't met as often as she should have last year. Anna was prepping for the Unicorn Horn Turf Sprint as well against four others, including stablemate Axis Mundae. It would be a rough race, one that would truly test Anna's class against her own age group and established runners. Krystal Yhate was excited, to say the least. Anna's competitive spirit inflamed her own desire to win, and she felt so alive when she was astride the beautiful bay filly. They had big shoes to fill, considering her parents, and fill them they would.
Anna was competitive and determined. Mage was competitive and determined as well, but also incessantly energetic. Amber tacked her up and the filly was jumping the entire time, shifting side to side and nickering excitedly like an overexcited youngster. Amber grinned and when she swung up into the filly's saddle became aware of just how much power was coiled into the body of this thoroughbred. Mage was all energy and power. She danced beneath Amber's hands and Amber took it all in, interested to see how Mage was. Coming out of Witch Creek's conditioning program, she would have plenty of bottom. All they needed to work on was some speed, primarily why Anna was perfect for this task. Krystal and Anna were already waiting on the track, Anna dancing in place beneath Krystal with fire blazing in her eyes. Mage was similarly affected by Anna's presence. She locked gazes and only looked away when Amber made her. Amber grinned. Backbone.
The two three year old fillies swung onto the inner turf track, already marked slightly by the hooves of others. Mage immediately took to the inside rail with the ease of buried experience. She seemed really eager to stay ahead of Anna was well, who was mainly a preceder. Amber noted this all intently and then decided to try something. Mage was just gliding in the lead...but would she work better in the back? She tested this theory, easing down on the reins and letting Anna get slightly ahead. Anna got ahead by two lengths and swung to the inside comfortably. Mage seemed slightly upset at this, but a furlong flew by and suddenly the focus was back. Mage tracked Anna almost like a pro, and Amber felt glorious. The thrill of the hunt surged through the reins, and that thrill carried them forward into a gallop.
Anna curved closer to the inside, her eyes alight with flames. She wasn't going to back down and she was coaxing the closer Mage into a faster pace. Mage responded only slightly. She was definitely moving at a good clip but not at the pace Anna was going at. The sprinter filly bounded forward with all the energy in the world and quickly established a commanding lead of five lengths that was only increasing. And yet Mage continued to track and hunt, her eyes never leaving her prey. Her stride grew stronger, faster as time passed and she began to run Anna down. Four furlongs in they were four lengths off. Another furlong and only two off. They were curving into the stretch now and Amber felt Mage's heart pumping and released her at the opportune moment.
Mage cut a swathe of speed to the front, harrying after Anna for that win. Her turn of foot was so impressive that Anna wasn't prepared to meet the charge. Mage bounded past Anna and opened up some daylight. Not that Anna was going to stand for that. The bay filly responded quickly, turning it up a notch, and caught right up to Mage. She looked eye to eye with the gray and didn't back down. Full of guts and determination, the two fillies in majestic flight blazed across the finish line, full of fire and ready to go.
ODE TO INFINITE
Infinite Warcry and Amber Black.
Ode To Glory and Krystal Yhate
Ode To Glory and Infinite Warcry - perhaps the two most unlikely horses to be as truly impressive as they were. Even tempered, well mannered - they weren't cast from the usual mold of fiery, competitive racehorse. Ode was the best behaved colt in the barn, and Infini the gentle giant. That was why Amber Black and Krystal Yhate dearly loved them. Even now they were poised in front of their respective stalls, looking lovingly into the eyes of the horses that had captured their hearts. Infini was now four years old. He stood at his beautiful seventeen and a half hands high height and was a gorgeous animal. He was muscular and big and absolutely pristine, with not a hair out of place on his coat. Amber Black approached the stallion at last to tack him up and he came to her, lipping her hand gently with big eyes looking straight into hers. Her heart melted.
Krystal gazed at Ode with the same surprise and pride that she had after the Breeders Cup. Ode had been a most unlikely champion two year old. He had anything but an impressive record. Yet it was he who was at Blue Me Away's level now, he who had dead heated for first among the top young turf colts in the country. The crown as his to prove, but not his to lose. That was Blue's job. Krystal smirked. She had already planned all of Ode's preps to the Kentucky Open. He would face top class competition and hopefully come away flying. He was her best Turf Triple Crown prospect alongside Passionate Class and that made her excited. He could be the one to do it for SOPS...
Within half an hour the two leaders of their division met on the track. There was nothing competitive about their exchange. Infini seemed completely unperturbed by Ode's presence and Ode felt the same way. Though hilariously enough, Amber had to blink a bit before recognizing Ode. He looked almost like Frozen Motion, Infini's rival, not that Infini seemed to mind. It was...interesting, to say the least. Infini had faced and even lost to Freeze out there and had yet formed a fiery sort of rivalry typical of a racehorse. His losses, all eight of them, were near losses and he always gave it his all. He had the mightiest closing kick on the track. He would always catch up to you no matter where he was. He was the crowd's idol during the stretch, charging down with a warcry in his eyes. That was Infini to the bone. And as for Ode...he was all heart and spirit. Not the flashiest runner around, but out there on that track he was a tough horse to top. A bit slow to mature, but tougher now than many out there.
With their first starts of the season in the Unicorn Horn against top class competition, this workout was going to be important for them. It was their statement at the beginning of the season, one SOPS always strove to make strongly. The races were close, but the two horses were pure distance runners and would not be tired out by running a longer workout. As it was, they were doing two miles of gradual acceleration. Infini had galloped even longer than that before the Turf Marathon. He was facing Firebird, the horse he had lost to in that race, in the Turf Classic and Amber wanted Infini to get out there and win. It had been too long since they'd last had a trip to the winners' circle...and with races like the Breeders Cup Turf at the end of the year they had to be ready to dethrone the older veterans.
Stride for stride over the turf the two horses strode, equally powerful and keeping equally in tune with each other. Ode was spirited today. All his January gallops were paying off and showing in his new zest for stamina. Infini had long since had that zest and was happy to share it with Infini. If anything, the two horses loved working with other - a strange thing to think about. They broke into the gallop in sync with each other and just kept running, ears perked and alert to each other. Infini's big body was hunkered down at the rail, but Ode gave him space as he took the longer trip. Neither colt was in a hurry and the pace was beautiful.
One mile passed, then another half. Ode pulled at the reins as Infini smoothly, with the experience of a monster, shifted gears as though following an invisible command and bounded up the track more quickly, keen to go on. He was pure marathoner. Krystal allowed Ode to follow the motion of the black giant, careful to keep him close. Infini could leave them behind in a split second if she wasn't careful, and there was no catching up when Infini had his lead. Another furlong passed and then the black monster decided it was time. Time to sprint. He was off in a flash, a black whirl of sudden speed that practically whooshed back in Ode's and Krystal's faces. Breathtakingly impressive. Krystal shook her head and set Ode after the roaring Infini, who had already opened up four lengths and was just going on as easy as he pleased, well in hand.
Ode dug down and gave it his best. He found the gear he had found in the Juvenile Turf a shred too late. He did not possess Infini's closing kick but had his own talent. Determined, he struck out at the daylight and cut all but one length of Infini's lead before the two miles were up and the two colts were galloped out. Amber and Krystal were in a state of bliss. This had been an amazingly rewarding workout!
Krystal gazed at Ode with the same surprise and pride that she had after the Breeders Cup. Ode had been a most unlikely champion two year old. He had anything but an impressive record. Yet it was he who was at Blue Me Away's level now, he who had dead heated for first among the top young turf colts in the country. The crown as his to prove, but not his to lose. That was Blue's job. Krystal smirked. She had already planned all of Ode's preps to the Kentucky Open. He would face top class competition and hopefully come away flying. He was her best Turf Triple Crown prospect alongside Passionate Class and that made her excited. He could be the one to do it for SOPS...
Within half an hour the two leaders of their division met on the track. There was nothing competitive about their exchange. Infini seemed completely unperturbed by Ode's presence and Ode felt the same way. Though hilariously enough, Amber had to blink a bit before recognizing Ode. He looked almost like Frozen Motion, Infini's rival, not that Infini seemed to mind. It was...interesting, to say the least. Infini had faced and even lost to Freeze out there and had yet formed a fiery sort of rivalry typical of a racehorse. His losses, all eight of them, were near losses and he always gave it his all. He had the mightiest closing kick on the track. He would always catch up to you no matter where he was. He was the crowd's idol during the stretch, charging down with a warcry in his eyes. That was Infini to the bone. And as for Ode...he was all heart and spirit. Not the flashiest runner around, but out there on that track he was a tough horse to top. A bit slow to mature, but tougher now than many out there.
With their first starts of the season in the Unicorn Horn against top class competition, this workout was going to be important for them. It was their statement at the beginning of the season, one SOPS always strove to make strongly. The races were close, but the two horses were pure distance runners and would not be tired out by running a longer workout. As it was, they were doing two miles of gradual acceleration. Infini had galloped even longer than that before the Turf Marathon. He was facing Firebird, the horse he had lost to in that race, in the Turf Classic and Amber wanted Infini to get out there and win. It had been too long since they'd last had a trip to the winners' circle...and with races like the Breeders Cup Turf at the end of the year they had to be ready to dethrone the older veterans.
Stride for stride over the turf the two horses strode, equally powerful and keeping equally in tune with each other. Ode was spirited today. All his January gallops were paying off and showing in his new zest for stamina. Infini had long since had that zest and was happy to share it with Infini. If anything, the two horses loved working with other - a strange thing to think about. They broke into the gallop in sync with each other and just kept running, ears perked and alert to each other. Infini's big body was hunkered down at the rail, but Ode gave him space as he took the longer trip. Neither colt was in a hurry and the pace was beautiful.
One mile passed, then another half. Ode pulled at the reins as Infini smoothly, with the experience of a monster, shifted gears as though following an invisible command and bounded up the track more quickly, keen to go on. He was pure marathoner. Krystal allowed Ode to follow the motion of the black giant, careful to keep him close. Infini could leave them behind in a split second if she wasn't careful, and there was no catching up when Infini had his lead. Another furlong passed and then the black monster decided it was time. Time to sprint. He was off in a flash, a black whirl of sudden speed that practically whooshed back in Ode's and Krystal's faces. Breathtakingly impressive. Krystal shook her head and set Ode after the roaring Infini, who had already opened up four lengths and was just going on as easy as he pleased, well in hand.
Ode dug down and gave it his best. He found the gear he had found in the Juvenile Turf a shred too late. He did not possess Infini's closing kick but had his own talent. Determined, he struck out at the daylight and cut all but one length of Infini's lead before the two miles were up and the two colts were galloped out. Amber and Krystal were in a state of bliss. This had been an amazingly rewarding workout!
SOARING KINGDOM
Lynara's Kingdom and Amber Black
Forbidden To Fly and Henna Turath
Amber Black eyed the form book critically. So Lynara's nemesis came back again - Executioner's Apprentice. Now that was a fast colt, one they had to defeat. Her eyes flickered through the rest of the entrants but kept coming back to App. They had to defeat the gray, get their revenge for their defeat in the Breeders Cup Mile. App had defended his title successfully. It was time to knock him off his high horse. The Wire's Sprinter of the Year and Sprinter Female of the Year was a surprisingly talented miler, and she had beaten App indeed in the Wire Finish Cup Mile last year. App was their goal. The others, of course, mattered, but Amber Black wanted App somewhere far behind them. And naturally, their workout buddy today was the least serious horse in the barn - Forbidden To Fly.
Winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile, Fly had pulled up a bit short with his second in the Sprint. But it was nothing Henna was truly concerned about. Fly still had at least a season of racing left and he was honing in on the sprints. His talent was growing, and his seriousness about racing had developed to a suitable degree. He didn't treat it like a complete game anymore. Now he actually got serious about halfway through the race. Henna could feel the connection when that happened, feel the focused attention zinging through the reins. That was a glorious feeling and one she wanted more often. Fly was four years old now, a true adult horse. He was the least green he ever had been and even more talented than before. Lynara may have surpassed them in the span of a year, but they worked with the unpredictable filly daily and had improved tremendously because of it.
Side by side, the two stablemates strode forward. Lynara was focusing more sharply now, her keen eyes scouring the track like a predator and her very mindset that of a hunter. Fly was light hearted as ever. He was also more focused here on the dirt but he was also airy about it. He danced rather than prowled, and his eyes gleamed with the excitement of the game. Lynara was thinking of the hunt; Fly, of the glory. He danced before setting off into a bouncy canter, the polar opposite of the quiet Lynara who shifted gears swiftly to keep up with him. Lynara desired a trip to the winners' circle. She desired glory whereas Fly desired fun and games. But despite their differences the two made very effective workout partners. They just knew how to get down and dirty with their sprinting when they had to.
The pace upped to a gallop and the wind began to sing. Amber Black leaned forward comfortably, holding Lynara lightly in her hands. Fly was boisterous energy, a spring uncoiling in Henna's grip. He was bouncy and focused only because the white Lynara ghosted at his side. Faster, and then faster still. Their hooves touched down and lifted off with all the grace and power of seasoned thoroughbred racehorses. They thundered down the dirt track, no mercy in their speed, focused on the hunt and soaring for glory. Such a feeling was matched evenly by the talent of these two horses, the talent both bred into them and nurtured from birth. The ability to succeed, to rule the kingdom of racing was theirs to keep, theirs to use as they saw fit. All the stable needed for success in the sprinting program was right here.
Winner of the Breeders Cup Juvenile, Fly had pulled up a bit short with his second in the Sprint. But it was nothing Henna was truly concerned about. Fly still had at least a season of racing left and he was honing in on the sprints. His talent was growing, and his seriousness about racing had developed to a suitable degree. He didn't treat it like a complete game anymore. Now he actually got serious about halfway through the race. Henna could feel the connection when that happened, feel the focused attention zinging through the reins. That was a glorious feeling and one she wanted more often. Fly was four years old now, a true adult horse. He was the least green he ever had been and even more talented than before. Lynara may have surpassed them in the span of a year, but they worked with the unpredictable filly daily and had improved tremendously because of it.
Side by side, the two stablemates strode forward. Lynara was focusing more sharply now, her keen eyes scouring the track like a predator and her very mindset that of a hunter. Fly was light hearted as ever. He was also more focused here on the dirt but he was also airy about it. He danced rather than prowled, and his eyes gleamed with the excitement of the game. Lynara was thinking of the hunt; Fly, of the glory. He danced before setting off into a bouncy canter, the polar opposite of the quiet Lynara who shifted gears swiftly to keep up with him. Lynara desired a trip to the winners' circle. She desired glory whereas Fly desired fun and games. But despite their differences the two made very effective workout partners. They just knew how to get down and dirty with their sprinting when they had to.
The pace upped to a gallop and the wind began to sing. Amber Black leaned forward comfortably, holding Lynara lightly in her hands. Fly was boisterous energy, a spring uncoiling in Henna's grip. He was bouncy and focused only because the white Lynara ghosted at his side. Faster, and then faster still. Their hooves touched down and lifted off with all the grace and power of seasoned thoroughbred racehorses. They thundered down the dirt track, no mercy in their speed, focused on the hunt and soaring for glory. Such a feeling was matched evenly by the talent of these two horses, the talent both bred into them and nurtured from birth. The ability to succeed, to rule the kingdom of racing was theirs to keep, theirs to use as they saw fit. All the stable needed for success in the sprinting program was right here.
BE MAGICAL
Eternal Phantom and Krystal Yhate
Flashy Wings and Henna Turath
Silent and deadly - Eternal Phantom in a nutshell. The black mistress was standing stock still in her kingdom, the dirt track, as though awaiting a royal escort to a masquerade ball. Her eyes were alert and fierce, flicking this way and that. There was something intimidating in the way that she was standing, something that just screamed danger. Phantie was in a nasty mood, and Krystal Yhate knew she'd be hanging on for her life because of that. Phantie in a good mood rarely if ever happened. In a bad mood...well, it was terrible. Great if it was a race, for she tapped into demonic speed. But workout wise, it was just too exhausting. Phantie was four years old now, and the black mare looked strong and ready. Krystal knew rivals would come knocking on Phantie's door this year and was prepared to meet their challenge. Her eyes glittered as she awaited their workout partner.
Breeders Cup Classic winner Flashy Wings, five years old and in his final season of racing. This was a talented colt who had won about half of his career races and had been a top contender for the entirety of his life. Henna Turath had never been so proud. Flash was her pride and joy and this year Sunset Crusade was finally off the track, leaving glory to them to claim. This was their true year to shine. Last year had been amazing but this year could be better. They'd be defending their title in the Classic at the end of the season, most likely, and that was what Henna looked forward to. And what better way to prep than to face Ladies Classic champion Eternal Phantom, winner of the Kentucky Derby - the only leg of the Triple Crown that Flash had missed out on?
Big things were expected of proven winners. Flash and Phantie had to live up to those expectations. Burning with determination, Henna met Krystal's gaze and Krystal met Henna's. They understood each other, understood what they wanted to happen here today. They wheeled their two horses around and set off down the dirt track. Phantie and Flash kept stride for stride with each other. They were about the same height and usually ran in similar fashions. Flash's biggest victories came over the dirt but he was a turf runner as well - just like with Sillenia, who dominated the turf but could run dirt. Flash was flashy. The blood bay attracted eyes due to his unique coloring and proud stance. He was just the type of horse you liked to see, the typified thoroughbred. Phantie was the fierce, dog-fighting and talented mare people loved to cheered on and who had stood as the female representative in the world of men when she won the Derby, only the second female winner in history to do so. She was predatory out here, and she dropped back just slightly to stalk Flash, a position she did not usually adopt.
The furlongs flickered past and the pace gradually increased with no regulation. The two were gearing up for the battle and when it came and they were released became mighty maelstroms of power. Flashes of bay and black mixed as they razed the dirt to the roots. Flash dug down and managed to pull out a faster gear. Phantie responded in kind, slinking to the ground and pounding her legs faster. Where Flash was raw power, Phantie was graceful beauty and predatory intent in one black package. Flash's eyes gleamed with excitement as he was challenged, while Phantie's merely disdainfully responded. She was an arrogant filly built to run the dirt classics against the boys. But her first start for the year would be at the Wire, to separate her from Flash for a little bit.
The two were knocking on the door of race pace as they swept under the wire. Amber Black looked up from her stopwatch, pleased as pudding. This was what she liked to see from her top runners. Solid fractions without being asked, entirely in their own control and dominion. That was true talent and professional form, and it would be in action on race day.
Breeders Cup Classic winner Flashy Wings, five years old and in his final season of racing. This was a talented colt who had won about half of his career races and had been a top contender for the entirety of his life. Henna Turath had never been so proud. Flash was her pride and joy and this year Sunset Crusade was finally off the track, leaving glory to them to claim. This was their true year to shine. Last year had been amazing but this year could be better. They'd be defending their title in the Classic at the end of the season, most likely, and that was what Henna looked forward to. And what better way to prep than to face Ladies Classic champion Eternal Phantom, winner of the Kentucky Derby - the only leg of the Triple Crown that Flash had missed out on?
Big things were expected of proven winners. Flash and Phantie had to live up to those expectations. Burning with determination, Henna met Krystal's gaze and Krystal met Henna's. They understood each other, understood what they wanted to happen here today. They wheeled their two horses around and set off down the dirt track. Phantie and Flash kept stride for stride with each other. They were about the same height and usually ran in similar fashions. Flash's biggest victories came over the dirt but he was a turf runner as well - just like with Sillenia, who dominated the turf but could run dirt. Flash was flashy. The blood bay attracted eyes due to his unique coloring and proud stance. He was just the type of horse you liked to see, the typified thoroughbred. Phantie was the fierce, dog-fighting and talented mare people loved to cheered on and who had stood as the female representative in the world of men when she won the Derby, only the second female winner in history to do so. She was predatory out here, and she dropped back just slightly to stalk Flash, a position she did not usually adopt.
The furlongs flickered past and the pace gradually increased with no regulation. The two were gearing up for the battle and when it came and they were released became mighty maelstroms of power. Flashes of bay and black mixed as they razed the dirt to the roots. Flash dug down and managed to pull out a faster gear. Phantie responded in kind, slinking to the ground and pounding her legs faster. Where Flash was raw power, Phantie was graceful beauty and predatory intent in one black package. Flash's eyes gleamed with excitement as he was challenged, while Phantie's merely disdainfully responded. She was an arrogant filly built to run the dirt classics against the boys. But her first start for the year would be at the Wire, to separate her from Flash for a little bit.
The two were knocking on the door of race pace as they swept under the wire. Amber Black looked up from her stopwatch, pleased as pudding. This was what she liked to see from her top runners. Solid fractions without being asked, entirely in their own control and dominion. That was true talent and professional form, and it would be in action on race day.