Over Stormy Waters

With all things considered, Theo was doing much better on the track than many had hoped he would. Due to his slower nature and seeming ability to do stupid things at the most inopportune moments when he was younger they had expected to have more problems with him on the track. But in training he had shown himself to be a willing racer and although he still wasn't exactly intelligent he listened well to his jockey - something which had resulted in him performing better than a horse who was more stubborn. He hadn't been the quickest to break his maiden, it had taken him several attempts, but once he had his confidence had grown.

His most recent start, a month ago now, had been quite impressive. He hadn't won in the Magic Millions, the first major race in which he had been entered but he had placed and in doing so had proved he had the skill to be a threat on the track. He was not a heavily raced horse, where some two year olds had raced ten times now he had raced only five but he had not placed outside of the top two and improved on every outing. Was he the horse that was a superstar from the word go? No. Did he have the makings of a superstar? Yes.

Alexia was pleased with how the colt had been running. With two wins to his name, he was steadily climbing the ranks and she felt he was ready to put his name to a major race. The Follow The Hoofprints Dirt Mile, which had been selected as the colt's next race, seemed to be a good chance for him to do just that. However, the competition was tough. In a two horse field against the Star Thoroughbreds horse Born To Impress Theo would have his work cut out, but Alexia was not going to back down.

Impress was seventeen hands of well bred black thoroughbred; a half sibling to the Triple Tiara winner Born To Soar and son of the Triple Crown winner Impressario. He had raced six times, winning three of those starts. His record was impressive, having never placed outside of the top three and raced in three major races. In that respect, Theo was at a disadvantage but in many things they were evenly matched. Impress usually ran as a preceder but was versatile and would lead in the upcoming race.

As a closer, Theo would sit back for most of the nine furlong race, making a dramatic move in the stretch. For Alexia, the challenge would be in judging just how far back to run. If she sat too far back they wouldn't be able to close the distance, however she did not want to run Theo too quickly and kill off his stamina before the stretch when he would require it. Still, she knew that such things could not be fully planned before the race, she would need to adapt to just how Star Thoroughbreds ran Impress.

Theo was well rested, and the rest showed when he was brought out of his stable. He looked well, although the energy had started to come through in making him more excitable than usual. Jack had been asked to take him down to the track today - he was still new to the stable, and usually worked alongside Lucas or Mia, but they felt he had the skill and experience to do it alone. Especially with the gentle horses, such as Theo, who really enjoyed human company and would do almost anything for a snack.

The colt walked well, for the most part, but did pull a little at the rein and was clearly wanting to move more quickly. Jack smiled, stroking the colt's muscular neck as they moved toward the track. "You ready for a race, hey Theo? It's not going to be an easy one." The colt, of course, did not understand. He threw his head a little, pulled at the rein and Jack sighed. "Come on then." The handler started to jog, the colt trotting happily along beside him as the got closer and closer to the track.

Alexia was sat on the fence beside the track, talking to Matthias about all sorts of things. His wedding, Lucas, the horses. Generally, she was relaxed, but her eyes lit up when she saw Theo. Of all the horses she worked with, Theo was one of the ones who had really worked his way into her heart. She cared about all of them, but Theo had made himself special. His soft and gentle nature matched with his highly competitive side made for a good friend and a good partner on the track. She slipped from the fence, moved to the young thoroughbred and put her arms around his neck. "That's my boy." she told him.

After a moment of affection, Alexia moved and climbed into the saddle. She tested the girth, which seemed fine, and then her stirrups. She adjusted stirrup length - not surprised to find an exercise jockey had done some work with Theo - and then grinned over at Matthias. "Right, a recap. Your working him over three furlongs today. The first two furlongs, I just want you to let him set his own pace but the final furlong I want you to go for it. He has a little too much energy, so it will do him good to burn some of it off. As we discussed, we won't use the gates today." Alexia nodded and grinned at Jack who nodded back curtly.

Jack led the bay colt across the dirt, the colt much more relaxed now, his focus clear. His audits were pressed forwards as the walked toward the three furlong mark, his movement smooth and natural. Unlike many two year olds, especially the more dominant ones, Theo did not have a habit of moving like a giraffe. He kept his head held naturally, his movements did not become sharp or stiff. In other words, without that dominant streak he was able to act without the need to better every other horse.

Jack stopped the colt at the three furlong mark, watched as Alexia rose in her stirrups and took position. Horse and jockey were focussed on the track, waiting, and then jack released his grip. The speed at which they moved off at this stage was nothing worth writing home about. It was slow, the colt not surging forwards but seeming to hold back a little. His strides, long, carried him well and soon his pace did pick up a bit, bringing him to around average speed.

Alexia did not push the colt. Instead, she allowed him to run as he chose to, happy to see him relaxed and yet focussed on their task. He was one of those horses who seemed so at ease on the track, who took naturally to their task. He enjoyed running, but he felt no need to tear off. He listened to her, and she could read him well enough. With his talents, and her judgement, they worked perfectly together and their bond was always growing stronger. Alexia pulled her attention from the horse and back to the workout, noticing that they had just passed the marker showing that they had reached the end of the first furlong.

Two furlongs left, one until the work really began. Alexia found herself finding the colt's rhythm for when she would be pushing him forwards, allowed herself to meld with him. In that moment, nothing else mattered. Even the race did not matter, only this workout and her and Theo. The world may as well have shrunk to include nothing else. She noticed, also, that Theo's pace had picked up a little more than she would have expected and smiled to herself. Theo really was ready for another race, and the competition they faced really did not matter.

The furlong closed and Alexia bit her lip. This was where things really got interesting and with Theo she didn't ride with a whip. It's not like she needed one, to start with, but he also shied away from them. He reacted well enough to her driving him, and that was what she started as they moved into the final furlong. For the first few strides she just urged the colt a little bit but having warned him of what was about to come she folded herself close to his neck and started to drive much harder.

Every stride, Alexia pushed the colt forwards and his pace was picking up at a frightening speed. He was surging forwards, the world seeming to fly past as she continued to drive him. She willed him forwards, and he responded. The final furlong never lasted long, but Theo had done even better than she had expected. They absolutely flew past the post and she brought him down to a walk, riding to the rail where Matthias was stood. "That... That was amazing." the trainer seemed lost for words. "I've never seen him produce speeds like that. I think you've done it, Alexia. I think you unlocked what we've been waiting for."