Post by Cavallo on Nov 4, 2012 14:17:02 GMT -5
Nightshade & Michael Landing - Prep for Provincia Derby
Bellefire & Adele Rodgers - Prep for Yukonite Derby Race Four
It was time to start moving. It had been a month since the filly had been seen out and about on the racing tracks and it had been a show. The black bay filly had claimed the GHF Racing Post Trophy*, over some of the industry's top juvenile thoroughbreds, but Nick wanted to start pointing the filly to higher grades and older competition. It would be the only way to keep the filly on top of her game and avoid the boredom factor.
Michael rode the filly at a canter, while they warmed up around the tracks. He wasn't going to lie, he was flat out nervous about this upcoming race. This was a G4 + G3 race and as of now the only other entrants were G3. Both Xalbaora and Screaming Mimi were sitting on nine wins and need the one win to launch into the next racing category. The competition was going to be fierce, especially going up against her half-sibling, Screaming Mimi.
The big mare that Nick had sold on to Witch Creek had been doing well with her reintroduction to the track. Her last race was the previous week and she was coming off a third. She would be more worn and they were going to need that to their advantage, but it would also mean that Mimi would be looking for redemption. He was concerned to see how the two dominant filly's personalities would clash. Nightshade would never cow to Mimi's will and he knew the older mare wouldn't either. The field was made of closers. All three fillies were closers. Michael bit his lip slightly as he asked the filly for more. Atropa tossed her crown as she ate more and more of the dirt below. She got a thrill running on the dirt, her traction was good and she wasn't having any issues getting a grip on the track.
The filly was just glad to be on the track. As they whizzed by each horse, she fought for more and more of her head, but Michael was keeping her in check. She was abounding in energy, but Nick had given Michael strict instructions not to let Atropa run full-out. Atropa was growing frustrated by the moment, when all of a sudden there was the thunder of hooves.
Michael sneaked a peak under his arms to see Adele Rodgers and the cruising Bellefire. The bay filly had zeroed in on Atropa and wasn't backing down. Michael smiled as Atropa sensed the challenge. They'd been cantering for about four furlongs... a quick little match wouldn't hurt much.
Adele and Bellefire pulled alongside the duo. Out prepping Michael? Adele yelled over the wind. Atropa eyed the War Admiral filly. The lines of War Admiral and Augusto had been blended many times within the Intrepid Stables, but here was two disconnected bloodlines with their original passion and zeal. Lily snorted her distaste of the black bay filly and as they ran alongside them Adele saw Lily suddenly lunging for Nightshade's neck. The Augusto lined filly saw red as she jolted from the filly avoiding the attack. Suddenly the speed was on and Atropa was out to demolish the War Admiral daughter. Michael was trying to keep Atropa in check, but knew that with a horse like Lily on the track there wasn't going to be a turning back point. Adele veered Lily to the middle of the track and gave Michael an apologetic look, but Lily was far form over. Michael waved it off, no harm being done...but they might as well make the best of this situation.
Adele! Let's see how fast these two will go! Three furlong blow out! Michael called out into the wind and Adele waved back her consent. You're on! Adele smiled. This would be a perfect chance to prep Lily for her race against Midnight Thriller. The Night Stalker filly was more experienced, but Adele knew that they had a chance and running against Atropa would be a great way to prep.
Lily's eyes flashed fire, how dare this filly defy her and attempt to best her. Adele let the bay filly fly over the dirt, closing the gap with ease and edging out a lead, but Adele knew that Atropa by nature was a closer. The lead they had wouldn't intimidate Atropa in the least. Michael and Atropa watched as Bellefire and Adele inched their lead. The offended Nightshade curbed her wrath and entered into her cold calculating realm. She was going to school this filly...viciously.
The furlongs flew and Lily maintained her lead, every clod of dirt that was flung was flung with disdain to the trailing filly. A crowd slowly began to gather as they watched the two schooling fillies on the track. A few pulled out their stopwatches and whistle at the pace. The two fillies were moving, two forms falling like shadows into te back stretch. Michael rode the filly tactfully and knew that Atropa was in the zone. The dark filly only had eyes for the muscled and large churning haunches of the bay. They entered into the final furlong and then all hell broke loose.
Her vision was red as she allowed the emotions she'd been storing to be unleashed. There was nothing worse than a slighted Atropa and everyone was about to see the results of such an occaision. There was no mercy in her eyes, just a cool, cold glare of determination. Her lead changed on the fly as she suddenly tapped into her massive reserves and led her charge.
Bellefire heard the approach and waited...as the black bay filly charged and came alongside, Lily allowed Atropa to gain and then catapulted herself forward. Down the stretch the two ran in sync, eyes locked and rage burning.
Neither was willing to succumb. Michael waited as the finish loomed a mere few strides and then he felt the snap within the filly. She couldn't abide Lily's presence another second and in a fit of rage flung herself forward into another gear sweeping the finish. There was the shriek of anger as Michael and Adele brought their mounts in. Adele looked over at Michael with begrudging admiration, but Bellefire simply wasn't reacting the same way.
She reared and Adele had a hard time keeping her in hand, her eyes roaming and searching for her foe. She was going to lay into Atropa something fierce if she could. Michael decided to push Atropa on. Adele, lets make sure these two don't meet up again...I fear it won't go well for either next time... Adele chuckled and spun Lily to keep her distracted while Atropa made her grand exit, the crowd whispering about the time they saw on their watches. As Michael and Atropa left, Adele pushed Lily along. With Atropa gone, Lily was cooling off, but still hot to trot. As she led the filly off the track she couldn't help, but peek over the clocker's shoulders...0:35.42.
Impossible. She looked down at her filly and simply couldn't believe it.
Word Count: 1,174
