Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Jan 15, 2015 12:55:26 GMT -5
CYCLONARIA AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
MELODIOUS AND HENNA TURATH
GROUND ZERO AND AMBER BLACK
Fierce joy welled up through Valencia Andrews as she vaulted into the saddle of the chestnut filly and was met with a battle from the get-go. This was Cyclonaria, daughter of Sand Storm and Mystical Sunrise, and she was prepped and set for war. Her eyes glared with fierce passion as she pulled at Valencia's control the entire way to the track. Valencia could not help her smirk - it was the only alternative to yelling aloud and letting the newly turned juvenile fly. This was a filly whose battle spirit synchronized with her own. Eyes glowing fiercely, Valencia noted with pleasure that they were officially the first SOPS horse and rider to set foot on the tracks. Her smirk widened, and she actually felt like singing. She glanced at the track railing, noticed the press. From Breeders Cup through the end of January, the press was watching, whether it be for Breeders Cup contenders or brand new juveniles. Cyclonaria was of the latter, and as she approached the track gap she whinnied fiercely and doubled her pace despite Valencia's iron grip on the reins. Valencia let the filly have her way for now, eyes seeking out the press and measuring their reaction. One guy glanced up, nudged his companion, and both paid keen attention. They recognized Valencia, knew she was riding the first horse that represented the next generation of SOPS horses. Valencia could have sworn she heard some murmurings as she rode Cyclonaria forward. Oh yes, there was discussion of the filly's bloodlines, her prospects for her juvenile season. Valencia intended to do better than even the best predictions predicted.
The petite gray Melodious was the next SOPS juvenile to make her way onto the track. The War Child daughter muscled her way forward as though not aware of how slim and small she was. The press noted the rider in the irons - Henna Turath, famously addicted to speed - and reckoned that the filly she was riding had a knack for speed. Melodious was indeed bred to be a sprinter over both surfaces, but was starting out over the turf. People noted that and upped their estimations - Henna paired with any sprinter was a deadly combination. Henna herself appeared happy as her gray filly slipped onto the track. The moment she did so, her quiet façade was broken. Mel was instantly high strung, the whites of her eyes showing and side-stepping. Henna murmured soothing words as they accelerated to a jog, keeping well away from Cy. If Cyclonaria warmed up with any horse, the companion would be savaged. In Mel's case, specifically, she was just barely manageable by a track pony. Valencia smirked and nodded at Henna, appreciating the addition of speed for Cy's first workout, and then immediately frowned. Meredith Mahon had slipped onto the track behind Henna, at a safe distance from Mel and chatting up the older woman. Valencia frowned, turned Cy and made her way over. Cy bared her teeth at Mel, who stood up to the bully stubbornly with a glare in her eyes, but Valencia was not concerned.
Wonder why I'm seeing you here, Merry, when you should be at Green Horse Fields prepping your horse for his workout. Incapable of following simple directions I see. Valencia's tone was bitingly sarcastic and her deep dislike of Meredith was instantly apparent. Henna's eyebrows shot up, and she shot a glance at Meredith even as she backed Mel away from Cy. Meredith responded in an equally biting tone. Well you see Valencia, Henna here is the other half of that workout, and it makes no sense to leave without her. I appear to pay more attention to detail and efficiency than you, at the least. Valencia glared, eyes flaring. Henna sighed, shook her head. Whatever this is, guys, Mel and Cy are ready to kill each other enough as it is. Stop talking and do the job. Valencia smirked. Too true Henna - Merry's not worth the time. She turned, cantering smartly away on Cy now. The chestnut filly had seemed to relish the battle-spirit of her rider during that exchange, and moved with smooth power and oddly contrasting control under Valencia compared with before. Henna shot a surprised glance at Meredith, but the dark brown haired woman only shrugged and waved Henna onwards with the workout.
Amber Black missed nothing, and she had certainly seen the exchange between her riders. She wondered exactly what it was and then sighed and dismissed it. She had her own mount to consider. Ground Zero had held his head high and surveyed his kingdom for the entirety of Amber's own watchful vigil, and now he pulled impatiently at the reins. Amber sighed at the hilarity of a colt giving commands to his own rider but knew it was time to get started. Zero moved smartly out onto the track, observant of all around him and dismissing it in the way a royal dismisses peasants. His eyes locked on the horses he approached - Mel and Cy. He immediately dismissed slim Mel and focused on Cy as the biggest threat to his dominance. And now his stride lengthened as he moved to intercept and prove himself to this newfound rival the only way he was allowed - through his speed. Amber smiled - here was a colt with spirit - but steered him well clear of the fillies. She had no idea how she had ended up with such a crazy crop of juveniles, but it was nothing she hadn't dealt with before. Zero calmed as they accelerated, gliding regally and well in hand. He was poetry in motion and definitely on the muscle. It was everything Amber needed for week one of racing in Year Fifteen.
She called out to her riders We work out in five minutes. Break from the gates, three furlong workout, two furlongs handily. Valencia frowned. That's exactly what a lot of other trainers have been having their juveniles do. Nothing different? Amber shook her head, green eyes twinkling. We'll distinguish ourselves by our juveniles doing better. Valencia laughed and nodded. Amber felt the press of stares on her back and knew they were being watched very keenly now. The clockers wanted to see how her juveniles handled the gates, the Wire track and everything in between. They were sure to be impressed. Amber knew the quality of her crop and the hot tempers this season had only added to their speed. It was time to bring the next generation of Stride Of Perfection horses to the tracks.
Five minutes passed quickly. Soon, the three juveniles were approaching the gates. SOPS juveniles received extensive training with the gates during their yearling training and they would load quietly and professionally, Amber knew. And indeed they did, though they gave the gate starters a scare. Cy nearly bit the hand of the one trying to get her in, loading instead by herself. She stood quietly and calmly, intent on the task at hand. Zero was simply contemptuous, walking right in before any starter could get a hand on his bridle. And even Mel loaded quietly despite the slight sweating of her neck, the wild roll of her eyes. Henna knew she was sitting on a ticking time bomb though and waited with eagerness for the gates to open. With a clang, that they did, and Mel was the first one out. The delicate gray was a whirlwind of stubborn speed as she sought the lead and found it easily, settling quickly and professionally into a gliding stride. Her gallop was smooth and flowing as liquid silver, with speed just waiting to be tapped in the depths. Zero broke quickly and found a spot to his liking one length back from Mel. Cy settled alongside him, having chosen him as her target and intent on defeating him and no one else this workout. Zero was controlled power; Cy's was wild.
Mel led the trio through the first quarter in twenty three and four fifths. It was exactly what Amber wanted. Henna noted Mel's steadiness at the lead, her will to continue and seemingly endless reserves of stamina. There was more speed in Mel than appeared at first sight. Zero seemed to almost lazily be following, not caring about the now two length gap. He would take his time until asked. Amber knew he was ready to throw down all his power and will in running down the horse in front of them. And Cy was completely focused on Zero, on insuring his demise. She not only shadowed him, she pressured him, drifting in slightly on the turn to crowd him. Zero ignored her as he would a fly, which only infuriated the chestnut filly more. Valencia felt her frustration and hummed, smirking. Cy was going to blow this workout wide open. The insistent pull on the reins was increasing now, and as they passed the third furlong marker Valencia leaned down and whooped, letting her filly fly.
Cy exploded like a bomb going off, accelerating sharply and leaving Zero behind in her wake. The Sand Storm filly had a wicked turn of foot and lit the turf on fire. She was at Mel's side almost before Henna knew what was happening. Mel snorted and now she ran, her stubbornness and heart on full display as she met Cy stride for stride. And those that thought Zero was done were in for a surprise as the self-appointed King swung to the outside and made up ground with hungry strides, meeting his two challenges squarely. Cy squealed in fury and dug down for more speed - she needed to crush her chosen competitor. She threw herself in front just before the end of the workout, grabbing the lead by a neck. Valencia and Cy were all smugness as they slowed now, Cy tossing her head. Zero snorted, eyes dark now as he appraised the queen that had usurped him. And Mel's spirit shone from her eyes for all to see. She did not like being defeated and would be dead stubborn about avoiding defeat for her first start. Her stablemates gave her all the motivation she needed.
Amber nodded in thought. All three had done exactly as she wanted them to and then some. They had displayed racing spirit and early class, the precocious class her horses were known for. A smile lit up her face. This was going to be a great start to Year Fifteen - she could feel it.
