Dear Darwin.

[Cavallo]

Dear Darwin
Featuring: Sophie's Pride, Abastor & Natural Selection

Estella was keen upon her mount and it wasn't because of his pedigree. King nudged her arms playfully, but his eyes were latched onto the vast green spread before them and she had to smile at King's eagerness. This is what he'd been bred for and it was apparent he was certainly within his element as he stood ready and alert, eyes engulfing every minute detail. She was beyond eager for King's debut in the Week Three Legacy Stakes* and this week was to be a nice prep. Plus it didn't hurt that they were on the coveted turf that King seemed more than keen to run on. It was a solid field they would be up against, but that just made the anticipation for them both more welcomed. There was nothing like competitive competition. It made you better and both King and Estella Marino were out to make one another better.

Kyle Landing looked into dark and intelligent eyes that seemed to glare out at King as the bay colt assumed the lead of their train. He shook his head as he walked alongside the grey filly. She was so demanding, she fairly preened and pranced in her desire to assume the lead, but Kyle was a natural at soothing the higher spirited fillies and Lyra was no exception as she settled into a more fluid, but still demonstrative walk. She was taking in everything and missing nothing. When Kyle had initially been paired with the filly, it hadn't been an ideal situation with Adele taking over Quick Silver, but now that he had his hands on the grey filly, there was no way he was letting her go. She was flash, speed, power and intelligence all rolled into one and had a competitive drive to boot that would put most to shame. She was his kind of filly and with family relations Lynara's Kingdom, Sophie's Voice and their own Mighty News....he knew that greatness lurked just beneath the filly's imperious airs.

Jeff Saunders watched with an amused gaze as Aba danced like a fresh juvenile. It was apparent he was feeding off of the younger horses' energies, but there was no mistaking the black stallion's obvious maturity. He was tall for any kind of thoroughbred, but Aba had never had the hulking brute build. While he was toned and muscled the stallion had a streamlined appearance that more than facilitated him when running over the turf terrain. Aba was in prime form and more than ready to take on his final season over the turf. There were gaps to be filled in the upper turf ranks and Jeff and Aba were going to ensure that they took advantage of those holes. There was room for the seasoned grade one to grow even more in his prowess and talent and that thought alone had Nick Landing as an eager man with the training possibilities.

Ethan and Nick watched as King, then Lyra and finally Aba made their approach from the barns. Both men noted the trio's appearances and nodded their approval. King's bay coat gleamed like burnished bronze, Lyra's an almost blinding white in the afternoon light and Aba's was like glimmering black obsidian. It couldn't be said that Intrepid horses lacked in the appearance department. Estella winked at her older brother's scrutiny and he rolled his eyes in response, but the smile still tugged slightly at his lips as he watched Stella and King interact. They were just on the same wavelength it seemed, their bodies attuned to one anothers movements and nuances. Nick noticed it himself, but remained silent in his appraisal as he took in his younger cousin and Lyra. It was clear the grey filly thought she should be in charge here, but Kyle was subtly manipulating the filly to his whims with gentle touches and suggestions that she took on as her own, to stand in proud brilliance as they waited their marching orders. Abastor and Jeff were the seasoned pros here in this workout and there was jsut an easy confidence that hung about them and caused King to send suspicious glances their way. Assured that all were ready Nick launched into his instructions.

"Looking good everyone. We have big races here in store for King and Lyrs, both are attempting to break those maidens and we know things are even more competitve this year. Abastor and Jeff this is going to be a great prep for your year and a great opportunity for the youngsters here to have some true exposure before race day. Don't fight your mounts today, let them run their paces, gallop them for six and bring them home in two."

The trio of riders looked at one another, with their natural competitive gleams and mounted with assistance. King and Stella were first into action, much to Lyra's dismay. She snorted and stomped in place as Kyle got a boost up into the saddle and the moment he had touchdown, she was moving. Kyle quickly situated himself and grabber her white mane to keep from falling at her jolt forward, but he had to admire the filly's drive and determination. They closed ground quickly to settle into an easy gallop on King's haunches who'd quickly settled into the rail. Jeff shook his head at the youngster's exuberance, but Aba wasn't too amused as the juveniles began to pull away and he pawed the ground in impatience. "Alright then old man, let's go babysit the children." He laughed as Aba broke with a clear need to catch up and they did so in four long reaching strides to settle in at the gallop parallel to King on the rail with Lyra lagging slightly in the middle between the two colts.

"Lyra is just undaunted. She's not bothered in the least being sandwiched between those two and they are both a lot of horse." Nick observed as the trio galloped with a simmering tension, each horse feeling out their competition with slight probes of pace or proximity. Lyra's ears pinned flat against her skull as Aba came in close and brushed against Kyle's leg. Kyle glared over at Jeff, but Lyra didn't budge and Jeff chuckled to himself as he backed the black behemoth off of the filly. He had to admit the filly had grit and she wasn't going to be easily cowed. King and Estella watched with what could be mistaken for cool indifference, but that was far from the case. They were watching everything and maintain a rated speed that would ensure enough in the tank to fight for home and as the six furlongs drew to an end, they led the initiation. Jeff watched as King began to put on speed and as Lyra came to life for Kyle as they juveniles began to level out with Abastor. Jeff upped the pace and the black stallion was only too willing to stretch his legs, much to King and Lyra's dismay as they began to pull away with a fluid grace for home. Estella glared up as Jeff and Abastor pulled away, but she was done holding King back and as home drew near she followed the boss' orders...she let King go. The bay colt was off like a shot with one thing on his mind, to overtake. Kyle and Lyra were not to be forgotten as Abastor made his bid they gave pursuit. Abastor put on more speed as King and Lyra gained. The two juveniles battling back and forth, heads bobbing with nose leads as they hunted down their prey.

The order of the world is very simple...it is the strong that thrive and survive and as Nick watched King and Lyra close their workout on Aba's haunches he had to admit. There was natural talent here to not just survive on race day, but the thrive.