firestarter

[Cruisey]

HELLFIRE && SAMMIE PICKETT

INNERSTELLAR && DEVON BLACKTHORN

With only two workouts done for the day, Carter had planned a few more before calling it quits. The next pair was an interesting one – the hot blooded Innerstellar and the spirited Hellfire. Both horses had some fire under their belly at times, and with the weather getting increasingly warmer, that statement definitely still stood. As Flame was being walked to the track by Johnny, who was helping out before his rides, Carter was having a hard time getting Tyler to walk in a straight line. The big-bodied bay colt was attempting to lunge out at the anything ahead of him, his teeth bared and ears pinned flat against his head. Flame swished her tail in his face, prancing in Johnny’s hands, sending the colt a warning message that she was going to take none of his crap. Devon and Sammie were huddled together at the rail; heads pressed together waiting for their mounts. The young girl was laughing at something he said, hitting him lightly on the arm with her crop. Carter watched as they joked around, and he couldn’t help the pang of jealously that hit him. He mentally cursed himself, forgetting that the past was the past and there was nothing that he could do to relive it. He almost let his guard down as Tyler rushed to take a chunk out of his arm, but Carter quickly jumped out of the way and gave the shank a firm tug.

“Not today, big guy. You’ve already given me enough love bites,” he grumbled as Tyler gave him a nasty side eye. Sammie and Devon made their way to their respective horses, Johnny giving Sammie a leg up and letting her walk around before sauntering over to the bay colt. The two year old didn’t look happy as Johnny grabbed the bridle while Carter gave Devon a leg up. Once he was firmly in the saddle, Johnny removed the halter and shank and Tyler tossed his head, infuriated at the thought of working. If it wasn’t for Carter’s death grip on his bridle, he would’ve reared, and he almost tried to until he realized that it was Devon on his back and not a stranger. 

“Alright guys, two furlong gallop with a four furlong blow out. We want to keep them in shape. Flame is getting ready for an April HOTY race, so don’t treat this as a lazy workout. Tyler has a few races coming up, and we want him somewhat sane and ready to go.” Both jockeys nodded to their superior and gathered the reins, setting out onto the dirt for their workout. 

Carter would be lying if he said he didn’t have high hopes for the jet-black filly. Flame was an absolute rocket, and could take anything in stride. He had made the mistake of entering her in the Wire Finish Cup Juvenile Mile, which was run on turf and not dirt. Flame handled the spontaneous change fairly well and finished a respective third despite Carter’s rookie mistake. Flame was a true character, and despite his mistake she really showed that she could handle anything. Tyler on the other hand hasn’t been raced much because two year old sprinting races have been quite difficult to come by. He had been forced to run in mile races which weren’t his strong suit. He was a fireball, and Carter could only hope he would follow in his parent’s greatness. 

As soon as Tyler took a few steps onto the track he was cantering away, hopping down the track like a rabbit. Devon shook his head at the colt’s antics, giving him a sharp tug on the reins to slow him down and wait for Flame and Sammie to catch up. The black filly was allowed to canter underneath Sammie, stretching her long limbs as they made their way up to the wired colt. Once Devon was satisfied with the distance that Flame had caught up, he allowed Tyler to carry on with his running. They easily cruised by the first furlong, both horses chomping on the bit in anticipation. Sammie perched herself on top of the black filly’s back, allowing the horse to move up underneath her at her own pace. Devon was a little tenser on top of Tyler, preparing for the worst. Tyler was a ticking time bomb; you couldn’t tell when he would burst or when he decided to play nice. 

Approaching the second furlong, both horses were coiled and anticipated the run ahead of them. Hooves pounded the dirt, both horses galloped in sync as their work was now cut out for them. Inch by inch, Devon let the grip on Tyler’s reins go. It was about time for his time bomb to go off, and Tyler sprung forwards, eating up the dirt in front of him. He was a natural born front runner and Devon was impressed at the amount of hind-end power that was in such a spiteful horse. Sammie followed Devon’s lead, but allowed Flame to hang behind Tyler. She didn’t accelerate as hard as the colt which set her up nicely for her closing tactics. 

Carter watched from the rail as the two horses rounded the final turn. His chin was resting in his hands, watching intently, stopwatch in hand as he clicked off times. Furlong after furlong passed and he watched as Tyler still hadn’t given up his lead. Sammie had Flame right up against his flank as he noticed the small girl starting to allow the filly her head. Devon smacked Tyler on the side, the colt now in full flight as they battled it down the stretch. Sammie tapped Flame on her shoulder and the filly surged forwards. Carter slowly started to stand up as he watched the clock, and then back to the battling pair. Flame and Tyler were now neck and neck and the finish post was quickly approaching, but neither horse nor jockey was giving up. It was a matter of timing as Flame sprinted past Tyler, leaving him in her dust. Sammie felt a huge rush of pride in the filly, patting her strong neck as they slowed down to a cooling out canter. Devon rubbed Tyler’s neck, satisfied with his effort. He knew Hellfire was a wicked horse and it would be difficult for anyone to compare to her. Tyler still had some learning to do, but it all came with experience.

Devon trotted over to Sammie, shaking his head.

“What, can’t take losing to a girl now can you, Dev?” Sammie teased, posting to the rhythm of Flame’s energetic trot. The young man chuckled and he didn’t have to respond for Sammie to know his answer.