Post by Ripley on Apr 23, 2015 13:15:54 GMT -5
double dog dare
featuring: Artemis' Glory & Notorious
"They've really put some separation between themselves and the rest of the pack," David stated to the press. He stood with his helmet on, whip tapping against his hip. His keen eyes moved from reporter to reporter, analyzing them with a clever little smile on his face. He loved the new press and why wouldn't he? He was the new prince of the track. He was the guy who taken In Front to grade one and Divided Notion from struggling to grade two. He was riding one of the hottest young colts on the track in Notorious and his quotes throughout the Turf Triple Tiara had kept the press hungry for me. Nocturnal Runaway had been a good little filly for him and she'd almost lived up to the billing in the Cotillion Stakes. It would only be a matter of time before she stepped it up.
Ripley watched David through narrowed eyes from where she stood with Maggie and Artemis' Glory. "You would think he'd won the Turf Triple Crown already." Maggie laughed, blue eyes shifting from the girth to her best friend. "Once upon a time you were a confident young jock who would do anything to boast about her horses. You've changed a lot since you've had Keller."
Ripley shrugged, accepting the truth when it was presented to her. Keller's birth had put up new walls between Ripley and the press. She let her horses do the talking and stayed back, escaping from their poking questions before her horses had even started heading back to the barns. The press had had a field day when she wasn't there to answer questions about Sun King and Casualty Of War's workout for the big stakes in June Week Four. She'd shrugged off the conspiracy theories and moved on, returning to the track the next morning to check on the boys while they walked the shed row.
David nodded to the reporters and swung back, grinning at Maggie. The blonde shook her head, patted Artemis' neck. "He's crazy, girl. Be hopeful that he doesn't end up your rider next year."
Ripley snorted, held Artemis as Maggie mounted with the use of the block. The flashy filly tossed her head, danced side to side at the new weight. After a moment she held still enough for Ripley to adjust the nose band. Little Artemis was a fine filly, all business once she had a rider on her back. She had the attitude of a horse who just wanted to let loose and run. Finale Slew had thrown a live one in this grade five daughter. The pretty bay horse was becoming a nuisance though. Her races were not closing and she just couldn't seem to get into one. It was worrisome, but Ripley was going to hunt harder. If they had to step up in class to notch that fourth victory, Artemis would be more than ready after today's workout.
Notorious was becoming infamous for his big closing rush. His was not as flashy as Infinite Warcry's or Paranormal Hunter's, but he was there at the end of every race. He'd only thrown in two inexplicable clunkers in his time on the track, but so had World Dominion, the first grade three juvenile on the track. The chestnut and bay colts were developing an unmatched rivalry in the turf distance division. Wherever World Dominion wasn't, Note rolled to victory. When they clashed, it was often a toss up as to who was better on the day. Note was riding high and his lean body was showing all of the lean muscle that came from being among the elite horses of the crop.
She held the colt's fine head as Brooks appeared to boost David Carter in the saddle. Note pinned his ears, flashed his teeth, but settled down when he remembered that a rider meant work. Like A Cheetah had thrown a temperamental colt, but he hadn't thrown a stupid one. She patted the colt's neck, led him away. "Eyes on the prize, Carter."
"Just getting them stirred up. We haven't run in a while and you haven't been exactly open to the press. They want to start talking Breeders' Cup."
She hummed, "The press always wants to start talking Breeders' Cup. I'm not even talking until October. We don't even have a set idea as to who is going where just yet."
"You have a general outline. You just are waiting for Miss Josephine and Lethal Dose to sort themselves out."
She shrugged. It was true, but she was also waiting on Demi and In Front. She wouldn't have Flashpoint for the Cup and her older colts needed to prove themselves against the best of the dirt and turf, in Demi's case. Now wasn't the time for talking to the press. Now was the time to set themselves up with excellent workouts in hopes of bolstering performances and egos.
Artemis danced beneath Maggie. She was so full of energy and so keen to go. She pranced, tossing her head and flicking her tail. She played with the bit and glanced around at all the people. She kept one ear on Brooks who migrated to her right. He was a quiet presence just in case she felt like being the typical two year old. She behaved well enough and followed a little ways behind Notorious. She didn't want to go back to the barn. She wanted to run.
The pair of juveniles paraded away from their handlers once they hit the dirt. Ripley and Brooks closed ranks and moved along down the fence to get to the wire. The bay horses picked up their jogs, both very fluid and graceful horses. Artemis was a flashy little girl and she had a righteous temper. She pinned her ears when Notorious got too close, threatened to break rank and kick him. He stretched his neck out mid jog, head tilted to the side and clacked his teeth at her.
David jerked the reins, reprimanding the bossy son of a gun. He had an attitude a mile wide and wasn't afraid of anything, not even a spunky filly. Maggie straightened Artemis out, turned her head toward the infield and the horses galloping over the turf. She flicked her ears in excitement, began playing with the bit again.
"Ripley, wants us to go four furlongs in :49. Dogs are out so we'll be off the rails slightly. Finish at a good clip."
David nodded, slowed Note to a walk and followed the other pair through the gap. The colt shook his head, lifting into a mock rear in his frustration to get going. David leaned forward and forced him to the ground. The colt broke into a canter after the no nonsense Artemis. He wasn't going to let his stablemate have all the limelight.
Artemis flicked easily into her gallop stride up the backstretch. She wasn't one to pay much attention to her rivals until the homestretch when the real running was on. She moved at a solid clip, not super quick because she knew the difference between a workout and race. If she didn't break out of the gate, she didn't intend to be sharp in the initial furlongs. She was a patient runner who relied on her handler to get her into gear. Maggie let the reins out a notch to keep the filly interested and on the bit. Her stride quickened as she realized she would actually get to run today.
Notorious followed like a shadow two lengths behind. His stride was much larger and more effortless. He moved like he knew he had a world of time to catch the quick-footed filly. David sat confidently behind his withers, reins relatively loose and let the Like A Cheetah son do his thing. Like Artemis, he wasn't necessarily quick in the initial furlongs. His speed was a thing of beauty because of its gradual pick up of speed and energy. He passed tiring horses and looked like he was just getting started.
The duo rolled into the far turn, still maintaining their measure separation. Artemis swapped leads quickly, cut the corner and lengthened the lead. Maggie was impressed with how professional the young filly behaved. According to reports, all three of Positively Precious' offspring were very good working babies who knew their job quite well.
Artemis really stretched out when she hit the stretch, ears pinning on her head and legs stretching to maximum advantage. Maggie let her fly, dared David's colt to extend himself more than he usually did in his workouts.
Note took off like a bat out of hell in the stretch. He pinned his ears and flew after his workmate without much encouragement. It was like riding in a corvette with a brain of its own. Note stormed down the lane with awe inspiring ease and was at Artemis' throat latch in the final three hundred yards. The filly snaked her head out again, nearly latching onto his bridle. Maggie hustled the filly then, refocusing her and reigniting her speed.
The pair surged through the wire still locked in combat. Note couldn't stand the filly's righteous attitude and she couldn't stand his arrogance. They flew through an impressive five furlong gallop out in 1:03 which caused the clockers to really take note. Note hadn't easily out worked the filly. They hadn't seen the filly since early May. Perhaps the filly was getting better because besides World Dominion, few could even hold a candle to the bay son of Like A Cheetah.
Ripley and Brooks exchanged a proud glance. "Not too shabby. I'm ready to get them both back into a race."