something to prove

[S u N f r O s T ~]

DEVIL'S FLAIR AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
QUEEN'S PLATE WORKOUT

They were out here now with something to prove. Valencia posted to the familiarly powerful stride of her colt and thought dark thoughts as she readied both her and her horse for the biggest dirt race of the colt's career. The cards had fallen as they had after the Kentucky Open. Since placing fourth there, they had switched to the dirt and practiced over it like fiends. It was interesting, really - the dirt suited the colt well. He had won his second start over it in the Cyclones Handicap two weeks ago. He handled the surface beautifully and had beaten a solid field of contenders. While Devil's record for the season was not the prettiest on paper, the reality was the sleek athleticism of this colt. Devil had been gearing up for the Queen's Plate all season. He had placed third in his first dirt start and then won the next, as well as raced over the turf in case the Turf Triple Crown proved the correct match. One thing was for sure - the addition of Devil to the field promised a quick race.

Devil was facing solid competition, but he always had in his races. The colt had only stepped out of Horse Of The Year competition a handful of times in his career. He was battle-ready and tough as nails. Valencia leaned forward and let the colt coast as they hit the backstretch. Devil's acceleration was rapid as always. The chestnut almost leaned on the rail, keeping it sharp down the stretch. He was raw power in motion, finely focused intensity pounding down the dirt track. Valencia relished the speed and the spirit of her Devil. If anything, they would give their competitors a truly rough time in the Queen's Plate. Wins were not easy to come by when Devil was in the race. He drove the pace fast, and it was a battle of the surviving from there. Somehow, though, the colt had come to love the lengthier races. He had mountains of stamina, enough to rival Amber's own Infinite Warcry. Yet he used the stamina to outlast his competition instead of using it to fuel devastating stretch drives.

Valencia let the colt gradually climb in speed as they progressed around the track. There was no structure to today's workout - there had been enough of that since the Kentucky Open. Devil had been trained to be in peak fitness, and it had showed in the Cyclone Handicap. It was like an entirely different horse had won that race. Devil had lit up the screen with his speed and class, and it had been enough to win him a following going into the Canadian Triple Crown. Being the half-brother of a Canadian Triple Crown winner helped too, of course, but people had seen her colt perform. They knew what he could do. And Valencia could not help her wild grin at the thought. The Queen's Plate was a proving ground. Devil was improving at the right time and was at peak form right now. But would it be enough to carry them in the Queen's Plate? Valencia knew Amber had raced longer shots before and seen victory. Perhaps Devil would join their ranks, as much as it hurt to think of her colt as a longer shot.

The chestnut horse hit the final turn, and it was here that he truly shone. He leaned in, scraping the paint as he threw on the speed. There was no stopping them here. They were like a freight train, not slowing down for anything. Devil stayed to the inside, changed leads and charged on, a storm bearing down the stretch. Valencia hooted once, her wild grin on full display as they went for home. They were both enjoying this run, enjoying this workout. Devil was being given his head for a furlong, and he took full advantage. The blur that flashed under the wire was a horse who had seemed to be missing half the season. He was the horse that had lit up the turf as a juvenile, and now he was bringing the dirt alive with this stunning workout and his fresh performances.

It was time to prove themselves and make a comeback in the Queen's Plate.