Post by Ripley on Aug 24, 2015 8:56:18 GMT -5
Infamy
featuring: Notorious & Spotlight Pride
mission: AJC Sires Produce Stakes
A slew of horses came off the track as Reese and David rode onto it. Notorious let out a whinny, taking a brief moment to stop and paw the ground. David groaned as the bay horse tossed his head, flexed his muscles and flashed that studdish attitude that made him Note. David nudged the Like A Cheetah colt onto the track, growling when the horse didn't move right away. It was quite obvious that he wasn't exactly thinking with his head. Carter ignored Reese's chuckle as she nudged her used-to-be basketcase into motion.
Spotlight Pride's scarlet ears flicked on his head. He wasn't exactly sure if he wanted to be apart of whatever trouble was heading Note's way. Reese chirped to the lean horse, dissuading him from any further consideration. Pride was here for a purpose. He was here to let loose and have a good time before he got back to the serious business of horse racing. Pride ran better on a light schedule and it was likely that he only would have three races left in Year Fifteen--whatever race Ripley thought he fit best, the Wire Green Mile and the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile, December Week Four.
The colt couldn't have been doing any better. He'd notched an impressive victory over older horses in the Winter Cup Grade One Turf and seemed refreshed. Both Reese and Pride were bubbly with excitement and anticipation. Once again, Reese was floating with confidence heading toward the end of the season.
Carter was as well, but his horses simply didn't cooperate like everyone else's. Note watched Pride through imperious eyes, knowing full well that he was supposed to join his stablemate on the grass. Instead, the colt stood four poster legged between the dirt and turf. Every now and then he twitched his ears as a horse galloped by, but for the most he was still as stone. Carter leaned forward and spoke, his voice lowered to a menacing whisper, "If you don't move in two seconds, I will have to break out my secret weapon."
Carter grinned and looked down the rail, coincidentally at the same time as Note. Ripley was watching them through what would be narrowed eyes. Her shoulders were tense with irritation at the lack of movement. Amusement flooded David when Note stepped into gear as soon as Ripley took a step forward. The horse snorted and pinned his ears, tossing a little buck full of defiance. "Brat," David muttered.
Note quickly caught up to Spotlight Pride, pinned his ears again, this time at his new foe. Pride threw his head up, eyes rolling to the show the whites of his eyes. He skipped over the turf and away from Note, not out of fear, but in pay. Reese chastised him, nudged him into a gallop. The brilliant colt strode out beautifully, ears back to flicking on his head. To say Pride was fresh, was an understatement.
The duo whipped into action, lengthening their greyhound forms out until they were nearly parallel to the ground. Pride was on the bit, snorting with every stride. He didn't like this brazen competition from the juvenile. Pride was one of the most talented horses on the grounds currently. He didn't like to be matched in his workouts and he could get pretty tough about it too. Reese kept her hands light on the reins, playing with the bit, and reminded him that she was still on his back.
David lowered his hands to Notorious' neck as they rolled back into the backstretch and began their five furlong run. Note fell back as soon as Pride was released--not because he was going any slower, but because Pride was a comet. "Let him run," David murmured. He peeked over Note's tiny ears and watched Pride's butt move further and further away. The chestnut could really motor.
Note slid gracefully over to the rail and glided over the turf, tail flying out behind him. Notorious was a terrific horse to watch when he ran. He did everything so smoothly. So perfectly. He picked up enough speed to stay within range of Spotlight Pride, but didn't turn a hair otherwise. The nine furlong AJC Sires Produce Stakes awaited Note and the runner had never looked better.
Reese could hear the light drumbeat of hooves on turf and knew Note was going to be coming for Pride once they hit the stretch. The bay colt always came with a rush. He let you think you were safe until you weren't. She wasn't fooled and neither was Pride. When the chestnut dashed through the turn, his ears flicked straight back. Listening. Waiting.
David swore Pride pulled himself up just slightly on the turn and knew the element of surprise was gone. Pride was waiting for Notorious. Notorious would have to go guns ablazing because his turn of foot would never match Pride's through the stretch. Without hesitation, David allowed the reins to soar through his fingers and let his colt go. Notorious barely bat an eyelash. He didn't seem to get going right away, but soon the bay was flying. David only knew because the rail was blurring the faster Notorious ran.
Pride charged into the homestretch, ears pinned back to his neck. He flew over the grass. He knew Note was coming. So did Reese. She'd heard the change behind her and now, the colt was at her stirrups. She narrowed her eyes and let Pride loose. The horse responded to the competition and reached into his massive arsenal of speed. Notorious kept up bravely, nostrils flaring wide to suck in more air for fuel. Neither Reese nor David moved in encouragement. The colts would do it on their own or they would not race at all.
Ripley hummed happily as the duo whipped through the wire, one on top of the other. Pride had maintained his stubborn lead, giving her the impression that he would have gone around a second time if it meant holding the youngster at bay. Notorious would have ran with him for as long as possible. The two year old was a determined sort, the kind of horse Ripley liked best. The AJC Sires Produce race awaited the son of Like A Cheetah. It would be an impressive task for Note, but she felt he was more than up for the challenge and the winner's circle.