Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Aug 16, 2012 15:14:41 GMT -5
SIZZLING DAWN AND HENNA TURATH
VENTURA AND AMBER BLACK
DAWN'S FLAGALT DERBY WORKOUT
VEN'S BANGTAIL STAKES WORKOUT
A gorgeous day today. The sun shining it's way through puffy white clouds, making the sky look even bluer than usual. It was the perfect day to ride, especially for a relaxing run. That was what Amber Black and Henna Turath both had their minds on today for their workout. Though it wouldn't be much of a workout. Rest and relaxation was necessary for their two year olds. They had both been facing older horses and coming out well enough against them. It was in this respect that Dawn had truly excelled. The young bay had surpassed all expectations when she had won the Parfair Derby last week. She had defeated a field of solid older horses and had come away looking like a true champion. It had been awing to Henna to have such a mighty filly beneath her. A two year old, coming back to win like that. And they would hopefully win again in the Flagalt. Dawn was the type of horse that excelled when the racing schedule was heavy. She didn't like to stand still and much preferred movement to lack thereof.
As for Ven, the talented black filly had just finished third in the Enjoyable Derby. The upcoming Mastermind had taken the win there and Amber didn't like that. She very badly wanted to defeat the colt in the next race she faced off with him in. And she knew that her horses had the talent enough to pull that off as well. So she would continue to work hard for it. However, all of prep time could not be spent working hard. Some of it needed to be devoted to relaxation too. Muscles needed to rejuvenate and the horses needed to be taken away from the track to relax for a bit, even if the two horses in question were unlikely to truly appreciate the absence. Ventura and Sizzling Dawn both loved the track. They fed off of the intensity there, and the horses fueled their competitive fires. But even they needed a break, and their jockeys felt that this was the right time for it.
Dawn was the horse that considered The Wire track to be home. She had raced her entire career here so far and was not going to experience the GHF track until the end of the month. Until then, Dawn had been leaving her mark on the rolling hills and the peaceful attitude of the track. There were eyes on her and Henna loved it. Henna felt that the filly's overwhelming talent was reflected in her overbearing attitude. She was strong in every way one could think of - body, mind, stride. She was fitter than any two year old had the right to be, and best of all she came from relatively unknown and unproven bloodlines. Barely A Moment had thus far not been a star fire, and Flash At Dawn had actually been a dressage horse. To have such a fine filly spring from such bloodlines said a lot about the hidden genes of her parents. Henna personally loved how nobody truly knew who Dawn was or what her pedigree was right off the bat.
As for Ven, everybody knew her. By the mighty Impressario, out of the mighty Rising Fury. Ven had had the spotlight ever since she was born because of her blue blooded pedigree. She had been a looker as a prospect, winning the Next Top Racehorse Series. She had also been impressive as a racehorse, as had all of her siblings. Truly talented to the core, she carried herself like a princess, with arrogance reflected in her every look. She was pure power, but it was not a power that showed in every stride as was the case with Dawn. Instead, she showed it the most when she ran at a breakneck pace. At a glance, an onlooker would get the feeling that the filly they eyed was strong in some way. A race would confirm their suspicions, and then they'd look at Ven and see grace. Though her movements could be coltish, she had the grace of a filly and was truly light on her hooves. If Ven's authority was challenged, she would definitely fight back.
This was why she had been separated from the filly she was currently working out with since a young age. Dawn was exactly the same way, and neither yielded their authority. This led to various fights and clashes that had threatened the health of the two fillies. Now, as both of the fillies turned to face each other and their riders briefly spoke before embarking into the Outer Zone of this track, they began their glare contest that always went on when one had a stall next to the other. You could walk into the barn and suddenly become aware of a powerful aura of death - there really was no more accurate word for it. Tracing it, you would find the bay and black thoroughbreds engaged in their regular contest of dominance. And defeat was never an option for either filly.
I know exactly why we lost last time out! Amber declared triumphantly. We hadn't worked out on this track before and it was unfamiliar to Ven. Those other horses were perfectly used to it. I'm going to get those horses in the Bangtail! Henna was grinning just a bit. Well, I could tell you I told you so about Dawn - but I won't. The talented jockey was referring to their workout last week, when Amber had doubted that Dawn could take the heavy schedule. The opposite had come true - the filly had run with the race as though there was no tomorrow. You're facing some interesting horses in the Flagalt, though. There's that Tears Of Blood, a colt you've got to look out for in the later stages of the race. You can't forget Sweeto Cheeto either. That one will be out for vengeance after that last race. He's got a new jockey on board too, Reynolds. I'm not sure you remember her, but I do. She jockeyed LLB and Royal Assault.
Henna nodded in understanding. Cheeto's new jockey knew her stuff, and Witch Creek would doubtless have prepared carefully for the Flagalt. She knew they were wanting a win for their stallion. You've got to watch out for Ashes To Ashes. He's been consistent and he's by Crooked Fire. You ride Sweetie, so you probably know how he's going to work. He'll be up front with you. Make sure Dawn keeps her head. Amber's instructions lapsed away and Henna merely nodded. She turned Dawn and began to guide her onto the trail. Amber followed closely behind. Naturally, Ven had begun to make a huge fuss as soon as Dawn was steered ahead of her. The black was not taking it very nicely and she was letting Amber know exactly how she felt with a couple of bucks. Amber sat them calmly, expecting them, instead collecting Ven and making her listen with a firm hand.
They had just gone around the first bend in the trail when Ven calmed. Her eyes glittered with calculation as she eyed Dawn's tail, perhaps considering the best way to rip it off. Her race would be very interesting, and Amber had nearly considered pulling her from it. But Bella Luna was two years old as well and if that filly was doing it then so could they. Chicago Blues, Canjun Moon and Cosmic Warfare were their other competition. Cosmic Warfare appeared to be their biggest competition, but Canjun Moon had been having a great season with Akita Rose as his new owner and Amber knew they would have to work hard. But she knew that no matter what transpired on race day, she would just ride Ven out and let things happen as they happened. Ven's calculated preceder style would no doubt lead to victory in some form, even if it meant narrowly missing out on second to last with a nose. She was talent from head to hoof and Amber loved her dearly.
The woods were alive with life and the two women and their horses were strangely quiet as they trotted and cantered along. They had picked a reassuringly short trail ride than only went for maybe two miles or so. The two year olds responded well to the light conditioning and rode easily. Dawn's eyes were bright with triumph as though she had won a race when she reached the end of the trail ahead of Ven. Henna had a smirk on her face, but both realized this hadn't been an actual race. Perhaps it was just the smooth feeling of cantering so easily for a good distance. Ven, meanwhile, still had that calculated look about her. She looked at Dawn as though with new eyes as Amber turned the black away and walked to the barn after saying a brief goodbye. War was brewing between the two fillies, but for now they had relaxed and were ready to tackle their respective races.
