Post by Cavallo on Sept 18, 2012 6:56:38 GMT -5
Atropa! Cut it OUT! Michael had his hands full as he tried to lead the black bay filly across the dirt track. Horses were breezing by, oblivious to the dark thunderstorm that was brewing within the 2yo filly. It had been two weeks since her second place finish behind her arch rival, Ventura. The black bay filly had been sour and edgy, demolishing her workout partners, breaking their spirits, but Michael knew the filly would be satisfied till she could regain her honor on the actual track in an actual race against worthy foes....Michael knew she'd be gunning for Ventura the next time they met, but that wasn't to be this week.
Nick had opted to send the Requiem filly to the dirt 2yo race. It was a huge field, but Nick wasn't ready to send Nightshade up against Ventura again...yet. He wanted to cultivate the filly a bit more before Atropa faced her nemesis again, but Atropa was sure to get to face off with the Impressario bloodline with Ven's half-sister, Italian Ice. They had yet to face the filly, but she had two big wins to her name. Nick was sure that Atropa had developed enough to take on the Impressario daughter...this could be the launching point for the big races....but first the race at hand.
Michael fought to get the black bay filly to stand still long enough for him to mount. Oh Lord...I can't wait till you get this surliness out of your system...You are such a bear right now. Michael huffed the words as he settled into the saddle, gathering his reins. Impatient, Nightshade half-reared as Michael grabber her mane to maintain his seat. You brat. He murmered and grumbles, but nudged his charge into a trot. In a fluid motion she entered her trot, her crown held high as the queen she felt she was. No one challenged her...until...
There was the thunder a hooves as another horse and rider approached. Boa arched in a glorious display, the black Bucephalus son came alongside. Instantly, Atropa recognized her cousin and felt the need to show him up, her trot suddenly reaching more more on the verge of a canter. Michael shook his head and chuckled to Jeff astride Abastor. The colt didn't particularly care for the dirt, but he wasn't about to let Atropa escape him.
I wondered who Nick was going to send to push this testy little princess. He smiled at the British jock, who had settled in quite nicely at Intrepid. Jeff took the joke easily, Yeah, well there wasn't many horses up to par with Atropa here, but we both know Abastor will get her goat every time....Gotta love family rivalry.
The two laughed in good nature and urged their mounts into the canter, each more than eager to comply and outdo the other juvenile. Nightshade's blood was already boiling and the mere closeness and presence of her cousin was about to send the edgy filly....over the edge, but Michael kept the filly under wraps.
As the two cantered, Jeff asked questions about the upcoming race. So...I heard the field is kind of...um...fierce, for your upcoming race. This true? Michael nodded. Yes, we got high class competition in this race and lots of versatility. Sizzling Dawn and Italian Ice and Born to Impress are all capable of being the race leaders, but no doubt Sizzling Dawn will be there in the front. That's her true leg type. It seems Atropa can't escape the Impressario blood, she'll be racing against two of his foals, Italian Ice and Born to Impress and both are big competition, preceders and stalkers mainly in nature. In fact, there are a lot of preceders in this race and then two other closers besides Atropa....so we're going to have to run this race wisely. I wouldn't be surprised if the leaders try to block us out...but we'll be ready for that.
Jeff nodded and felt Abastor's readiness to run, How are you planning on running Atropa come race day? He held the black colt in check and waited for Michael's reply.
The key is simply to take this all in stride. Atropa is a closer by nature, but she has the stamina and the speed to mix things up on race day...We'll be running so fresh and new the competition won't be prepared and then in the end as we inch up before the other closers...well...I'll let this pissed off filly run out her anger and regain her dignity in the final stretch.
Jeff laughed and clucked to Aba. The black colt rocketed off. Nightshade bugled her disgrace at being left behind and Michael simply smiled and let the black bay filly launch herself after the black wraith. Yes...they would take this one stride at a time and they weren't about to underestimate a soul....
