forbidden phantom

[S u N f r O s T ~]

FORBIDDEN TO FLY AND HENNA TURATH
ETERNAL PHANTOM AND KRYSTAL YHATE

Two hot horses under pressure. That described Fly and Phantie perfectly. The two four year old were great dirt horses who just needed to stretch out for a little bit and get their hooves flying. Ever since Phantie had swept all those year-end awards, the bar had been set very high. Any losses were carefully recorded and filed and used to judge her, Krystal Yhate, as being inferior to the horse - depending on who was speaking, of course. SOPS had a pretty loyal finding, so to receive truly hostile comments was usually rare. But it also depended on the day. Phantie had been running well, but they couldn't slip up and start admitting defeat. That would be the beginning of the end. Phantie was quick, but she could be quicker - hence, their workout against stablemate Forbidden To Fly.

The colt was loud and proud as he pranced down the track, trumpeting every stride and looking every inch a champion colt. He had grown into a stallion now and was relishing the new power in his legs. With only one loss this year and five great victories behind him, Fly was set to run against Phantie in the British Colombia Derby soon and the two were definitely going to get at it. Henna Turath was the picture of calm aboard Fly, her gaze absolutely serene as the loud colt mimicked his older brother Pegasus Wings with the joy in his heart and lightning in his hooves. Phantie prowled alongside, the complete opposite in character, but full of pure speed and will to run. Neither horse was unstoppable, but they were very good, and they could definitely be counted as threats when they ran. But their talent came more from hard work than anything else, and their riders definitely came into play with their performance. Something Krystal and Henna knew very well.

Amber Black lounged against the rail, thoughtfully handicapping in her head. They had a small hand for the classics this year, but a mighty one. They may not have been the most impressive stable out there lately, and a string of defeats was definitely leaving her swaying, but they would work hard to regain their spot. That was the way of things. Hard work would undoubtedly be rewarded. She watched Phantie and Fly and nodded. They were both in good form. It was the horses they faced that caused problems. She watched intently as they picked up the canter, and then eased into the gallop. Fly was off like a flash, stretching out his legs and going with the wind. Phantie dropped to a position behind him, her stride full of threat and her eyes firmly focused ahead of her. She had a drive in her to succeed that Krystal matched, and thus the two meshed together to create an amazing pair.

Phantie didn't let Fly drop the ball. She kept close as Fly flew faster, the sprinter in him showing through. He was like a greyhound, legs flying with speed. Phantie stayed the challenge, not yet responding, waiting for the right moment, whether that be within two furlongs or ten. She was ready, not quite a stamina horse like her sister Midnight Thriller, more suited to the classic distances, but experienced nonetheless for the long haul. And she wasn't going to let Fly run away from her - that wasn't her style, closer or not. So she stayed close, and Fly took note of her presence and accepted it like the good mid packer he was. Fly was the surprise horse of the racing world. The sprinter had taken the Breeders Cup Juvenile against the Triple Crown prospects of his year and had then expanded his resume to show his talents in the sprints. Yet whenever he made a foray to the nine furlong distance, it was with talent that was not acknowledged by the classic handicappers. Phantie was more than match for him, but he had tricks she did not.

Such as this one. With three furlongs left to go, Henna cued Fly for their special act. Fly responded playfully, loafing sideways and nearly bumping Phantie before putting on a spurt of speed and taking off. The mare, insulted, snorted and went right after him without any urging from her rider. She wasn't going to sit down and take that! Beautifully flying, the daughter of Night Stalker and El Sol Del Mar caught up to Fly and made as if to pass them. This was the grand finale for Henna and Fly. She didn't even have to ask as the stallion with endless energy went through the roof with speed. He was gone, his sprinter legs carrying him, flying him up the stretch and to the wire.

Phantie was nothing but insulted and furious when she was pulled up following Fly's headlong dash. She wanted revenge and her eyes burned with this desire. Krystal pat her sweaty neck, eyes glinting with knowledge, and she acknowledged Henna and Fly's new combo with an accepting nod of the head. There was always next time. And now, Phantie was more eager than ever to win, and take this new frustration of hers out to the track. Oh yes. The time would come again would Fly would see her tail, smacking his face before being left in her dust. Krystal could hardly wait for the day to come again.