the combination

[S u N f r O s T ~]

ITALIAN ICE AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
FLASHY WINGS AND HENNA TURATH

ICEE'S BREEDERS' STAKES WORKOUT

Valencia breathed in, breathed out as she surveyed the Wire's turf track. Her breathing was nearly in tune with that of the filly beneath her. Italian Ice, the black daughter of Impressario and Cute Italian, surveyed the turf track before her imperiously, and snorted. Her breath misted out in the morning air, whose light lit up the glow of calculation in Valencia's eyes. Valencia and Icee formed something that could only be termed as a combination. Something had clicked when horse and rider had been paired together, and that thing that had clicked had made them nearly unstoppable. They understood each other, and returned each other's trust and affection. Whenever they had been paired together, history had been made. Valencia and Icee had only known each other for two months when they took the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. And then, after months of separation, they had come back to victory in the Summer Cup and then dead heated for second in the Belmont Turf Classic. And then gone for a real spin by reeling off victories in the first two legs of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Truly, they made an exemplary combination, one that had lost only twice together, both times as a result of lack of work and experience together. But now they had been together for a while, and Icee was staying with SOPS. And now they had a Canadian Triple Crown on the line in the Breeders Stakes, versus a monster field that was trying to take the crown away from them. And Valencia was working out the angles in her brain, trying to ensure their victory, as Icee surveyed her domain for competition. It came at last in the form of the blood bay and beautiful Flashy Wings. Henna Turath rode the five year old son of News Flash and Forbidden Wings. He was on a winning streak and had just pulled off the thirty-second win of his career. Henna and Flash also made up a powerful combination, and that was what they were here to teach Valencia and Icee about. Like single gears in a machine, they moved off at a canter ahead of them on the turf with barely a motion from the rider. Valencia tried to emulate the easy grace as she followed on Icee. The black filly had perked up and now ran easily alongside her stablemate, eyes alight with fire already.

Feeling nervous Andrews? questioned Henna easily, leaning back a bit in her saddle. Valencia, loathe as she was to admit it, nodded. Hokum's been a monster lately, GS Super Charged has been out to get us since the beginning and Blue Me Away was right with us in the Belmont Turf Classic, and he's rested. I am quite nervous. How are you today Henna? Valencia's last remark was drily sarcastic, but Henna grinned nevertheless. Icee's been kicking butt on the dirt lately, and that's not even her favorite surface. You know how she is on the turf Andrews. You'll get them. She grinned encouragingly, and Valencia sent her trademark smirk back. Flash was very much on form, prowling in all fifteen point three hands of glory alongside. But Icee had been knocking around the three year old classics, and she stayed with the older champion easily.

Flash strutted with pride even at the canter. Icee picked right up on it and her eyes darkened. She wanted the attention Flash was commanding on her outside. She gracefully moved to the front, legs lightly taking off from the turf and lightly settling down with tender affection. Both Icee and Flash were flexible enough to run on both surfaces, but Flash's favorite was the dirt whereas Icee's was the turf. It showed a bit now even as Flash moved easily alongside Icee. He wasn't as at ease as he appeared and Henna felt the small difference. But they could still cream Icee, and she wanted Valencia to know that. She guided him up alongside Icee with the ease of a strong bond, as though warning Valencia to watch out. Valencia smirked, accepting the challenge. They were still cantering, but as they passed the designated pole both riders leaned forward and let their mounts into a gallop.

Flash was the fastest on the uptake. They were going around the first turn and Flash crowded Icee on the rail despite Icee's larger size. He then proceeded to cut her off at the beginning of the backstretch and run away, Henna laughing on board and calling back Hope you're as tough as you talk Andrews. Valencia frowned, righted Icee and sent the black princess after them. Icee was already well on her way, and closed the gap to be on Flash's outside now. Henna smirked and took the offered rail even as Icee's larger frame ran alongside. They could deal with it. They were veterans. Valencia smirked, hoping that the pair got too overconfident. She and Icee were a powerful combination for a reason. They worked together like parts of the same machine, like twin souls. They would bide their time and wait for the right moment to show it too.

The two classic horses strided out through the backstretch. The final turn was coming off. Flash tensed in readiness, and Icee did as well. Henna felt as though she was tuning in to Valencia's frequency even as Valencia turned in to theirs. The pair accelerated at the same time, and stayed rock solid shoulder to shoulder as they entered the stretch. It was now or never. Valencia leaned forward, narrowed her eyes and sent Icee rumbling for home. Henna snarled as Icee got the jump, but Flash took care of her and went right after them without being asked. The blood bay was quick as lightning as he went after the black filly, drawing up alongside and then dawdling. Henna snorted. Not the time for jokes Flash. And she asked again before realizing the truth.

Flash and Icee were rock solid, side by side. They were trying hard to throw off each other but failing to do so. Henna felt briefly floored. Valencia and Icee truly made a powerful combination if they could stay with her and Flash. They were together at the wire and together throughout the gallop out. Henna straightened up as they slowed down and sent Valencia a smile of respect. Guess I am as tough as I talk aren't I Henna? Henna smirked and continued to fight back. I don't know. I think maybe your horse won that battle for you. Valencia laughed out loud, grinning widely, and smiled right back. The two SOPS women bantered on their way back to the barn, and Valencia realized that the Breeders Stakes was attainable if her combination had exceeded Henna's expectations. Henna, the mother of combinations due to the bond she shared with all Forbidden Wings offspring, thought they were powerful.

And powerful they would be, when they strode to the front in the Breeders Stakes. Valencia imagined it and fervently hoped that her dream would come true.