Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Feb 3, 2014 18:54:17 GMT -5
INNOCENT PASSION AND KRYSTAL YHATE
ATHENA'S DESIRES AND HENNA TURATH
WIRE FINISH CUP SPRINT/JUVENILE SPRINT WORKOUT
The first of many workouts awaited Amber Black that day. She awoke with a start, from a dream about the Wire Finish Cup. March Week Two was here, and she had to make sure all of her horses were ready to go. She vaulted out of bed and ten minutes later was headed down to the track with a banana in one hand and he riding helmet in the other. The neighs of horses eagerly awaiting work greeted her the moment she opened the barn door. A serene grin lit up her face as each horse demanded treats and attention in their own special ways. Her eyes intently examined each horse's condition, and she was so intent on her task that when Krystal Yhate lightly tapped her shoulder with her crop she jumped, startled. Krystal laughed, dark brown eyes glowing as she stepped back and Amber turned around to face her. We're ready to go Krystal. Me and Henna got up early and we're ahead of schedule. Amber's green eyes glowed. I'll see you at the track in five then. She paused. Thanks. Krystal's expression became more serious. We understand what this week means to you Amber. We're all going to try our best. Amber watched her walk off and nodded to herself. Indeed it was a big week.
She made her way out to the track. Excitement sizzled in her veins as she eyed Innocent Passion and Athena's Desires. Both of the fillies were warming up separately, but even then they were aware of each other as only stablemates could be. Amber admired them both. Innocent Passion was the product of a truly fantastic match and she had turned into a truly fantastic mare. She'd been having a run of bad luck lately though, and the bay was desperately in need of a victory. Competitive spirit poured off of the small bay mare in waves and infested Krystal herself. She was eager for the challenge of the Wire Finish Cup Sprint, craved it. She wanted to prove above all else that she and Anna were NOT down for the count. They were as strong as ever - but so was their competition. Sophie's Voice, Mastermind, Sugar Jayde and Tears of Blood contended with them for the Finish Cup.
Krystal considered her competition. It was going to take truly tactical speed on her part to pull this one off, but one thing she had that her competition did not was hunger. They were practically desperate for the win and would not stop at anything to get it. They especially needed to pummel Sophie's Voice and Mastermind, two horses who were quickly becoming her bitter rivals. Second and third only to Cross My Heart of course. In particular, Krystal really wanted to take Mastermind down. The chestnut was running this season on a high and needed to be stopped. Anna's eyes glowed with passion as Krystal swung her down the track. Anna was readying herself like a boxer for a fight. She was light on her hooves and intense as she scoured the track. Krystal planned their attack strategy gravely as they circled around and around.
Down the other end of the track, Athena's Desires was as cold as ever. She was like glacial ice, and her gaze whipped up the track constantly as she attempted to flash-freeze Anna. It never worked - Anna was too collected and in herself to care. The juvenile filly didn't make a sound as she stalked in her predatory way around the track, then shifted gears into a smoothly fluid canter. Every movement was calm, cool and collected. There wasn't a trace of emotion in her now, just cold indifference. Henna settled into the saddle. She stuck with Athena because she was blazingly fast and she liked that, but it was slightly wearying to be so neglected by a mount. She considered passing her up to Valencia next season and scratched the thought immediately. Athena had become hers over the course of this season and she knew how the filly functioned now.
Athena was just as short as Anna and gloried in the fact that here was a horse to bully who didn't have a height advantage on her. She was facing her twin brother Winged Pegasus as well as Call Me Crooked and Siren Call for a six furlong test over the turf. With Athena, tactics were simple - break fast and burn the competition off of their hooves. They wouldn't be changing that now. It was Athena's greatest strength - speed and speed and speed. Henna held on for life every time they raced and was often rewarded. She just hoped they could pull out another win in the race. That made this workout important - with a preceder like Anna dogging them every step of the way, this would be a fantastic trial for the actual race. She saw Amber rise up and approach the rail, and like snapping to attention she and Athena were off down the track to see her.
Their instructions were simple - half mile gallop, two furlong breeze. Not a whole lot, but these fillies hardly needed more than a quick tune up. It was going to be a deadly fast workout and they needed to be deadly fast for the race. The two wheeled away quickly, and just as Henna knew she would Athena's Desires exploded into the gallop. Her short legs blurred as she took command immediately and with authority, pulling away to lead by a one and a half lengths. Innocent Passion settled with the calmness of a senior racehorse, her eyes blazing as she eyed Athena up. It would not take long before she would come in to attack. Krystal chilly waited until the first half mile was up and then sent Anna screaming after Athena. The bay mare caught up quickly, but Athena did not cave. The black juvenile rebroke, her legs blurring even more as her eyes burned with cold fire for the lead. Anna was not be denied. The older mare dug deeper and exploded forward, bursting into a half length lead before the wire slammed down on them.
The two thoroughbreds slowed, sides heaving and feeling quick as ever. Krystal and Henna slapped quick high fives and exchanged smiles. They were ready to go.
