tough

[S u N f r O s T ~]

PANDORA AND KYLIE SILVERSTAR
DEVIL'S FLAIR AND VALENCIA ANDREWS

WIRE FINISH CUP JUVENILE TURF WORKOUT

It didn't take long for Valencia Andrews to take to the track again, this time with the upcoming partner of her heart Devil's Flair. The son of Augusto and Flight Of Fancy had all the fierceness and hot bloodedness of his line running through his veins and it was reflected in the fire of his hooves and his smooth, classic frame. Muscles bulged in his chestnut coat and he looked gorgeous. Valencia felt as though this colt, with his recklessness and endless ambition, was going to be the next big thing. Devil was the devil himself in his races - he liked to play with his competition, teasing them with the promise of victory before snatching it away. And Valencia loved him deeply for that. But despite his greatness, he would not go to the Triple Crown or the Turf Triple Crown. No. He was going to be Valencia's Canadian Triple Crown horse, through and through. She wanted another winner of that series and Devil would do just that. But that was far in the future, and right now they had the Wire Finish Cup Juvenile Turf to succeed in.

Valencia eyed the track entrance and smirked as the petite form of Kylie Silverstar gently guided the regal Pandora down to where they were. Pandora moved with unearthly grace and power. Her blue blood showed in every step, every glance around the track. It had not taken long for Pandora to acclimate to racing. It was in her blood. And surprisingly, it hadn't taken groom-turned-jockey Kylie Silverstar long to acclimate either. The professionalism of Pandora was wearing off on her. Either that, or her private lessons with Henna Turath aboard one of the retired racehorses was really clicking for her. Kylie looked bright and happy in the saddle of the curious Pandora. The black filly was picking her way down the track, and there was quite the edge to her. Unlike her peers, this was a filly who had never stepped out of horse of the year selection races. Kylie, being a new jockey, had gotten used to the high pressure races quickly, but even she hadn't anticipated the Wire Finish Cup in just her fourth race as a jockey. Nerves twittered deep in her heart, but aboard a sure horse like Pan her doubts just seemed to fade away.

Amber met her two contenders down the turf, her green eyes simmering. They were up against Spitterfly, Casualty of War, Take Flight and Wild Daisy. All of whom were fantastic horses, some layered with SOPS turf bloodlines. Valencia remembered the look on Amber's face when she had previewed the entries for the first time, remembered the pride as she had seen just what her precious turf bloodlines were creating in the industry. But Amber's pride wouldn't stop her from making sure her own entries pummeled the competition. She fixed Valencia with her gaze first. Devil will run like he always does. You should be fine. She turned away and focused on Kylie. Kylie. I'm amazed at how well you're able to read Pan's mind...her variable running style never seems to surprise you for even a second. You're going to need that in this race. I don't feel the need to tell either of you what to do. She turned to face Valencia as she said this. So just give me a classic workout and then we'll call it a day.

The two riders turned, Valencia smirking and Kylie pensive. They started off down the track, and immediately Devil went from flirt to bully. He muscled Pandora over on the far turn, making her take it very sharply. The black filly was adaptable, though. Her ears pinned and she bravely shoved right back, causing him to drift out as they hit the backstretch and herself opening up to a two length lead in the span of a second. Kylie sat chilly and let the filly do her thing. It was up to Pan with nearly every race they ran, with input from Kylie as things changed that Pan didn't know how to adapt to. So Kylie just let Pan do her thing, trusting the black filly with her heart. They sped over the turf now, still two lengths in front, and Devil's Flair came up again to challenge. Valencia was smirking as Devil attempted to pummel Pandora again, his big frame forcing Pan to drift slightly and uncomfortably. Pan snorted, and the next thing Kylie knew, Pan had slowed suddenly and Devil blew past them into the lead.

It was the perfect comeback. Devil and Valencia were sent for a loop with their sudden departure, leaving Kylie to cackle in a very diabolical fashion. Now Pandora came back with her run as Devil slowed, snorting furiously as he looked for his competition. They hit the blowout and blew past him, black legs churning. Once again Devil was sent for a loop, but he recovered quickly. Valencia urged him on and he needed little encouragement, scraping the paint as she thundered after Pan and narrowed the four length gap down to a half length before they hit the wire. Pandora slowed, her eyes twinkling with mischief just as Kylie's were. Valencia looked like she couldn't decide between furious and impressed. She sent a smirk as neutral territory Kylie's way. We'll see you in the race! she called. Kylie smiled back and nodded, accepting the challenge. The two were toughened up and ready to roll.