over the dirt

[S u N f r O s T ~]

FORBIDDEN TO FLY AND HENNA TURATH
ITALIAN ICE AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
AQUATIC ADDICTION AND KRYSTAL YHATE

FLY'S WORKOUT FOR STEPHEN FOSTER/PHOENIX GOLD
ICEE'S WORKOUT FOR LADY'S SECRET STAKES
THEO'S WORKOUT FOR PHOENIX GOLD

Amber Black breathed in the fresh morning air and felt her whole being fill with the warmth of it. Her green eyes were brightly happy as they descended onto the dirt track, watching as her charges turned circles in the warm air. It didn't take much to get her hot-blooded senior racehorses going. They took to the track naturally, and their muscles flexed with the musculature of longevity as they warmed up. Her eyes alighted on the oldest of them. Henna Turath's smile was radiant as she rode the noisemaker gray stallion. Forbidden To Fly never shut up, whether working out or racing. The newly crowned winner of thirty races was looking to expand his resume to even greater heights. He had truly excelled over six furlongs this season, but was not above expanding his repertoire to eight furlongs. This was the horse who had won the Breeders Cup Juvenile at nine furlongs, after all, despite being mainly a sprinter. He got his distance blood from his dam, who had also mothered distance specialists Silent Wings and Flashy Wings. But there was sprinter there too, as shown in Pegasus Wings. Fly was the perfect combination, and a new challenge awaited him in the Stephen Foster this week. Mastermind and Attractive Flight were the competition. Amber's eyes glowed with determination, and she saw this mirrored in the easy motions of Henna. They were dying to defeat the horse who was responsible for Fly's only two losses this season.

A black mare also attracted notice. Italian Ice and Valencia Andrews had perhaps one of the strongest partnerships Amber Black had witnessed between human and horse, and this was because it had been practically instantaneous in its formation. It hadn't taken long for the arrogant, brilliant Italian Ice to bond with the equally arrogant and brilliant Valencia. Valencia could not keep the smirk off her face. It was like Icee responded to what her rider was thinking - barely anything more than a slight motion was necessary to guide the mare through her actions. Icee's strides flashed brilliance. Her performance this year was topsy turvy - she either came out on top, or miserably failed. Icee had been off form at the beginning of the season but had turned it around, even winning the Wire Finish Cup Dirt. Her next start was in the Lady's Secret Stakes against Bellefire and stablemate Wish Upon A Star. The Canadian Triple Crown winner was ready for the challenge - it showed in the authoritative manner she conducted herself out on this track. The Lady's Secret Stakes was also on their hit list, and Valencia was determined to add it to Icee's resume.

Last on the track and barely noticeable compared to his star studded companions was Aquatic Addiction. Retirement was in the plans unless Theo started to pick up. Krystal Yhate had never ridden the stallion before but found him easy to manage. He was well mannered and full of determination to the point of being competitive. Krystal could find herself liking the stallion as she put him through his paces. He was not a difficult ride. Valencia had managed to connect to the stallion's arrogant and competitive side somehow - Krystal just couldn't see it. Perhaps in the workout she would see that side of him. She grinned pleasantly as Valencia shot a glance in her direction, checking on her progress, and gave the young woman a thumbs up. Henna glanced over at them, Fly's movements lightning quick and all the calculation needed to secure a win in her eyes. She knew Fly like the back of her hand and was ready to school her competitors in this workout.

In a flash, the trio set off down the track. Icee authoritatively took the lead, gallop flashy and determined as she blazed a trail into the backstretch. Henna focused Fly on the task at hand, putting him just behind Icee, while Theo brought up the rear. The pattern continued, the senior racehorses biding their time...until the stretch! Fly took control, stride speeding up with thrilling acceleration as he passed Icee like she was standing still. Henna laughed as they flew away from the others. This was a distance in their territory, a speed within their grasp. Fly was happy as he ran, steadying as Icee pulled up alongside. It worked in their favor, focusing Fly on the task at hand. But NOBODY saw it as Theo suddenly blazed past the pair, the star studded ones who had gotten all the fame and glory, and snatched up the lead. Krystal kneaded her hands, asking for more, and Theo gave it with every bit of his trying heart as they hit the wire first, defeating the other two before they could mount a comeback.

It was close, and it was thrilling. Amber could not keep the grin off of her face as she examined her dirt champions. They were ready to make statements in their next starts.