Fleeting Pride

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Prideful Limit’s workout for FOURSTARDAVE STAKES*
Fleet Street’s workout for Yukonite Derby Series*

Christopher Descartes was thrilled. Not only had Predator moved up a grade, but Prideful Limits was close to moving up to grade 1 himself. As it now was, he was the only jockey of both G2’s at the estate, riding the best horses around with the exception of Paradise Island, which admittedly did make him rather jealous, as he had practically begged his father to let him ride the Triple Tiara winner throughout her Breeder’s Cup campaign. Needless to say, it hadn’t worked, but he had put the mare behind him and now completely focused on Pride and Pred. They were his superstar’s, and he without restraint adored them.

He had been scheduled to work alongside Madeline and Fleet Street, and the call had made him smile. He hadn’t been out with Madeline Walker in quite some time, and as one of his closest friends around the estate, he had missed her. Seeing her now was a breath of fresh air, and he greeted her warmly as she made her way over to him, helmet in hand. She returned his greeting before standing beside him and turning to mimic his actions as they both observed the saddling of their horses. It was a rather cool day, and the usual air of excitement was absent from the track, allowing the two horses a peace of mind as they stood calmly and obediently. It was something new for Christopher to observe in Fleet Street, as the obsidian colt spent must of his time fretting about. He seemed to be getting along rather well with Pride. If they ran together fine, the two might be frequented to working partners.

They dealt in simple discussion together for a while until the horses were ready and his father called them over for a short briefing. The races they were both entered in were big ones, and as so the horses would be pushed harder to give them a better chance. When the race finally did come around, the horses would be in perfect condition. Both jockeys listened obediently to the words of the head trainer before being given the go ahead to mount up, and they did so without hesitation, Prideful Limits shifting slightly in adjustment before relaxing. Once Madeline was seated they set off together at a slow jog, warming the horses and getting their blood pumping before throwing them into the workout. Eventually, around the fourth furlong down the track, the horses were warmed and loose, and Descartes called them back and set them up with clear instructions.

The second they were given the go ahead, Prideful Limits leapt forward and disappeared, in his place appearing instead a creature of wind and flight that could not be contained. The speed stallion took charge of the mock race, forcing Fleet Street to go faster if he wished to stalk him appropriately. Only two furlongs down the stretch and his strides were beautiful, long and controlled, his breathing steady and strong to the rhythm of his hooves. It was a feeling and sensation that Christopher lived for, one that made all the risk worth while. Behind them he heard Fleet Street even out, and not wanting to allow the Night Stalker colt any comfort, urged Pride into a higher gear. The experienced colt leapt into a faster pace without falter, obeying instantly and gathering himself up to leave the black colt in the dust. Though the colt did manage to make up some of the lost ground, he was simply no match for the older grade two, and when Prideful limits rolled home into the final stretch, Fleet Street simply had no chance. As they cooled down the horses, Christopher couldn’t help but smile. Yes, Prideful Limits was a superstar alright, and now he was going to show it.