whirlwind

[S u N f r O s T ~]

LIMITED EDITION AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
TRINITY AND AMBER BLACK
WISH UPON A STAR AND KRYSTAL YHATE

Amber Black could not keep the smirk from her face. The shocked look on Valencia's face would forever hold a place in her heart. She had just announced that today's workout would be on the turf, and while both Trinity and Wish Upon A Star could handle the surface, Limited Edition likely could not. But the whole reason this was occurring was so that Ed could learn some more versatility, some more persistence in the face of impossible odds. The turf wouldn't be so bad for him, contrary to whatever Valencia was muttering to herself. And the smile was for other reasons too. Trinity had actually won two races straight against stiff competition. Something had happened within the bay filly. Her inconsistency meter had swung to being consistent and brilliant for now. Perhaps it would stay this way, perhaps not. Trinity was famous for her inconsistent bouts on the track. But Amber couldn't help hoping and praying that it would stay at the brilliant side of things. She loved riding a winning Trinity. And today's workout over the turf was for the future. Trin would finish out the season over the dirt and then switch to the turf for classic season. Her prospects were greater on the turf, considering how Snapper and Pyrite had been performing over the dirt. But Trin could always switch in between surfaces in order to maximize her performance. That came with having such a flexible horse to race.

Trin took the lead as they headed out to the turf, her shyness masked for now. She knew these two horses, had even worked with them once or twice. She was shadowed by Limited Edition. The Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner was searching for wins, much like other horses among the roster. He snorted in surprise as his hooves made contact with the turf, but gave no other reaction but a wave of his tail. He conducted himself like the professional he was on the track. His coat glistened like a new copper penny in the sun, and Valencia admired the gleam. Here was a horse all hers, a product of her hard work and Amber's training, a horse she would get to manage for the rest of his life. Muted joy glowed in her eyes. Ed had stolen her heart a long time ago. She let him get used to the turf, accelerating to canter past Trinity. His hooves did not sink into this surface, and it felt strange under his hooves, but Ed gave it his best effort and Valencia could ask for nothing more. And behind this duo, Krystal felt like she was riding a horse from a dream. Wish Upon A Star boasted the best conformation in the barn and the most beautiful stride. She practically floated over the turf, indifferent to the surface change. She was starting in the Pegasus Stakes next, shaking things up a bit. Her performance had been strong, and now they sought out HOTY races to strengthen her resume. The turf marathons would be hers next season and this was just a warm-up.

Ed finally came back to the other two, sweating lightly but as acclimated as he could get to the turf. Amber nodded, eyed the chestnut coat appreciatively, and then turned Trinity around. It was all the signal the horses needed. They all began to gallop. Nobody was a front runner, but Wish was closest to the pace typically and took the lead here now. Her black tail fanned out behind her in a show of grace and her stride remained light and airy. Krystal swore she was the most beautiful mover in the barn as they swept through the quarter in twenty four flat. Nice and easy. They were followed closely by Ed, up close and pressuring early for the fun of it. He was handling the turf relatively well now, but nowhere near the easy grace of his stablemates. Valencia knew he was running on grittiness alone here and smiled at the thought. That was her tough boy. Trinity stayed in the back, shy of the lead for now but aware of where it was. She remained sharp eyed through the half, edged closer at the three quarters...and then exploded.

There was no warning. One moment Trinity was not there, and the next she was. She hooked to Ed's outside, nearly shutting down his charge as she pursued her victim. Her speed...it was amazing. So much development since the summer began. Valencia snarled and let her colt go. The three year old stayed with Trin through sheer force of will, though he could not grip the turf. But heck if he was being left behind! Wish Upon A Star sensed the charge. Her senses, honed by nearly three years of racing, were not rivaled by either of her competitors. The Everyday Hero daughter dug in and shook off the other two, eyes bright with pleasure as she was met with a rallying charge by Trinity. Ed could not stick it out on the turf and was left behind by the other, but he never folded. Valencia's eyes were bright with pride, dark with promises of retribution as they swept under the wire three lengths behind the other two. Wish had taken the workout by a full length and was proudly cooling down. Trinity remained serene and calm even as she finished with a whirlwind of speed and lost. Amber was proud of every horse here and let their riders know with warm, appreciative glances. Each had overcome adversity to get to where they were today, and more difficulties were on the way. But they would be prepared for when they came.