just for fun

[S u N f r O s T ~]

INNOCENT PASSION AND KRYSTAL YHATE
ROYAL CADENZA AND VALENCIA ANDREWS

ANNA'S WORKOUT FOR THE DASH STAKES
CADEN'S WORKOUT FOR THE DREAM CUP

A glance over the track was all Valencia Andrews needed in order to feel the sudden excitement churning in her belly. It was rare that horses worked out over this track unless they were prepping for a race in the Dubai World Championship Series. Otherwise, they worked over it as a stamina builder. It was definitely more difficult to lift one's hooves out of this heavy, slippery surface as compared to dirt or turf. Turf was fairly stable; dirt was a bit more slippery. But sand, sand would be fun for these two horses. Valencia grinned as Royal Cadenza didn't bat an eyelash from the first hoofstep onto the sand. In fact, he simply continued marching forward at his usual speed, one hundred percent confident and willing to try out this new experience. This was an excellent thing, as Caden may very well turn out to be the Stride of Perfection candidate for the Dubai World Sprint come January. It would be his final career start, and Valencia knew she could not let the thought of that hinder her in any way, only enhance their performance. She and Caden would go out with a bang. She grinned at that, let Caden accelerate to a trot and become accustomed to the new surface. Proud, arrogant Caden considered such adjustments below his princely stature, but even then there was some happiness as he realized what his rider was letting him do. Powerfully placed hooves soon got very very used to the new surface, and soon they were wheeling over it at a canter like pros. Caden was finally ready to begin his final workout for the Dream Cup.

Valencia was just about to accelerate to a gallop when a sound caught her attention. She turned, eyes narrowing as she spotted a bay mare cantering powerfully over the sand towards them. It was Innocent Passion, and the mare moved easily over the sand as though she had been born to it. This was not surprising. Her dam Little Miss Innocent had been a natural over the sand and had placed second in the Dubai World Championship during her time. This was reflected in the professionalism of Anna as she explored the sand. She had such graceful power over the sand, such beauty. Valencia found herself almost envying her ease of movement...but she was on board a firecracker herself. Royal Cadenza grew more flashy as the mare approached, lifting his hooves higher and throwing his head up boldly. Valencia let the stallion express himself. She knew what he would be like if he intended to do anything more than he currently was. She waved to Krystal, who looked content over arguably the fastest mare in the barn. Well, second fastest if Amber and Ventura had anything to say about it. Valencia smirked at that, nodded at Krystal's returning wave and then raised her eyebrows in a silent query. Krystal's response as leaning forward as they drew level with Caden. Anna's acceleration was quick, but Caden was not to be caught off guard. Stride for stride, up the track both of them went.

Caden nosed forward into the lead, confident and powerful. Anna shadowed him, ever aware. She particularly knew how to track black horses such as Cross My Heart, so it was no trouble to keep up with Caden and shadow him as they tracked each other around the first turn. Valencia knew that Caden's strength rested in his rateability. The black stallion really knew when to go fast and when to not, when to listen to his rider when it most counted and when it should be taken with a grain of salt. Krystal, however, knew Anna's strength was in her dangerous speed and acceleration. When Anna got going and hunted down her prey, only Cross My Heart stood a chance of potentially getting away. And Caden would not best her now over a surface her bloodline suited her for. Her confidence carried her over into Caden as they entered the backstretch. The tough black stallion barely noticed the small chestnut, treating her as an annoyance, a fly. Anna let his condescending attitude slide right off of her. It didn't matter. Anna would get him in the end. That was a promise.

Stride for stride, right to the end. Anna did not let up her silent assault. Caden did not let up his silent challenge. But suddenly, both of these became blindingly clear. There was finally a firefight going on. Anna accelerated sharply off the last turn and Caden met her stride for stride as she chopped into his lead and stuck a defiant nose in front. She pushed powerfully off the sand and accelerated past Caden, who had not gripped the sand as well off the turn. But even as she opened up a length, Caden came back strongly. The straight was not an issue. Anna's body was slunk low over the track, hooves flashing as she staved off the black's assault to win by a half length at the wire. Krystal crowed in happiness, absolutely excited for the Dash Stakes. Caden, on the other hand, silently collected himself at the end, eyes glowing with intent. He would make sure to seal the deal in the Dream Cup.