Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Aug 25, 2014 13:32:09 GMT -5
BATTLE WINGS AND KRYSTAL YHATE
IMPRESSIONABLE AND MEREDITH MAHON
ITALIAN ICE AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
BATTLE'S WORKOUT FOR CIGAR RED MILE/STARSHINE SPRINT
ICEE'S WORKOUT FOR DELAWARE HANDICAP
Defiance, brilliance, toughness. These three characteristics were reflected in the eyes of the three thoroughbred mares who stood facing each other in yet another epic showdown. Amber sighed, but underneath the sigh was quiet pride. Here were three horses she had had a hand in breeding, if not bred herself, and they stood before her as the image of proud racehorses. The feeling of pride tingled her down to her toes and produced an effect greater than a kiss from Nick Landing, and boy was that saying something. Amber turned her gaze and locked it to the descendant of Akuma Battlecry. Battle Wings was the defiance of the group. The tall seventeen hand high filly was a sole win off of grade one and currently questing for that win hungrily. She had defied all expectations with a powerful win over many others in The Natural Memorial Stakes last time out. One of the horses she had defeated was none other than Mourning Passion, winner of the Kentucky Derby, to boot. The smirk on Krystal's face was unmatchable as she strongly steered Battle away from her stablemates. The usually stoic filly was full of fire today. Winning energized her. Now they were returning once more to the mile distance in the Cigar Red Mile. And then they were going to terrorize the sprinter fillies at seven furlongs in the Starshine Sprint. Krystal cackled at the thought, realized she was cackling rather loudly and then decided she didn't care. She should laugh. Battle was deadly from eight to ten furlongs, and at seven furlongs she would be able to unleash all of her speed at the lead. The streaking filly had been done taking no for an answer since the end of her juvenile season and she wasn't about to change her champion mindset now.
Italian Ice stared spitefully at the younger but slightly taller filly and snorted. Lean muscle rippled under the black mare's coat as she shifted in readiness, in preparation for the upcoming run. She had become brilliant ever since Valencia Andrews had vaulted onto her back and recognized her as a champion. And she had been ever since she had won the Canadian Triple Crown. Her latest victory in the Autumn Dawn Treader Cup had come over her favorite track, where she had triumphed over both dirt and turf and found everything exactly to her liking. Icee was one of Valencia's favorite mounts. They clicked together, and perhaps the only partnership stronger that Valencia had with another horse was with Limited Edition. Even then, that was because Ed was hers down to the last penny and she had trained him as a yearling for the racetrack. With Icee, they were only just coming up on their two year anniversary. And what a glorious two years it had been. Valencia's eyes glowed as Icee moved forward, sensing a change in motion from Battle and not wanting to be left behind. Icee would never be left behind. Arrogant confidence in her eyes on full display, the Impressario daughter took off after her stablemate and became locked into battle with her. At first, it seemed like only a two horse race. But that was not to be the case.
A chestnut filly, clearly younger than both, stalked the two from the back. Her eyes were cool and cunning even as they gleamed with the annoyance of a princess. Impressionable may have been the only juvenile who was not a grade four in the barn, but she was the toughest of the bunch. Empress had faced the colts from the get-go and triumphed over them too. She had gone eye-to-eye with both Great Revenge and Saintly Touch, with the biggest giants of the two year old classic dirt division. And yet, here she was with only three wins, grossly underestimated. She was joined today by somebody who was not her usual rider. Meredith Mahon guided the chestnut filly closer to the rail as they curved around the railing. Her keen green eyes were sharp as she focused on the horses in front. The groom-turned-exercise rider was pretty talented in the area of riding. She could indeed ride with the best. And it would be well if the other two would not forget about it. Sharp-tonged Meredith let the gap widen, keeping Empress in stalking distance. The chestnut filly responded easily, focusing on her prey and waiting for the right moment to strike. That moment would not come until the end of the six furlongs they were racing right now. Then, there would be a lovely two furlong sprint to the finish and Empress would attempt to gobble up the competition with her closing speed.
Six furlongs flashed by during which Icee and Battle refused to leave each other alone. They battled it out fiercely, eye to eye, fierce and wanting to the very end. And then their riders finally asked them to tap into the power lying in wait within each of their bodies. Icee accelerated sharply and Battle uncoiled her long legs for the charge. It was time to really see who was toughest over this dirt. Battle had the quicker acceleration, but Icee was tenacious. And Empress...Empress was indescribable as the juvenile filly roared up on their outside. Two sounds of pounding hoofbeats covered up the sound of the juvenile filly's own, and the senior mares were nearly caught completely off guard. Who was this chestnut filly? Where had she come from? Icee progressed right past that, forging ahead, and Battle quickly followed. They would not be outdone by this chestnut filly. And Empress, who realized she was quite outclassed by the two older and more developed horses, was tough as they came. Her eyes were burning with determination as she dug in and refused to let the sudden gap widen. She couldn't close it, but she could maintain her pride. Icee and Battle crossed the wire a length in front, still locked in battle, with the game Empress toughly bringing up the rear. Icee tossed her head, annoyed, and Empress shrilled in disappointment at the loss. Battle's aura grew ten times darker as she realized no victory had been won from this race. Amber watched the thoroughbreds cooling down and felt excitement join the pride thrumming through her veins. Here were three horses ready to take the world on.
