The Witch's Hunter

[Ripley]

The Witch's Hunter
featuring: Bella Luna, Paranormal Hunter & In Front

Ripley patted her mount's neck as he marched through the gap onto the dirt track. She'd been tackled by reporters the second Pride, Bond and Queen had left the track. In order to avoid that crap again, Ripley had brought along her newest track pony. Finale Slew, in all her dappled glory, looked ferocious beneath the pile of winter hair she'd grown. Her outright ferociousness kept the reporters away, as did the pinned ears and blazing eyes. She'd dropped her last foal a year and a half ago, but being a lazy pony in the pasture hadn't cut it for the mare. She was now Ripley's body guard and she would do her job as well as possible.

The reporters looked on with frustration as Finale Slew cantered down the track to the backstretch gap. The dam was not very recognizable to the reporters, but most of them would recognize her offspring and grandoffspring. She had three Breeders' Cu candidates descended from her: Refute, Livin' The Jazz and Jazzasoleil. She was as blue hen as they came and Ripley was proud to have such a noble figure to fill the void of track horse.

Bella Luna, Paranormal Hunter and In Front stood on the turf track, their bodies gleaming with good health. Bella Luna and Paranormal Hunter were most well known. Both were serious runners with serious implications every time they hit the track. Bella made her own race and seemed to be unstoppable in the late season. She was better than last year when she'd rolled through the Turf Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Mile. This year she'd conquered the older turf horse series with aplomb, the Twilight Stakes and the Tropical Rainforest Invitational. Next was the Breeders' Cup Turf where she was very much the even money favorite to win. Reese looked proud on this horse. It had been her and Ripley's hard work that had crafted her into a tremendous running machine. The scared little gray filly had transformed into a gray queen of the turf. She had rights to claim one of the best racehorses of all time, no small feat either. She would likely stand beside Impressario and Sillenia, Wildly Natural and Merry Bay King. She had become a measure of future turf horses.

Paranormal Hunter's body looked much heavier when she stood beside Bella Luna. She was a big lumbering daughter of Flash Limits, with an image of grossness. Yet, in full flight there was no horse more beautiful. Para had the largest stride of any horse on Witch Creek property and more speed on a dull track than most other horses. She was the proverbial monster off the track and on. Her attitude had not been endearing, but her determination and all out imposing nature had drawn more fans that any other three year old filly this season. She could see awards at the end of the season and it all would come down to the wire in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Maggie sat quietly in the saddle, blue eyes looking off into the distance. Two more rides aboard the reluctant princess and that was it.

Ripley's gaze flicked to the last horse in the workout set. The prince of the barn was looking to claim king once Mastermind moved into his well deserved retirement. The colt was larger than even Para and he looked to be the most impressive in the set. His big white blaze and tall white stockings gave him a flashiness that was not matched by Para and just barely below Bella. In Front would make his daddy proud, had already done more than enough to draw attention. The grade three colt had been one of the favorites for the Triple Crown series, but his immaturity had caught up with him in that series. Anodyne, Limited Edition and Mourning Passion had been the bane of his existence. And while all three had done great things this season, being winner of the Canadian Triple Crown, the last two legs of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Dubai Colt Cup winner, Ripley was still sure she had the best colt for next season. In Front was a big horse and he'd come out of his break on the muscle. His loss in his first start back to precocious stablemate Wishing For A Heroine had been a needed race. They had not seen the best of In Front yet.

"Alright. Five furlongs. Put In Front up with Bella Luna on the lead, Carter. Let's give him something more to do and get him fit." Ripley eyed Bella and Para. "I doubt I can get them any better than they are so just ride them normally and let them finish with something left."

The riders nodded and signaled their horses to move off. Bella tossed her head, mane billowing around her nearly bone white face. The elegant mare had changed so much since her juvenile days, now was her chance to seal the deal. Reese stood in the saddle, dark eyes gleaming in excitement. The last workout ever aboard this sensational horse... Bella struck the lead at her fluid gallop, ears pricking as she hit the front. It wasn't long before she was engaged though.

David Carter's admiration for all three horses filled him to the brim. He was aboard In Front, one of the most promising colts for next season, facing a future Hall of Famer and a possibly future award winning three year old filly. Life was good and that vindication seemed to pass through the reins down to In Front. The giant colt rolled up to Bella Luna, ears pinning back into his mane. He looked fierce as he engaged the more delicate looking mare, but she gave it back, turning her head sideways and opening her mouth to savage him. Reese's hand stopped the mare from connecting, as did her encouragement for more speed. Bella Luna streaked into the backstretch, ears now pinned, enjoyment lost. She was out to beat this other horse, this horse she had never faced before.

Paranormal Hunter galloped along powerfully, settling into her massive stride. She felt best at this cruising pace where she could exploit all natural ability and talent. Maggie was perched on her hulking shoulders, eyes keen on the battle ahead. Bella Luna had picked a day to pick a fight with a larger horse. Perhaps, this would be the day to catch the gray one distracted. It would make Para's job simpler, but the bay miss always seemed to enjoy more of a challenge. Catching these two classic horses would be challenge enough.

Reese and Carter were still as their horses breezed through the first three furlongs with ease. In Front had velcroed himself to the gray horse, but he made sure to keep three quarters of a length back. It was added pressure for her and In Front was still able to get something out of the work. Carter adored this unadorable animal. He was a rocket set to take off and Bella Luna was going to either be a victim or the rival rocket. Carter kept the reins loose, not encouraging the big bay to pick it up just yet.

Reese knew Carter thought he had Bella's measure. She didn't move as effortlessly as In Front or Paranormal Hunter, but she had speed and agility where they did not. She was a master of the turf, as much as Mastermind was on the dirt. She had intelligence instead of physicality. Reese could feel the mare's need to teach this big hulk a lesson, felt the brush of inherent speed. The South American woman grinned in delight as the gray mare skirted the rail through the turn quietly. She might have been a dove taking flight in the early morning so silent was she.

Maggie urged Para on now as she saw how easily Bella was moving. Carter had not worked out with the gray long enough to know how sneaky she could be. But Maggie had and she knew the look of dominance in the gray one's posture. Para rolled off the turn with imposing strides and charged four wide down the center of the track. The impression she left on reporters was one of awe as she steamrolled the ground between herself and her foes.

"Shoot," Carter cried as Bella Luna slipped away like a greasy fish. In Front was left floating for a moment until he was suddenly engaged by a torrent of bay filly. Paranormal Hunter roared up to him, legs blurred beneath her heavy frame. She seemed surprised when In Front re-rallied with her. David was also surprised for he had thought he'd blown everything. Instead, In Front was coming back, moving stride for glorious stride with Paranormal Hunter.

Reese did not peak back. She'd been caught in her ploy and now Bella Luna would have to stave both horses off. Her delicate mount anticipated the full wrath of the two behemoths, but her courage was on display as she battled furiously with them to the line. She notched a head victory over the charging duo, but it would have been different on race day. Her gray mare had more left in the tank and it would not be easy for her other rivals to catch her when she got in her groove at ten furlongs.

All of the riders pulled their horses into controlled canters, drawing them away from the rail to allow others to pass. Ripley cantered Finale Slew up to meet them, her eyes shining with pride. "Awesome workout. That'll give everyone something to think about."