Inner Fire.

[Cavallo]

INNER FIRE
featuring Meritorious & Bellefire

There was nothing Tori did better than revenge and she was out for just that as the bald faced filly snapped in disgruntlement at Michael, but his rebuke was swift with a pop to the nose that had the juvenile filly squealing and dancing in place. His hands were firm and his control irrefutable as he kept the Bank on Greatness daughter in check and grounded once again as she returned to the earth from her half-rear. A shrill challenge echoed in reply to the filly as Adele sat astride a glaring Bellefire. The War Admiral daughter had become something else this season and she was ready to continue her upward climb into Y15, but first she had her own retribution to seek against Italian Ice. The former CTC winner was posted as the favorite for the race, but she was a filly that had been conquered before in the Careless Jewel* and nosed her out in the Azeri Stakes* for second place, but there was no denying that both her and Adele were hungering for a true blue victory over their rival and the Distaff was just the place to do battle. Tori glared across the gap at the older nemesis and her eyes lit with fire in recognition. It was no secret that these were two fillies that would never see eye to eye, the War Admiral influence too strong within both, but there was a secret to this madness as Michael got the leg-up into the saddle and pressed Tori on, for when iron strikes iron, it can only get sharper and sparks will always fly.

The knives of revenge were being sharpened for both fillies and they only had retribution on their minds. Adele pressed Lily forward and her motion was smooth and easy, contained and controlled, deceptive for the burning inferno that was simmering within. She could feel the slight tell-tale ripples of power that rolled off the bay and knew she was in for a workout herself and she smiled at the thought as she allowed the filly a little more rein to reach and overtake the flaunting Meritorious as they approached the rail by the tower. There was no denying that Nick had a soft spot in his heart for the War Admiral family. It had been his ability to train and ride these horses that had led to Intrepid's initial success and he was counting once again on that talent to muscle through for him in the Breeder's Cup and as he watched the two approaching fillies, he couldn't help but get good vibrations. Meritorious had never looked more fierce and Nick knew that her recent loss was just driving fuel for her need of redemption and revenge. Revenge had a way of giving this filly wings and he was needing her to do just that in the BC Juvenile Fillies. He needed her to fly and the glint he saw in her eyes told him that he was going to be line to see a stunning aerial display. Bellefire had found her niche and she was flourishing and the same inner drive, the need to reassert herself after second place finish, combined with her experience made her just the filly to dethrone the favored Italian Ice.

"Those two are hot." Adele and Michael grinned at the observation as Adele veered Lily away from Tori as she bared her teeth. Nick shook his head and waved them off with orders,"Take in tandem at a gallop for three and then blow them for four. Michael get Tori to speed in the shorter distance. She's gonna need to show earlier speed to beat the likes of the miler types." There was a strategy. Ignite the inner fire and practice for the shorter distance. Nine furlongs was well withing Tori's means, but when facing miler types it meant forgoing waiting as long as normal in order to catch the milers and that's just what they were going to do, catch them unawares.

The fire was already stoked, now the sparks just needed to fly as Bellefire assumed command. Tori's thorns flattened against her skull, her vision now laser focused on her prey and Michael eased her up in tandem with the older rival. The moment their eyes locked there was no backing down now as the two became fully engaged. Their strides synced as shoulder to shoulder they ran and the friction began to begin its own buildup and it would lead to the explosion. Adele focused on the track ahead as they hugged the rail and whipped around the turn with a tightness that was to be envied, the dirt flying in a spray behind them as Lily gripped the ground with relish and command. She was in her element and the need to assert herself was burning itself into the filly's mind, her every stride emphatic, but calculated. Bellefire knew her body and Adele knew her mind - together it was a breathtaking sight as the first three furlongs were galloped out in growing fractions, the riding tide threatening to propel both fillies into the next gear.

Meritorious was not to be outshone. She needed no competition to drive her, Michael knew that well enough, but in this frame of mind, with the need to assert herself, to remind all-comers that she was still a threat, she entered a frame of mind that made her lethal and breathtaking all at the same time. He marveled in gallop that she was putting on, her mouth ready on the bit, ready to screw over the first competitor that tried to take her on. This was the filly that he loved, relished and knew would never concede. He felt the wealth of stamina and knew she had the ability to go the distances, but this weekend was going to be one of strategy and speed. He touched lightly on the reins, reminding Tori of the game as she flicked a ear in recognition. In sync they were a force unstoppable as they eased up to the final four furlongs, her stride determined, her scope reaching and easy, slightly increasing in rate of contraction and release as they raced off the runway to take to the air.

Bellefire launched into flight and the fillies dueled with a vengeance. Adele knew the mount beneath her. Liliy loved her games and was more than ready to lure the mouse into her trap and it would take this kind of cunning to press her advantage on race day. She was high energy and speed, but she was not rash and that made her the threat of legends to her foes. Meritorious was a baiter. Bait, hook and then leave. She knew the game and Michael shook his head in defiance as Adele eased her touch on Lily's reins to lead the charge for home. They weren't biting, but then...appearances had to be maintained. He eased the filly and her white flashed in warning on Lily's flank as they drove into the second furlong, then the third and Michael released with a furlong to go. The freedom that he experienced as Tori rallied was incomparable to any drug induced high as they squared off and stalled head to head with their rival and as if a sonic boom both fillies kicked again driving for home. "Holy frick," Nick marveled at the driving kick both fillies displayed as Adele and Bellefire caught Tori on the head bob for home.

There was no questioning that these fillies were queens on the dirt, but now there could be no questioning that these fillies could be queens of speed when the occasion called for it and revenge was always a great occasion. Adele smiled abroad her charge and slapped her neck as she cantered her out as she still lunged forward for more as she rated her back. Enough would not be enough. Michael and Tori were a red streak past the older filly and rider as he allowed the filly the final brief say, much to a bugling challenge from Lily as Adele prevented her mount from her immediate reassertion. The morning sun was giving way to an early afternoon as the crowd watched in amazement of the stunning performance. Whispers of approval and admiration for the showy fillies, but the jaded railbirds saw the display for what it was, stone-cold racers reasserting themselves as known threats - and what threats they were. Nick jotted down official times in his log and waved the duo off for proper cool-out. Italian Ice and company had better bring their A-game because :44.76 for a 4 furlong work was just Bellefire warming up and they weren't needing any other factors to fight for the win. Meritorious was out for blood and her :44.89 time was only the beginning. The inner fires were burning bright and both fillies and riders were out for blood.