The Culmination

[Cavallo]

THE CULMINATION
featuring Ultimate Revenge

Nick was anxious. There was no ifs, ands or buts about it. The Breeder's Cup was here and with it came the stress of preparing his competitors and riders for the bloodbath that was the Breeder's Cup. This would be the last year Nick rode in the black and maroon silks and he had mixed emotions about it all, but amongst all the stress he could relax in the knowledge that Intrepid had performed brilliantly this season. The work had been put in and they were starting to see the benefits as the season came to a close and Intrepid prepared for the new year. They were ready and now it was time to enjoy the culmination of their year.

The morning air was brisk and cold, but the busy BC prep track had reached a lull and Nick knew it was just the time to schedule their first workout for the coveted event. Glancing at his watch, he made his way over to the rail, avoiding the brave reporters who dared to wake up at the god-forsaken hour of 5:30 AM. It may be early, but the less people there were the better. He heard the shuffling of feet and the huffed breath of this morning's solo workout. Adele smiled a morning greeting over to Nick with Ultimate Revenge following in her wake. "Morning Floyd," he greeted the willowy jockey as she brought the black bay juvenile to a halt. She rested a soothing hand on the frustrated equine as he stomped and snorted in place.

Nick took as admiring eye to the Admiral's Revenge and Charisma son. Fin was finally coming into his powerhouse frame and every inch was filled with solid muscle. He was a heavy horse, that some might now think could have a quick turn of foot, but this colt's past season said otherwise. He was one win shy of the coveted G3 status and had proven his willingness to thrive under adversity. The colt had taken hard knocks, but he had shown that his talent was able to supersede those situations and Nick was asking just that of the colt as he entered into this final race of the year. The pre-morning dawn was making a dazzling appearance as the sun began it's slow ascent, with morning rays dancing over the colt's obsidian hued coat.

His ears were perked and his eyes attuned to his surroundings as Adele watched her mount. Fin was intelligent and he could sense the excitement in the air and he absorbed it all his body stilling briefly in place, like a king surveying his domain. "Morning Nick. Fin and I are ready to roll. Instructions?" This wasn't her first ride in the Breeder's Cup, but the excitement got to her every time and this year was no exception. She watched Fin keenly and felt his muscles ripple under his coat at her touch. Nick smiled at the pair and had to admire the journey that was represented before him. Fin had originally been intended as his ride, but the colt had had other ideas. Fortunately, Nick was able to swallow his injured pride and the results had been satisfactory to say the least. He'd run third in his last race, so a heavy workout wasn't required, just something to tune up and keep the fires of revenge stoked. "Nothing extreme, just a flash of brilliance. Take him for three at a gallop and then three full out. We need Fin to re-tap into why he's running." Adele smiled in confirmation as Nick gave the lithe jockey a leg-up as she settled in on the now dancing colt's back. He was the sole horse on the tracks, but he didn't need the pomp and circumstance to draw a crowd.

Adele ignored the snaps of the camera, it seemed that the press couldn't be completely ignored, but she was determined too as Fin tossed his head briefly before settling down to follow her prompting and command to move. Nick slapped the colt's rump sending them off down the dirt track. He reached for two strides and settled in to the work at hand with an easiness that contradicted his age. Nick nodded in approval as he sidestepped the growing crowd and press as Fin took to the tracks. He quickly climbed the observation tower and got his stop watch handy for the final three furlongs.

Adele couldn't stop the smile on her face as she felt Fin settle down to business, his stride long and easy as they galloped in warmup fashion, her hand light on the reins, but feeling Fin's pulling power, his mouth playing with the bit, ready to go as soon as he was unleashed. Fin's eyes were bright, his spirit determined and his mind sharp. He was his own worst enemy, his foes invisible, but he had the inner drive to excel, to push and exceed. He was hell bent fury and speed held at bay, by a woman's touch. She relished in the power at her fingertips as the final furlong of the first set drew to a finish and she gradually eased the colt to a thundering roll. Nick watched in approval as the black fury began to begin unleashed and glanced at his stop watch in satisfaction.

She felt Fin begin to unfurl as they tapped into a portion of his power, his acceleration was controlled at her fingertips and she slowly released his head and he poured on more speed flashing for the final furlongs in a blitz that left her breathless. The fuse was lit on a burning tank of energy as they put on only a flashing spark for the public eye, finishing off the workout with a taste for the public of Fin's speed and passion. Nick clicked the stop watch as the pair completed their work and grunted. :37.01 wasn't bad at all for a three furlong blow out...not at all. He smiled down as Adele looked up and waved at Nick. He flashed her a three and a seven with his fingers and she laughed and slapped the dancing colt's neck in praise. His head fought up for more, his eyes locking onto another horse as it breezed by, his drive and determination pushing him to pursue, but Adele was firm. "Save it boy. Save it for race day. You slayed the time and now we just need to slay the competition." They were very well one of Intrepid's best kept secrets.