penumbra

[S u N f r O s T ~]

PENUMBRA
Wish Upon A Star & Krystal Yhate - Breeders Cup Turf Marathon
the area of partial illumination surrounding the darkest part of a shadow caused by an eclipse

The fond smile on Krystal Yhate was one typically reserved for the horses that she knew well. She knew Wish Upon A Star well by now, had ridden her since the beginning of Year Fourteen, but it had not been until they’d hit the turf that the depths of true understanding had come to them. It was like what had happened with Amber and Fleet Majesty - something had just clicked, and now Krystal worked effortlessly, seamlessly with the bay daughter of Everyday Hero. Luckily for them, they had the entirety of Year Fifteen to keep making Wish a feared name. Krystal felt herself glow with pride as she recounted the mare’s accomplishments that season. She had won on both dirt and turf, stealing the Lady’s Secret Stakes over turf and the acclaimed Pegasus Stakes and Flower Bowl over the turf. There was no doubting Wish’s versatility, or her stamina. The longer a race got, the more likely Wish was to win. She loved distance. The Breeders Cup Turf Marathon was the perfect fit.

Krystal felt nonplussed even as she considered the caliber of the field. Infinite Warcry, The Devil’s Hourglass and Desert Amber so far made up the field. Krystal knew that the hearts of both Amber Black and herself lay with Infinite Warcry, currently being leased to Intrepid Racing but returning in short order. In less than two weeks, to be exact. It would be heartwarming to see Amber reunite with the horse she had ridden for three years before entrusting to her boyfriend’s capable hands. But even though they all secretly wanted Infini to win, they wanted Wish to win too. If not win, then place second behind no other horse but Infinite Warcry. Krystal snorted. Yes, that would do just perfectly. The Breeders Cup victory could clinch Infini the title of Best Turf Horse (as the older turf male division was rather scant this season) and Wish would get the chance to give a brilliant account of herself. Oh yes, this would do rather perfectly. Now to make it happen.

The turf track had been busy today with SOPS representatives. Krystal was riding the last of the workout pair today, in workout number eight out of the SOPS stock. They really had been taking over the turf today, Krystal mused, but it was all for the better. The minute Wish Upon A Star got her hooves on the turf, she stretched out, slim legs working the pre-running kinks out and eyes gleaming with sudden competitive brilliance. She put on a show as she flicked her tail and dashed into a sudden canter that seemed faster than it really was. Wish was as graceful a mover as Fleet Majesty, but had just a touch more stamina and more development to do. As a true daughter of Everyday Hero, she would probably be at her most brilliant next season at five. That had been the case with Vindictive Fury, but unlike her they would seek to dominate the turf marathons instead. Krystal looked forward to the challenge.

Wish’s greatest advantage in her race would be her flexibility. She could deal easily with any pace that was thrown her way, always adapting. However, Krystal reflected, it would be key that they make their move before Infinite Warcry and be well clear of him within the final furlong if they wanted to have any shot at the win. To Krystal, Infini was the one horse with the capability to blow the race wide open. The minute that horse began charging, the speed of the other horses in the race didn’t matter - few could outlast the closing charge of Infinite Warcry, and the SOPS crew knew that better than most. They had to be clear of him in order to win, and then fend off their other two challengers in the process. Not an easy task, but Wish wouldn’t be entered if she couldn’t handle it. The mare had talent in spades, a love for the distance and plenty of familiarity on this track. Not to mention her running style would suit the race perfectly. Krystal was a good jockey; she knew she could play it right.

She leaned forward now, and Wish accelerated into the gallop. She was just breezing easily right now, letting the hooves fly. Her speed was not immense or impressive, but that was intentional. As more of a distance oriented horse, Wish got longer workouts than most. She thrived on working for a longer period of time, enjoying the time to run and enjoy herself. For the Breeders Cup, they would gallop a mile and actually run for the last half. A mile and a half was indeed a bit long...but this was a mare with brilliant conditioning coming into the Breeders Cup off plenty of rest. She would handle it, and at any moment when Krystal felt enough was enough she had no qualms about shortening the workout. But if she was correct, this would be just what Wish needed.

The mare certainly didn’t seem to mind as she breezed through the first half mile in easy time. Her ground eating stride made her speed absolutely effortless. Krystal asked for a bit more speed as they went into the final part of the gallop, and Wish responded. It took little effort for the mare to moderate her pace. Krystal settled for the long haul, smiling, enjoying the feel of this workout. They were in the stretch now and Wish had barely broken a sweat. The mare was enjoying herself, enjoying the feel of the wind in her mane and the motionlessness of a rider enjoying herself just as much on her back. But Wish knew there would be some speed to this workout somewhere, and waited eagerly for the cue. It came as they dropped under the wire, and like poetry in motion Wish exploded forward eagerly. She somehow managed to maintain such grace even as she was powerful in flight, and Krystal just felt good aboard this mare.

A half mile of speed was nothing to this marathon mare. She clicked off the furlongs in equal fractions, finishing the final quarter in slightly faster time as she charged for the end. Krystal smiled and slowed the mare, and Wish obliged, tossing her head energetically as she did so. It was like she had barely run at all even though she had put in the longest workout so far out of all of the SOPS representatives. The rangy mare sidestepped as they slowed to a trot, still energetic, still ready and willing to run. Competitive fire still blazed in her eyes. Krystal admired the slim curve of her neck, played with her mane and envisioned entering the Breeders Cup winners circle on this mare’s back. It would be a thrilling experience - now only to get there!

It was time to step out of some shadows and create their own brilliance.