nebula

[S u N f r O s T ~]

NEBULA
Silent Snap & Amber Black - Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint
Impressionable & Krystal Yhate - Breeders Cup Juvenile
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Krystal was mulling over something thoughtfully as she she saddled and mounted up the second coming of Moondance, as she thoughtfully referred to this horse. Impressionable snorted, tossed her head, and set off at a graceful stride to the dirt track. Krystal smiled, admired the graceful curve of the Bank On Greatness and Admirable daughter’s neck. This was the only filly going into the Breeders Cup Juvenile. She would face Speak Easy, Saintly Touch and stablemate Palisades Pirate. And she was even considered one of the favorites going in! After all, she was one heck of a tough filly. She had raced against the colts all season long, never pulling any punches. She was just as good as they were, and she didn’t let the crowds forget it. Everybody knew who the Chestnut Princess was - Empress, Impressionable. Her brand new media nickname was perfect.

They were met on their way to the track by Silent Snap, son of With A Snap and Silent Wings. Here was a horse whose nickname was known only by the stable staff - the Blazing Fireball. The bully of a colt’s muscles bulged, head held high and neighs flying over the track as he proclaimed his dominance for all to hear. Amber Black looked like she was holding back a lot of horse as she rode him out to the track, but there was no mistaking the reminiscent look in her eyes or the fond smile she wore. To Amber, this powerful Snapper was just like his half-sister Lynara’s Kingdom had been on her more boisterous days. And he was just as blazing fast. The Juvenile Sprint would not be easy, but here was a horse born to fly right out of the gate and just roll away to win by a ridiculous margin despite any odds.

Amber caught the look on Krystal’s face just before it disappeared. She latched onto it immediately. What? What’s up? Krystal sighed, shook her head. It’s nothing. Got a unique workout planned for us today? Amber frowned at the quick change in subject, but chose not to point it out. Well, we’re doing a workout suggested by a, ah, friend of mine. Snapper and Empress will both run a mile workout. However, I want Snapper to really run for the final three furlongs. Empress will only run for the last two. This will let her try running Snapper down, similarly to a situation she would encounter in the Juvenile. As for Snapper...he needs to practice staving off his foes some more. Krystal nodded, eyes gleaming as she looked forward to the hunt.

The two horses started off their workout with a strong canter that quickly morphed into a gallop. As was his style, Snapper grabbed the lead. Empress settled alongside comfortably, her eyes gleaming as she recognized a challenge. Snapper snorted, eyes blazing with masculinity as he used his bulk to shove Empress a bit wide on the turn. The filly snorted and lengthened her stride so it didn’t affect her as much, racing back to original position on his outside. Snapper was not deterred, relishing it as much as any true racehorse would. And Empress loved it right back. For four furlongs they cruised, testing each other and finding each other a worthy competitor. And then they hit the fifth furlong and Amber leaned down and let her colt fly.

Snapper accelerated sharply, glad of the opportunity to finally shake off the filly at his side. Empress attempted to respond, and Krystal shut her down. The Chestnut Princess was beyond frustrated. Krystal could basically feel the filly zeroing in on her rival, preparing to reel him in. He was five lengths ahead, six, seven, then eight by the time the first furlong ended. And now Empress was finally allowed to run. Krystal prepared herself, but even she was not prepared for the fervor of the filly’s run. Empress covered the ground like a sprinter. Her ears flat to her head, her eyes unforgiving, she bit into that lead like her morning hay. Five lengths, three, two...and then Snapper picked up on her approach and said no.

He accelerated even more now, and drew off by a length. And now Empress showed her determination and dug in. Krystal cheered her on as she drew closer and closer to Snapper, who responded and dug in, only to be met by Empress’s onslaught once more. The two put on a clinic of gut-wrenching determination as they shot under the wire, and Amber cheered at her colt’s one and a half length victory. She slapped hands with Krystal, who drew up alongside cheerily, and waited with excitement in her heart for the Breeders Cup to throw what it could at them.