First Impressions.

[Cavallo]

First Impressions.
featuring: Quick Silver, Fusillade & Ramirez

Excitement didn't even begin to cover the feelings that were running within Brody Graham's veins as he sat astride a powerhouse chestnut colt. He knotted his fingers in the red mane as he led the trio over to the dirt tracks here at The Wire. It was hard to believe that another year had come to an end and a new one was beginning. A new year meant new beginnings and it wasn't just for the horses. He'd finally gotten his big break. He'd been working hard over at Intrepid, galloping whoever...whenever and with Nick's retirement from the saddle...it meant he got to jockey...like actually ride. He was giddy and it didn't take much to get Blitz going. The fire hued colt was flashing power and sturdy bulk and he fed from the nervous energy dancing like a war charger of fire. Brody couldn't stop the grin, but Adele was quick to address the young jock.

"Graham if you don't calm down, that poor colt is going to get washed out before we even begin." He laughed and waved her off with a shake of his head. "Ease up Floyd! This colt has so much pent up energy, this is good for him." She rolled her eyes, but returned her full attention to Quick Silver. The bay filly was a stunning picture of blooming athleticism. She matched her colt companions in power and muscle and you couldn't help, but notice the wild, conniving gleam in her eyes. The filly pinned her ears slightly at her juvenile partner, but Adele was quick to ease the filly's temperament with a pat and a nudge of her leg to press on. No one could say that Dana didn't know how to work. If it involved running, this filly was all in and if it meant she got a chance to put this colt in his place all the better. She was too competitive for her own good, but it was a trait that Adele knew would set them apart from the field come race day. Dana was a new breed of miler and the first born of WCS' Mr. Hat and Clogs. Nick watched the two juveniles with a keen eye. It wasn't like Nick to often take in outside bred horses, but these two WCS influenced horses were worth the gamble. It took only one look at those two to be reassured. Clogs had some of the freshest lines, but also proven being out of G2 Sayonara...a mare that he himself was sitting on a reserve too. She had been a BC winner and a very coveted mare and now it was time to reintroduce the fire to the tracks and Dana was a good place to start with that.

Nick watched from the rail as Kyle and Ramirez rode up from behind the juveniles. He had to stop and admire how far the Night Stalker son had come. It was nice to see both of the older stallion's younger relations flourishing and hitting the tracks in the likes of Ultimate Revenge and Night Visions. The two up and coming colts would be making their own bids this year and if Ramirez was an indication of a portion of their abilities, than things were looking bright. The five year old stallion had ran a quiet juvenile season and a light classic year, but last year had been the foundation that the bay had needed and anyone could see just by looking at him that he was on the precipice of something great. Year Fifteen was going to be a year of unexpected turns and starts, but no one was more ready for it than Ramirez. The bay's head bobbed in excitement as he drew alongside the juveniles. Dana's ears pinned in a competitive challenge to which the older bay snorted and received the challenge with a determined gleam in his eyes. Blitz gauged the older stallion from the inside rail and Brody kept a steadying hand on his mount. They were all more than ready to go.

He'd given his instructions for a four furlong gallop as a warm-up and then to let them run handily for another four and it looked like the trio was out in a single stride to get it all accomplished. Nick noted Blitz's attention wane, as he focused more on Quick Silver and Ramirez and nodded when Brody refocused the colt on the path ahead and it was as if something clicked for the solid framed juvenile. It was as if the other two ceased to exist and Brody relished the single-mindedness of his now focused mount. Dana hadn't been distracted for a beat as she galloped with cold calculation. She knew wanted to much to win at the end-game to mess around, but Ramirez himself was known for his games...

Nick watched in amusement as Ramirez rallied to the occasion with a easy of movement that betrayed the raw untapped power. He made it look effortless and Kyle was relishing the spirit that was humming beneath the surface ready to flourish at his slightest command but they were here to play the game as Dana matched them with a determined air. Adele rode her mount through the gallop and felt the filly's brimming with desire and potential, there was the need to prove herself against these foes, but Adele held the filly at bay until the moment came and the trio flew into motion in one accord. She had fought for her head the moment Adele had held back, but her vented frustration was an explosion of power as she shot up and drove for home. Ramirez and Kyle had been momentarily stunned at the filly's explosion, but their rebuttal was swift and decisive as the mature racer began to tap into his power and give pursuit. There were no tiring horses here and Brody had to send the colt in pursuit of their companions as Brody cursed Adele and Dana as they bounded away, but the moment the Dana and Ram began to pull away the chestnut colt could focus on nothing else except to hunt them down! Blitz needed no encouragement as he put on a turn of foot that had Brody holding his breath in amazement and anticipation. His mind was made up. He needed to catch them and Brody could tell that nothing was going to dissuade him.

Nick arched an eyebrow in surprise as Dana's burst for home, but had to marvel the mental toughness she was displaying even as Ramirez began to pull away...she drove for home with fury, only to fight head to head with a rebounding Blitz. Fusillade was proving he was made of rare material and the talent to surprise and the determination to never relent, but then neither did Quick Silver. The two juveniles crossed in tandem as Ramirez trailed ahead of them. Kyle slowed down the massive stallion and peeked behind him as Adele and Brody approached on their wild-eyed mounts. "Dana's a tough filly Adele and Brody to see Bltiz rebound like that...wow. You both have surprising mounts." Dana bared her teeth at the two colts and Blitz seemed to huff his irritation as Ramirez simply held his head high indifferent to the others now that he'd won this game. Nick waved the trio off the track and had a good feeling. It was a season of firsts for Intrepid and Quick Silver and Fusillade was a great first impression of what was in store for the racing world from Intrepid Racing.