Proven Worth.

[Cavallo]

Proven Worth.
Featuring: Restricted Access & Doubloon Moon & Night Visions & Barely Legal

Michael Landing was fast, but not fast enough to avoid the backlash that was Sy. He smacked the colt sharply as the colt's teeth latched onto his arm causing the black eyed demon to toss his head violently and Michael to curse thoroughly. "Damn you Sy! You monster..." he growled out at the juvenile. The two had a massive staring contest, which was broken only with the arrival of a snorting Oro. Sy pinned his ears at the older filly, which allowed Michael to look over at his cousin's approach. He refused to acknowledge the throbbing sensation coming from his left arm. "Well, aren't you two a match made in heaven," Kyle teased as he stopped Oro a respectful distance from a seething looking Night Visions. He couldn't blame either man or colt for the vile attitudes represented before him. Their last place finish in their first race had not been the expectations that they'd had for this pair, but there was an even more lethal air about them that made Kyle pity their competition in their next outing, for neither would show any mercy.

Restricted Access stared down the juvenile with a steely gleam to her eyes and he couldn't help, but feel pride for the With A Snap daughter. She was a completely different animal from the one that had walked off the trailer from Dreamvalley Stables. She was no longer the washed out and nervous creature that trembled...she had found her confidence and she had a rider she trusted in Kyle and that had made all the difference. She'd stalked the winner's circle for many of the major classic races. She'd watched and learned from the best all season and now it was her time to shine. She didn't even flinch from Sy's aggression, but rather stood still as stone taking in the rival as another black shadow made an appearance on the scene. Jeff Saunders was his usually casual,free and confident self and the filly that followed in step alongside of him that seemed to just take everything in stride. Her eyes were bright and observative and she snorted slightly as she picked up on Sy's aggressive vibrations. Jeff patted the filly's neck as Sy's attention turned from the older filly to a more manageable Flit. He was in for a surprise though as a stubborn gleam began to blaze within her eyes. She didn't cower to the massive colt, but rather stamped a demanding foreleg into the waiting dirt below.

Nick walked alongside Brody as he gave him specific instructions for the workout as Brody led a tall and solid looking bay filly to the tracks. "Leila is a solid filly Graham. She will know better what's expected out of her than any of the horses in today's workout, but she's used to caving in the final furlongs. Our job is to teach her how to fight again. To not be so wiling to concede. Oro was in her situation when she came to Intrepid, now she's a fighter. Sy and Flit are young and inexperienced. Today they will benefit from Oro's and Leila's tenure, but they both have the drive to fight which can only sharpen these two gals." Brody nodded in understanding as he briefly glanced up at Leila. She was calmly taking it all in with a mild growing gleam. She knew her business and could probably better school him in how to become a better rider, but he also had a driving need to prove himself as a rider...to win. He could do that for Leila and she would in return teach him. He suddenly found a newborn excitement for his new charge. Nick smiled quietly to himself as he looked to the other three horses and riders.

"You're all looking great guys, lets continue the rest of the season with some toning and efficiency." He looked briefly over at a scowling Michael and he huffed at his older brother. He shook his head before continuing. He didn't blame Michael for Sy's last race, things happened and he understood that, but it was a lesson to be learned and he expected both horse and rider to learn from those hard knocks. "Today we're sharpening up both ranks. Sy and Flit here will be pushed in the final three by Leila and Oro, but I don't want them blasting away. I want them to fight at the finish. Gallop them for a five and them bring them home in style the final three." All three jockeys nodded and got leg-ups from the waiting stable hands. Hayley winked over at Kyle as she held Oro's head as he swung up into the saddle. Kyle gave Hayley one of his rare smiles as she patted Oro and stepped back. "You make our girl look good Kyler..", she teased and he grinned wider before turning the eager filly towards the gap. Michael snorted at the little flirt session, but he had his own hands full then as Sy began to grow impatient as Oro took lead, a matter that didn't settle well with the overly dominant juvenile. "Take it easy you big bully." Michael joked and decided to move quickly to avoid any kind of scene and leaped and settled astride the live wire that was Night Visions. He'd handled a lot of rank horses, but Sy had to be one of the worst to handle after a loss, however the drive and focused spirit he was getting out of the colt would prove to their advantage for the rest of the season. It was better to get a hard knock early on and learn, than to assume arrogant cockiness that could cripple later on. Jeff and Flit were mounted and gone in a flash, trailing Oro's flank as Michael and Night Visions rallied in their easy gallop to the lead. The colt's long stride making it easy to assume the lead on the rail. Brody smiled down at Nick aboard the towering Barely Legal and Nick smiled and slapped the filly's haunches sending her off into the fray.

Brody felt the smooth action and flowing motion that was Barely Legal. She was like riding a Cadillac, but he was eager to see if he could get her competitive engine to rev. Kyle and Oro watched in silent expectation as Night Visions and Michael assumed the lead for the gallop. Flit was in the middle on Oro's flank as Leila and Brody came to sandwich in the small filly between the two older runners, but Jeff didn't feel any nervous energy. She was flanked by two powerful runners, but her stubbornness simply wouldn't allow her to feel intimidated as they galloped in easy fractions for the four furlongs. Nick watched on the rail, the progression of each thoroughbred and nodded. The initial loss of Night Visions had brought racing into a new focus for the colt, it was no longer just a game to the last son of Night Stalker. Michael waited for one moment as Restricted Access and Doubloon Moon began to close in. Sy met them with flash and determination as Oro soared up the middle. Jeff had Flit on the older filly's flank riding on the wake of her fury, but Flit was determined and he relished the sprinting power in his hands as she entered into the battle. Brody and Leila watched as the group charged and he felt the anticipation grow. Now was the time to test, see and unveil - did Leila have the ability to fight? He felt a slight tug on the reins and he couldn't stop his smile.

He unleashed his hidden weapon as they charged with a turn of foot that had his breath catching in his throat. The outside path was wide and clear and meant more ground to cover...but the distances closed and the finish loomed. Oro heard the thundering approach and Kyle peeked to see the rallying charge of Barely Legal. He'd waited for just this and sent Oro in a true drive. Her fiery eyes shown with challenge as Sy and Flit attempted to rally, but maturity was coming into play as Oro began to gain and then...there was Leila and Brody as the two fillies squared off and fought head to head for home with Sy and Flit entering to stubborn to let the other pass. In pairs they flashed past the finish and Nick couldn't stop his smile. There was worth here within these horses and they were proving time and time again that they had whatever it would take to fight for the win. As for Leila, he watched as Brody brought a slightly fighting filly to heel, her body language screaming for more. It looked like they were only beginning to unlock this filly's true potential.