Ultimate Fury

[Cavallo]

Ultimate Fury
Featuring: Calypso's Fury & Ultimate Revenge

Everything was all over the place. Competition was good and fierce and as far as the classic series were going, it didn't look like there would be a solid standout or favorite, but Nick was determined to ensure that IRS was a vital and threatening presence in each series. This weekend was a lot for those stable who had one contender in the classics, but this week there was two such entrants - Cali in the TT and Fin in the TC. The first leg for the dirt classics was on and the pressure was on like never before. He kept an easy and measured stride as he stopped first to check on Angelina. The petite Argentinian jockey was finangling a ever stubborn Calypso's Fury, the bay filly dancing in place as she soothed her with a simple touch and then cinched the saddle much to Cali's dislike. Silly filly. She loved to run, but hated the tacking process, always had, but as soon as she was set she was golden - for the most part. "How's she feeling Angie?" He asked as he walked up to the dark bay filly. She watched him with fire in her eyes, but only flicked her ears sideways as he felt her legs up and down, wrapped for this afternoons final prep. Angie smiled and nodded as Nick came up and met her gaze, waiting for an answer. "She's dandy boss. She's her usual outspoken self. Nothing out of the ordinary there, but she senses something is up and it's got her blood pumping...mine too." Nick smiled tenderly at the jockey and placed a consoling hand on her shoulder as she fiddled with Cali's reins, refusing to meet his eyes. It was her first big classic series. She'd come on the team as the underdog jockey, the one with the project horses, but Y15 had turned into her shining moment with the blossoming Night Goddess, the on-fire World Dominion and now the climbing Calypso's Fury. With all that success, she was still uncertain and Nick knew he needed to let her know that no matter what he trusted her.

"Hey Angie, look at me." She looked up hesitant, but a slight smile on her lips. She always seemed to find a smile no matter how low she was feeling. "You and Cali are going to do great. I can only ask you two to do your best and win or lose that's going to be more than enough for me." He patted her on the shoulder and gave her that heartwarming smile that he was famous for. "Now go get saddled up. I'll be walking right behind you. Adele and Jaime will be coming soon behind us and we ned to get this last prep in. You ready??" he asked with excitement in his voice. He loved the dirt classics and clearly remembered his own TC campaign aboard Admiral's Revenge as if it was yesterday. You just don't forget moments like that and now here he was as a trainer with the son the Admiral attempting to take the Derby and the daughter of Furious Passion, another TC winner attempting to take the TT...it was an exhilarating feeling to say the least and he was going to embrace every moment as he and Angie walked over to the gap.

Adele patted Fin's neck and the stoic colt simply took everything in. He was like a rock, unable to be shaken, knowing his job, his limits, his capabilities and not having a single feather ruffled. "You're handling this all better than me FIn. I swear I feel like a nervous wreck.." She leaned her head against the black bay colt's neck and he simply absorbed his human's presence and emotions, exhaling slightly and she smiled in thanks. "You two make a great team." She stiffened at the Irish lilt and Fin snorted in kind, sensing Adele's sudden shift. She patted the colt and turned a tentative smile in Jaime's direction. She wasn't sure yet what to think of this easy going Malcolm look-alike. It almost unnerved her, the similarities between this assistant trainer and her husband, but she knew she couldn't be rude or unsure around someone...it just wasn't her nature so she smiled softly and accepted the compliment. "Thank you Jaime." He nodded and held the stall door open for her as she led the fully tacked Fin out into the shed-row. Cameras flashed and Jaime simply smiled at them, all care-free and easy going. The press loved him as he casually commented on the excitement IRS had with Fin's Derby attempt. It came so natural to him and she watched on amazed, but smiling as people took their pictures and then just as he easily let them in, he was excusing them and they were on the move - just like that. "You're great with the press." She admitted as Fin walked in between them, eyes bright and action easy. Jaime smiled over at her and nodded in appreciation. He knew Adele hadn't quite warmed up to him, hell, he knew it would take time, especially since she was married to that stubborn cousin of his. "I'm a better trainer..just you wait and see.." he said with a tease and that brought a light smile to her face as they finally reached the gap as Nick was giving Angie a boost up into the saddle. "Ready?", Jaime asked and she nodded, halting Fin and getting a quick boost from Jaime. She settled into her seat, finally glad to be somewhere comfortable and being in a saddle with a horse you had bonded with, was always that - comfortable.

Fin shifted, dancing slightly underneath her, his body coming to life the moment his eyes laid on the track. Cali snorted, eying the colt with a vengeful eye. It would be quick fractions today with these two and both Nick and Jaime looked at one another in silent communication. Nick took the lead as Jaime walked over to the elevated platform, stopwatch in hand.

"Okay Ladies, big weekend, but you and your mounts have done the prep work. Now we let them stretch their legs for their bids. These fields will be cut-throat and top class, but so are you. So watch the field and play them smart and don't hesitate when your moment comes. These two have the speed, talent and fight in them to get the job done. So let's do it. Let's run this prep, four furlong gallop and four home. Don't over extend, keep them edgy for race day." The ladies looked at each other and gave reassuring smiles as Nick waved them on.

Fin was a versatile horse, able to take the lead or close hard from behind. His infinite patience making him hard to press on the lead and hard to deny on the close. Cali was pure cunning, measuring and calculating from behind to charge and run the competition off their feet. They each had strengths and weaknesses. Cali's stubborn nature was both a blessing and a curse, depending on the day and Fin well, if in the back, he was grinding closer so timing was everything, but through it all each had risen time and time again to come out on top and they could only ask them to perform it again.

The duo galloped as easily as breathing and both men nodded in appreciation as they whipped through the warmup and geared up for the breeze home. Fin was steady stealth and confidence, unshaken and determined - an admiring sight to behold. Cali was passionate cunning with stubborn pride and speed as she matched her colt counterpart stride for stride. They were the picture of ultimate fury unleashed as they soared for the finish and Jaime clicked the watch as they crossed. Nick looked over at him with quirked eyebrow, looking to confirm what his internal clock was saying...to which Jaime only nodded. "They're sitting in a good place boss. They're gonna run the feet off the devil himself."