Under the Radar

[Cavallo]

Under the Radar.
Featuring: Nightshade, Calypso's Fury & Ultimate Revenge

There had been unexpected twists in this year's classic campaigns and Nick Landing and the Intrepid crew were learning to roll with the punches and adjust accordingly. People had been befuddled when he'd pulled Lissome from the second leg of the TTT, but it wasn't in vain - no there was always a plan. She would be looking to be the force that turned the tide in the final leg. At this point they were a wrench in everyone's plans for the classics, all except the TT. Nick had been floors, beyond elated to see the Furious Passion daughter come home with a win. Cali would be fighting to maintain her place in this leg of the TT. There would be more contenders and they would all be gunning to keep her from her own attempt at the crown...just as they were doing in the other series. It was the nature of the beast, but Nick knew that these upcoming races were only going to make his mounts better in the long run.

First out was Nightshade and he let his eyes rest on the black bay mare. He was damn proud of her so far this season taking almost everything they'd thrown at her and she hadn't been sitting around collecting dust either. She was fit and trim and hungry, always hungry for the thrill of the run and the hunt. She would be attempting to make history with Italian Ice this weekend. Only one horse had ever won the DTC twice and both mares were sporting single wins and then there was the other competition to take into account on the tracks. This wasn't a two horse race and they couldn't treat it like that, not if they wanted a shot at the winner's circle. Michael rode the mare through the gap with Adele and Fin following in silent wrath. The fourth place finish in the Kentucky Derby had riled the colt's angst. He was collected fury, measured in his control, but practically simmering with his need for redemption and Nick knew they could harness that, use it against their foes.

Adele was the picture of poised confidence atop a powder keg set to explode as soon as she gave the cue. Fin was riled, but he wasn't a spastic hot head...no he just became more cunning. Angelina was hot on Fin and Adele's heels aboard a competitive and edgy looking Calypso's Fury. Even with her victory, she was always looking ahead to the next event, the next challenge and right now Fin and Atropa were just that. The was the great thing about Cali, while she could be as stubborn as an ox, she was always present minded, seeking out whatever advantage she could get in the present. Having Angie in the saddle was a plus too, with the two having shared a bond since her more subdued juvenile season, they were finally beginning to see the fruits of this partnership and it was worth watching. Jaime walked over to the rail where Nick waited for the approaching trio. "They're all looking good Landing." He stated it as a fact. This Intrepid trio was in prime competitive form and it was blatantly obvious to any bystander. Each equine meant business and their jockeys each carried a serious focused look. They all had jobs to do adn right now they were taking that very seriously...as they should.

Nick leaned his tall, muscular frame casually over the rail, studying...watching. Nightshade was her normal borderline viscous self as she gauged the three year old she as to be working today. Michael took point. It was blatantly apparent that Nightshade was leaps and bounds ahead in maturity against her partners, but they weren't to be shrugged off. Michael knew better than anyone, that the moment you got cocky and comfortable was the moment the competition would pounce to knock you off your pedestal. There would be no assuming going on here of this weekend. Nope. Everyone was hyper-sensitively aware of one another and this was going to be one hell of a workout and a weekend. Jaime could see the proud glint that came into Nick's eyes as Nightshade took to the track with an almost feline like grace. It was deserved admiration from what he'd observed of the filly's career and she was still on the prowl it seemed looking for her next conquest.

Nick motioned them all over and the trio drew near, but maintaining respectful distances from the other partners. It wouldn't do do have any savaging going on with tempers as tight as they were today. "Nightshade will be pressing these two from behind. Fin and Cali will be pushed a bit out of their comfort zones today. We want them shaken up and ready for anything." Adele and Angie nodded and Michael grunted his agreement as Adele took the lead and sent Fin into an effortlessly reaching gallop. Angie smiled as Cali snorted only too eager to give pursuit to the colt and they settled easily parallel to the colt as Nightshade and Michael loomed larger than life behind the duo. Nightshade snorted her disdain for the moment, but settled at Michael's touch as she began to understand that this was no longer a dominance thing, but training. She knew how to train, she knew how to race and she was going to perform her job to the "T".

Adele felt the simmering power of Fin. He was like a power keg about to explode, she she had to so was strike the match. Cali was burning stubornness and passion as Angie felt the filly extend into her gallop. She tossed her head slightly in agitation at the beginning when Nightshade settled in behind them, but Angie was quick to soothe the filly's angst. There wasn't many horses who cared for Nightshade's presence, but then she was certainly the most dominant mare in the racing barn, she wasn't there to be anyone's friend. She was there to rule and perform and it was a trend she was looking to continue it seemed, even as she stalked the three year old two lengths back.

Fin was cruising solidly just waiting and Cali was a shadow of the colt simply waiting for his move. Michael watched from behind, impressed, as he guided Nightshade with resolution. These were three year olds that were on the precipice of greatness and now they just needed the push. The five furlong gallop was like mere seconds and then the final three came and Michael urged Atropa. She closed hard and fast, riding right up behind Cali and then swinging wide like an enraged driver on the highway.

Cali's ears flattened, but Angie guided the filly and urged her to move as Adele and Fin did the same. Three wide they went with Nightshade driving the pace and the other two didn't falter, didn't grow faint in the face of her onslaught and then Michael smiled. He flicked the reins one last time as the length for home closed in and the impressive closer showed these three year olds what it looked like to seal the deal. She lunged ahead a head and then a length. Fin and Cali were locked in a dead heat for duel both viciously closing and refusing to concede to the other. Nick nodded pleased at the riled eyes of his horses and the performance of Nightshade. They would all be trying to fly under the radar on race day and when the moment came their retribution would be swift.