WANTED.

[Cavallo]

WANTED.
Featuring: Ultimate Revenge & Nightshade & Calyso's Fury & Anodyne
Taking on the Belmont & Coaching Club American

Adele and Fin were two peas in a pod. After streaking through the TC preps, they had crashed in defeat in the Derby and come in second best in the Preakness, but not this time. The Belmont was what they wanted and they were going to spill blood to get there if they needed too. They were more than hungry they was a collected desperation about them and no one mentioned anything about the TC around either horse or rider. They were both like coiled rattlesnakes just waiting for someone to make the wrong move and they would pounce.

Adele refused to take their back to back losses as a sign of defeat. There was one more leg, one more try and she was radically committed to make Fin hell for the entire field. Fin was right on the same page, the stoic colt taking on a more physical expression when he refused the attentions of any handler besides Adele and his groom. Nick had watched the colt over the week of rest and he was restless and frustrated, but there was no defeat in the colt's eyes. There was the burning need for redemption, to slay his foes and to hold off any on-comers. It was a recipe for magic in the Belmont. He wanted to physically cringe when Fin was named as the Belmont favorite, not wanting Fin's chances to jinxed, but the longer the distance the better Fin performed and it was the longest leg coming in at 12 furlongs over the dirt...it was perfect for Fin. He could run unchallenged in the back and cut the feet right out from underneath the competition. Nick wasn't going to lie, he'd hoped that the last son of TC Winner Admiral's Revenge would have replicated his sire's success. It was too late to notch the Crown, but there was still one leg left and Nick knew the distance, field and surface was right within his wheelhouse and they were fueled with the power of a grudge. There was a score to settle with the entire field.

Last season had been one of foundation and Y15 had shown the blossoming power of the Reve son, but he was not tapped out or maxed out...no he was just beginning to come into his own. Adele led the black bay colt onto the track in the early morning twilight hours. Nick didn't want to handle the pesky throng of reporters and while some still were on the tracks to snap shots of the Belmont favorite, but woman and horse were unperturbed, their eyes focused on the light lit track. A dark form danced on the dirt and Adele instantly picked up on the form of Nightshade. It was impossible to mistake the filly for anyone else. She was a hulking behemoth of power and spirit that was simply indomitable and the perfect match to prep against for the Belmont. Nightshade herself had been a TC contender in her classic season and now in peak form, she was the perfect mentor and workout partner for Fin. Adele almost hummed in excitement at the opportunity and Nick's wisdom. She wanted Fin to have every advantage possible for this final prep before the Belmont.

Michael patted the black bay filly's neck as she shuffled on her feet, her breath coming out in steamy tendrils in the morning air. He handled the filly expertly and she responded to his soothing touch stilling momentarily as she stared down the colt headed in her direction and then her ears flickered in awareness of another approaching.

Calypso's Fury was nearly black in the early morning twilight as she stalked towards the dirt track. The few scant reporter's faces showed surprise that Nick was once again pitting Cali in a prep with Fin, but there attention was following not just the revengeful looking Cali, but a fiery eyed Anodyne. Nick was pulling out the big guns. He meant business and now everyone knew it. IRS was not stuff-footing around with the final two legs of the Triple Tiara and the Triple Crown at stake. The loss in the Turf Triple Tiara had only added fuel to an already desperate fire amongst the workers and staff. They were out for blood and retribution and they would do their due diligence to take their pound of flesh and time in the winner's circle.

Angie peeked behind her to see Jeff wink and smile at her in reassurance. The petite South American jockey had been devastated when she'd lost the chance for her and Cali at the tiara crown. She had felt it had been her fault for not pushing Cali quicker and harder at the end. Flaming Confidenza had gotten them on the head bob, but this time she was determined that no one was going to even be close enough to touch them in the Coaching Club. They had honor to reclaim and a score to settle. She felt reassurance at Jeff's smile as she led the filly through the gap in Fin's wake.

Jeff and Anodyne soon followed as Nightshade took in the colt with a glaring eye. These two never saw eye to eye and always pushed each others buttons and it was that competitive drive between the two that Nick was counting on that to push both three year olds to new levels in this final workout. Cali sent a hard stare in everyone's direction, but was maintained expertly by Angie. Nick beamed with pride as he took in the two classic contenders. Fin was built for the longer distances, fueled by rage and revenge and equipped with lasting speed and stamina. Cali was streamlined passion, eager, stubborn to succeed and out to prove herself once more. She had the sleek form with a touch of muscle carried with grace and poise. They were a striking pair, they looked the part of champions eager to prove their worth. Nightshade and Anodyne regarded one another as worthy adversaries and looked on the three year olds with an eye of awareness.

"Okay Everyone. Last week and the races prior have been disappointing for us all here, but we are not focusing on the past. We're here to make our bid on the future. Fin and Cali here have perfect chances here to take their respective legs here and we want them poised and ready to strike. So leg up and let's get started. Angie, you will be running Cali with Jeff and Dye. Adele, you and Fin will be running with Michael and Nightshade. Gallop them for three and bring them home in four handily."

Everyone nodded and went into action. Adele settled quickly into the saddle as Fin danced sideways underneath her, mouthing the bit and eying Nightshade with stoic confidence. If anyone was a superb closer is was Nightshade. The five year old filly closed hard and fast, so who better to run Fin alongside in prep?

Michael smirked over at Adele and Fin, "Think you and your wannabe star can hold your own today?" Adele rolled her eyes and nudged an only to willing Fin into motion. "Why don't you put some action to those words Landing..." She teased and Michael was laughing as he sent Atropa into motion.

Angie and Jeff has a less aggressive relationship, but not so for their mounts. Dye looked like he was going to eat Cali alive, but the hard headed filly wasn't intimidated in the least, even as he towered over the shorted filly. There wasn't time though to keep the staring contest in effect, this would have to be a battle of wills settled by speed. Jeff and Dye took a gradual lead as Cali and Angie settled on the colt's flank and began their gallop.

Jaime McGrady sauntered over from the rail, having come from handling some press and their questions, something Nick was grateful for. He had enough on his mind than to stop and answer every tom, googoo and harry's question about the upcoming races. He had horses and riders to focus on. Jaime's cobalt blue eyes trailed the horses as they galloped in warmup, each three year old matching their older mentor stride for stride. It was admirable to see how fit and trained these horses were. There was no questioning the soundness and fitness of these professional athletes. "They're looking good Nick. Nervous?" Nick grunted in response as he watched Nightshade and Ultimate Revenge make the turn for home. Nightshade punched it and Fin lurched after her with a powerful explosion. The colt was not to be shaken and Michael peeked with a frustrated glance back, to which Adele simply smiled as they battled for home. Nick held his hand up when Michael saw him, taking the sign not to send Atropa all out, but to maintain and he conceded to both Atropa's and his chagrin. They flashed with Fin at Nightshade's throat-latch and Nick nodded in approval at the simmering fight and need lurking in Fin's eyes. This wasn't even a portion of the colt's speed and stamina and there was pure need written in his eyes. "Fin is poised to slaughter and Cali here..." His eyes trailed back to the now closing Cali and battling Dye. "Cali here is stubborn as a mule and full of fury." It was clear to see in the filly, every stride, every muscle and nuance was communicating a pounding fury as she stamped the dirt below with her wrath and her eyes her rage as she refused to be shaken by Anodyne. Again, Nick held his hand as Jeff and Dye cruised home. The British jockey saw the signal and nodded maintaining a furious Anodyne, but Cali was pushing and so they matched, stride for stride thundering home hard with Angie straining to pull up the battle enraged filly. She danced over the track, eyes white rimmed with her frustration. She wanted to run. She wanted to slaughter and she wanted to leave her foes in the dust, not settled by her side. She was dissatisfied and Nick was pleased. There would be no mercy shown to the competition come race day. For fury was now combined with revenge and they were out for blood.