Post by S u N f r O s T ~ on Jun 21, 2015 11:20:46 GMT -5
ATHENA'S DESIRES AND HENNA TURATH
SILENT SNAP AND AMBER BLACK
DAISY STAKES/RED WINE SPRINT PREPS
With the first leg of the sprinter series behind them, SOPS's top contenders turned their attention to the second leg. Fit as they were, racing only two weeks after their last race would not harm these finely conditioned thoroughbreds. They came out of races initially tired from their efforts but bounced right back with the ease of champions. Their last encounter had been over the turf; now, they turned to Silent Snap's territory over the dirt and Athena would have to prove her heart. It would not be an issue, Henna knew; Athena's sire had liked both surfaces just fine, and her dam had actually hailed from dirt lines but been a fluke. Athena definitely liked the dirt better than Snapper had liked the grass. But as had been proven before, heart and courage were what would matter in the final furlong.
It was with smooth efficiency that Snapper took the lead down the dirt. Athena was collecting her hooves and coolly following for now. When the pair was cued to gallop, Snapper snapped away by a length, but Athena then came with one of her infamous spurts of speed to challenge. Her ability to gain on her rival was impressive; Snapper's ability to stick with the sudden influx of speed was just as impressive. Amber whistled, letting her colt know he was doing a good job, and Henna chuckled softly as the wind flew alongside Athena. This was why she stuck with the fast ones and loved sprinters; nothing could replace the feeling of speed. Amber just clicked with the horses that had heart. Though hers epitomized quiet brilliance, Snapper was anything but quiet. He was arrogant with his speed, and it showed as he flared it dangerously upon hitting the half mile pole.
Athena knew how to challenge. She flew at the colt, proving her own worth when she gained a head on him in the blink of an eye. But Snapper was no quitter; quitting resulted in no victories. He came back strong, challenged her through the sixth furlong and then took the lead in the seventh. His tail streaming out behind him like a banner, he made as though to win his victory. But now Athena came at him, not deterred by the surface, challenging strongly. And just as last time, the duo crossed the wire stride for stride, together to the end. Amber and Henna exchanged high fives, pleased expressions on their faces as they cooled down. They were ready to go for round two.
