Settling.

[Cavallo]

Settling.
Featuring: Acantha, Natural Selection, Urgent Appeal & Daring Vision

Adele Floyd led a keen eyed Acantha onto the track. Estella and Adele chatted amicably, as Marino kept King in line, walking in tandem with the older filly. Jaime waved over the girl, to join him, Mikhail & Ariel. It was without a doubt a girl party, a rarity in the horse racing world, but their talent and quality could not be denied. Mikhail was the least tenured of the quad, sending initially shy glances at Stella's and Adele's approach. It was no secret, they and Angelina were the best female jocks at IRS and she was eager to make a good impression. She patted the dark bay neck of Sia, the dancing thoroughbred snorted and stared at her new companions, her nose reaching out in curiosity. Jaime patted Mikhail on the back in reassurance. Though Stella had been riding the black sprinter, it was important to create versatility in the ranks when weeks like these happened today. Ariel regarded Stella with a knowing glance as she and Dare made their appearance. The black colt regarded Stella with a familiar snort, having ridden with both her and Ariel.

"Okay, ladies, you know the drill. We're taking them for five and home in two. Adele, you and Acantha will partner with Stella and Natural Selection. Let Prick work the juvenile. Ariel, you and Dare will take point in your partnership here with Mikhail and Urgent Appeal. Let's see this filly finally break her maiden this weekend shall we?" Mikhail let a smile shine as she let Jaime give her a leg up, her confidence boosted as she took to the saddle. There was nowhere else she felt more confident that when she was on a horse, especially a talented one like Urgent Appeal. The bay Argentinian bred filly was one of IRS' best kept secrets. She'd been raced lightly at the beginning months, but she'd finally flourished and settled in quite nicely. Jaime was determined to see the filly come out of the gate swinging. He was so eager to see the filly find her place and it was a prime chance to establish herself. She had the foundation and now it was time to launch off from that platform.

Ariel glared at Jaime, daring him to touch her to help her up. He held his hands up in mock surrender and watched as she mounted Dare. The energetic colt's energy matched that of Sia's. They would be an explosive partnership. Jaime backed up to the rail and waved to Adele and Stella to mount up. Prick snorted, her neck bowed in controlled power as Adele hoisted herself and found her seat. It was like sitting on a loaded gun, just waiting for the spark to go off. Adele could feel the raw power dripping off her mount, but the quirk about Prick was that she always had her head. Stella knew Prick was going to be stiff competition to train with, but she knew it could only enhance the colts performance. Natural Selection was a primed colt, ready to fire as Estella Marino pushed him on in Acantha's wake.

Sia was a powerhouse churning with defiance, but limited in her speed by the petite woman on her back. Mikhail smiled, she loved the spirited ones. Ariel looked over at the woman, encouraging her with a smile as Dare moved fluently beneath her. He was in revengeful form as she eased him out for the gallop. Sia was hot on his flank for the five as they made the turn for home to drive it two. Jaime watched with keen eyes. Dare was attempting a leg in the turf sprinter crown and he looked the picture of a contender as he led the charge for home. Ariel flicked the reins and he was off. Mikhail watched briefly in amazement at the turn of foot, but Sia wasn't enjoying the view. She pulled for more, snapping Mikhail from her haze. She conceded some lead and the bay took it like a starved child . She closed the ground as the twp sprinters were churning the two furlongs in quick fractions.

Acantha and Natural Selection were like easy cruisers, their gallop easy and confident in the backstretch as they came for home. Acantha had age, reach and experience on the colt, but he didn't falter in her shadow. Jaime was thrilled to see the juvenile holding under the pressure and soaring just a head bob behind at the finish. It was safe to say then that things were settling quite nicely for the IRS crew.