Post by Ripley on Jul 30, 2015 8:16:11 GMT -5
Lethal Dance
featuring: Lethal Dose & Swing Dancer & Radiation Therapy
mission: Consumato Derby & Fall Workouts
"I never thought I'd see the day when Ripley Marsh took on a son of Radiance," commented a skinny reporter. Ripley flashed him an appreciative glance and laughed. "Hell has been known to freeze over a couple times in my life time." The reporter chuckled and noted down the comment. He could always count on Ripley to give him a snarky comment or two. He leaned against the railing and watched the sharp eyed trainer curiously. "I know you've produced some miracles, but do you really think you can turn this horse around?"
She pretended to mull the question over, even though she had no doubt that she could. Although everyone had forgotten Radiation Therapy, she hadn't forgotten his last start. He'd won the race after several consistent efforts and had barely come back blowing. Swift Stride Stable had messed up by letting both Swing Dancer and Radiation Therapy fall to the wayside. Ripley had been reluctant to take back Swing Dancer, but she wasn't about to let Popcorn Blitz's stud record fall flat because of mishandling. The gray filly was talented and eventually, her brain would grow to match her impressive physique.
"I think I can turn him into a superstar." Ripley said with a soft smile. The reporter rolled his eyes and glanced down the track. "If you say so, Marsh. You'll have to convince me and the rest of the public."
Ripley shrugged, "What else is new?" She shifted and looked toward the gap where her expected horses would make their entrance. "Just keep an eye on Lethal Dose today, okay Danny? I don't want you to miss my mule, as your newspaper calls her." Danny's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and he shuffled away from Ripley for a moment at least.
Lethal Dose, a.k.a. the bay mule, strode onto the track with her head high and her muscles taunt. Laura DeComte sat proudly aboard the Lethal Knack daughter and shot a thumbs up at Ripley. While Lee would never win any beauty contests, her talent was immense... that is when she wasn't trying to be an enigma. Ripley had planned for the horse to head to the Breeders' Cup Distaff at the end of the season, but she just couldn't seem to beat the top mares. She'd beaten the returning Restricted Access for second in the Delaware Handicap. They'd gotten lucky. Both Laura and Ripley weren't happy with getting lucky. They wanted to win.
Lee snorted and jogged up the track, ears flicking over her large head impatiently. Laura patted the big mare on the neck and glanced backward. Radiation Therapy towered over Swing Dancer it seemed even though it was only a matter of inches. The big son of Belmont Stakes winner Radiance was a looker if nothing else. His body was classically built and his tail flowed out behind him as he walked. Brooks sat confidently aboard the handsome horse and liked what he felt. The stallion snorted and picked up a fluid trot while Swing Dancer misbehaved under David Carter.
"Hey, brat!" David shouted. "Cut your crap!" The gray filly bucked and pinned her ears, shaking her head in objection when David collected her reins. Ripley rolled her eyes at the tantrum and made a mental note to get the runner back to Malcolm over the winter. She needed behavioral boot-camp, but Ripley would try racing first.
Swing Dancer flirted with Radiate, letting out a longing call. The stud barely turned a hair and ignored the filly he considered a nitwit. David let out a soft sigh to keep himself calm. He'd committed to riding Danny for this workout. If she behaved like this, he wasn't going to volunteer again. The Popcorn Blitz daughter mock reared when he asked for her to step out into her gallop. Already the older horses were leaving her behind.
Lethal Dose and Radiation Therapy barreled forward, locked in mock contest. Lee made sure to keep a step or two ahead of the taller horse. She wasn't sure about this newcomer, but she wasn't about to let him beat her. She was very into the bridle and way into Laura's hands. Laura could see Radiate was just as forward beneath Brooks. The stallion easily kept pace with the mare and his ears were pricked far forward.
Brooks felt like a kid in a candy shop. Man, this horse simply rolled when he got into motion. He was a bit of a grump on the ground, but his workmanlike attitude was definitely appreciated. Radiate bounded over the dirt and definitely seemed to be enjoying himself. While Lethal Dose kept her ears pinned in anger, Radiate acted like a goofy class clown. Brooks maintained his seat the whole way into the backstretch, only moving to check on Swing Dancer's progress.
Danny was not happy. Her eyes blazed in fury at the control on her head. Her little dished face was cranked high and ran with her knees in the air. David growled when the filly swapped leads for the millionth time, flashing her distaste with her new rider. She mashed her tongue against the bit and demanded release, but David couldn't give it to her quite yet. They were six lengths behind the older horses and she was straining and fighting. She wanted to run.
"Your jock going to quit fighting her anytime soon?" came a voice behind Ripley. She shrugged when Mal stepped up to her shoulder. "Seriously. She doesn't like that at all."
"He'll let go. She's been a pita all morning."
"Well maybe she wouldn't be one if he let her go."
Laura released Lethal Dose and sent the bay horse flying. The grade two mare bolted with a flurry of hooves and distanced herself rather quickly from Radiate. She'd had enough of his company. Laura patted the mare's neck as she soared over the ground and attempted to bury the new guy. Laura tightened her grip, not letting the mare run all out. She had four more furlongs to go.
Radiate kept his steady-eddy pace up, letting Lee wheel away from without much more than a flick of his ears. At first, Brooks was cool with the sudden change. He'd been a bit surprised to not get much of a response. He'd seen Radiate's videos and in the late stages, Radiate was faster than this. Brooks peeked under his arm again to look for Swing Dancer. He needed the gray filly to run now.
"Fine... brat. You can run your fool head off now." The reins whistled through David's hands as Swing Dancer realized she was free. She pushed mightily off her hindquarters and surged forward faster than David could catch his breath. He snatched at her mane and gasped as she poured on the wild speed. Swing Dancer still ran with her head high and her tail up, but the distance separating her from the older horses was dwindling drastically.
Laura heard the hoof-beats and expected them to come from Radiate. What she didn't expect was the gray blur of filly coming up the inside of Lee. Danny hardly paused either. She streaked through the tiny hole and left her older horse counterparts briefly stunned.
Lee pinned her ears when Radiate suddenly pounded up on their outside. The bay stallion was in full chase mode now, ears pinned and body lined out like a greyhound. Brooks was shaking the reins at the large horse and in a matter of seconds, Lee was in last. Laura shook the reins at her mare, revving her up. Lee gathered herself and swept after the runaway filly and her new nemesis.
David's filly blew through the homestretch like it was nothing. She soared over the dirt and hit the wire in what had to be a blazing time. He hadn't expected such crazy speed from the daughter of Popcorn Blitz. He'd forgotten about the ferocity of the Speed Demon blood that ran in her veins.
Brooks concentrated on galloping Radiate out and pushed the Radiance son through the wire into the gallop out. Swing Dancer was already pulling up, but he felt like Radiate was just getting started. Lethal Dose joined him in the thunderous run around the turn. Like Brooks, Laura tapped on Lee to keep her motoring. The ferocious looking mare looked deadly as she rounded up on Radiate. Her dark eyes were hooded with anger and displeasure. Radiate, calm and quiet as he was, veered away from the Lethal Knack daughter once they completed the planned seven furlong gallop out.
Laura shook her head and patted Lee's neck. "Don't worry. You can take revenge on the next poor soul you face." Lee snorted and tossed her head in defiance. Damn right, she seemed to echo back.
