Turf Wars.

[Cavallo]

Turf Wars.
Featuring: Lissome, Abastor, Night Goddess, Girl Talk & Samhain

Nick felt like it was Christmas. He'd had his eye on the dark bay filly since her birth. When she had been born, she'd been almost a spitting image of her dam, but as he'd kept track of her she had turned into a stunning dark bay creature. Nick had been tempted to buy her before she'd been sold to Grayson Meadows from a dispersal sale from Akita Rose Stables, but he'd let the filly go and then saw her shuffled. It had been a bit heart wrenching to see the talent in the filly, but really finding a home to excel in. When he saw Grayson putting her up for sale he decided then and there that this new filly would have a forever home. A home where she could, grow, develop, thrive and knock the competition on their asses. Jaime had griped something fierce when he saw Nick unload another three year old. Their three year old string would now be ten strong and work still to be done to get them graded up before the end of the year. Most were sitting in the grade three range, but Nick's off the track training had proven to be just what the stock needed. It was only a matter of time now before they saw movement in the ranks.

He sat astride Indian Darling, looking eagerly to the gap for a glimpse of his new project and the others. His breath almost caught when he saw all five horses approaching. They were an intimidating front, that commanded the eyes and the attention of everyone on the track. A reporter sidled close to Nick from the rail, looking up at him as he watched Abastor, Lissome, Night Goddess, Samhain and Girl Talk drew nearer. "Nick Landing, you thinking you can actually turn around Girl Talk?" Nick ripped his gaze from the five to send the man a withering gaze. "That filly right there has so much talent it isn't even funny and you can quote me on that. The only thing she needs is the consistency and a chance and I intend to give her that and more." The reporter looked a bit taken aback by Nick's vehemence, but had the common sense to take what he had and walk away.

"You could have been a little bit nicer Nick." Jaime lectured as he sat astride the stunning Princetta. Nick just shrugged his shoulders and nudged Darla to move. Jaime rolled his eyes and sent Malva into Darla's wake as they fell in alongside their crew. Abastor as usual was drawing the eyes. His recent victory in the Twilight Stakes had now notched the black son of Bucephalus and nephew of BHOF Requiem as a serious turf competitor - and for good reasons. It wasn't just claiming his TS win that made him a serious threat, it was his scary consistency. Jeff always felt at home aboard the black stallion. He'd been one of his first mounts when he'd started working with IRS and the two had been a dynamic and effective team since day one. No point in messing with what was working. Nick paralleled Darla alongside the black as Night Goddess and Angie came alongside the other side. Michael had his hands full as Samhain was his normal dominant self, shooting daggers at anyone and everyone. He got riled as Malva and Jaime got close, but the snow white mare nipped the colt's shoulder in reprimand. Jaime laughed as Michael groaned holding the black colt from lashing out, but could see that he had it all well in hand. Brody was all smiles aboard Lissome and chatted away with Adele who was riding quite confidently on Girl Talk.

Jaime smiled back at the duo, his eyes lingering slightly on Adele's lithe form. She stared back poignantly until he just smiled and turned back to chatting with Michael. The trainers spread the instructions as they galloped alongside them. Abastor and Night Goddess were paired off at Nick's instruction leaving the other three to assemble. Nick and Darla peeled off as Night Goddess and Abastor went to work. They flew over the turf with a caliber that was breathtaking. They cruised powerfully, Jeff relishing in Abastor's prowess and Angie in Goddess' pure talent and experience. The five year old mare was having a consistent season, but there was more to be had and they were going to chase after it.

Samhain was pure fury as Lissome and Girl Talk flanked him on both sides, following in Abastor and Night Goddess' wake. Adele was acclimating to the filly underneath her. She was built like a tank and had that rolling kind of power she was used to aboard Ultimate Revenge. She was nowhere near as belligerent of feisty and yet there was a classy determination to Lassy. She smiled as she felt the filly's spirit rise to the occasion. Nick was right. There was something special about this Spitz daughter and she was very keen to help unearth this covered gem. Samhain had been on the lower note of things this year, but his personality and talent were anything but. Nick watched after Abastor and Nigh Goddess dueled in tandem for home, his eyes and everyone else's eyes now locked onto Lissome, Samhain and Girl Talk. The end in sight, Michael released the black behemoth, but Lissome was not one to be forgotten or left behind. Since her miss in the turf tiara, Lissy was a monster and she showed that by devouring the ground in front of her. Samhain engaged her and they dueled for home, Girl Talk only an afterthought and that was their mistake. Adele had been working the three year old up to speed as they cruised and then she unleashed the bay and she was off. The gap closed in three strides as she fell only a neck short to her more seasoned workout partners.

Everyone on the rail whistled. It looked like people were finally going to start paying attention to IRS' new addition and that was fine with Nick. Him and his crew was ready to start a turf war.