Post by Ripley on Aug 7, 2015 14:17:05 GMT -5
Hot Flash
featuring: Flashpoint, Fire It Up & Uno Momento
mission: Who's More Youthful Stakes, General Workout, Just A Trot Futurity
"Wow... He's huge," Justin remarked as Ripley led the new horse out of his stall. Ripley's smile was wide and her eyes glinted with pride as she stopped and turned to look at Fire It Up. At 17.0 hands, Fire It Up was a towering beast. Each muscle was well defined underneath his brown coat. His dark eyes looked suspicious as they traveled over the grounds at The Wire. He looked like the perfect mirror of his sire, Native Flame, at this age. Ripley adjusted the nose band and patted the colt's thick neck. "He's perfect."
Uno snorted beneath Justin. The grade four colt Fire It Up curiously, but didn't try to get too close. He'd been the victim of Notorious' merciless leadership in the yearling pasture. His wariness of new colts was quite obvious and he strained to move away from the other colt. Justin let Uno step away, admiring the Barely A Moment son's purposeful stride. Uno had returned with a powerful win September Week Two and was living up to his new muscular looks. Unlike Fire It Up, Uno hadn't been born a fit war horse.
"So who you going to have ride him?" Brooks asked. Flashpoint's perfectly dished head angled toward the juvenile, his nostrils flaring wide to draw in his scent. He blew through his nostrils and pawed the ground, clearly wanting to investigate. Brooks lightly pulled back on the reins and held the Flash Limits stallion still. The bay's ears flattened to the sides in disappointment, but he was back to looking at Fire It Up quickly.
"I'm going to ride him today and then Justin can take over in his first race back." She looked up at Brooks challengingly, daring him to say no. It'd been a long time since she'd sat on the back of one of her runners. She needed to know this one personally. This was a grandson of her Touch Up and a son of her Native Flame. While those lines did not indicate problems, she wanted to find out about the colt's quirks personally.
She snatched her helmet off of the mounting block and turned the colt to face it. He analyzed her with oddly quiet eyes, ears flickering on his head in search of trouble. She stroked his neck, rolled her shoulders and mounted up before anyone could comment. Fire It Up tossed his head once, but moved off upon asking. He let out a low whinny when he spotted Uno way out front, but stayed calm beneath her.
Brooks shook his head and urged Moose to keep up. His fiance was a bit of a pain in the ass. She could ride any horse on the property, but she wanted to ride the juvenile who'd only run six races to date. Moose pranced up to Fire It Up, ears pinning briefly when the colt stretched out his neck to greet him. Brooks pressed the stallion onward, appreciating the horse's authoritative walk. His newly found confidence was impressive and he was going out for his biggest challenge to date in the Who's More Youthful Stakes. If Moose could win the race at Green Horse Fields, he would throw his name in the hat for older dirt horse of the year.
Justin petted Uno's neck, smiling when the horse paused at the gap to examine his crowd. He bowed his neck and danced onto the dirt, showing off for the first time since Justin had ridden him. The break and the confidence booster had done the young horse wonders. Now he was heading into the nine furlong Just A Trot futurity race with a head full of steam. To say Justin was excited for his next season Triple Crown prospect, was an understatement.
Justin turned Uno back and watched Moose and Fire It Up approach. Flashpoint looked dainty compared to Sun King's half-brother. Fire It Up looked like a line backer and drew attention immediately. Justin wasn't sure if it had to do with him being in Witch Creek colors or the fact that Ripley Marsh sat astride him. Justin grinned at her, felt excitement. Ripley Marsh had been the most clever jockey on the track prior to her retirement. She could wait and wait, make you think you had her horse and then break your heart with a twitch of a finger.
"We're going to do five furlongs," Ripely stated, "I'm thinking around 1:00 should do the trick for their next races." She waited until Brooks and Justin nodded their ascent before swinging Fire It Up down the middle of the track. His stride was huge and powerful. He glided over the dirt and remained perfectly focused despite the amount of activity swirling around him. Ripley let him jog down the homestretch and nodded in approval. "I like you," Ripley murmured.
Moose and Uno jogged in tandem behind the new colt, snorting and competing to jog faster then the other. Brooks stood in the saddle and let Moose really stretch. Flashpoint had been a champ this season and it was looking more and more likely that the stud was staying with Witch Creek after all. Brooks couldn't help the thrum of happiness in his heart. Moose had come so far from that workmanlike juvenile he'd been. Now, he was a prince and no one was overshadowing him anymore.
The trio of horses stepped into their gallops going into the backstretch. Uno lunged into stride, making the most of his length. He swept by Fire It Up, catching the less experienced horse off guard. Justin tightened the reins slightly, not wanting to use Uno before the work even started. Uno's big ears bounced with every stride, looking completely relaxed. Justin liked what he felt and peeked under his shoulder to see where the others were.
Moose glided into stalking position under Brookson's perfect control. He was into the bit, but not moving yet. His left ear was focused on Uno while the other was tilted back to listen for the newbie. Brook could feel the strength within his colt, knew exactly what he had under him. When the time came, Uno was going to be swarmed by Moose's sudden rush.
Fire It Up rolled into a relaxed gallop, ears pricked on his competition. Ripley's lips twitched in amusement. She played with the reins, nodded in approval when the colt moved in and out over the track with ease. He'd had a terrific education with Riverview Acres, but now he'd run for his breeding barn. She could hardly contain her excitement. He was just like his daddy with his big sweeping strides and that very contained control. This horse was beyond impressive.
Ripley bided her time four lengths behind Uno and two behind Moose. She crouched low over Fire It Up's neck and wrapped her fingers in his black mane. He was quickening as the turn roared up before them. Without any encouragement, the new colt stretched his legs and shot forward to run side by side with Moose. She could see the surprise that overtook Brooks and Moose. Suddenly, the stallion was on the defensive. Fire It Up shot in front of the older horse, swapping leads with ease.
Justin heard the pounding beat of hooves increase in speed. He didn't bother looking back as Uno hightailed it into the stretch. The colt pinned his ears back and bore down on the dirt, expanding his lead briefly. Justin sat chilly, looking up only when Fire It Up and Moose roared up on Uno's haunches. The Barely A Moment colt battled on impressively, coming out to the middle to meet the newbie.
Ripley flashed the bay colt the whip, not letting him cow to Uno's intimidation tactics. She beamed with pride when Fire It Up bowled through the center, unswayed by the horses on either side of him.
Brooks hand-rode Moose through the line, getting up in front just in time. The Flash Limits colt was covered in dirt and his nostrils flared wide with the effort. The gap was narrowing between young and old, but Brooks wasn't worried. Moose wouldn't have to face these bullish juveniles. He would face seasoned competitors and he would have the perfect set up next out. Brooks couldn't wait for the next race.
