Spring In Your Step.

[Cavallo]

Spring In Your Step.
Featuring: Nightshade, Secret Success & Calypso's Fury

Michael rode a primed and ready Nightshade over the dirt terrain with a wild eyed Cali in her wake. The dark bay filly hopeful TT had taken a break after her near miss in her campaign bid. Angie had been devastated by the loss and Cali had sensed that she'd missed out on something big. She was a hard filly, but Nick had wanted to back the filly and let her progress at a less aggressive pace. Needless to say, that had Cali as a wired ball of energy ready to explode. She broke from Angie's grip and streaked over the track to catch up to Nightshade and lap her by a few feet before Angie finally had the filly under control. "Damn it Cali! Calm DOWN." She lectured as she wrangled the filly back down and spun her tightly to refocus her. Nick looked on with serious eyes, inspecting that no injuries had occurred, but the fire in the filly's eyes had nothing to do with pain and more so with the need to assert herself. She was fine. He nudged Indian Darling to move alongside the renegade three year old and he assisted in calming the dark bay filly, much to Angie's chagrin. "Sorry about that Nick. She just got away from me. She's hard on the hands today." He shook his head, "No harm done, just try to use a lighter rein and make her think everything is her idea today." He winked at her and she laughed as Michael and Nightshade halted a respectful gap between them as a there was the thuds of another approaching horse.

Secret Success was a determined force as Brody rode the grey dirt monster over to the fillies. All three ladies looked at the colt as if he was an intruder. He snorted his interest and also frustration with them as Brody waved at the crew. "We're ready to go boss man." he teased, hoping that he wouldn't get 'the look' for being the last one to arrive. Tera had been a stomping grump. He couldn't entirely blame the colt, their last outing hadn't been to their expectations and now he was witnessing the backlash. Bottom line, Tera was sulking, but they didn't have time for that. It was time to learn and grow from their experiences and Brody was determined to break his mounts out of this non-placing funk.

Nick looked over at Nightshade as Jaime rode up from the outside on Princetta. He'd just finished watching some of the juveniles prep and was now free to assist in the joint training session. "You all ready to go?" he asked, halting the grey-white filly alongside Darla and Nick. Cali eyed the older mare warily, but Darla simply stood complacent and that was reassurance enough for Cali. "Okay you three. Nightshade has a huge prep for the Who's More Youthful and Cali and Tera need the tuneup. Cali and Tera gallop them five in tandem and see if they can stave off and present Atropa with a nice little challenge here when you being them home in three."

The orders given the trio moved liked liquid over the track with Cali insisting on putting her head in front of Tera's. The grey colt eyed her with silent frustration, but Brody had an easy handle on the grey colt. Most people didn't think much about Secret Success, but Nick knew it would only be a matter of time before people saw the value in him. Jaime was just beginning to see it in the colt, now that he'd taken over his training. The future for this Second Chance grandson was bright and they were laying a firm foundation to support that brilliant future.

Michael and Nightshade were like a dark shadow, galloping with an easy pace behind the three year olds. He sat light in the saddle and was easy on the reins as she stalked her prey. Michael knew how Atropa liked to play her games and they would toy with the three year olds, but come the end of this workout Michael was going to press her. They had a huge race upcoming and no one was going to accuse Nightshade and he of being complacent and sloppy. They were going to earn their keep.

Cali and Tera battled gamely and then punched with power for home. Cali was like a rocket that couldn't be contained. Nick and Jaime both mumbled how impressed they were that the dark bay filly was even running straight at this point, but run straight she did. Tera was like a pitbull, refusing to be shaken and it impressed the hell out of both of them. Michael had already sent Nightshade and the black bay filly moved with thunder, closing the five length gap in rapid fie fashion. There was speed and fury in her stride as she pushed with a vengeance. Atropa never played games. Not even in a workout. She challenged a riotous Cali and determined Tera and the three year old rallied. They held with the older horse for a few strides and then the shift began to manifest. Atropa pushed again and then the three year olds stuttered as Atropa bounded ahead. Cali pressed again without Angie's urging, but the battle had been won already. She pulled up the filly who had only just hedged out Tera and they danced in Atropa's wake as she thundered for a few more lengths, gaining speed as she rolled before Michael gradually eased her up.

Jaime smiled, pleased with Cali's fighter spirit and Tera's indomitable will. In his book, they hadn't done to shabby working against the likes of Nightshade. Nick was pleased as well. Nightshade wasn't sluffing off her work. She still loved the game of racing and she took it seriously. It was obvious the filly enjoyed the life she led and he was going to cherish her still while he had her. Everyone satisfied and eager, they all walked with a little bit of a spring to their step...