Post by Cavallo on Aug 22, 2015 18:21:09 GMT -5
Nick rested his hand on the filly's neck as she moved powerfully alongside him with Michael in the saddle. They were going for it. They had missed this race last year to Eternal Phantom, but now that obstacle was no longer in the way and Atropa was on a mission to prove to the world that she was the best. Her dark brown eyes took in the dirt track and it was impossible to miss the way her eyes lit up in competitive challenge as her home away from home came into view. Her motion grew more animated, her head bouncing up and down as the muscles danced and rippled over her body with her controlled movement. Her nares flared, taking in the scent of the freshly raked dirt track, the dirt clods having the rich earthy scent that teased the senses. For Nightshade it reminded her of her job, a job she loved - to run the feet off of anyone and anything. She was too competitive for her own good and this season's record was a testimony to the black bay filly's drive to do more.
The rail birds quickly zeroed in on them as they walked from the gap and along the outside rail, out of the flow of traffic. Horses breezed on the track and Atropa's eyes locked onto each horse as they thundered on by. Michael kept a loose rein, but firm control. With a five year partnership, the two were accurately attuned to one another and what they wanted. Nightshade wanted to run, but Michael hadn't given the go and in their years of racing, the rambunctious filly had learned to trust Michael's judgement, but then Michael had also learned to do the same in the thick of things in a race. Whatever arrangement these two had, it was working and Nick needed them to help holding their partnership together to the BC Classic. They all wanted it so bad for the black bay filly and she was pulling out all the stops this season to get her ready for that ultimate showdown.
This was an important stepping stone to that end goal, that plus there was some wounded pride that wanted to redeem from last year's place in the Kiss Your Title Stakes*. There was no workout partner today. No, today would be a solo work for the five year old, but she seemed as geared and hyped as if today was BC day. She was always like that. Always ready to go and always willing to fight and bring her A-game, even if her competition was herself and that's what made her a great racehorse. Michael gave polite nods to those hanging on the rail and Nick did likewise, but it was apparent their attention was for Atropa alone. "How's she feeling Mike?," Nick looked up at his brother, holding the filly's halter to her mild disgruntlement. She tried to fixate on each horse that flew by, but was held at bay by Nick's hand and Michael's gentle touch. Michael reassured the filly with intermitient touches with his hands and legs. "She feels alive, excited and solid. She's on a roll and she's only getting sharper. She's ready to roll out from here on to the BC." He spoke in confidence because he knew it was true. No matter the placing in her next few starts, Atropa would use each one to push and better herself. He was sad to think of her impending retirement, but even he knew that all good things must eventually come to an end.
People got their fill of looking at the grade one winner as the two brothers conversed. Most people even forgot of their relationship, but they never did. Nick patted Michael's leg, a habit he'd done since they were kids. He was his older brother. He looked out after him and each time he raced was an opportunity for a disaster, but that was the risk of the game they played and they both loved it too much to change their ways now. "You two be careful out there. Gallop her a mile and then let her come home handily. Don't push her. I want her fresh and in fighting form this weekend." Michael nodded and gave his silent cue to the filly, a cue she was only all too eager to oblige - to move.
Nick stepped back and watched them move. She was a seasoned professional and it showed in her every motion. From her controlled gallop, to the pricked ears and observant eyes, she was a thinking racing machine complete all unto herself. She needed no one to push her to her best. In her mind, she was her own worst enemy and it was that innate drive that made her the champion performer that she was.
People whipped out their stopwatches as Nightshade began to roll, clocking her gallop, but Nick didn't bother. He wasn't concerned about time and fractions today. Nope today was a tune up, an alignment for rider and horse alike. She moved with power and speed, soaring over the dirt, Michael sitting as light as a feather on her back. They clicked and they meshed as their conquered path fell behind them in a blur. A mile was a breather for this distance bound filly and Michael was pleased to see she had barely worked up a sweat as they charged for home. Michael flicked the reins and off she went in her surge of power that made her the formidable foe that she was. She powered down the track, the dirt flying behind her in a spray as the thunder of her approach rang out to all, flashing for home in cool confidence. Nick smiled, pleased as Michael pulled up their hopeful contender. Her hooves were the hooves of thunder and something the entire field would be waiting for. They'd just have to rise above and he knew Nightshade could be the filly to do it.
The rail birds quickly zeroed in on them as they walked from the gap and along the outside rail, out of the flow of traffic. Horses breezed on the track and Atropa's eyes locked onto each horse as they thundered on by. Michael kept a loose rein, but firm control. With a five year partnership, the two were accurately attuned to one another and what they wanted. Nightshade wanted to run, but Michael hadn't given the go and in their years of racing, the rambunctious filly had learned to trust Michael's judgement, but then Michael had also learned to do the same in the thick of things in a race. Whatever arrangement these two had, it was working and Nick needed them to help holding their partnership together to the BC Classic. They all wanted it so bad for the black bay filly and she was pulling out all the stops this season to get her ready for that ultimate showdown.
This was an important stepping stone to that end goal, that plus there was some wounded pride that wanted to redeem from last year's place in the Kiss Your Title Stakes*. There was no workout partner today. No, today would be a solo work for the five year old, but she seemed as geared and hyped as if today was BC day. She was always like that. Always ready to go and always willing to fight and bring her A-game, even if her competition was herself and that's what made her a great racehorse. Michael gave polite nods to those hanging on the rail and Nick did likewise, but it was apparent their attention was for Atropa alone. "How's she feeling Mike?," Nick looked up at his brother, holding the filly's halter to her mild disgruntlement. She tried to fixate on each horse that flew by, but was held at bay by Nick's hand and Michael's gentle touch. Michael reassured the filly with intermitient touches with his hands and legs. "She feels alive, excited and solid. She's on a roll and she's only getting sharper. She's ready to roll out from here on to the BC." He spoke in confidence because he knew it was true. No matter the placing in her next few starts, Atropa would use each one to push and better herself. He was sad to think of her impending retirement, but even he knew that all good things must eventually come to an end.
People got their fill of looking at the grade one winner as the two brothers conversed. Most people even forgot of their relationship, but they never did. Nick patted Michael's leg, a habit he'd done since they were kids. He was his older brother. He looked out after him and each time he raced was an opportunity for a disaster, but that was the risk of the game they played and they both loved it too much to change their ways now. "You two be careful out there. Gallop her a mile and then let her come home handily. Don't push her. I want her fresh and in fighting form this weekend." Michael nodded and gave his silent cue to the filly, a cue she was only all too eager to oblige - to move.
Nick stepped back and watched them move. She was a seasoned professional and it showed in her every motion. From her controlled gallop, to the pricked ears and observant eyes, she was a thinking racing machine complete all unto herself. She needed no one to push her to her best. In her mind, she was her own worst enemy and it was that innate drive that made her the champion performer that she was.
People whipped out their stopwatches as Nightshade began to roll, clocking her gallop, but Nick didn't bother. He wasn't concerned about time and fractions today. Nope today was a tune up, an alignment for rider and horse alike. She moved with power and speed, soaring over the dirt, Michael sitting as light as a feather on her back. They clicked and they meshed as their conquered path fell behind them in a blur. A mile was a breather for this distance bound filly and Michael was pleased to see she had barely worked up a sweat as they charged for home. Michael flicked the reins and off she went in her surge of power that made her the formidable foe that she was. She powered down the track, the dirt flying behind her in a spray as the thunder of her approach rang out to all, flashing for home in cool confidence. Nick smiled, pleased as Michael pulled up their hopeful contender. Her hooves were the hooves of thunder and something the entire field would be waiting for. They'd just have to rise above and he knew Nightshade could be the filly to do it.
