new dawn

[Ripley]

New Dawn
featuring: Flashpoint & In Front & Uno Momento
mission: Winter Dawn Treader Cup & Senior Superstars Finale & Gallop To The Gallows Stakes

The morning would start off with a battle between the heavyweights. Ripley'd planned a six furlong workout meant to open up her horses' lungs, with a nice side benefit of reminding everyone of Witch Creek's prowess. The tractors were on the track currently, preparing it for the slew of workouts after the break. She was itching to get her horses out on the track first. She wanted it perfect for this workout. This workout separated three poor efforts from three really terrific ones. The Winter Dawn Treader Cup, Senior Superstars Finale and Gallop To The Gallows Stakes were all going to be extremely tough races.

Ripley paced the shed-row like a sergeant, tapping a whip against her thigh as she went. Her impatience was brewing. She wanted to be back in the saddle and ready to go out to the track, not standing around with her hands in her pockets. Her green eyes scoured the three horses being tacked up right now. Muscles bulged, eyes were bright, coats gleamed under the diligent care of her staff. She itched to be on the back of one these impressive beasts. She loved her son and wanted to be safe for him, but God, she missed the feel of a thoroughbred running beneath her.

Brushing away her thoughts with her usual impatience, Ripley stepped forward and examined Flashpoint. Moose tilted his dainty head her way, aimed those kind eyes right into her soul. She rubbed the loopy star on his forehead, helpless against the mahogany horse's gentility. "He looks great Brooks. We'll be cutting him back in distance to nine furlongs, which he'll definitely appreciate." Brooks nodded, held up a foot for the traditional boost into the saddle. Moose tossed his head impatiently when Brooks settled into the saddle.

Ripley moved down the line, pushing In Front back a step when he got to close. The hulking horse did not understand body space at all. It was his biggest issue, but he was also the biggest horse on the string. She tapped his muscular shoulder, double checked his bandages. Yesterday morning, Ticker's front right wrap had come undone, whipping behind his foot as he ran. The gallop had finished without incident, but this morning the wrap had a bit of extra duct tape around the top. "Good to go, Carter," Ripley said. She helped him into the saddle, held In Front still as he jigged beneath his rider. "Quiet down horse. I know one horse who is going to relish the stretch out to twelve furlongs."

David nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah. If there isn't any speed, I'll likely end up on the front end. He's got enough stamina to merry-go-round the group."

Ripley lead In Front in a circle, pondering a race strategy. "Ride him on the lead in today's workout. Entries aren't all set yet so I'm not sure who's going to show in the Finale yet. If there's speed we can settle right off of it. They won't be going too fast for a mile and a half."

Uno Momento let out a low nicker when Ripley turned to him next. The colt tilted his head to the side, opening and closing his mouth impatiently. The Barely A Moment and El Sol Del Mar son would have to travel the Kentucky Derby distance in the Gallop To The Gallows. He was sure to get a good set up this time. He hadn't run ten furlongs since June in the Radiance Classic. It was time to reassert his form at a mile and a quarter. "Hey Bubba," Ripley murmured.

Since his return to the track, Uno was flying in under the radar after the last couple races. In his last two races he'd been beaten by Incognito and Barely Smokin'. He'd had enough. His gallops were ferocious, his speed phenomenal. The colt had returned a monster since his break, but he hadn't gotten the chance the last couple times. He wasn't going to be the black sheep of El Sol Del Mar's foals. The bay colt was two wins away from being grade three and two months away from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Once Justin was in the saddle, Ripley led Uno around the row, spun him and checked the girth. "See, I know you Uno. She tightened the girth, finding more room once he'd let out a couple big breaths. "Tricky Uno... Justin, I want you to keep him right off In Front for most of the workout. I want him to have to fight. I want his blood up for the Gallows Stakes."

Justin nodded, patted Uno's neck. "Then that's what I'll do." Uno let out an ear-splitting neigh, lifted his knees in a graceful prance. He nudged Ripley and tossed his head, obviously excited and full of himself.

"Let's get him to the track before he explodes," Ripley suggested.


The trio moved into strong jogs as soon as they hit the track. Immediately, David urged In Front into the lead. The blaze faced stallion pinned his ears and acted like a slug at first. However, once Uno vied for control, Ticker was more than willing to speed it up. He powered forward, tail slashing over his rump in pure irritation. No way was this upstart going to get by him. Justin and Brooks sat chilly, not ready to overly engage their horses with the irritable Touch Up stallion.

Brooks liked what he felt beneath him. Moose had a spring in his step and an air about him that gave Brooks all the confidence in the world. Moose snorted, pulsed the bit to see if Brooks would give him a little more. "Not now, boy," Brooks said. "One more lap."

Carter knew In Front was going to be a handful when he strained to break into a lope down the stretch again. His one mile jog had been fast and he was full of energy. David was thankful he'd thought to pull on a pair of gloves for the exercise because his hands would have been raw from holding the behemoth back. "Relax big horse."

Justin could sense Ticker was going to take off as soon as David turned him loose. Uno was a relatively calm runner and despite the high energy his older counterpart was giving off, Uno was just flicking his ears around on his head. Justin wiggled his fingers on the reins, nodded in approval when Uno's inside ear flicked back to listen. He knew he had the horse.

Ticker roared into his gallop, ears slamming back and demonstrating a rare instance of quick speed. Uno flicked his ears when the older horse tore off and opened up a two length lead. Justin gave him his cue then and sent the youngster to keep him company. Uno drummed over the dirt and pulled up within In Front's throat latch. Each stride was focused and purposeful. Justin was impressed with the two year old, but he'd be more impressed if the colt stayed with In Front's grinding speed.

Flashpoint shadowed the other two, his mane and tail flying out behind him like a cape. His ears were pricked. Brooks felt as though the darker bay taking everything in stride, like this routine workout was just a walk in the park. He maintained a quiet seat, brushed his hands up and down the horse's mane. Moose merely sped up, now three lengths behind In Front. Brooks could see from here that Ripley's plan to aggravate Uno was working. The heavy horse would pin his ears every time Uno made any sort of headway. Carter had him under restraint, but his posture was still. Moose would have to run on the turn if he was going to cut down Ticker.

Justin chirped to Uno around the turn, showed him the whip. The Barely A Moment son powered into gear, surging so suddenly that In Front didn't have time to react. Uno spun wide off the turn, losing his lead due to momentum. In Front was back and battling up the inside, eyes flashing with fury and fire. He didn't want to be headed by a two year old. He didn't want to be beaten anymore, period.

Moose ghosted up on the outside of Uno, way out in the middle of the track. He'd spooked on the turn, but was now driving hard. Brooks was up on the bay's neck, urging him on to get something out of this. He surged late as the wire neared, getting by both In Front and Uno, but they might as well have been in a different workout. He galloped out strongly, ears pricked and ready for more. Brooks let out the nervous breath he'd been holding and gave the horse a pat. He'd blown the turn, but his six furlong workout time would be even more impressive because of it. Somehow he'd caught both Ticker and Uno.

Ripley skipped away the minute her trio of horses pulled down into their jogs. She wasn't particularly impressed by Moose's antics, but knew race day would be different. She was, however, impressed with Ticker's guts and Uno's tenacity. Just a couple more months and Uno would be the one giving the adults a good scare.