Post by Ripley on May 13, 2016 14:06:50 GMT -5
WELCOME BACK.
Fire It Up. Justin Santiago.
Taboo. Reese Balling Jones.
Fire It Up. Justin Santiago.
Taboo. Reese Balling Jones.
There was nothing like training for the races at the track. Fans dotted the grandstands, plates of pancakes and fruit settled on their laps, and took in the grandness of watching thoroughbreds exercising at first light. Ripley watched them chat with one another, wondering what it must be like to only be a fan and watch the chips fall without having any personal impact. It must be nice to not be kept awake by uncertainty. Most people might assume she slept well, especially after Notorious's big win in the Kentucky Open. However, she'd slept much better last year while flying under the radar.
It was quite possible that Ripley had one of the best older horse rosters in the country this year. Saintly Touch appeared stronger than at any point in his career. Casualty of War and Vagabond were consistent and powerful forces. Spotlight Pride and Sun King were their usual ethereal and challenging selves. Her stallions were perhaps the greatest horses she'd taken in. Two were homebreds and the others were wise business decisions that would effect the breeding industry and her barn in years to come.
Ripley leaned against the rail and rested her chin in her hands. She could feel the press closing in on her like hawks. Their anticipation was almost palpable. They wanted to know about what she had back in the barn. It was a rare event when Ripley Marsh showed up with her band for a morning of training. With her new indoor track, there was hardly a reason to show up at the track outside of race day anymore.
Today there was a reason. She tilted her head when she heard a snorting breath followed by a yearning neigh. She didn't need to look at the horse to know which one he was. Neither did the nearby clockers. She heard an exclamation, but she was quickly off to the gap to greet her newest Kentucky Open winner.
The lean bay colt bowed his neck as he strutted down the path, parting onlookers like the sea. His lean frame cut a perfect picture of muscle and good health. The son of Like A Cheetah and Glorious Storm had rebounded impressively from a second place finish in the Silk Road Stakes to win the ten furlong classic, the first leg of the Turf Triple Crown. In doing so, he'd joined Frozen Motion and Bella Luna as BBS's winners--not bad company at all. Ripley was especially fond of this colt. She was helping to bring an ARS colt into the media storm. Many people had asked how she felt about the bay and why he was so special to her. She hadn't been able to answer right there, other than the typical 'he's a special boy' answer.
He was, but that wasn't the true reason. She'd pursued this colt, as she had Breaking Point, Miss Josephine, Dirty Diana and Nocturnal Runaway, because they were tied to her friends at Akita Rose Stable. She wanted to keep the memory of their barn alive because Kirsten Jade had kept hers alive until she was ready to return. By taking Notorious from scratch to the top, Ripley felt like she finally fulfilled that promise. Now, Note was a living, breathing symbol of her tie to Akita Rose Stable. And he was a glorious one at that.
David beamed at Ripley from the colt's back. Note rolled his eyes and pranced sideways directly into Ashanti. The bay mare pinned her ears and would have bit the colt if not for Malcolm's fast handling. "None of that mare!"
Notorious ignored the older horse's warning and tilted his head to nuzzle Ripley's extended hands. He was a grumpy sort, but on the track he was friendly enough. "We're just going to keep it down to a jog for two miles. If he wants to lope by Ashanti that's fine, but don't let him yank away. Freshness is going to be the key with him. I know World Dominion and Like A Lady will come back firing in the hope that he'll be tired."
The men nodded and trotted off, their horses continuing to bicker as they moved from a walk to a jog. Note's fluid stride was perfect and displayed his overall confidence. He'd been on fire since March and hardly looked worse for wear after a tough race. There was one week left until the Preakness Champion Stakes and word had it that World Dominion wanted his revenge. She imagined the same could be said for his connections, although they wouldn't say it directly to her face.
Ripley turned her attention from the champ to the pair of horses quietly moving from the path to the track. The differences between them were striking. Where she was dainty and perfect, he was towering and physically overwhelming. Her eyes gleamed like a sharp tack and his were soft with kindness and contentment. Taboo was the queen at Battle Brook, well-regarded and loved despite the fact that she wasn't the most personable mare. She brought her lunch pail with her everyday, however, and that's what counted most. Fire It Up was just returning after a stint with Intrepid Racing Stable, bringing with him a load of anticipation that hadn't existed before.
Her long term allies were noted for their ability to prepare horses for the long haul and that was exactly what the Native Flame colt needed. He'd needed coaxing that Battle Brook hadn't been able to give him and now he was a man among boys. Fire It Up paused to greet her, drooling all over her open palm. She smiled and wiped her hands on her pants and glanced behind his huge shoulder at his rider. Justin's expression was eager and excited. It was a wonder that his energy wasn't transferring down to the big horse beneath him, but then again, Fire had always been a gentle giant like his sire.
"They both look very relaxed today," Ripley remarked as she stepped around the colt and greeted the mare. The daughter of Everyday Hero and Forbidden Wings had never looked more regal than she did at the age of four. The Wire Finish Cup Sprint winner looked marvelous thanks to her break since April Week One causing Ripley to salivate at the idea of getting her back where she belonged on the turf and at sprinter distances. The attempt at nine furlongs on the dirt had been good, but not brilliant. Taboo was no immortal, but when she was in her element, she was extremely difficult and game as can be.
"She feels relaxed," Reese said with a smile. Ripley took that as a really good sign. Tabz was a little knocked out after her run in the Sunshine Millions Distaff and her way of reacting was anxiety and inability to sit still. However, she looked poised and quiet beneath Reese. Ripley patted the mare's silky neck and looked out toward the track. "Have you got her schedule all filled out yet?"
"Yup," Ripley said with a nod. When both riders waited for her to expand, she shrugged. She wasn't going to share everything with them. Instead, she took a light hold of Taboo's bridle and lead the gray forward. The mare blew through her nostrils as a duo of horses galloped by under a full head of steam. "Jog them to the gap and canter around the turf track once. When you reach the backside again, let them out for a five furlong breeze. A controlled breeze that is, Reese."
The woman rolled her eyes, "Control is my middle name, Marsh."
Justin laughed as he walked Fire It Up by. The seventeen hand colt bowed his neck and jiggled the bit in his teeth, every muscle braced from excitement as he realized what he was going to do today. Fire was a consummate professional just like his parents and he REALLY loved to run. He jogged over the dirt with purpose and energy, knocking the usually peppy Taboo off her game. The gray mare tilted her ears to the side in a full on pout and would have completely stopped if not for Reese's encouragement. "Come on girl. Don't let him get under your skin."
After that, Taboo and Fire moved in tandem. Each horse desired to take control of their head and run, but both of them were too well-mannered to do it. Tabz would toss her head once in a while, but she never directly strained for the bit. She moved sideways in protest when Reese wouldn't let her out into a canter, but that was the extent of her disobedience.
Justin truly liked what he felt beneath him as the colt crossed the gap to the turf track. Fire perked up as the green grass spread before him. He was a colt with the ultimate dirt pedigree, but he seemed to have a knack for the grass which was surprising considering his hulking form. Fire launched into his decadent canter, pricking his ears and bowing his neck as if he were begging for more. No longer did he feel like the juvenile colt Justin had ridden at the age of two. He was a powerful beast with the understanding of all his capabilities.
Taboo shadowed the younger horse, her anger at him intense at first, but gradually fading off with every stride. She relaxed beautifully into the bit, moving at such a quiet pace that Reese couldn't help but compare the horse she was now to the horse she'd been two years ago. She was a graceful queen now, nothing like that nervous nelly she had been. Reese gave her a little pat in appreciation. She'd turned into such a good lady and one of Reese's favorites. Tabz had been her first big project and together they'd learned a lot.
The first cycle went easily and without event. Both horses were as steady and calm as ever, although a bit more sweaty. Justin peeked over his shoulder to check that the rail was clear before moving Fire over. The hulking horse glided over the grass with ease, his ears flicking only when Note screamed to him from the rail. Justin shook his head at the other horse's exuberance, but let it slide as easily as the flick of his whip. Fire powered forward into his long stride without any effort at all. Justin kept his hands steady on the horse's neck and his feet quiet. He remembered how sensitive the colt was to any physical pressure. It made him a deadly closer.
Reese let the mare step out to keep pace with her younger counterpart. The gray was more than up for the challenge. She pinned her ears to express her irritation when Fire It Up determined that he was going to be on the lead. Reese niggled the reins and kept her going forward. A pout was not going to help their circumstances going forward on whatever schedule Ripley had set for them.
The pair clicked off solid fractions for the first three furlongs, their adrenaline gradually picking up. Fire really pressed on the bit as they rounded the far turn. Justin thought he was dying to open up, but Ripley's words of control kept him from obliging the Native Flame son.
Taboo ratcheted up the pressure when they straightened into the stretch. Reese's arms screamed from holding the gray filly back. She was practically standing up in the saddle to keep her pace up. Fire did not help with the matter because soon he was arguing too. Justin liked the energy, but damn this holding business was obnoxious.
"Let them go!" Ripley's command sounded, shattering both Justin and Reese's ear drums via the mic.
The leather reins soared through their hands on cue, more out of shock than obedience. In a surge of horseflesh and thunderous hooves, Fire and Taboo flew toward the wire, their manes and tails flying backward. The swiftness of their run was a sight to behold and even Ripley had to admit to its sheer brilliance. No doubt she'd be hearing from the reporters in a few minutes when they stalked her back to the barn.
Fire and Taboo kept up a strong pace through the gallop out, belying their true health and eagerness. Ripley smiled when Tabz pinned her ears and Fire simply ignored her snarkiness. It took a lot of work to pull up both colt and mare, but the fight only increased Ripley's anticipation for what would come next.
It was quite possible that Ripley had one of the best older horse rosters in the country this year. Saintly Touch appeared stronger than at any point in his career. Casualty of War and Vagabond were consistent and powerful forces. Spotlight Pride and Sun King were their usual ethereal and challenging selves. Her stallions were perhaps the greatest horses she'd taken in. Two were homebreds and the others were wise business decisions that would effect the breeding industry and her barn in years to come.
Ripley leaned against the rail and rested her chin in her hands. She could feel the press closing in on her like hawks. Their anticipation was almost palpable. They wanted to know about what she had back in the barn. It was a rare event when Ripley Marsh showed up with her band for a morning of training. With her new indoor track, there was hardly a reason to show up at the track outside of race day anymore.
Today there was a reason. She tilted her head when she heard a snorting breath followed by a yearning neigh. She didn't need to look at the horse to know which one he was. Neither did the nearby clockers. She heard an exclamation, but she was quickly off to the gap to greet her newest Kentucky Open winner.
The lean bay colt bowed his neck as he strutted down the path, parting onlookers like the sea. His lean frame cut a perfect picture of muscle and good health. The son of Like A Cheetah and Glorious Storm had rebounded impressively from a second place finish in the Silk Road Stakes to win the ten furlong classic, the first leg of the Turf Triple Crown. In doing so, he'd joined Frozen Motion and Bella Luna as BBS's winners--not bad company at all. Ripley was especially fond of this colt. She was helping to bring an ARS colt into the media storm. Many people had asked how she felt about the bay and why he was so special to her. She hadn't been able to answer right there, other than the typical 'he's a special boy' answer.
He was, but that wasn't the true reason. She'd pursued this colt, as she had Breaking Point, Miss Josephine, Dirty Diana and Nocturnal Runaway, because they were tied to her friends at Akita Rose Stable. She wanted to keep the memory of their barn alive because Kirsten Jade had kept hers alive until she was ready to return. By taking Notorious from scratch to the top, Ripley felt like she finally fulfilled that promise. Now, Note was a living, breathing symbol of her tie to Akita Rose Stable. And he was a glorious one at that.
David beamed at Ripley from the colt's back. Note rolled his eyes and pranced sideways directly into Ashanti. The bay mare pinned her ears and would have bit the colt if not for Malcolm's fast handling. "None of that mare!"
Notorious ignored the older horse's warning and tilted his head to nuzzle Ripley's extended hands. He was a grumpy sort, but on the track he was friendly enough. "We're just going to keep it down to a jog for two miles. If he wants to lope by Ashanti that's fine, but don't let him yank away. Freshness is going to be the key with him. I know World Dominion and Like A Lady will come back firing in the hope that he'll be tired."
The men nodded and trotted off, their horses continuing to bicker as they moved from a walk to a jog. Note's fluid stride was perfect and displayed his overall confidence. He'd been on fire since March and hardly looked worse for wear after a tough race. There was one week left until the Preakness Champion Stakes and word had it that World Dominion wanted his revenge. She imagined the same could be said for his connections, although they wouldn't say it directly to her face.
Ripley turned her attention from the champ to the pair of horses quietly moving from the path to the track. The differences between them were striking. Where she was dainty and perfect, he was towering and physically overwhelming. Her eyes gleamed like a sharp tack and his were soft with kindness and contentment. Taboo was the queen at Battle Brook, well-regarded and loved despite the fact that she wasn't the most personable mare. She brought her lunch pail with her everyday, however, and that's what counted most. Fire It Up was just returning after a stint with Intrepid Racing Stable, bringing with him a load of anticipation that hadn't existed before.
Her long term allies were noted for their ability to prepare horses for the long haul and that was exactly what the Native Flame colt needed. He'd needed coaxing that Battle Brook hadn't been able to give him and now he was a man among boys. Fire It Up paused to greet her, drooling all over her open palm. She smiled and wiped her hands on her pants and glanced behind his huge shoulder at his rider. Justin's expression was eager and excited. It was a wonder that his energy wasn't transferring down to the big horse beneath him, but then again, Fire had always been a gentle giant like his sire.
"They both look very relaxed today," Ripley remarked as she stepped around the colt and greeted the mare. The daughter of Everyday Hero and Forbidden Wings had never looked more regal than she did at the age of four. The Wire Finish Cup Sprint winner looked marvelous thanks to her break since April Week One causing Ripley to salivate at the idea of getting her back where she belonged on the turf and at sprinter distances. The attempt at nine furlongs on the dirt had been good, but not brilliant. Taboo was no immortal, but when she was in her element, she was extremely difficult and game as can be.
"She feels relaxed," Reese said with a smile. Ripley took that as a really good sign. Tabz was a little knocked out after her run in the Sunshine Millions Distaff and her way of reacting was anxiety and inability to sit still. However, she looked poised and quiet beneath Reese. Ripley patted the mare's silky neck and looked out toward the track. "Have you got her schedule all filled out yet?"
"Yup," Ripley said with a nod. When both riders waited for her to expand, she shrugged. She wasn't going to share everything with them. Instead, she took a light hold of Taboo's bridle and lead the gray forward. The mare blew through her nostrils as a duo of horses galloped by under a full head of steam. "Jog them to the gap and canter around the turf track once. When you reach the backside again, let them out for a five furlong breeze. A controlled breeze that is, Reese."
The woman rolled her eyes, "Control is my middle name, Marsh."
Justin laughed as he walked Fire It Up by. The seventeen hand colt bowed his neck and jiggled the bit in his teeth, every muscle braced from excitement as he realized what he was going to do today. Fire was a consummate professional just like his parents and he REALLY loved to run. He jogged over the dirt with purpose and energy, knocking the usually peppy Taboo off her game. The gray mare tilted her ears to the side in a full on pout and would have completely stopped if not for Reese's encouragement. "Come on girl. Don't let him get under your skin."
After that, Taboo and Fire moved in tandem. Each horse desired to take control of their head and run, but both of them were too well-mannered to do it. Tabz would toss her head once in a while, but she never directly strained for the bit. She moved sideways in protest when Reese wouldn't let her out into a canter, but that was the extent of her disobedience.
Justin truly liked what he felt beneath him as the colt crossed the gap to the turf track. Fire perked up as the green grass spread before him. He was a colt with the ultimate dirt pedigree, but he seemed to have a knack for the grass which was surprising considering his hulking form. Fire launched into his decadent canter, pricking his ears and bowing his neck as if he were begging for more. No longer did he feel like the juvenile colt Justin had ridden at the age of two. He was a powerful beast with the understanding of all his capabilities.
Taboo shadowed the younger horse, her anger at him intense at first, but gradually fading off with every stride. She relaxed beautifully into the bit, moving at such a quiet pace that Reese couldn't help but compare the horse she was now to the horse she'd been two years ago. She was a graceful queen now, nothing like that nervous nelly she had been. Reese gave her a little pat in appreciation. She'd turned into such a good lady and one of Reese's favorites. Tabz had been her first big project and together they'd learned a lot.
The first cycle went easily and without event. Both horses were as steady and calm as ever, although a bit more sweaty. Justin peeked over his shoulder to check that the rail was clear before moving Fire over. The hulking horse glided over the grass with ease, his ears flicking only when Note screamed to him from the rail. Justin shook his head at the other horse's exuberance, but let it slide as easily as the flick of his whip. Fire powered forward into his long stride without any effort at all. Justin kept his hands steady on the horse's neck and his feet quiet. He remembered how sensitive the colt was to any physical pressure. It made him a deadly closer.
Reese let the mare step out to keep pace with her younger counterpart. The gray was more than up for the challenge. She pinned her ears to express her irritation when Fire It Up determined that he was going to be on the lead. Reese niggled the reins and kept her going forward. A pout was not going to help their circumstances going forward on whatever schedule Ripley had set for them.
The pair clicked off solid fractions for the first three furlongs, their adrenaline gradually picking up. Fire really pressed on the bit as they rounded the far turn. Justin thought he was dying to open up, but Ripley's words of control kept him from obliging the Native Flame son.
Taboo ratcheted up the pressure when they straightened into the stretch. Reese's arms screamed from holding the gray filly back. She was practically standing up in the saddle to keep her pace up. Fire did not help with the matter because soon he was arguing too. Justin liked the energy, but damn this holding business was obnoxious.
"Let them go!" Ripley's command sounded, shattering both Justin and Reese's ear drums via the mic.
The leather reins soared through their hands on cue, more out of shock than obedience. In a surge of horseflesh and thunderous hooves, Fire and Taboo flew toward the wire, their manes and tails flying backward. The swiftness of their run was a sight to behold and even Ripley had to admit to its sheer brilliance. No doubt she'd be hearing from the reporters in a few minutes when they stalked her back to the barn.
Fire and Taboo kept up a strong pace through the gallop out, belying their true health and eagerness. Ripley smiled when Tabz pinned her ears and Fire simply ignored her snarkiness. It took a lot of work to pull up both colt and mare, but the fight only increased Ripley's anticipation for what would come next.
