crowning motion
Maggie was ecstatic this morning. Her headaches from the last two months had finally vanished, but that wasn't the reason why. The reason was that she had finally purchased her own horse. And not just any horse. A horse from Intrepid Racing Inc. A two year old with lines to be dual surfaced and with enough arrogance to share between all of the horses at Witch Creek Stable. What was even more exciting was that Ripley would allow the two year old to run under Witch Creek's colors. Maggie bolted down the stairs of her apartment and raced out the door. GS Royal Crown, as he was called, had arrived three days ago on a beautiful van that spoke of the quality that came from Intrepid Racing. It was the same stable, Witch Creek had bought Bella Luna from. And Bella Luna's sire was actually the son of GS Royal Crown's sire. It was an omen for good things to come.
Maggie now had two yearling horses on the roster. Van Guard and GS Royal Crown. Both very promising, very exciting colts. Both would help to bolster Witch Creek's plan of takeover in the two year old divisions. Red Herring had just finished third in the Silver Stride Stakes, a loaded field. He'd been impressive for only his third start. Ripley was still at The Wire waiting to race Mastermind in the Serendpity Hills Handicap over the turf. Blue Me Away and Blazing Kiss had scratched, making it appear more likely that Mastermind had a chance at a win.Justin was helping Ripley out as groom and handler. Brooks was coming back to workout his Turf Triple Crown hopeful Frozen Motion with GS Royal Crown and Maggie. This would be Maggie's first workout with the son of Seabiscuit and Shooting Star. She couldn't wait. Maggie opened the barn door and smirked. Popcorn Blitz neighed to her and Crow, in the second stall beside the blazed faced stallion, neighed as well. The steel gray horse was a jealous thing. He flattened his ears and snaked his neck out in a show of aggression at Blitzen. Maggie stopped anyway at the chestnut's stall and ran a hand down his face. He'd run so bravely in the Boys Festival, showing up a rising star in Wannabe Hero. It had been a quality upset and his next run would come in the Star Festival against even harsher competition. Without a doubt, the female sprinters this year were ten times tougher than the males.
Maggie patted Blitzen's neck and looked at her horse. Her horse! What a phrase that was. GS Royal Crown looked at her, eyes blazing and tail switching over his beautifully colored rump. He was a built thing. Sort of like Mastermind in that he was very elegant and a showy looking horse. He looked like the type that could please a crowd and give some excitement to any race. Crow dipped his head so that Maggie could rub his white splash upon his forehead. He purposely moved his head up and down, encouraging her to itch it and rub some of the itchy facial hairs off. His dark eyes were clever and sharp. He saw everything. When Blitzen reached over to sniff her pockets for the infamous treats, Crow flattened his ears, squealed and charged the stall door. Blitzen retreated, white rings forming around his eyes. That wasn't very nice Crow! The steely colt narrowed his eyes at her criticism and immediately turned his rump to face her. That was that. Their moment of uninterrupted affection was over. Maggie snorted and patted the colt's rump over the stall door. He cocked a hoof in a momentary threat, glancing over his shoulder to look at her. But Maggie had left to go greet Brooks. Crow came to the stall door and looked at out, ears pricked in eagerness.
Brooks hugged Maggie and smiled. That was an awesome race. Red did so well! Maggie nodded. You're not even kidding. I've never been so happy about finishing third before. I can't believe how tough those two two year old races came up. Brooks hummed in agreement and looked into the barn. His gray colt, Frozen Motion, stood patiently at the stall door with an expectant gaze in his eyes. Brooks always wondered how Freeze knew when he was going to get a workout today. The gray just looked at him with those usual soft brown eyes of his, flicked his ears purposefully and then looked toward the tack room. Brooks went to the Turf Triple Crown hopeful and patted his dappled gray neck. Hey handsome man? Ready to try out the new guy? Freeze nickered more from the attention than from the actual comment. He took the offered peppermint candy and daintily chewed it up, enjoying the expected treat.
The Turf Triple Crown had come up lighter than originally expected. Freeze and Brooks still had one more week to prepare themselves for the race with gallops and workouts. This would be the first workout to prepare the big gray for the race. The second would come at Green Horse Fields three days before the card went off and they faced Infinite Warcry. Brooks pursed his lips as he went to the tack room, pondering. It would be a tough series if the only horses entered in the set of three races were Frozen Motion and Infinite Warcry. Both colts were brilliant. Freeze had been running consistently this year and proved himself as an Iron Horse. Infinite Warcry had run brilliantly. The pair had just worked out together three weeks ago, dueling it out in front of a crowd. Freeze and Infini had finished on even terms, proving that brilliance and consistency basically amounted to one and the same. Brooks was excited for the race, not worried or paranoid. Let Amber Black and Stride of Perfection Stables stress over possibly winning or losing the Turf Triple Crown. They were known for their turfers. It was expected they would have entries. What wasn't expected was that Freeze was the dark horse and that Witch Creek was also gunning for the win for the gray. They would have the jump on Infinite Warcry in the mile and a quarter race. And the black horse would not be running with them, being a stone cold closer. Freeze could get an easy lead and run away with the Kentucky Open. It looked like Amber Black would be sleeping less than Brooks would on the eve of the race. And he was glad for it. Maybe it would mess up her ride.
Maggie led Crow from his stall, eying him carefully as he stomped and snorted his way into the cross ties. The colt was a tough horse to handle. He loved things his own way and he was smart enough to avoid doing what the person wanted. The steel gray colt, however, knew what going in the cross-ties meant: a chance to run. He settled resolutely in between the cross-ties, waiting impatiently for Maggie to groom him. He knew he would get to gallop today, but not that he would also be receiving his first workout. The workout would tell where the horse stood, maybe a little unfairly. Maggie wasn't going to stick with Freeze the whole way around the track. Frozen Motion was keyed up and ready to roll. This was just GS Royal Crown's introduction to the Witch Creek style of training. The more serious workouts with the more experienced turfer would come later. This was merely a determinant in seeing how long it would be before Crow would race in Witch Creek's silks.
Maggie ran her hands down the colt's legs, checking for any bumps and bruises. She was really pleased that she found none. They'd had too many injuries and retirements in the Witch Creek ranks recently to be anything less than careful. The blonde was pleased that for all his pomp, Crow was relatively willing to please. He did what he had to do even if it violated his opinion of when it should be done. The colt stood, head high, ears pricked eying Frozen Motion as Brooks led the gray from the stall. He sensed an inner competition coming from the older horse and Maggie sensed an inner fire in her future mount as he tensed in his once over of Freeze. So GS Royal Crown had fire? Very nice. Maggie nearly purred, but chose to croon instead to the colt. He was such a good boy, such a good addition to Witch Creek. He would not let Ripley Marsh down, that much Maggie was sure about.
Frozen Motion had grown up rather nicely over the course of the last four months. He was still young, but his chest had filled out. It looked like he might grow an inch or two, but it wouldn't make much of a difference. Freeze was a very built, very agile colt. He was the most satisfying horse to work with because every time he was worked with, he brought his A game. He hadn't been a let down in one start this season. His record boasted a 100% consistency of being in the money. There was no other horse at Witch Creek with the exception of the lightly raced Cross My Heart, who could claim 100% consistency of being in the money. Brooks was proud of his race horse, proud of what they had achieved so far and what they would achieve in the future. Frozen Motion, unlike his sire, had learned to rate off the competition and that slow and steady won the race. He'd become calculating and dangerous in every start he made. He was a push-button athlete. The most dangerous kind. And lately, Brooks just had to go along for the ride.
He liked the steel gray colt, appreciated the fiery attitude that the horse brought to the string. There was no horse quite like him. They had suspicious (Cross), dominating (Mastermind), rough (Red Herring), work horse (Frozen Motion), wild (Indian Darling), dangerous (Cold Mountain), but no arrogance. The quality was something to behold. And even though Freeze was developed, GS Royal Crown was staring at him as if he were lunch. Freeze broke their unwarranted eye contact and looked with concern at Brooks. Brooks shrugged and nearly laughed at the "are you serious" look in Frozen Motion's gaze. He patted the colt and turned back to his work.
...
The pair strode confidently toward the rolling turf track, eyes lit up and excited. The grays looked like knight's chargers striding toward the kingdom. Frozen Motion pranced the entire way there, not exactly a comfortable ride for Brooks. Crow wasn't exactly a pleasure to ride at a jog either. Maggie would not sit back in the saddle if anyone paid her. The two year old gray was like riding a pogostick. He was a fun ride in that he did as necessary and was willing to do it quickly and efficiently. He moved just on hand gestures and shifting of weight from stirrup to stirrup. His ears remained pricked and forward, though sometimes flicking suspiciously in Freeze's direction. He was excited to run against the dappled turfer. Maggie could feel it. Crow hadn't run in a while, but he hadn't forgotten what it was like to race. Maggie patted his neck and he bowed it close to his chest, displaying stud behavior at the perfect time.
There was no better horse than Frozen Motion on the roster at the moment at Witch Creek. He was so content with his job and so effortless. He'd been rolling through morning gallops, training like a fiend since finishing second in the Lacis Stakes April Week Two. He never got tired, never displayed any wanting for a vacation as Sweeto Cheeto had or Mastermind when he was running too often. He was so happy to just be. It would be a hard day when Brooks had to say goodbye to his partner in crime. Sadness clouded Brooks' eyes temporarily, but he grunted and patted Freeze's neck, asking him for a quicker trot. Which he received. There were more important things at hand. Like the Turf Triple Crown.
Maggie's horse crow hopped a little, pulling at the bit, wanting to be off. He hated staying in one place for so long. He squealed and let out a little buck that caused the riders to laugh and Freeze to bow away from his new companion. Freeze wasn't exactly an idiot. If the peppy two year old was going to flip out, he wasn't going to do it anywhere near him. Crow picked up a trotting pace, casually testing Maggie's handling of him. The blonde stood in the stirrups. It was pretty good timing all in all considering that they had just reached the base of the first hill. GS Royal Crown and Frozen Motion took off together, tails flying out behind them. Maggie was surprised to feel the speed that was barreling beneath her. For some reason she had expected a horse like Frozen Motion, nice and collected. What Crow happened to be was the opposite. She really had to stand in the saddle even for his galloping stride. The Seabiscuit colt was willing to listen and very light on the bridle, but Maggie could almost taste and touch that quick turn of foot that raced beneath. He was settled, but not. A weird combination, but it was the truth. It was as if at any given moment, the two year old would leap out from under her and bury Freeze. She made sure to keep extremely still, not giving any hints as to when to pick up speed. But goodness it was so gosh darn hard.
Brooks was impressed with Freeze. He was rolling along so confidently and so smoothly. There was never a change in Freeze's style even when extra fire burned within his belly. The dappled gray felt strong and very in shape. He moved as if he was hiding his intense hatred of losing, by acting nonchalant. Brooks knew his colt wanted to run and not look back. He wanted to bury every horse that tried to run with him, even this innocent two year old that was limbered up beside them. He'd dropped three races in a row, but a two week break at the farm had basically revitalized him. He was cruising, not fighting Brooks' hand. A silver monster willing to please while barely extinguishing the fire beneath his hide. Frozen Motion kept his ears locked on GS Royal Crown as they slipped up and over the hills. Brooks couldn't blame him. The young colt was moving straight and strong as an arrow. There was something about him that promised a monstrous run. By the original glance, he looked like a gorgeous playful colt. But deeper in his eyes and in the tenseness of his body... there was just something fast, something furious. Brooks caught Maggie's eyes and called, How far?
Maggie stroked Crow's gray-black neck. Mile and a quarter gallop. We're doing three furlongs. You should do five. Brooks nodded in agreement and refocused himself. They had run a mile already. The quarter section was coming up and Freeze suddenly tensed. He was so smart it wouldn't have surprised Brooks if the three year old had comprehended the workout plan. Brooks remained quiet, not bolstering his mount's sudden high energy in any way. It would be a strong five furlongs. Nothing too fast. They had to save something when they faced Infinite Warcry, when they looked the SOPS colt in the eye. That was where they would see who was better than the other, who deserved to be crowned champion. People might believe the SOPS colt had this in the bag, but Brooks knew his colt. Freeze was going to bring 120% to the table. He was prepared and experienced. He knew how to race in specific situations.
The rest of the easy gallop passed and Maggie was practically shaking with excitement. GS Royal Crown was unbelievable beneath her. He strangely felt laden with stamina. It was insane. It was as if he could keep on going and going and never look back. The riders glanced at each other, cocking their eyebrows. Then with a simple gesture, Maggie let the reins fly between her fingers. It was as if she had released a hunting falcon. GS Royal Crown felt as though he'd gone from 0 to 60 in three seconds flat. He leaped out beneath her, legs flinging wildly in front of him to grip the turf. He gripped the bit beneath his teeth and tore up the hillside like a wild banshee. Brooks was so glad he'd let Freeze go when he had. The dappled gray let out a grunt of surprise when the youthful horse dashed by them. It was a crazy turn of foot that the former Intrepid Racing Inc. colt had. He would have buried them if it hadn't been for Frozen Motion's quick assessment of the situation.
The pair slowed to a casual cruise down the hill and into the three furlong flat part of the dirt track. They bounded alongside of each other at the moment, eyeing one another with a vicious look. Freeze tossed his head, Crow squealed and would have bucked if Maggie didn't drive him forward at the base of the hill. Together, the grays swept over the track, blistering one another in a speed gifted by Gods. Their delicate legs could do miraculous things. Neither horse let off the gas pedal, matching stride for stride, Freeze found himself tested. Brooks was satisfied. This would prepare his turf runner for that homestretch kick that Infinite Warcry was renowned for. The battle was gutsy, quick and devastating. Maggie barely had control, she was just a clothed burr in the mane of this wickedly fast colt. He'd been so patient and easy to manage in the gallop, so carefully managing to disguise his inherited turn of foot. He didn't pull now on the bridle. He matched Frozen Motion. Frozen Motion began to pull ahead as they stormed into the third furlong. Most of the reason was because the dappled gray had more conditioning. Another reason was that Maggie was shutting her horse down. And he wasn't too fond of the idea.
Brooks laughed when suddenly Crow vanished from Frozen Motion's side. He heard a squeal, glanced under his armpit and saw that Maggie had somehow managed to get the colt spun around back toward home. Freeze was delighted that he'd beaten his workmate. He gained confidence and picked up some more speed in celebration. Brooks let him run easily up the hill and down, watching the ground roll out like a green rug before his beautiful train of a horse. Freeze settled into his high cruising run and seemed to float beneath him, so collected, so within himself even after that brilliant display of energy between himself and his workmate. Racing experience and peak form were playing Freeze up. He was ready for the race of his life. At the end of the day, Brooks hoped his bold horse was in that winner's circle being crowned champion of the turf.
Maggie now had two yearling horses on the roster. Van Guard and GS Royal Crown. Both very promising, very exciting colts. Both would help to bolster Witch Creek's plan of takeover in the two year old divisions. Red Herring had just finished third in the Silver Stride Stakes, a loaded field. He'd been impressive for only his third start. Ripley was still at The Wire waiting to race Mastermind in the Serendpity Hills Handicap over the turf. Blue Me Away and Blazing Kiss had scratched, making it appear more likely that Mastermind had a chance at a win.Justin was helping Ripley out as groom and handler. Brooks was coming back to workout his Turf Triple Crown hopeful Frozen Motion with GS Royal Crown and Maggie. This would be Maggie's first workout with the son of Seabiscuit and Shooting Star. She couldn't wait. Maggie opened the barn door and smirked. Popcorn Blitz neighed to her and Crow, in the second stall beside the blazed faced stallion, neighed as well. The steel gray horse was a jealous thing. He flattened his ears and snaked his neck out in a show of aggression at Blitzen. Maggie stopped anyway at the chestnut's stall and ran a hand down his face. He'd run so bravely in the Boys Festival, showing up a rising star in Wannabe Hero. It had been a quality upset and his next run would come in the Star Festival against even harsher competition. Without a doubt, the female sprinters this year were ten times tougher than the males.
Maggie patted Blitzen's neck and looked at her horse. Her horse! What a phrase that was. GS Royal Crown looked at her, eyes blazing and tail switching over his beautifully colored rump. He was a built thing. Sort of like Mastermind in that he was very elegant and a showy looking horse. He looked like the type that could please a crowd and give some excitement to any race. Crow dipped his head so that Maggie could rub his white splash upon his forehead. He purposely moved his head up and down, encouraging her to itch it and rub some of the itchy facial hairs off. His dark eyes were clever and sharp. He saw everything. When Blitzen reached over to sniff her pockets for the infamous treats, Crow flattened his ears, squealed and charged the stall door. Blitzen retreated, white rings forming around his eyes. That wasn't very nice Crow! The steely colt narrowed his eyes at her criticism and immediately turned his rump to face her. That was that. Their moment of uninterrupted affection was over. Maggie snorted and patted the colt's rump over the stall door. He cocked a hoof in a momentary threat, glancing over his shoulder to look at her. But Maggie had left to go greet Brooks. Crow came to the stall door and looked at out, ears pricked in eagerness.
Brooks hugged Maggie and smiled. That was an awesome race. Red did so well! Maggie nodded. You're not even kidding. I've never been so happy about finishing third before. I can't believe how tough those two two year old races came up. Brooks hummed in agreement and looked into the barn. His gray colt, Frozen Motion, stood patiently at the stall door with an expectant gaze in his eyes. Brooks always wondered how Freeze knew when he was going to get a workout today. The gray just looked at him with those usual soft brown eyes of his, flicked his ears purposefully and then looked toward the tack room. Brooks went to the Turf Triple Crown hopeful and patted his dappled gray neck. Hey handsome man? Ready to try out the new guy? Freeze nickered more from the attention than from the actual comment. He took the offered peppermint candy and daintily chewed it up, enjoying the expected treat.
The Turf Triple Crown had come up lighter than originally expected. Freeze and Brooks still had one more week to prepare themselves for the race with gallops and workouts. This would be the first workout to prepare the big gray for the race. The second would come at Green Horse Fields three days before the card went off and they faced Infinite Warcry. Brooks pursed his lips as he went to the tack room, pondering. It would be a tough series if the only horses entered in the set of three races were Frozen Motion and Infinite Warcry. Both colts were brilliant. Freeze had been running consistently this year and proved himself as an Iron Horse. Infinite Warcry had run brilliantly. The pair had just worked out together three weeks ago, dueling it out in front of a crowd. Freeze and Infini had finished on even terms, proving that brilliance and consistency basically amounted to one and the same. Brooks was excited for the race, not worried or paranoid. Let Amber Black and Stride of Perfection Stables stress over possibly winning or losing the Turf Triple Crown. They were known for their turfers. It was expected they would have entries. What wasn't expected was that Freeze was the dark horse and that Witch Creek was also gunning for the win for the gray. They would have the jump on Infinite Warcry in the mile and a quarter race. And the black horse would not be running with them, being a stone cold closer. Freeze could get an easy lead and run away with the Kentucky Open. It looked like Amber Black would be sleeping less than Brooks would on the eve of the race. And he was glad for it. Maybe it would mess up her ride.
Maggie led Crow from his stall, eying him carefully as he stomped and snorted his way into the cross ties. The colt was a tough horse to handle. He loved things his own way and he was smart enough to avoid doing what the person wanted. The steel gray colt, however, knew what going in the cross-ties meant: a chance to run. He settled resolutely in between the cross-ties, waiting impatiently for Maggie to groom him. He knew he would get to gallop today, but not that he would also be receiving his first workout. The workout would tell where the horse stood, maybe a little unfairly. Maggie wasn't going to stick with Freeze the whole way around the track. Frozen Motion was keyed up and ready to roll. This was just GS Royal Crown's introduction to the Witch Creek style of training. The more serious workouts with the more experienced turfer would come later. This was merely a determinant in seeing how long it would be before Crow would race in Witch Creek's silks.
Maggie ran her hands down the colt's legs, checking for any bumps and bruises. She was really pleased that she found none. They'd had too many injuries and retirements in the Witch Creek ranks recently to be anything less than careful. The blonde was pleased that for all his pomp, Crow was relatively willing to please. He did what he had to do even if it violated his opinion of when it should be done. The colt stood, head high, ears pricked eying Frozen Motion as Brooks led the gray from the stall. He sensed an inner competition coming from the older horse and Maggie sensed an inner fire in her future mount as he tensed in his once over of Freeze. So GS Royal Crown had fire? Very nice. Maggie nearly purred, but chose to croon instead to the colt. He was such a good boy, such a good addition to Witch Creek. He would not let Ripley Marsh down, that much Maggie was sure about.
Frozen Motion had grown up rather nicely over the course of the last four months. He was still young, but his chest had filled out. It looked like he might grow an inch or two, but it wouldn't make much of a difference. Freeze was a very built, very agile colt. He was the most satisfying horse to work with because every time he was worked with, he brought his A game. He hadn't been a let down in one start this season. His record boasted a 100% consistency of being in the money. There was no other horse at Witch Creek with the exception of the lightly raced Cross My Heart, who could claim 100% consistency of being in the money. Brooks was proud of his race horse, proud of what they had achieved so far and what they would achieve in the future. Frozen Motion, unlike his sire, had learned to rate off the competition and that slow and steady won the race. He'd become calculating and dangerous in every start he made. He was a push-button athlete. The most dangerous kind. And lately, Brooks just had to go along for the ride.
He liked the steel gray colt, appreciated the fiery attitude that the horse brought to the string. There was no horse quite like him. They had suspicious (Cross), dominating (Mastermind), rough (Red Herring), work horse (Frozen Motion), wild (Indian Darling), dangerous (Cold Mountain), but no arrogance. The quality was something to behold. And even though Freeze was developed, GS Royal Crown was staring at him as if he were lunch. Freeze broke their unwarranted eye contact and looked with concern at Brooks. Brooks shrugged and nearly laughed at the "are you serious" look in Frozen Motion's gaze. He patted the colt and turned back to his work.
...
The pair strode confidently toward the rolling turf track, eyes lit up and excited. The grays looked like knight's chargers striding toward the kingdom. Frozen Motion pranced the entire way there, not exactly a comfortable ride for Brooks. Crow wasn't exactly a pleasure to ride at a jog either. Maggie would not sit back in the saddle if anyone paid her. The two year old gray was like riding a pogostick. He was a fun ride in that he did as necessary and was willing to do it quickly and efficiently. He moved just on hand gestures and shifting of weight from stirrup to stirrup. His ears remained pricked and forward, though sometimes flicking suspiciously in Freeze's direction. He was excited to run against the dappled turfer. Maggie could feel it. Crow hadn't run in a while, but he hadn't forgotten what it was like to race. Maggie patted his neck and he bowed it close to his chest, displaying stud behavior at the perfect time.
There was no better horse than Frozen Motion on the roster at the moment at Witch Creek. He was so content with his job and so effortless. He'd been rolling through morning gallops, training like a fiend since finishing second in the Lacis Stakes April Week Two. He never got tired, never displayed any wanting for a vacation as Sweeto Cheeto had or Mastermind when he was running too often. He was so happy to just be. It would be a hard day when Brooks had to say goodbye to his partner in crime. Sadness clouded Brooks' eyes temporarily, but he grunted and patted Freeze's neck, asking him for a quicker trot. Which he received. There were more important things at hand. Like the Turf Triple Crown.
Maggie's horse crow hopped a little, pulling at the bit, wanting to be off. He hated staying in one place for so long. He squealed and let out a little buck that caused the riders to laugh and Freeze to bow away from his new companion. Freeze wasn't exactly an idiot. If the peppy two year old was going to flip out, he wasn't going to do it anywhere near him. Crow picked up a trotting pace, casually testing Maggie's handling of him. The blonde stood in the stirrups. It was pretty good timing all in all considering that they had just reached the base of the first hill. GS Royal Crown and Frozen Motion took off together, tails flying out behind them. Maggie was surprised to feel the speed that was barreling beneath her. For some reason she had expected a horse like Frozen Motion, nice and collected. What Crow happened to be was the opposite. She really had to stand in the saddle even for his galloping stride. The Seabiscuit colt was willing to listen and very light on the bridle, but Maggie could almost taste and touch that quick turn of foot that raced beneath. He was settled, but not. A weird combination, but it was the truth. It was as if at any given moment, the two year old would leap out from under her and bury Freeze. She made sure to keep extremely still, not giving any hints as to when to pick up speed. But goodness it was so gosh darn hard.
Brooks was impressed with Freeze. He was rolling along so confidently and so smoothly. There was never a change in Freeze's style even when extra fire burned within his belly. The dappled gray felt strong and very in shape. He moved as if he was hiding his intense hatred of losing, by acting nonchalant. Brooks knew his colt wanted to run and not look back. He wanted to bury every horse that tried to run with him, even this innocent two year old that was limbered up beside them. He'd dropped three races in a row, but a two week break at the farm had basically revitalized him. He was cruising, not fighting Brooks' hand. A silver monster willing to please while barely extinguishing the fire beneath his hide. Frozen Motion kept his ears locked on GS Royal Crown as they slipped up and over the hills. Brooks couldn't blame him. The young colt was moving straight and strong as an arrow. There was something about him that promised a monstrous run. By the original glance, he looked like a gorgeous playful colt. But deeper in his eyes and in the tenseness of his body... there was just something fast, something furious. Brooks caught Maggie's eyes and called, How far?
Maggie stroked Crow's gray-black neck. Mile and a quarter gallop. We're doing three furlongs. You should do five. Brooks nodded in agreement and refocused himself. They had run a mile already. The quarter section was coming up and Freeze suddenly tensed. He was so smart it wouldn't have surprised Brooks if the three year old had comprehended the workout plan. Brooks remained quiet, not bolstering his mount's sudden high energy in any way. It would be a strong five furlongs. Nothing too fast. They had to save something when they faced Infinite Warcry, when they looked the SOPS colt in the eye. That was where they would see who was better than the other, who deserved to be crowned champion. People might believe the SOPS colt had this in the bag, but Brooks knew his colt. Freeze was going to bring 120% to the table. He was prepared and experienced. He knew how to race in specific situations.
The rest of the easy gallop passed and Maggie was practically shaking with excitement. GS Royal Crown was unbelievable beneath her. He strangely felt laden with stamina. It was insane. It was as if he could keep on going and going and never look back. The riders glanced at each other, cocking their eyebrows. Then with a simple gesture, Maggie let the reins fly between her fingers. It was as if she had released a hunting falcon. GS Royal Crown felt as though he'd gone from 0 to 60 in three seconds flat. He leaped out beneath her, legs flinging wildly in front of him to grip the turf. He gripped the bit beneath his teeth and tore up the hillside like a wild banshee. Brooks was so glad he'd let Freeze go when he had. The dappled gray let out a grunt of surprise when the youthful horse dashed by them. It was a crazy turn of foot that the former Intrepid Racing Inc. colt had. He would have buried them if it hadn't been for Frozen Motion's quick assessment of the situation.
The pair slowed to a casual cruise down the hill and into the three furlong flat part of the dirt track. They bounded alongside of each other at the moment, eyeing one another with a vicious look. Freeze tossed his head, Crow squealed and would have bucked if Maggie didn't drive him forward at the base of the hill. Together, the grays swept over the track, blistering one another in a speed gifted by Gods. Their delicate legs could do miraculous things. Neither horse let off the gas pedal, matching stride for stride, Freeze found himself tested. Brooks was satisfied. This would prepare his turf runner for that homestretch kick that Infinite Warcry was renowned for. The battle was gutsy, quick and devastating. Maggie barely had control, she was just a clothed burr in the mane of this wickedly fast colt. He'd been so patient and easy to manage in the gallop, so carefully managing to disguise his inherited turn of foot. He didn't pull now on the bridle. He matched Frozen Motion. Frozen Motion began to pull ahead as they stormed into the third furlong. Most of the reason was because the dappled gray had more conditioning. Another reason was that Maggie was shutting her horse down. And he wasn't too fond of the idea.
Brooks laughed when suddenly Crow vanished from Frozen Motion's side. He heard a squeal, glanced under his armpit and saw that Maggie had somehow managed to get the colt spun around back toward home. Freeze was delighted that he'd beaten his workmate. He gained confidence and picked up some more speed in celebration. Brooks let him run easily up the hill and down, watching the ground roll out like a green rug before his beautiful train of a horse. Freeze settled into his high cruising run and seemed to float beneath him, so collected, so within himself even after that brilliant display of energy between himself and his workmate. Racing experience and peak form were playing Freeze up. He was ready for the race of his life. At the end of the day, Brooks hoped his bold horse was in that winner's circle being crowned champion of the turf.