June Week One Workouts: Scroll for Individuals
Frozen Motion& GS Royal Crown.
frozen in time
Courtesy of Event of The Year Photos
Maggiletti and Brookson rode out on GS Royal Crown and Frozen Motion. Their blue eyes swept over the terrain, over their mounts. They grinned at one another at the relative friskiness of the colts. Freeze and Crow hopped about like yearlings under saddle, dapple and steel colored bodies dancing around like puppets. Freeze threw his head in the air, pawed at the ground and let out a playful buck. The dappled gray was just at the edge of grade three and his next start would come in the Belmont Turf Classic. Frozen Motion had not taken the loss in the Preakness Champion Stakes too hard. He'd been a little leg weary after the race, but two days of turnout and two weeks galloping had brought him back to snuff. He was ready to rock and roll against Infinite Warcry and he was really wanting to win. Frozen Motion had been quite a handful, not as bloodthirsty as Fie was behaving off her losses, but still a menace to handle. He pranced sideways over the grass, dark eyes glittering in that shapely head.
Crow was quite similar in attitude, but he was full of himself, quite studdish and excitable. He'd notched the second win of his career brilliantly in the Follow the Hoofprints Turf. The steel gray colt had been quite impressive and quite powerful in the victory. He was Witch Creek's hope for the turf races next year. They had to discover how far to send him and how far he wanted to go. They knew he could get ten furlongs and his next start would come in the Inhand Style Stakes at The Wire over the ten furlongs. He was moving up in form and Maggie was looking for another top notch effort from her prized colt. Maggie and Brooks were both expecting top notch efforts. Both colts, Frozen Motion especially, were in their best career form to date. Frozen Motion was going to show the racing world exactly what he was capable of. Frozen Motion was the only horse to beat Infinite Warcry in Year Twelve and he'd just missed to Infinite Warcry in the Preakness Champion Stakes. The dappled gray colt was looking for another win. He did not want to be walking back to the stables without that blanket of flowers. He understood the nature of the game better than any horse except El Sol del Mar had. He just knew what was expected of him, knew when to move and when not to move.
Freeze was Witch Creek Stable's most reliable horse. It was scary considering how powerful the stable's arsenal had been so far. Every horse Witch Creek had sold had won a race while under Ripley's training and all of them had gained a reputation for a being a top notch contestant. The best horses and most loved stayed with Witch Creek. Frozen Motion was at Witch Creek for life. He'd accomplished so much for Witch Creek so far, venturing into territory that no horse, even Little Love Bug and Royal Assault had never crossed. He was verging on grade three and would be the first ever top notch turf horse that Witch Creek and Battle Brook Stables combined would have. The possibilities were endless. Frozen Motion was the king of possibilities. Brookson patted the colt's tense neck as they jogged toward the turf track, rolling green hills spreading as far as the eye could see. Indeed everything was endless.
Maggie was just as sure that the possibilities were endless for GS Royal Crown as well. The colt ran the same distance Frozen Motion had as a two year old. He was an echo of his older stable mate as he pranced alongside the Kentucky Open winner. He would go long possibly, but he would show it next year. This year he would focus on the miler races. His start in the Inhand Style Stakes would be against older competition most likely. The race card had just been posted and only Crow was signed up for the moment. Maggie bounced contentedly in the saddle. Her perfect horse was ready for the biggest challenge of his career to date. He'd rolled in the biggest two year old stakes to date in a massive field at The Wire. He loved that turf and was willing to flash his love of it once again. He would have this workout with Frozen Motion and he would be ready. There was no doubt about it.
Brooks could feel the will to run exploding away from his mount's hide. Freeze wanted to run for fun and for the win. He was a talented horse and he wanted to be in that winner's circle. His photos in the winner's circle were his his goal. He loved the attention and especially after the Kentucky Open, Freeze was quickly becoming addicted to the powerful event. He pricked his ears, bowed his neck and strained against the bit. As in all of the Turf Triple Crown races, Infinite Warcry was still the main contender. He would be Freeze's arch rival, probably for the next two years. However, as in all of the races, there was a third horse to contend with. This time Apollo Bear from the returning Akita Rose Stables barn would be running with them as well. Frozen Motion would have to stalk once again, not that he minded. Apollo Bear was a front runner and he would be going out there and trying to steal the win from the top turf three year olds. Frozen Motion wanted to dog fight with Infinite Warcry so he could care less what Apollo Bear was going to be doing. Freeze wanted to put on a show. He wanted to win, wanted the adrenaline and rush burning in his beautifully shaped belly.
Brooks let out a rushing breath. He could hardly wait for the Belmont Turf Classic. Frozen Motion had not given his best effort yet. He was sitting on a time bomb. Brooks let the reins flick through his fingers letting the horse out into the canter. Twelve furlongs and two horses stood between Frozen Motion and the winner's circle. Freeze wanted to get there as badly as he wanted his grain. Brooks could feel it. He glanced at Maggie who was pursing her lips at her frisky steel gray colt. Two miles and a two furlong workout should prepare them. Maggie nodded, watching Crow's ears flick backward. She prayed to God that Crow wouldn't be exactly like Freeze. It was scary enough having one horse who understood human language. She leaned forward and let GS Royal Crown move out into his speedy yet slow gallop. He was such an edgy animal, so brilliantly fast, but yet so controllable. She could tap on the gas he would sprint forward and a tap on the break would make him slow down just as much, just as quickly.
Frozen Motion and GS Royal Crown bounded over the ground, reaching for yardage, kicking up clumps of grass. They were lost in their own little worlds. So content to just do what came naturally to them. Both horses flopped their ears backward and forward, tongues lolling out of their mouths. They weren't uncontrollable just yet. They needed a good distance run into them. Both of them would be running longer than they had ever gone before. Both of them were showing signs of wanting farther, especially because Witch Creek usually trained to run far beyond their distance limitations. Brooks and Maggie were still as statues atop their stone colored mount. The wind whistled through their ears as they galloped up the hillside.
Freeze was so confident in his running motion, so relaxed. He was keeping an eye on Crow all right, but he knew his running would come at the end of this long distance. He wanted it to be Infinite Warcry running alongside him so that he could bury him. So that he could be in that winner's circle and crowned champion again. Brooks could feel the iron will melting in his mount. God, Frozen Motion had never felt so incredible. Brooks didn't move his fingers for fear that Freeze would take the wrong direction and run away. He needed to stay with his workmate and needed to prepare for those twelve furlongs in the Belmont Turf Classic. Maggie ran her hands, however, up and down Crow's elegant neck. He was push button and not so fleet at the moment. He usually was, but he was growing more focused and more content to settle and to wait.
The pair rolled effortlessly through the mile and a half, not quite testing one another. Both of them were enjoying the relaxing run, but there was definitely a question in their tenseness. They wanted to know when they would be released and for how long. They wanted to know when they would be running again. Brooks closed his eyes, counting the beats of Freeze's fantastic running stride. He was a solid, dependable horse. Brooks had a better bond with him than most riders even dreamed of. Their bond would be showcased and tested in the grueling marathon. Freeze would show the world that he was more than a second rate runner who'd just won the Kentucky Open by a fluke. He'd challenged Infinite Warcry to that horse's limits. He would do so again.
The two furlongs came closer as the horses sensed the growing tension in the riders. They began to pick up the pace, knowing that this was it. Both riders' blue eyes blazed. Their colts were tough and they were both not quite at the level as Infinite Warcry and Blue Me Away. GS Royal Crown had yet to even meet Blue Me Away yet in a race, but it looked as though he would be on a crash course that foe in the near future. Frozen Motion was destined to run against Infinite Warcry in the Belmont Turf Classic, destined to dog fight him. Year Twelve was the year of Infinite Warcry versus Frozen Motion. In the turf world there was nothing better than a solid rivalry. And this was beyond solid.
Brooks let his horse go at the two furlong start and if he could have he would frozen his big gray in this moment, in this second. Freeze was no more impressive at any time before his big take off. He collected himself, took a deep breath in the dependable way that he was and prepared. GS Royal Crown was not as patient and not as collected. He stormed away with rocket precision, screaming forward over the straightaway. Maggie doing nothing, but twitching her fingers. Brooks' felt his eyes blaze and Freeze's as well. The dappled gray was suddenly running as if his tail was on fire.
He was in second gear and then third, then fourth. Within three seconds he was charging just as hard alongside Crow. His stride ate up the ground and he was running faster than he ever had before in a workout. He was the king of Witch Creek's turf track. He didn't even bother letting Crow play along. He would save his dog fight for his special rival. He knew who that was, knew the look of challenge from his rival alone. Frozen Motion easily spurted away from GS Royal Crown, stride lengthening and very overwhelming to both riders and his workmate. Frozen Motion was in a class of his own. GS Royal Crown was not going to let him fly away without making up some ground. Maggie's wonderful, speedy colt bolted again, tapping into gears not quite as developed as his older counterpart. He would have them and as he sped over the turf course in those turf furlongs, Crow was the mirror of Freeze as a two year old. He was more than ready for the Inhand Style Stakes. He would make his workmate proud.
A half mile away, Ripley was crouched, capturing the image of Frozen Motion's stunning run. He was frozen in time as the greatest turf star Witch Creek had ever had. His next start in the Belmont Turf Classic and all of the rest would help to define his level of greatness. A second snap of the camera caught GS Royal Crown with his ears pinned and determination shining in his eyes. He was captured before possible greatness. His development was still going on, but he would be more than ready to challenge Freeze next year in the turf races. Workouts wouldn't be the only place these two gray phantoms met in the future. Ripley let out a sigh of awe as they crossed the invisible finish line, snapping a last photo. Crow was at Freeze's hip, eyes wild and blazing. Freeze's strong and with the look of eagles.
And when Ripley pulled away to look at the taken images, she gasped. A silver dappled filly raced just ahead of Frozen Motion in that frozen frame. Witch Creek's first gray angel was still watching over them. Tears pricked Ripley's cat green eyes. Little Love Bug would be running with Frozen Motion and GS Royal Crown in their respective races. She stared at the photo, at the look of eagles, the ghost filly and the promise of the future. She prayed for that win in the Belmont Turf Classic for her boyfriend, his powerful steed and for the future prestige that together they would bring Witch Creek Stables.
Crow was quite similar in attitude, but he was full of himself, quite studdish and excitable. He'd notched the second win of his career brilliantly in the Follow the Hoofprints Turf. The steel gray colt had been quite impressive and quite powerful in the victory. He was Witch Creek's hope for the turf races next year. They had to discover how far to send him and how far he wanted to go. They knew he could get ten furlongs and his next start would come in the Inhand Style Stakes at The Wire over the ten furlongs. He was moving up in form and Maggie was looking for another top notch effort from her prized colt. Maggie and Brooks were both expecting top notch efforts. Both colts, Frozen Motion especially, were in their best career form to date. Frozen Motion was going to show the racing world exactly what he was capable of. Frozen Motion was the only horse to beat Infinite Warcry in Year Twelve and he'd just missed to Infinite Warcry in the Preakness Champion Stakes. The dappled gray colt was looking for another win. He did not want to be walking back to the stables without that blanket of flowers. He understood the nature of the game better than any horse except El Sol del Mar had. He just knew what was expected of him, knew when to move and when not to move.
Freeze was Witch Creek Stable's most reliable horse. It was scary considering how powerful the stable's arsenal had been so far. Every horse Witch Creek had sold had won a race while under Ripley's training and all of them had gained a reputation for a being a top notch contestant. The best horses and most loved stayed with Witch Creek. Frozen Motion was at Witch Creek for life. He'd accomplished so much for Witch Creek so far, venturing into territory that no horse, even Little Love Bug and Royal Assault had never crossed. He was verging on grade three and would be the first ever top notch turf horse that Witch Creek and Battle Brook Stables combined would have. The possibilities were endless. Frozen Motion was the king of possibilities. Brookson patted the colt's tense neck as they jogged toward the turf track, rolling green hills spreading as far as the eye could see. Indeed everything was endless.
Maggie was just as sure that the possibilities were endless for GS Royal Crown as well. The colt ran the same distance Frozen Motion had as a two year old. He was an echo of his older stable mate as he pranced alongside the Kentucky Open winner. He would go long possibly, but he would show it next year. This year he would focus on the miler races. His start in the Inhand Style Stakes would be against older competition most likely. The race card had just been posted and only Crow was signed up for the moment. Maggie bounced contentedly in the saddle. Her perfect horse was ready for the biggest challenge of his career to date. He'd rolled in the biggest two year old stakes to date in a massive field at The Wire. He loved that turf and was willing to flash his love of it once again. He would have this workout with Frozen Motion and he would be ready. There was no doubt about it.
Brooks could feel the will to run exploding away from his mount's hide. Freeze wanted to run for fun and for the win. He was a talented horse and he wanted to be in that winner's circle. His photos in the winner's circle were his his goal. He loved the attention and especially after the Kentucky Open, Freeze was quickly becoming addicted to the powerful event. He pricked his ears, bowed his neck and strained against the bit. As in all of the Turf Triple Crown races, Infinite Warcry was still the main contender. He would be Freeze's arch rival, probably for the next two years. However, as in all of the races, there was a third horse to contend with. This time Apollo Bear from the returning Akita Rose Stables barn would be running with them as well. Frozen Motion would have to stalk once again, not that he minded. Apollo Bear was a front runner and he would be going out there and trying to steal the win from the top turf three year olds. Frozen Motion wanted to dog fight with Infinite Warcry so he could care less what Apollo Bear was going to be doing. Freeze wanted to put on a show. He wanted to win, wanted the adrenaline and rush burning in his beautifully shaped belly.
Brooks let out a rushing breath. He could hardly wait for the Belmont Turf Classic. Frozen Motion had not given his best effort yet. He was sitting on a time bomb. Brooks let the reins flick through his fingers letting the horse out into the canter. Twelve furlongs and two horses stood between Frozen Motion and the winner's circle. Freeze wanted to get there as badly as he wanted his grain. Brooks could feel it. He glanced at Maggie who was pursing her lips at her frisky steel gray colt. Two miles and a two furlong workout should prepare them. Maggie nodded, watching Crow's ears flick backward. She prayed to God that Crow wouldn't be exactly like Freeze. It was scary enough having one horse who understood human language. She leaned forward and let GS Royal Crown move out into his speedy yet slow gallop. He was such an edgy animal, so brilliantly fast, but yet so controllable. She could tap on the gas he would sprint forward and a tap on the break would make him slow down just as much, just as quickly.
Frozen Motion and GS Royal Crown bounded over the ground, reaching for yardage, kicking up clumps of grass. They were lost in their own little worlds. So content to just do what came naturally to them. Both horses flopped their ears backward and forward, tongues lolling out of their mouths. They weren't uncontrollable just yet. They needed a good distance run into them. Both of them would be running longer than they had ever gone before. Both of them were showing signs of wanting farther, especially because Witch Creek usually trained to run far beyond their distance limitations. Brooks and Maggie were still as statues atop their stone colored mount. The wind whistled through their ears as they galloped up the hillside.
Freeze was so confident in his running motion, so relaxed. He was keeping an eye on Crow all right, but he knew his running would come at the end of this long distance. He wanted it to be Infinite Warcry running alongside him so that he could bury him. So that he could be in that winner's circle and crowned champion again. Brooks could feel the iron will melting in his mount. God, Frozen Motion had never felt so incredible. Brooks didn't move his fingers for fear that Freeze would take the wrong direction and run away. He needed to stay with his workmate and needed to prepare for those twelve furlongs in the Belmont Turf Classic. Maggie ran her hands, however, up and down Crow's elegant neck. He was push button and not so fleet at the moment. He usually was, but he was growing more focused and more content to settle and to wait.
The pair rolled effortlessly through the mile and a half, not quite testing one another. Both of them were enjoying the relaxing run, but there was definitely a question in their tenseness. They wanted to know when they would be released and for how long. They wanted to know when they would be running again. Brooks closed his eyes, counting the beats of Freeze's fantastic running stride. He was a solid, dependable horse. Brooks had a better bond with him than most riders even dreamed of. Their bond would be showcased and tested in the grueling marathon. Freeze would show the world that he was more than a second rate runner who'd just won the Kentucky Open by a fluke. He'd challenged Infinite Warcry to that horse's limits. He would do so again.
The two furlongs came closer as the horses sensed the growing tension in the riders. They began to pick up the pace, knowing that this was it. Both riders' blue eyes blazed. Their colts were tough and they were both not quite at the level as Infinite Warcry and Blue Me Away. GS Royal Crown had yet to even meet Blue Me Away yet in a race, but it looked as though he would be on a crash course that foe in the near future. Frozen Motion was destined to run against Infinite Warcry in the Belmont Turf Classic, destined to dog fight him. Year Twelve was the year of Infinite Warcry versus Frozen Motion. In the turf world there was nothing better than a solid rivalry. And this was beyond solid.
Brooks let his horse go at the two furlong start and if he could have he would frozen his big gray in this moment, in this second. Freeze was no more impressive at any time before his big take off. He collected himself, took a deep breath in the dependable way that he was and prepared. GS Royal Crown was not as patient and not as collected. He stormed away with rocket precision, screaming forward over the straightaway. Maggie doing nothing, but twitching her fingers. Brooks' felt his eyes blaze and Freeze's as well. The dappled gray was suddenly running as if his tail was on fire.
He was in second gear and then third, then fourth. Within three seconds he was charging just as hard alongside Crow. His stride ate up the ground and he was running faster than he ever had before in a workout. He was the king of Witch Creek's turf track. He didn't even bother letting Crow play along. He would save his dog fight for his special rival. He knew who that was, knew the look of challenge from his rival alone. Frozen Motion easily spurted away from GS Royal Crown, stride lengthening and very overwhelming to both riders and his workmate. Frozen Motion was in a class of his own. GS Royal Crown was not going to let him fly away without making up some ground. Maggie's wonderful, speedy colt bolted again, tapping into gears not quite as developed as his older counterpart. He would have them and as he sped over the turf course in those turf furlongs, Crow was the mirror of Freeze as a two year old. He was more than ready for the Inhand Style Stakes. He would make his workmate proud.
A half mile away, Ripley was crouched, capturing the image of Frozen Motion's stunning run. He was frozen in time as the greatest turf star Witch Creek had ever had. His next start in the Belmont Turf Classic and all of the rest would help to define his level of greatness. A second snap of the camera caught GS Royal Crown with his ears pinned and determination shining in his eyes. He was captured before possible greatness. His development was still going on, but he would be more than ready to challenge Freeze next year in the turf races. Workouts wouldn't be the only place these two gray phantoms met in the future. Ripley let out a sigh of awe as they crossed the invisible finish line, snapping a last photo. Crow was at Freeze's hip, eyes wild and blazing. Freeze's strong and with the look of eagles.
And when Ripley pulled away to look at the taken images, she gasped. A silver dappled filly raced just ahead of Frozen Motion in that frozen frame. Witch Creek's first gray angel was still watching over them. Tears pricked Ripley's cat green eyes. Little Love Bug would be running with Frozen Motion and GS Royal Crown in their respective races. She stared at the photo, at the look of eagles, the ghost filly and the promise of the future. She prayed for that win in the Belmont Turf Classic for her boyfriend, his powerful steed and for the future prestige that together they would bring Witch Creek Stables.