"This is going to be an all hands on deck kind of workout," Brooks grunted as he tightened the girth. The plain bay stallion shivered beneath his palms, out of irritation. His mass was incredible in size and the power was so obvious. Amarillo Sky was a magnificent creature and one win off from grade one status. He was ranking up quietly while the current titans of the track battled head to head. He had yet to step foot in the Horse Of The Year ring, but next year he would do so. The unmarked son of Augusto was coming into his own with every passing day. Justin was thinking similar thoughts as he adjusted the head stall on his newest mount. He'd watched In Front from afar as he fought the likes of Limited Edition and Anodyne, but had never beaten them. Other obligations had allowed him to finally take the ride on the stunning blaze-marked bay. In a monthly dirt race against older grade two horses, In Front rocketed to victory and taken his seventh career win. The win had allowed Justin to keep the mount and he was not going to fail the big horse in their next start. The Red Legend Derby was coming up tough with the likes of Limited Edition and Reflected In Water entered, but Justin had faith. Those two horses were strong, but Limited Edition had faced a less mature In Front in the Derby and Belmont. This time In Front was a different kind of animal. The kind of animal that took down Horse Of The Year victories without turning a hair. His gallops had been sensational of late. He went in strong, came out strong and didn't seem as though he could blow out a match. The son of Touch Up looked every bit the powerhouse creature he was meant to be. Today would be a true test of will and Justin was anticipating a great match race. Ripley watched the two horses as they strode through the barn doors. In Front towered over Amarillo Sky, but Amarillo carried himself like a brawler. In Front strutted while Amarillo Sky stalked. In Front snorted through his nostrils, blowing steam into the cool morning air as Justin settled himself into the saddle. The horse felt fresher than usual. The drop in temperature could do wonders for a beefier horse like this one. Sleek as a fish, Amarillo Sky darted past In Front to get to the dirt track first. He pranced with his neck bowed and his eyes gleaming with excitement. He was a furious kind of horse. Every step was precise and intended. He never put a foot out of line unless challenged by another. In Front let out a whistle in fury as Rillo bolted into a head strong gallop. Brooks glanced under his arm upon hearing thunderous hoofbeats. Make no mistake, In Front was the hulk in this matchup. His shoulders moved powerfully beneath his gleaming, dappled hide as he roared up to Rillo's side. Justin kept himself upright in the saddle. Barely, but he was managing. In Front ran with his head low, while Rillo ran with arrogance and kept his head high. The older horse galloped lightly on his toes while his partner thundered away. Brooks kept his hands light as the pair cruised into the backstretch, Rillo a half-length in front. He wasn't wild like usual. Perhaps he sensed a dangerous energy within the blaze-marked colt. Usually, Rillo was running his partners out of their shoes, but not today. He lingered like a predator, waiting to strike when his companion grew tired and he could stab him in the back. Brooks patted the horse's neck, impressed by the horse's rating. If only they could duplicate such effort on the track, they would have a dangerous horse. Justin was impressed by the toughness of his mount. In Front kept up gamely with Amarillo Sky, despite the other horse's higher cruising speed. In Front was on the bit and pressing the older horse down the stretch. His hoofbeats were loud, but he was moving quite effortlessly. Justin leaned closer to the big colt's neck, satisfied when he switch leads and actually commanded Amarillo Sky's full attention into the backstretch. Ripley was mighty impressed with In Front's turn of foot to assault Rillo. She'd watched the stallion throw his head in surprise, but it didn't last for long. She snapped her watch at the start of the four furlong workout, though she didn't have to look to know it would be fast. Brooks let the reins soar between his finger tips, knew Rillo needed every bit of freedom he could get to beat In Front. In Front was not the type to blaze you into the ground. Rather, he was the type to keep coming at you until all of your resources were gone and his were just being tapped. Rillo was stamina laden and Brooks thanked the Lord for that. The way In Front was running suggested he had plenty of gas in the tank. Rillo pulled to a length lead on the turn, his more agile frame cutting the corner pointedly. Justin took full advantage of Rillo's move by cutting the corner as well with In Front. The brawny colt straightened up, immediately was assailed by one smack of the whip to his haunches. Justin was nearly stunned when the colt rocketed by Amarillo Sky just seconds later. "Holy shit!!" he shouted as the horse barreled down the stretch with his ears pinned. Brooks niggled Rillo for more, but felt a sense of doom as In Front continued down the stretch all alone, pouring on the speed. Rillo's eyes were filled with fire and fury as he crossed the wire three lengths behind his workmate. His muscles were taut with every ounce of hatred he could muster. This time it was Rillo who screamed for In Front as the muscled colt headed off of the track first. Friendly fire had turned into all out revenge for Amarillo Sky.
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