Reese eyed the big shining white thing in the sky with trepidation. It wasn't often that workouts were passed over from morning into the chilly night, but earlier had been semi-crazy. Bella Luna and Cross My Heart had been the final workout set, but a shout from the grooms had alerted the riders to a massive break in the fence. It had taken three hours to locate all of the weanlings and their dams. Luckily, none had been hurt tramping through the deep snow and they had eventually been found on the snow-covered hills of the turf track. That had been a day of frustration and irritation. Things that should have been completed had been pushed into the late afternoon and now, at seven o'clock at night, the last thing would be completed. Reese patted the ghostly mare beside her, enjoying the warmth that the thoroughbred provided. Bella Luna looked every inch a night time dream. Her coat had gone pure white as she she aged, silver dapples covering her entire frame. Her black mane had yet to lose its color and lay long and beautiful down her neck. Her soft brown eyes were covered by her fore-lock, giving her a distant, knowing look. Bella Luna was as beautiful a mare at a stand-still as she was when she was running. Her light colored colt would be useful in the dark. Reese looked forward to this ride, though she wished she were in bed instead. The wind hollowed as Ripley open Cross My Heart's stall door and pulled the midnight black mare from her haven. Cross' white star gleamed in the dim lighting and her eyes flashed nearly as brightly. The willow slim mare pranced alongside Ripley, nickering at Bella Luna. Both mares knew something was up as both of them had a routine set in stone. Cross was really the agitated one though. She needed routine while Bella Luna tended to flow with the change. Ripley tightened the mare's girth, shaking her head when the horse clacked her teeth irritably. Some things hadn't changed this one had been a yearling. Reese climbed aboard, buckling her helmet as she waited. Bella Luna dipped her head, chomping at the bit with a controlled eagerness. The champion mare was a bevy of excitement and calm. She had this odd combination of traits that seemed to blend like a melody. On the track, she was one of the most sensational turf mares in the country. Her wins were incredible and the ease at which she achieved them, history making. She would face her final starts in the next two months. The Tropical Rainforest Invitational and the Breeders' Cup Turf beckoned Bella Luna with every turn on the clock. Reese was both saddened by the way time flew and eager. Eager to prove that her filly had held her awesome form for the span of two years and had put the turf nation in a chokehold. But she wasn't the only mistress of the turf to call Witch Creek home. Cross flirted with dangerous speed and had become one of the iconic representations of courage and toughness of a thoroughbred. Headed only when nipped at the wire, Cross was a well-loved figure for her ferocious speed and daring temper. She never lost without a fight and was known for quick recovery while her foes toiled in tiredness. Ripley had grown to love the mare because never once had she been a let down. There was never a time when her "A" game was not brought to the starting gate. Cross was the quintessential warrior. Ripley patted the mare and pulled herself aboard. The lean filly quivered with power and excitement, her ears pricked at the moonlit track. Two shadowy humans rested on the rail, lit by a lantern at their feet. The mare snorted as they passed by them, suspicious of their intent. Ripley patted the mare and acknowledged Malcolm and Brooks with a tip of her head. The men nodded back, Brooks adding a wave. "Not too crazy Ripley." "Oh stop." Ripley rolled her shoulders, turning the mare in a circle in an effort to get her to pay attention. The mare blended in with the winter night, a shadow beside the light of Bella Luna. Cross let out a whinny and was surprisingly, mirrored by Bella. The gray's barrel shook with her call of longing, giving Reese a brief massage. She laid a hand on the gray mare's neck, and said, "What will it be?" "A five furlong breeze should do it." Reese was surprised by the shortness of Ripley's tone, but didn't bother to ponder on it. Bella Luna swiftly moved into a jog and from there into a long-legged lope. The atmosphere was powerful tonight. The night seemed to affect the horses differently. Cross was quiet in her flight over the dirt track, her ears pricked and her nostrils flared. Usually she snorted and made a fuss, catcalling to her opponent and egging herself on. Not tonight. The fiery mare was quiet as a mouse and seemed to dance over the track. The pair of thoroughbreds cruised through swift fractions, staying abreast of one another. The riders were lost upon their backs, their eyes focused on only the silver rail that dashed by to the inside. Bella floated Cross to the middle of the track down the backstretch, shying away from something in the infield. Cross pinned her ears then, bared her teeth and would have connected if not for Ripley's rebuke. The black mare straightened with a wild light coming into her eyes and lost it. Suddenly, the black flipped into a wild run, legs blurring beneath her hidden body. Bella Luna was lost behind the black as she soared down the track. Ripley could only grind her hands against the mare's neck helplessly. There were only two furlongs left to go and Cross was hurtling through relentless fractions around the turn. Reese was stunned by Cross' blistering pace, knew that Ripley could not truly pull the black up unless she wanted to botch the workout. She nudged Bella along, relieved when the gray mare picked it up on cue. Most horses would have surged off, but not Bella. She was the Mastermind of the turf and she rolled, as he did, on his rider's command. It was ironic that both of them were two of the greats to hit the track. Yet, Cross was equally as great. And she was alone down the lane. A shadow in the moonlight that the men could only see when she passed the railing. Her dark form was incredibly parallel to the ground, her long stride extended as she blitzed through the line three lengths ahead of Bella Luna. The gray mare looked just as full of herself, but even she hadn't been able to keep up with an unfair play on Cross' part. She would be ready for her race though after this refreshing run that, Reese thought, there was no doubt.
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Laura saw her life flash before her eyes when Dirty Diana rose on her hind legs, pawing the air. The pink roan mare looked powerful and domineering at the end of the line. Her eyes rolled when Laura backed up, dragging the mare with her. The All For Glory daughter danced ungainly on her hind legs to the unhappiness of Ripley and Reese who watched the spectacle. When the mare finally came to earth, the two others in the group relaxed visibly. Cross snorted, eyes flashing at the foolishness of the other four year old. It was perfectly clear that Dirty Diana had come out of her last race foolishly frustrated. Enough seconds, she wanted a win. Ripley rode up to Dirty Diana, grasped the reins and shook her head. "Quit it, Di." Laura clambered aboard with the swift help of Justin. "I don't know, Ripley. She might be ready for a whole other season." The crew had been hemming and hawing for a long time on the destiny of Dirty Diana. They'd hoped she'd notch her grade one win long before now, hoped she'd take to the turf and discovered she preferred it like her half-sibling Ode To Glory. Now that her niche had been discovered, she was looking for that win. Laura took the reins up, shaking her head. "Sorry, Ripley. Sometimes I just forget how to handle that." Ripley tapped the girl's hand, smirked. "Sometimes I forget too and then you remember." Ripley nudged Cross along to a jog down the path. The black mare was really alert, ears pricked and muscles bunched. She was watching the pasture with an intent gaze. Ripley followed the look, spotted Sweeto Cheeto and Positively Precious playing along the fence line. With a flick of the reins, Cross' attention was returned to the track and suddenly she was a hell of a lot more focused. Her biological clock could be ticking, but her heart would forever be with the track. Bella Luna pranced onto the dirt, eyes darkening with dislike. She loathed the dirt. She was forced to work harder on the dirt in order to get that win. Reese was finding that the dirt was only furthering her form. She'd been virtually unbeatable since the turf track had closed for the winter. The near white mare tossed her black mane in defiance, but obliged Reese by moving into a strong hand-gallop. Dirty Diana rollicked along the inner rail, bucking and squealing like a little foal. Reese had a private laugh, enjoying the fact that Laura was getting all she could handle today. Cross lined out like a greyhound down the backstretch, ears pinned back into her mane. She had bloody fast speed, scary speed when she was feeling her oats. Today, she was cruising like the professional race mare she'd become. Ripley appreciated the transformation from frightened young two year old to ballsy older mare. She'd made a gamble taking this one in and now it was paying off. Now Cross was a champion for the ages and Ripley had experienced the success of a lifetime. Cross' savage head cocked outward when Bella Luna galloped up to her outside. Her eyes flashed, threatened physical action, but a soft nudge from Ripley kept the black in line. "Boy, you're full of yourself today, Diana," Laura muttered as the mare skipped around the first turn two lengths behind Cross and Bella. She was a heavy mare when she was on the bridle and today, she was pulling Laura out of the saddle. She rumbled over the course, stride lengthening in the backstretch. Her ears pricked and Laura sighed in relief. Suddenly, Diana picked up and relaxed. Laura flexed her fingers in thanks. It was to be a five furlong workout ending at the wire. Cross was going to light them up with Bella Luna not quite liking the surface change. The light gray mare would definitely be relieved to set foot on GHF's turf course. Dirty Diana would basically have to reel the black one in and Laura was more than ready to do so. Ripley released Cross and ducked, hair blowing back when the mare moved into a sprint. She had a quick turn of foot and would blaze race or workout start to finish. Her legs flew over the dirt, kicking up clumps in her wake. She was known for her turf racing, but her speed was just as lethal on the dirt. If she'd been able to have one more year, Ripley probably would have stuck her on the dirt to silence her doubters. Luckily for them, Cross was done for her career after the Breeders' Cup. Bella Luna tracked in second, her fluid striding slightly interrupted, but improving as she went along. She had a confidence about her that seemed to say she would run as well as she could on this foreign surface. Reese was proud of the gray's courage, loved her all the more for it. The gray leveled out in the third furlong, settling into her grand stride. Familiar with the dirt surface, Dirty Diana loomed an ominous presence as the mares headed into the far turn. Laura liked the power of the pink roan, recognized it as filthy speed when turned loose. The All For Glory mare was impressive as she skipped through the turn, slick as a fish. Laura let her go right before the homestretch, grinning from ear to ear when she exploded and swarmed Bella Luna. A second later, the roan buried the future Hall Of Famer, and was off in pursuit of the second. Reese grunted when Bella Luna toiled in the pink roan's wake. She hustled the mare forward, satisfied when she responded with a grinding effort. She wasn't the claimer that Di had made her out to be. Come next race in the Melbourne Cup, Bella Luna would eat her rivals up and spit them out. Determination lined both of their faces as they gave futile chase to the dual surfaced horses. Cross' ears had pinned when Diana rushed to her outside and put her to a drive. Ripley was impressed by Dirty Diana, even more impressed when she managed to get head in front of Cross. Tough as nails, the black mare battled back with a fierce lunge, edging out the other mare. The pair continued past the wire, ears pinned as though they were keen on battling for ultimate supremacy. Chided by their riders, the pair turned back and caught up with Bella Luna who was covered in dirt. "Betcha she can't wait to get back to the turf." "Oh yeah. You can say that again." "Some people would say sending a grade five racehorse against that bunch in the Golden Slipper Stakes is crazy," Reese stated as she put the finishing touches on Bella Luna's glowing body. The sleek gray mare was a glorious sight to behold these days. She was in form, on top of her game and slick as a fish on the track. Just when the competition thought they had her she moved just out of their grasp for another resounding win. "That is true, but I'd say that they don't know Vagabond as well as I do." Maggie and Reese both looked up at Ripley as she stepped out of the office. You could barely tell she was pregnant, her tough exercise program was keeping all of the baby fat off so she could ride in two more months at the Breeders' Cup. "Maggie knows him too. He'll pull a surprise on them one of these days. He's come too close not to be in the top echelon, despite being only "grade five"." Maggie glanced over at the subject of conversation. Vagabond was a powerhouse just at a glance. He possessed a massive chest and shoulder, a glorious butt and the cleanest legs. He was a rarely bred Thoroughbred being a son of Winged Heir and Rebellious Girl. He had the look of a champion in his posture and demeanor. The look of eagles beamed out at her when he twisted his head, dark eyes glinting intensely. Bond would be the Turf Triple Crown hopeful come Year Fifteen and Maggie knew without a doubt he was as dangerous as the top turf two year old in the country. "Got to be a tough workout today to prep him for next week. He's got a tough job, but I have faith in him. He's been a rock solid horse and if anyone is likely to improve with age, it's him. "Mile and a quarter gallop, three furlong workout." The riders mounted up and rode out of the barn into the chilly winter. The first snow had touched the rolling hills last night, turning the place into a fairy tale. Reese wanted to squeal with excitement. She was still so unused to winter even after two years of being here. While everyone moaned and groaned well into January, Reese thrilled over it. South America was not a place where snow fell ever. "Soon, we'll have to move to the indoor track," Ripley muttered. The other women barely heard the remark, but exchanged glances. Ripley had ridden her final workout over the rolling hills a couple weeks ago. She was going to be edgy after December with restrictions on riding to the retired broods and geldings. Not to mention Brooks babying her... Bella Luna jogged onto the track full of energy and life. The dappled gray mare was a sweet heart, the sweetest in the entire roster. It just so happened that she could run the pants off of most everyone else. The Sea Struck mare tucked her chin to her chest, fog billowing out of her nostrils and billowing out behind her. She moved like the Queen she was and boy,did she look the part. The dirt track was a little tougher on her than the turf and it would prime her for her next race in the Cox Plate. She didn't like the dirt, but she trained over it well enough. Vagabond would actually move up slightly and Reese was almost positive the gray mare would have her hooves full. Bond looked like a million dollars as he stretched into his powerful gallop. He had the largest stride Maggie had ever seen, greater than even Para's ground-eating strides. He moved effortlessly and with command and sure made her feel like a million dollar rider. Bond cruised alongside Bella Luna as though he were her mirror image. Maggie kept her hands at the colt's withers, blue eyes focused ahead. This colt gave her a ton of confidence, but now was not the time to be cocky. Bella Luna bounded into the backstretch, ears pinned to her neck from the effort it took to fight the cuppy track. She hated it immensely, hated the colt running alongside her because he was moving like it was turf. Reese could feel the frustration building within the gray mare and knew this was what she needed. Easy wins created an unambitious mount. They began to assume every race would be as easy as the last. The pair of horses marched through the remaining half-mile, picking up the pace back into the first turn. Bond's ears dipped back when Maggie nudged him for more pace. He responded with a simple lengthening of his strides, nosing out Bella Luna for the lead. The silver gray mare battled back on the inside, battling the ground, but proving how much of a champion she was. She was a determined son of a gun and she would not lose to this upstarting two year old. The bay colt lead the way through the middle of the backstretch, a king in his castle. Bond was so in the bridle that Maggie was almost tempted to just let him run by Bella Luna. He was so full of himself, so full of energy. Oh, how it was tempting... Ripley liked the way Bond was moving over the dirt course, really liked how cool and calculated he was as a two year old. The colt assumed command on the far turn with relative ease and looked as though he would blow Bella Luna out of the water. Bella had her excuse, but Ripley was liking how hard the mare was trying on a surface not her own. The silver mare finally caught hold on the rail and surged up to battle with Vagabond. Together the two horses charged down the stretch, eyeballing one another as if they had faced each other many other times before this. The riders were quiet as they marched through the wire and back into the first turn. It was an impressive workout by Vagabond as he drew off in the gallop out. Bella Luna pulled up, clearly showing her disgust with the dirt track. Ripley knew one horse who would be more than happy to kill it in her next race. There were many things occupying Ripley's mind as she was crouched over her papers in the office. The baby, her imminent retirement, Mastermind and Cross' imminent retirements, and the success her barn was having as a whole. There seemed to be every year when two horses could seemingly carry the barn to success. Last year, it had been Frozen Motion and Bella Luna. This year, it was Mastermind and Bella Luna. Times always seemed to get rough in September and October for Witch Creek. It wasn't because of the lack of training or determination to get those wins. It was everyone else catching up and pushing WCS' horses to raise the bar even higher. A knock sounded on her door, drawing Ripley's cloudy gaze up. She met the eyes of her assistant trainer Brookson Wells, smiled. "Hello, Stranger." He grinned, "Stranger, yourself, not me. We've been looking for you since you worked Saint this morning. I figured you were in here doing thinking or diabolically planning the demise of everyone at the Breeders' Cup." She laughed, as she only could with Brooks. "Well... I'm sorry to disappoint you about the diabolical planning. I was really just thinking that we need to step it up. The barn seems to be in a little bit of a funk and I want us to get out of it." Brooks laid a hand over Ripley's, "We'll get out of it, don't worry. We've got a damn solid barn right now." She nodded. "And we've got some super stars in our older horse ranks." Brooks pulled the woman to her feet, eyes sweeping down to look at her stomach. You could hardly tell she was pregnant, but that pregnancy changed both of their lives immensely. Suddenly, his energetic girlfriend was tired and more interested in relaxing than working. He could hardly blame her. Morning sickness was relentless for Ripley and he felt terribly for being the cause. "Yes, we do. Maybe Amarillo Sky will further our dominance along?" "I hope so," she murmured as she stepped into the barn hallway. Her office was in the older horse barn. It's description had changed with the aging of her first real classy crop. Mastermind, Bella Luna, Cross My Heart. Three of the four biggest names to step through her doors were housed here. It'd gone from a yearling barn to a two year old barn to a three year old barn and now the senior barn. Ripley was going to have a hard time letting go of these three, especially knowing the rewards they would bring upon the conclusions of their utterly impressive careers. Reese clucked her tongue against her teeth as she tightened Bella Luna's girth. The near white mare always shook like a dog every damn time she was tacked up. It was as though she knew how to push Reese's buttons and also knew that Reese could never get mad at her. The black maned and tailed mare was simply one of the greatest turf horses to set hoof on a racetrack. No thoroughbred had ever won the Turf Triple Crown. No thoroughbred had swept the Full Moon Derby, The Twilight Stakes and the Dream Cup. Next up was the Continental Cup and Bella Luna simply looked unbeatable. The slow start to the season was long forgotten. The great gray mare was on her game and Reese couldn't wait to say, "Game On." The bay stallion watched Bella Luna with peaked interest. He pawed the rubber mat with fury, his eagerness to be on his way showing in every muscular twitch. The Augusto son was piping hot right now, on and off the track. He'd lost to Loud And Clear while in her preferred distance of eight furlongs. It'd been a bit of a reach, but he hadn't shamed himself. His performances were really excellent right now. Amarillo Sky was turning into a big horse and Brooks was excited to be along for the journey. "Alright, let's do mile gallop with a three furlong breeze. Don't get on them too heavily as both of them have been racing consistently. Just maintenance today people." Ripley patted Bella's shoulder as she left the barn and climbed into her golf cart. A second later Bella Luna and Amarillo Sky followed. The big bay stallion towered over the mare in physique, but she had this different kind of aura. She simply glowed and looked every inch the commanding creature she was. Reese allowed the mare to step into a jog, relishing in the sweet way she moved. Bella was a different kind of classy. Amarillo Sky moved into his canter with a ferocious bound. It was as though he could sense this was a different ball game. He'd been facing horses less skilled in battle, certainly less fast or brilliant. Bella Luna was the cream of the turf roster and he was going to have to step up his game. Brooks allowed the animal to stretch into a long gallop stride, impressed with the horse. Rillo had always been the kind of horse to roll right along as though he'd never get tired. Brooks twined his fingers into the horse's mane when he launched over the hills. He was moving so easily and perfectly. Bella Luna tossed her head as Rillo bounded by without much effort. The dappled gray mare only settled back down when the dark horse cleared her. Reese crooned to the filly, calm despite the rush of excitement. Bella Luna was a confidence boosting horse. She ran as though everything came natural and was so simple. The gray mare tracked Rillo through the first mile of the gallop with easy grace. He never put more than three lengths between them. Reese could tell Luna would have a bit of a fight to get by him. The bay was obviously moving nicely at this stage. Boy, was he, Brooks thought as the horse cruised down the final hill into the three furlong stretch. The horse's ears were pricked like towers over his cranium until Brooks asked him for more. Like a shot, the large horse took off and stormed across the grass, kicking up clumps in his wake. The bay horse was devastating in full blown run, but could he outfoot a champ such as Bella? Reese was thinking not. The second Bella was turned loose the graceful gray roared after her darker colored counterpart. Amarillo Sky was practically mincemeat. The Sea Struck mare rolled right up alongside him as though closing into such fractions were cake. Reese sent a blazing smile at Brooks before nudging the mare on. With devastating ease, the dappled gray put the Augusto son away. Brooks slapped his jeaned leg in frustration, sure Amarillo Sky would toss in the towel. But he didn't. He picked up the pace with fury in his eyes and rage in his blood. He rushed after the mare through the second furlong, still in hot pursuit halfway through the third one. Bella would not be caught easily. Brooks couldn't help but think this would set Amarillo Sky up for a perfect winter season. Bella Luna shot through the wire a length ahead, ease betrayed by her pricked ears. Reese rubbed the mare's neck, smiling. They were going to go out with a bang. Brooks was thinking, Amarillo Sky was just starting off with one. The bay stallion threw his head in protest at being pulled up after running by Bella in the gallop out. Time was ticking and Amarillo was only getting faster as he aged. "People are losing faith in us, Bella girl," Reese crooned as she rubbed the pure white face of her filly. Things had changed dramatically in the couple of years Reese had raced her filly. The Sea Struck filly had grown from consistent two year old to absolute brilliance at the age of three and now to an adult with a solid campaign. Reese wanted to do better for her filly. Bella Luna was a champion. She was Reese's champion and her heart. This would be Bella's last year of racing and they had to make it a good one. Hall Of Fame was potentially waiting for them if they just accomplished more. It always required more. More toughness, more heart, more bravery, more confidence, more speed, more stamina. That was what the Twilight Stakes was for. It was a true test of all of those traits and more. Bella Luna had others. She had tactical speed. She had back class. She had the ability to cruise for as long as necessary and still have punch at the end. Eleven furlongs awaited for the beautiful creature and her rider. At the end, the mare could join legends and have her name proudly featured alongside the likes of greatness past. "Then show 'em that they must never give up on you," Laura said as she passed with Dirty Diana. "Show them your grit and your heart. Show them that it was a mistake to let their faith fall by the wayside." Reese's brown eyes glinted at Laura's words. Sometimes the prickly red-head could tap into her rare soft side. The horses brought it out of her that was for sure. Dirty Diana pranced at the end of her shank, dark eyes glowing with knowing. She wasn't an outright brilliant mare by any means. She didn't have the prestige of Bella Luna's bloodlines or the overwhelming three year old campaign. She had something else. She had true grit and power. Dirty Diana had yet to finish out of the top two and she was three victories away from grade one. The roan mare had a shot at the big time, just like Whipped Cream and Feline had in Year Thirteen. Laura wanted to give her that chance. Lord knows, they both deserved it as badly as Luna deserved a win in the second biggest race of her career. Second only to her Turf Triple Crown clinching win in the Belmont Turf Classic. Ripley nodded to the riders as they walked out of the barn. Her green eyes were glowing with pleasure at the sight of the two horses. Bella Luna and Dirty Diana were spectacularly muscled and lean. Both of them were showing all of the good health that they had carried throughout the season. "Di's got her first shot over the turf. We'll see how she does against an old hat like Bella Luna." "Old she may be, but I like to think she's a classic," Reese teased. Ripley smiled, patted the mare's dappled butt. "She's nothing less than classic, Reese." Ripley could feel a wave of emotion pouring through her. This would be her last season of riding for a year or so. She wasn't just saying goodbye to the likes of Mastermind and Cross My Heart. She was saying goodbye to an astonishing training spree over the last three years. She was going to make a return, but she could sympathize with Reese. Reese was going to be losing her champion too upon the year's closure. Laura's face set into a stony look as she turned Dirty Diana to the track. It would be Diana's job to set Bella Luna up for a race of the ages. She'd been galloping over the turf better than she galloped over the dirt. The hills made her focus more, but Laura swore the pink roan mare was more fluid over the grass. Perhaps, Bella Luna would be facing a tougher workmate than any of them thought. Laura nudged the strong mare into a hand-gallop, pleased at the grace that surged out of the oddly colored mare. Bella Luna flowed into a gallop, black tail and mane framing her elegant face. The pearly mare looked absolutely ethereal against the emerald grass. She was gorgeous and she just moved so elegantly. Reese tucked her fingers at the mare's wither's, smiling as the horse took them past Dirty Diana up the hill. She trucked up the hillside, snorting through her nostrils in absolute excitement. The rider leaned close to the mare's neck as she took them up and over the hills. Dirty Diana tucked in neatly behind Bella Luna as though she'd been running the turf her whole life. The mare had a confidence now that she hadn't had in the beginning of the year. Now she was an absolute fox. Now she knew she'd catch the front running horses and beat them. The mare skipped down the hillside with consummate professionalism, switching leads to give the other one a break. Bella Luna was moving so strongly that Diana fell back a couple lengths despite her own powerful strides. Reese was sitting as chilly as can be at the crest of the final hillside. She let a finger touch the silky neck of her mount, a smile touching her lips. "Game on," she called to Laura before sending Bella down the hill at a canter. Diana followed like a hound to a rabbit, ears pinned as if she took Reese's words seriously. Laura was impressed by the mare's intensity, choked a laugh when she leaped as Bella had from the hillside. The reins soared with a soft whistle through Reese's fingers as Bella went from contained to flying. The Sea Struck filly roared away, kicking up clots of turf that hit Di in the chest without mercy. Reese heard Laura swear as her pink mare ducked out, skipped over Luna's heels and went head to head with the pure white mare. Bella kicked on marvelously with the sudden competition, matching her enemy's strides. Di was gritty down to the bone, but on the grass she was something extra special. The mares stormed through the wire at a fast clip and galloped out nearly as impressively. Ripley clicked the watch as the horses disappeared from view. "Game on," Ripley murmured. "Absolutely game on." |
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