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." "It always seems like Ripley picks up a horse at this time of season, doesn't it?" Maggie asked as she watched Brooks go to the wall for her. The wall was a furious mass of bay filly and she was not having any part in the tacking up process. She'd tolerated the grooming and the wrapping, but the saddle and bit were crossing the line. Maggie's blue eyes took in the powerful mass of the daughter of Passionate Class. She was a furious wraith that did not belong to her turf sire. Rather, that fury was passed down through Carmilla, daughter of Night Stalker and Requiem. "Yeah, next time I need to check pedigrees out before I let her bring a demon spawn home again." Brooks gave last heave, slapped the metal hooks in place and fled the scene a moment before Miss Josephine's teeth would have caught him on the shoulder. Maggie smiled, patted Brooks' back. "Atta boy. You did good even though she doesn't think so." The grooms and stall muckers had been watching the entertainment with large eyes. As soon as Brooks turned to them, they scattered. Brooks chuckled. "Seriously. Ripley does go for a certain type." "And that type has carried me to more winner's circles as a trainer than any other line." Brooks and Maggie didn't even bother to wince. Ripley's voice was less cold than it had been earlier. Mostly because she would be riding in this set. The pair turned and smiled at the woman and her black mare. Cross watched them owlishly as if she hadn't decided if she liked them or not. Her affection for Ripley was remarkable and her intelligence was so reflective of how she behaved. The sharp black sprinter snorted at Brooks and Maggie, dismissing them as she always had. They hadn't impressed her so far. "We're going to do a mile gallop and three furlong workout. Test Josey and give Cross and Tabz a lung opener. Lots of big races coming up with the end goal being the Breeders' Cup." Reese sat patiently out in the yard, relaxed as much as she could be aboard a flighty gray thoroughbred. Taboo had settled down a lot over the course of the season. It struck Reese that this must have been what Cross was like as a two year old. Horror stories of Cross' screams still echoed among the grooms and riders. Taboo had been just as "crazy" and now she was miles ahead of where she had once been. The Forbidden Wings daughter stared off in the direction of the grassy hills, lost in thought with her left hind hoof cocked. What a difference nine months made. The other riders mounted up and jogged by to the dirt track. Tabz ears pricked in longing toward the hills, but she obediently turned when asked. The turf track was closed until April. Soon the dirt track would be as well and all workouts and gallops would be moved to the indoor synthetic track. Reese was eager to try the place out and pitch her turfers against Brookson and Ripley's dirt horses. The clash would be interesting to say the least. Miss Josephine moved with such intensity that Maggie already felt she would have to hold on to her helmet. The dashing bay filly twisted her head to and fro, assessing her surroundings with ferocious eyes. She snorted, fog billowing out of her nostrils and emphasizing the dragon-like look. Maggie couldn't wait to pit Miss Josephine against The Devil's Hourglass. That would be a sight. Two coltish fillies battling it out in full-blown glory. The horses moved into their gallops, Cross immediately assuming the lead. It was so fantastic how durable the black mare had been. She'd raced constantly over three seasons and had never lost an inch of speed. Ripley allowed the black mare to dig into the dirt a little quicker than usual. The star marked mare was quite interested in clinging to the rail. After all, it was the fastest and shortest route around the track. Taboo cruised behind Cross, ears pricked and eyes bright. She floated over the dirt track, really handling it with such professionalism. The filly had this pizzazz to her that was so striking. More would be expected of her as a three year old. This year was all about getting to know her quirks. Reese kept an ear out for Maggie's horse, uneasy of that one's reaction to running. But all and all, she was more than pleased with Taboo. Miss Josephine was an absolute handful. Maggie had the filly under a good strong hold and her arms were already starting to shake with the effort. The wild-eyed filly wanted to dominate her two opponents and she moved rankly. The whites of her eyes could be seen from the rail by Brooks. He just shook his head. They'd see if she had this much energy left at the end of the exercise. The Passionate Class filly wasn't liking the surface at all, knees lifting very high in reaction. She snorted like a freight train with every stride and it was so obvious that the fire burned within her. Maggie let out a notch, nearly was rocked backward when she leaped into the bit like a mountain lion. So the bay filly had instant speed. Quite impressive. Maggie took the hold up, bided her time. Cross My Heart rolled through the mile gallop with consummate ease. She used to only be able to handle a mile before she blew up and bolted. Now, she waited patiently, or a little more patiently, for Ripley's cue to gun it. The cobalt mare charged forward emphatically, putting another two lengths between herself and Tabbo in the blink of an eye. She switched leads and roared through the turn. Ripley thanked her brain for reminding her to grab goggles. Her eyes would have been icicles by now. Reese guided Taboo off the rail and released her. She smiled when the gray roan smoothly transitioned into a faster pace, fluid as a swan. The Forbidden Wings filly pinned her ears into her waving black mane and commenced a stunning bid. She was a bloody fast filly when she wanted to be. She had unexpected power and strength beneath that beautiful coat. Reese ducked low on the filly's neck as they straightened up and pursued Cross down the stretch. The black demon was virtually uncatchable so that workout was more for Tabz benefit of the chase than the actual victory. Maggie let out a violent breath as Miss Josephine pounded the ground beneath her. The bay filly had demanded release and now she was roaring after the other horses. Her body glistened with the effort and she looked absolutely fierce from Brooks' point of view behind Taboo. Maggie was impressed with the Passionate Class filly. For her extreme dislike of the dirt surface, she sure was courageous in fighting it. She'd closed the distance between herself and Tabz with emphatic strides and now she was moving to challenge. Ripley pulled Cross up, cocking her head to glance behind her. Used to the trainer's tactics, Cross slowed to an easy going lope, ears facing back to listen. Ripley patted the mare's neck absentmindedly as she watched the action. "Definitely a nice filly," she muttered as she watched Taboo outgame the bay across the wire. The sleek filly looked surprised by her rival's fury, but even in the gallop out she refused to be passed. She was no longer an inexperienced juvenile. Miss Josephine was an outside threat and now Taboo had the resources to defeat her. Ripley nodded appreciatively as Miss Josephine rolled on despite Maggie's will. While she wasn't a dirt horse by any means, it was nice to see a spirited champion. One day, perhaps, Miss Josephine would be the champion Ripley thought she could be. Until then... she would be working her way up to that stunning point. It wasn't often that Reese was the last one to come to work. She'd had a late night and mostly because her arrogant, selfish brother decided to stop in without much notice. Her dark eyes flashed at the figure that trailed behind in her wake. Her brother was a downright PITA to say the least. He was as handsome as he was intelligent, brutally honest as his hands were rough. He was a working man and he'd come to see how his sister had made the big bucks just riding horses all day long. She loathed him for bringing himself to the States, for stirring up the reasons why she'd left Brazil so long ago. "Stay back there. I have work to do." The man shrugged, dark eyes flashing with defiance, but he casually leaned against the stall as his sister disappeared into the one opposite him. His dark eyes moved from one end of the barn to the other. Normal. That's what this barn looked like. It was just normal. Triple Crown winners? Legends? Out of this place. There were far finer places in Brazil to race out of. This was nothing but an American barn set in hills that far outclassed the place in terms of looks. Justin peered out of Noc's stall to take in the morose figure that leaned against it. So this was Reese's brother. He looked hard to say the least. Justin stroked a hand down Noc's satiny neck, apologizing for his future actions. Without regret, the kid flung the stall sideways, nearly knocking the man off his feet as the door collided with him. Angry eyes met Justin's dark brown ones. But he wisely stepped away before Noc took him down. Justin hated how the man's gaze swept over Noc's sleek body, but he took pride in the awe he saw come in them. Typical European. Frown upon the American way until you noticed the talent. Night Stalker had thrown a looker in Noc. She was lean, gorgeous and the color of molten silver. She gleamed and looked every inch the beauty she was bred to be. Justin did not wait for Ripley's instructions before mounting his coin-colored filly. Noc was not the best creature, per say, right now, but he wouldn't dare mention it to Reese's brother, Cross and Ripley did not have to be told twice that there was something going on in the barn. As soon as the pair stepped into the two year old barn, they were hit with waves of tension and irritability. Not surprising. Reese had warned her last night, that the infamous Cane was in town. Cross danced beneath Ripley, her black eyes gleaming with more fear and fury than they had since her two year old season. Ripley frowned as the smallish mare plummeted beneath her, threatening to lift in a rear. With careful craft, Ripley spun the black around and sent her away from the barn. "Sorry Tabby cat," Reese murmured as she led the smart gray filly out of the stall. The filly's topaz colored eyes settled on Cane two seconds after his scent had filled her nostrils. Her soft velvet body tensed immensely, nostrils flaring. She dashed around him, shoed hooves beating erratically on the cement floor. "Fine start to the morning,' Reese grumbled, wasting no time climbing into the saddle. Tabz bowed her neck, touching her chin to her chest and shying when Cane emerged from the barn. Cane could be glad looks couldn't kill because the looks Ripley and Reese shot him would have been as effective as bullets. Ripley reined Cross in between Taboo and Noc, not bothering to settle Cross. The black mare was furious to say the least. "Let's go seven furlongs today. Time to up the ante and get them ready for the next race." Ripley led the way down the hill, switching it up a bit with a workout over the dirt track. Cross' ears pricked immediately, stranger momentarily forgotten. The black mare loved a good bit of speed and it'd been a long, long time since she'd had a run on the flat dirt. Mare could get down and dirty just as well as the next dirt specialist. Without surprise, Cross bolted away, kicking up dust and dirt into the chests of Tabz and Noc. Noc had handled the excitement pretty well until that point. The silver filly bolted then full speed ahead after Cross. Reese allowed Tabz to linger back before sending her after the more precocious types. It wasn't that Tabz didn't like to run. She just wasn't so keenly tuned to bolt at the shot of a gun. The satiny gray filly settled in behind her contemporaries with commanding strides, ears pricked. Tabz was getting better and better with every race. It was only a matter of time until she got her big break. The gray filly tracked Noc into the first turn with catlike attention. The silver filly had never worked with Tabz and the gray was more than interested in keeping tabs, no pun intended, on her. But they would both have to come running because Cross My Heart was not stopping. Ripley had felt the fury in the black mare the moment she'd hit the track. She used to outrun her fear because that was something she was in control of. She'd settled down enough to run for the joy of it, but now things were sliding back into place. Cross surged over the track, mouth agape around the bit, legs blurred beneath her. There was no doubt in Ripley's mind that the mare would last the seven furlongs at this blazing pace. She'd done it before. Ripley wrapped her hands in the wild black mane, took deep breaths and prepared to hang on for the ride. Nocturnal Runaway and Taboo settled side by side through the backstretch at a strong run. It was not enough to keep with Cross' runaway train. She ran as though her life was at stake and she was a dominating 12 lengths ahead of the two year olds. It was as though they hadn't even been in the same workout set. The silver filly beneath Justin was coiled like a snake. She was so interested in picking apart Taboo. Her brown eyes were wide and her inside ear was glued to Tabz. The gray filly cruised alongside them as though they weren't even there. Reese thought the filly was moving like silk. She strolled over the course as though she owned it. She wasn't even a dirt horse like Noc. Justin knew what was coming on the far turn and he reminded himself to bide his time. It was a long stretch drive. While Nocturnal Runaway did most of her work in late stretch, Taboo knew how to separate herself from the pack. She put on the rockets and exploded on the final turn, peppering Noc with dirt. The silver filly did not back down though. She shook off the debris, switched leads and flew after her rival in pursuit. Ripley let out a long steady breath as Cross cruised the wire, definitely more settled, but not tired. The black horse skipped into the far turn, blowing smartly through her nostrils. 'Crazy creature, Cross." Ripley breathed. "Bloody crazy creature." The woman pulled the mare up in time to catch the impressive duel down the stretch. Reese hadn't expected Noc to be able to catch up so quickly, but the silver filly had. She was grinding Taboo down with ferocious strides. Her eyes were blazing and she was giving Tabz a dose of her own medicine. Reese remained silent as Taboo battled against Noc's onslaught. She hadn't banked on being run down. But she was fighting courageously, toughing it out as the wire drew ever closer. Noc pinned her ears, gave one last burst and edged Taboo out for victory. But she didn't stop after that. Justin was left clinging to the beautiful filly's neck as she blasted away back into the first turn. Reese watched the filly go from the back of her elegant horse. Tabz snorted, 'Good Riddance," turned tail and started heading back to the barn. Reese laughed, patted the filly's neck "You're something little lady." Justin was thinking Noc was something special as she knocked it out of the ball park with her eighth furlong in :11 seconds. "That's it baby. You're exactly what I've been waiting for." July Week Twoman hunt"I swear that this filly is tired of loosing," Laura growled as she tightened the girth to the racing saddle. She could hear the blood pounding in Lee's veins beneath that molten silver-brown hide. Lethal Knack had passed on some vengeful traits to his three year old daughter and it seemed it was only a matter of time before she acted on them. "I mean, seriously. She scared Battle Wings and she's been working out against our top tier horses ever since her return. How the hell are we being shut out every single race?" Brooks thought it was funny that the two completely opposite personality people had settled on the same thought. Laura would never have spoken this way to Brooks' girlfriend, Ripley, who was also the owner, but she could talk to him. He was more like a brother even though he was the assistant trainer at Witch Creek. Ripley had ranted to him last night and told him specifically to make sure that In Front and Lethal Dose got a good strong workout. She faith in both horses to notch that next victory, but she wanted a four furlong lung opener on each horse. A lung opener would be no problem for In Front. The blaze faced son of Touch Up stood head high and eyes full of eagerness and excitement. His body shook with it and his feet kept lifting as though he were marching in place. He'd finished second behind Anodyne in the Queen's Plate, but something told Brooks that the colt wanted more distance. It was likely In Front could snag the victory in the Prince of Wale's Stakes if perfectly trained for it. He'd been perfect in his gallops since the Queen's Plate, but he'd been perfect in every workout this season. He was on the edge of grade and Brooks certainly felt there was no more deserving horse than In Front to step up. He'd tangoed in every dance this year and proved he was a true battle-tested warrior. Lethal Dose was getting there. The bay filly had been stopped last time out with a disappointing fourth place finish, but perhaps she'd disappointed herself more than her handlers. All Laura knew was that the three year old was now breathing fire and today's workout was going to be a fireworks show. Lethal Dose snorted, bobbing her head as if she knew Laura's train of thought. The quartet strode out of the barn, humans mounting up as soon as possible. Lethal Dose let out a commanding neigh, pawing the ground fiercely enough to have In Front assessing her twice. The blaze faced colt snorted, eyes blazing at her in disgust of her newfound energy and strength. He practically pulled the reins through Brooks' hands, storming down the dirt path with fury. Brooks shook his head, cast a half-smile in Ripley's direction. The woman leaned against the railing of the track, green eyes following every move the horses made. She expected good performances and Brooks knew that she would get great performances. Lee bolted into a hand-gallop the minute she slipped by In Front. Her strides were powerful and purposeful, her neck extending so that her head was even with her shoulder. This was new. Usually, Lee was the one standing around for days. Instead, she cruised over the dirt course, kicking up massive clumps in her wake. The Lethal Knack filly was feeling murderous today. Hopefully, In Front would not be taken prisoner. Laura knew Lethal Dose would be a filly to reckon with. She had faith and pride in this whirlwind mount. Perhaps the press and competition did not see it, but someday they would. Brooks let out a low whistle when Lethal Dose cruised into the turn all alone on the lead. She going smoothly, tail flicking above her rear. Obviously, In Front would be closing as he was already five lengths behind. The big, lumbering animal rolled over the course with ears locked on the target. He mouthed the bit, chomping the aluminum with powerful bites. He was practically saying, "let me at her." Brooks kept the reins as loose as possible without letting the Touch Up colt soar. Laura did not bother to restrain Lethal Dose. It was too obvious that the filly would canter off and not get as hard a workout as necessary because In Front would not be pressuring her until the homestretch. She let the reins fly between her fingers, turning this four furlong blitz into a steady mile clip. Ripley would potentially kill her, but even the head trainer, unbeknownst to Laura, was nodding in approval from the rail. It was too late now anyway. Lethal Dose had a hold of the bit and she was on a tear. Brooks swore under his breath, feeling In Front pick up the pace in response to Lethal Dose's quick turn of foot. Change of plans. Luckily, In Front was not a one run closer. He was a grinder or a stalker usually. He did not need pace, but now he had it. The colt bounded over the earth, strides huge and effortless as he pursued the filly he'd underestimated. Lethal Dose spun around the turn, head up and mouth agape, clearly enjoying her run. She'd rolled through the first two furlongs and was just gliding at this point. Her ears had begun to flicker though and Laura knew that could only mean one thing. The unrelenting, powerful charge of In Front. In Front was potentially the second best colt in the country and there was a reason for that. Laura asked Lee to pick it up and she willingly responded. Her strides became fiercer as she whirled into the homestretch, ears bobbing back to lay flat on her neck. Brooks wanted to cackle maniacally as his strong horse wheeled up on Lethal Dose's outside. The colt's eyes were blazing as he drew alongside of her, his massive body dwarfing her smaller, but coltish one. Brooks knew he could tap the gear at anytime, but surprisingly In Front was not going by easily. Brooks' imaginary laugh turned into a grimace as Lethal Dose rallied on the inside to take the lead again, not budging. In Front geared up again, drawing the match to even, but Lethal Dose kept picking up speed. She was battling fiercely and now so was In Front. The two bays roared down to the wire, ears pinned, eyes fierce. No one was waving the white flag of surrender. The pair surged beneath the wire together, nose and nose. Brooks would have sworn Lethal Dose had nabbed In Front. When he glanced up, he knew she had. Laura never wore smug smiles when she lost. Ripley thrilled at the power of the three year olds as they cantered back into the first turn. Critics would say it was a poor workout for In Front if he couldn't even beat a maiden winner, but Ripley thought, perhaps they would be watching the rise of Lethal Dose as a runner in a few months. Workouts that ended in :10 2/5th second final furlongs usually meant that the subjects had plenty of speed and were coming into form. Tucking the watch into her pocket, Ripley prepared to watch her dirt three year olds rise from the ashes. paranoid heartRipley couldn't help but snarl as she raced through tacking up Cross My Heart for the workout. Cross was edgy as all get out thanks to Ripley's rush job. She danced between the cross-ties, throwing her head and flicking her tail in displeasure. She liked when Ripley took her time, became frustrated by all the action. It was times like this when Ripley could appreciate the black mare. Two years ago, Cross would have been screaming and cowering between the ties, fearful of all humans and ropes. Today, her eyes glittered with defiance and she was ready to pour gasoline on the fire if pushed too far. Across the way, Maggie was cranking the girth up on Paranormal Hunter. The bay filly bared her teeth in fury, launching both back hooves off the ground and barely missing Brooks as he dashed from the office to the stall of Lethal Dose. All four horses that were being worked today had an hour before the van picked them up. It had been a misunderstanding, but they couldn't miss the van into The Wire. Four big races in the next couple weeks meant being on time and no mess-ups. Obviously the second one wasn't going to happen, but the first still could. "All right, Rips. I'm all set." Maggie grunted as she hurtled onto the back of Paranormal Hunter. The daughter of Flash Limit's pinned her ears, but spun on command to trot out of the barn. Cross was practically in motion by the time Ripley scrambled onto the slim mare's back. The black horse did not suffer fools, not even a fool she adored. Ripley settled in, setting the mare into a canter after her lumbering stable-mate. Cross My Heart was a devilishly fast horse. She seemed to fly over the ground, breaking the barrier with every swift stride. She was a thrill to watch and amazingly durable. Cross had everything going for her. Looks, speed, pure courage. She never seemed to fail to be in contention at the wire and was classic enough to last from five furlongs to a mile. She was coming off a dominating victory in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf and would look to continue her rivalry with Innocent Passion in the Nearctic Stakes. Ripley relished the idea of taking on that foe, especially with Cross rounding back into her top form cycle. Maggie was getting a different feeling from Paranormal Hunter. The big bay daughter of Flash Limits was not going to wow you with her efforts in her workouts. She was not absolutely brilliant by any means until you set a target in front of her and asked her to give chase. Only in races was Para absolutely brilliant. She had a turn of foot like no other horse on the current Witch Creek roster. It always appeared that she wasn't going to be there at the end and then suddenly she was battling for first. She was a unique horse, possibly the most bad tempered on the current string. Maggie let her hands slide down the powerful three year olds neck as Cross My Heart surged by to assume command over the second hill. Para's ears flipped down momentarily, but her strides never quickened. To Para's benefit and her opponent's downfall, Para never got riled up in the beginning of the race. Ripley knew that the only way to beat Para was to run her into the ground. There was no doubt in Ripley's mind that she couldn't leave that Flash Limits filly floundering. She had the right horse to do so, but both of them had beaten Innocent Passion. Both of them were absolutely lethal and Ripley had trained Para to too many victories to underestimate that foe. She was deadly from six to eleven furlongs. How many horses could do that? The mare and filly traveled one-two over the course, each kicking up clods of turf in their wake. One seemed to just glide through the atmosphere while the other scared away the animal life with her loudness. Yet, both horses were deadly in their own way. Maggie and Ripley were poised in the saddle, hands as still as possible as the three furlong flat neared. It was almost time to see what each horse had to offer. Maggie pressed the button as soon as Para reached the crest of the hill. Her eyes blazed with fury at being awoken, but when she recognized her foe, Para was more than ready for take off. Cross was hard to beat in a three horse workout. She would be even tougher in a two horse workout. The black mare ran with her head and tail high, not even full out yet. It was time to strike. Ripley heard the threatening hoofbeats and did not glance back. Cross's ears pinned in a furious reaction. She was impressed at all by the sounds of those running hooves. It meant only one thing that the freight train was going to once again push her to her limit. Ripley leaned close, allowing the reins to soar through her gloved fingers. It was like riding a jet. Only Cross could throw Ripley back in the saddle after already being at a gallop. Maggie rode Para hard through the first furlong, egging the bay filly to pick it up. She was snorting fiercely, her feet hitting the ground loudly. She was not happy to be under pressure, but she would not argue. She sensed the looming danger of letting Cross My Heart loose on the lead. It took Paranormal Hunter a while to reel Cross in, but she was at the older horse's barrel half-way through the final furlong. Cross's eyes flashed with annoyance, her nostrils flaring to take in maximum air. She pushed on, refusing to allow the Flash Limit's filly to get closer. Ripley and Maggie fell silent, understanding that there was no need to push anymore. The horses would do their job. Ripley hit the stopwatch as the pair passed through the imaginary wire. Her eyes drifted down, nodding in approval. The last three furlongs had been in :36.48 seconds. Flying after a mile and a quarter gallop. Both horses were beyond ready to prove themselves in their separate races. It left Maggie Reynolds wondering what would happen if Cross My Heart and Paranormal Hunter met on the biggest stage. Shrugging, the blond woman let it float to the back of her mind. It would never happen. |
WorkoutsPlease realize that I do add in workouts before they are necessarily due. If you are looking for a specific horse because you are judging a race, click on his/her name below and his/her latest workout will appear at the top or your screen. Categories
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