"The new guy's coming today to ride," Ripley said as she finished tightening Mastermind's girth. "He's going to ride In Front in his workout and if they get along well enough, he'll stay on to take my spot in the riding roster." Laura scoffed, lifted her piercing blue eyes and aimed them at Ripley. "Then he better be one hell of a rider. He's not going to replace you. We're just going to have to deal with our loss and that's that." Brooks lifted a brow at Laura's remarks. She'd been getting awfully pessimistic lately. It was as though she didn't want to acknowledge the fact that Ripley was retiring in order to start a family. Granted, the child hadn't necessarily been planned and had been conceived out of wedlock, but that wasn't what was sticking in Laura's craw. It had more to do with her female idol calling it quits and stepping down from the mantle of chosen rider. It had to do with Mastermind and Cross My Heart retiring and Hourglass and Saint being taken over by Reese. It was going to be a huge change, but one they had known would come eventually. He would miss riding against her on a daily basis. The challenge made him a better rider for few could out best Ripley Marsh on her best days or her best horses. Brooks let out a sigh, ignoring the crackling silence. There was cause for celebration too. Two of their horses had returned from Blue Cross Estates, prompting the new rider to come fill Ripley's spot sooner than planned. Brooks touched the dark hide of his mount. Flashpoint had returned nearly a grade two winner and in fine form. The horse had developed beautifully from two to three and looked more than handsome horse he'd promised to be. Brooks admired the colt's sleek form and thanked Blue Cross for at least keeping him fit until he could return home. Laura was getting acquainted with her mount for the day, often filling in the floater position whenever two horses with the same rider were in the same workout. Today her mount was Optimus Unstoppable. The colt was built like a brawler with a thick chest and thick butt. He looked like the little engine that could and he most definitely behaved like the little engine the could. Optimus was rebounding off of a third place finish, but his record this season stood for itself. He'd been a bloody consistent bugger from start to finish, currently standing with seven wins. Six of those wins had come this season, showing how talented the animal truly was. The Shiver Me Timbers colt whuffled his lips over Laura's fingers, betraying his sweetness and hiding his demonic qualities that would surely come out on the track. Ripley liked the set up for this workout. Three sprinter/miler types would meet up and do battle over three furlongs of dirt. It called to be an excellent workout and it surely would turn out to be one. She had the best horse of all three, had always had the best horse in Mastermind. The chestnut stallion had been a super star from age two to age four, flying leaps and bounds beyond his own age group. He was untouchable by them and only a recent rivalry with Forbidden To Fly, an older horse, had given him grief. The temperature that had knocked him out of the Winter Dawn Treader Cup still filled Ripley with irritation. She'd watched her own Witch Creek raised Red Herring steal the win over GS Supercharged and Indian Darling. She'd cursed that fever knowing that Mastermind would have rolled that competition if he'd been healthy. She set a hand on the stallion's broad cheek, looked into his eager eyes. Mastermind was an incredible horse, one who filled her with joy and excitement. He never failed to impress her with the ease of his victories or toughness in the face of battle. Mastermind had stolen her heart and she would never find another horse quite like him to ride. She patted the horse's silken neck and stepped to his side to mount up. She settled into the little saddle, picked up the reins and turned him in the broad hallway of the barn. "Let's go. Three furlongs stand between us and our next starts." The other two riders mounted up and fled the barn like a band of thieves. Optimus tossed his head ferociously, hooves skittering down the path excitedly. He was a horse who loved his job and did it well. Laura could feel the immense power in his stout body, looked forward to riding him in this workout. Brooks had said to snatch him at the beginning, but something told her he'd do better at full pace. She let the colt move into a jog down the dirt track, careful to avoid slushy puddles. Optimus snorted, fresh as a daisy despite the hard year of racing. Durability was a result of his blue-collar breeding. Flashpoint's body quivered with knowing when he stepped onto the track. Yesterday, the colt had been worked in the indoor track to get settled in. Today, he would have his first workout back, something he badly needed. He'd come off the trailer running and ready to roll. He'd had a tough mile and a half gallop and had barely blown out a candle upon return. Ripley had determined he was ready for a race off of this workout and several gallops. She didn't want him tearing down the barn or injuring himself. Brooks was glad because he could hardly wait to get the horse in a race. The dark bay bolted into an energetic gallop the moment he hit the track, chasing the flying red banner of Mastermind. The older stallion snaked his head when Flashpoint bounded to his side. The older horse pinned his ears in annoyance, but straightened up at Ripley's rebuke. Sometimes Mastermind liked to remind everyone that he wasn't perfect. Ripley kept her hands at the golden boy's withers, eyes straight ahead as they bustled into the backstretch for the gallop up to the workout. Optimus strained at the bit to be released. His eyes rolled white as Flashpoint charged up to assault Mastermind. Laura's hands burned through the gloves, but she only gave a little bit at a time until the colt settled. Optimus still had a bit to learn, but soon he was running on steadily. The lighter bay colt had an engine in his back end and he would be more than happy to use it to take down the other two. Mastermind moved easily beneath Ripley, not bothered at all by Flashpoint's early bid. The dark bay three year old was a tough nut and he didn't back down when Mastermind remained on the lead. Mastermind didn't exactly have a head to run foolishly when threatened. This was a good lesson for Flashpoint who seemed to settle nicely when it was clear that Mastermind wasn't going to take off. Brooks liked what he felt beneath him, appreciated the efficiency of the body. Flashpoint didn't snort or expend useless energy. He looked like a wild man, but he really wasn't. Optimus, however, was a wild man. He was just begging Laura to release him and let him run as the speed shot up. Mastermind and Flashpoint drew to a four length advantage, leveling their bodies to to the ground in full flight. Optimus was tired of fighting and Laura tired of holding him back. She begged her hands to hold him back just a little more. He'd shoot away like a rocket when the turn ended. Ripley and Brooks sat chilly as their horses fought for control. Or well Flashpoint fought for control. Mastermind was easily mowing down the course as though this were nothing but a gallop. Flashpoint kept up awesomely, but it was clear he'd have to improve leaps and bounds to take down Mastermind. Moose acquitted himself well when he didn't give in, especially when Optimus came roaring down the center of the track. Both Ripley and Brooks looked up at the thunderous hooves, glanced sideways, temporarily throwing their mounts off. Laura was lost in Optimus' black mane, his head and neck were cranked up so that she appeared apart of him. The colt flew over the dirt, slinging rocks and sand in his wake, tail streaming out behind him. He looked like a wild horse as he ripped past Mastermind and Flashpoint like they were standing still. The light bay colt flew through the wire three lengths in front and immediately checked himself down to a leisurely gallop. Mastermind and Flashpoint picked it up upon asking, but both horses appeared quite disgruntled at the loss. Mastermind's eyes blazed with irritation and Flashpoint with disgust. The horses galloped beyond Optimus, tails high in excitement and snottiness. Ripley and Brooks praised the horses, but both looked ahead to the next start. It was time to get back in the ring. For everyone, Optimus included.
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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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