"We've got us a hoss race," Laura proclaimed as she opened her mount's stall door. Today was definitely going to be a fun ride with four two year old horses needing workouts for their next starts. The shining stars of Witch Creek's two year old division would be stepping back to allow the late bloomers the spotlight. Laura knew Reese considered Taboo to be a top filly, as she was a sensational mid-distance turf runner, but Laura would categorize her as just below Saint, Sun King, Nirvana and Spotlight Pride. Taboo was the secret dark horse. She had guts, the breeding and the speed to make her mark. Next year, Laura expected Reese to grab the bull by the horns with that one. But for now... Laura would be glad to face off with her aboard her own filly.
Queen's Honesty snorted, her upside down exclamation marked head swiveled to the right to take note of the fullness of the barn. Ripley was running her hands down Vagabond's legs, making sure they were tight and cold. The newly grade four horse had made a sensational debut over the dirt and would find himself very much in his comfort zone on the practice track. Maggie smiled. "Hard to believe he made such a nice appearance last out. Four possible starters for the Derby next year, Ripley?" Ripley grunted, stepped back and took in the immensity of Vagabond. The Winged Heir colt was sensational looking with his great bay body and immense muscles. He was a late-bloomer. Ripley wasn't quite convinced dirt was his best surface, but if that's where he needed to be to gain confidence for next years TTC, she wouldn't argue. "Hopefully not. I can't clone myself just yet." Nocturnal Runaway and Taboo looked like mirror images, though Noc gleamed like molten silver and Tabz had more of a flat sheen. Taboo was lean and mean, the true turfer look, while Nocturnal Runaway possessed the thick bulkiness of the Night Stalker family. Justin and Reese were both particularly fond of their mounts, believed them to be on the up and up. Just last week, Noc had claimed her second career victory over Barely A Sound. Justin had appreciated the filly's immense determination, was impressed by her late race strength. Perhaps, if she kept up this run, Nirvana wouldn't be the only filly in the Triple Tiara starting gate. Laura rubbed Queen's head as she fixed the filly's bridle. The relation of Flawed Princess and Whipped Cream looked every inch as super as though grade one stars had looked a year ago. Her status with Witch Creek would always be pending. She was only on lease from Nature Blue, but Laura was eager to get back in the saddle with this type of animal. Though she was just a maiden, Queen's Honesty struck Laura as special. Queen had an edge to her, a bossy nature that typically transferred over to the track. Now if only they could get a flipping race into her. Today was as close as they would get until more maidens started filling the races. The quartet of horses slipped into the early morning sunshine. The silver Nocturnal Runaway lifted her delicate nose to the air and released a high pitched whinny. Justin winced, but took advantage of the filly's stillness and hopped aboard with Brooks' assistance. Brooks snagged the filly's bridle and led her down the path. She danced excitedly, hooves pounding the dirt in a staccato beat. The Night Stalker daughter was a fiery little thing, especially when amped up for a workout. Vagabond and Taboo jogged side by side down the path, Taboo hidden by the larger colt. She was slim as a wand compared to the broad bodied colt, but God knew she was tougher than most. Reese preferred the sleek filly beneath her, appreciated the quicker than the wind speed she possessed. The Everyday Hero daughter simply was a phenomenal turf filly. Her form was becoming more impressive with every race and Reese expected her to demonstrate it further in the Ms. Striking Motion Stakes. Queen's Honesty snorted, her white rimmed eyes flickering down the track. It was like sitting on a ticking time bomb, Laura thought. Queen's Honesty had more breaking speed than any of the other two year olds she faced today. She was stubborn foe and she would have to be against these horses. The "B" string was becoming tougher and tougher and it would be a good test to what exactly Queen was made of. Laura patted the filly's neck, turned her to face Ripley who leaned against the railing. "Steady gallop for a mile, four furlong workout. Obviously Queen is going to break off first, but don't let her get too foolish on the lead. Keep her at a steady pace, increasing only when she is confronted by Noc and Tabz. It'll be a good run for everyone and that's the goal. We are not out to beat one another, but to have enough horse for the next two months." There were stifled mutterings from the peanut gallery before everyone turned their horse down the lane. Queen's Honesty broke off first, pushing off her hind end with immense power. She was a broad filly and she definitely had one heck of a motor. She skipped easily over the dirt, her large strides covering the ground with relative effortlessness. Laura kept her hands at the filly's neck, blue eyes forward as she kept the filly at a solid pace. Swifter than Noc, Taboo got second with a burst of speed. The Everyday Hero filly was turning into one of the most promising of her generation and her class was indisputable. The quiet colored filly floated over the course, tail and mane flying behind her as she settled two long lengths behind the leader. Noc was at Taboo's hip, ears pinned back into her mane, eyes a little wild with eagerness. Justin kept the grip on the filly tight, brown eyes focused as ever. The Night Stalker daughter was one impressive individual. It wouldn't be too long before she was making a name for herself like the others. He had complete faith in her and thought of her as the typical Witch Creek underdog. The bonus was that she had the pedigree of a champion. Maggie kept her hands quiet as the her colt oriented his limbs beneath his body. Vagabond was a big, rangy sort, the type that liked to throw in one honest, powerful run. The bay son of Winged Heir had his ears pricked on the trio of fillies ahead of him, but he was traveling easily. Maggie was forced to wonder which surface the colt actually preferred. His only start ever on dirt had produced his grade four victory. He was the type of animal that loved to close into the furious paces all too common on the dirt track. He was also the type to relish the furious run in the final furlong of the turf race. Maggie kept her hands light on the reins, letting the big horse do what was necessary to maintain his position. Laura kept an ear out for the horses behind her, but her filly was traveling way too sweetly for a turfer. Queen's Honesty motored over the course, powerful strides engulfing the loamy soil. Boy, she was a nice horse. Perhaps all the time to grow would bode well for her down the line. Laura eased her hands up the filly's neck, signaling for more as they bounded into the first furlong of the workout. Queen responded with another gear, putting more separation between herself and the late runners. Justin did not like the look of Queen's Honesty showing them her tail. She had the stamina to keep right on going, but Lord knew his filly had stamina too. Without any indication, the young jock tossed sanity to the air and chirped to his filly. Noc lunged, catching Taboo off guard, as she took control and pursued the easy-moving leader. It wasn't long before Reese had Taboo running back up Nocturnal Runaway's inside. Noc wasn't the only filly that could handle the dirt. In fact, Everyday Hero fillies tended to thrive on the surface. It was only a gift of Forbidden Wings that Tabz was awesome on the turf. Maggie grunted as the gray fillies charged after Queen's Honesty into the far turn. The bay filly most certainly wasn't coming back to them. Vagabond ears flickered impatiently. He was so obviously waiting for Maggie's cue that she couldn't hold him back any longer. She chirruped to the colt and held on tight as he gunned wide off of the turn. Ripley and Brooks watched the quartet rumble down the stretch, both pairs of eyes widened in awe. The tenacity that so clearly was marked in the Perfection lineage was definitely on display. Queen's Honesty dug down and held off the flying Noc and Tabz. Her ears were pinned and her determination so clearly evident. Brooks let out a whistle when Taboo finally got the better of the filly. Ripley nudged Brooks, nodded to Vagabond who was soaring down the middle of the stretch, unwinding that impressive stride. The heavy bay colt was flying and Ripley was dying for a stopwatch. The colt caught up to the fillies, who most definitely were not stopping, missing by a neck to the wily Taboo. Queen's Honesty and Nocturnal Runaway galloped out with Vagabond, their ears pricked and their nostrils flaring. Taboo pulled up quicker, tired after having to be tested so thoroughly over a track she didn't necessarily favor. "Perhaps next year, they won't just be "B Stringers," Brooks stated as he watched the colt and fillies round the first turn once again. Ripley hummed in agreement. "You know what they say about sleeping giants?" Brooks cocked a brow, "What?" "You don't want to awaken them. I think I may make an exception at our rivals' expense."
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The only steadily raced two year old in the entire set would be Spotlight Pride. The leggy chestnut colt stalked around beneath Reese Balling Jones with a confused glint in his gaze. He wasn't used to wandering around, waiting for his competition. Ripley kept a strict workout schedule that most everyone adhered to if they wanted to keep their job. Reese's dark eyes flashed to the two year old barn, eyes full of irritation. Her horse was not one who took an interruption in routine well. Laura flew around Queen's Honesty, hands working to tighten leather and gear as quickly as possible. A half hour she'd been in bed, certain her workout wouldn't come til later. Ripley apparently had changed riders on Honey without telling anyone. Maggie had originally been set to ride the excellent bay filly, but something hadn't clicked between the two in gallops. Laura was the appointed rider after having ridden Whipped Cream, a relation of Honey. Laura could only think of one thing that had determined the switch. Honey was stubborn and ferocious. Such traits were family traits, but Laura could harness them and make them a benefit. Justin mounted Nocturnal Runaway in the barn, appreciating the silver filly's perfect body type. She was an agile thing, sleek as a fish and handy as hell. He adored the filly and knew eventually, she'd get back to winning races. She had the family to make a mark on racing. Though there had been no wins since Noc joined WCS, the filly's out of the money finishes had stopped. Now she was making ground and had only just missed to Proteus Prince, an upcoming dirt horse himself. The riders hustled their mounts through the barn doors, nodding briefly to an agitated Reese. Spotlight Pride huffed at the sight of the competition, tail twitching uneasily. He wasn't one for crowds, but these two were a welcome sight. Casualty of War was an enemy so these two could hardly be worse than that muscular dark bay. Being the senior member of the team, Reese relayed workout information to the riders. Ripley would be waiting in the three furlong gap, waiting for her plans to be well executed. Pride danced beneath Reese, eyes rolling white with excitement. He was on the muscle and absolutely dying to roll. Reese let him leap into a trot, restraining him to only a trot. "Mile and an eighth gallop up to the three furlong flat. Gotta prepare them for their races." Queen's stocky body bounced over the ground in barely controlled excitement. She was getting some work finally. A real work. "Boy, you are definitely like Rea. I'll give you that." The powerful two year old was very much like grade one winning Whipped Cream. She had hidden strength, ferocious movement that betrayed the power to onlookers. She was no Honey. She was a Queen. Laura let the reins skip through her hands as the bay took up alongside Pride. Her white-rimmed gaze matched the spookier colt's gaze with ferocious determination. Neither ducked away from the challenge. Reese believed that was an improvement on her athletic creature. He used to be spookier than crazy. Now he was as confident as the next two year old... at least to some extent. Justin had his hands full of vibrant horse. Nocturnal Runaway bolted into a canter, controlled down to teacup steps. The Night Stalker daughter was full of fight after her latest loss. It spurred her on to greater gallops, fiercer times, tougher battles. Noc snorted profusely with every stride, eyes blazing with fury. She looked a lot like Saintly Touch, with a compact body and powerful legs. Justin leaned close as the filly tackled her first hill with interest. Justin gave her a little pat at the top of the hill, steadied her and then prepared for the rest of the workout. Spotlight Pride buried Queen's Honesty off of the first hill, legs skimming over the course with ease. He was a fireball over this particular course, relished the need for speed and the lack of it. Pride leaped over the grass, focused to a "T," tongue bouncing with his lengthy strides. Reese felt more confident than ever on this colt. He'd earned his time off and was coming into the Tri-State Futurity than any other race. It made her confident for down the road. The Breeders' Cup was two months away and he was improving, if there could be improvement, at the right time. The bay daughter of Truth Be Told vigorously tracked Spotlight Pride, ears pinned back into her neck. She had a great cruising speed, something she'd shown in every start. She had a way about her that made you think star. Though she hadn't broken her maiden yet, Queen's Honesty was on the verge of making it big. Laura tucked her hands into the whipping black mane, feeling more confident as the bay settled into her powerful stride. She was a length and a half behind Spotlight Pride, gaining ground on the hills. Not as daring on the downward slopes, Queen's Honesty made up for it in the short valleys. It was like sitting in the captain's seat aboard Nocturnal Runaway. She glided over the course under control and full of energy. Her ears flicked over her head as though she was just out for a jog. She was a confidence instilling creature. Beautiful and talented. He let his hands skim down her sleek neck, smiling as she kicked up the final hill of the gallop. It was almost time to let that passion burn. And there was passion, a big bucket that wanted to wash away the competitors. Justin let the filly skip down the hillside after her opponents, letting her have her head. She charged off the hillside, pushing off menacingly and in a couple strides was up to Queen's Honesty. Laura's eyes grew grimmer, but Queen cleared them within a matter of seconds. The bay launched forward, spurned by the competition. She flew over the course, tail streaming behind her. The two fillies swarmed up on either side of Spotlight Pride, nearly stunning the runaway leader. The three horses soared over the course, head to head to head. It was a fierce battle for the line and no one was going down without a fight. Nocturnal Runaway and Spotlight Pride gradually turned away Queen's Honesty, more experienced over the rolling hills. Laura was impressed by Queen. She didn't fade hard. She still fought gamely even in face of defeat. Laura chalked it up to inexperience over the course. Pride gutted out a win, eyes furious that Noc had put him through an acid test. Who was she to suddenly be competitive with him? Few had managed to take him down and now this gray filly thought she could. Justin was happy with the effort for Noc had only lost by a head to the best turf miler two year old in the country. They were making strides and it was nearly time to make a claim for a win of their own. |
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