Brookson Wells eyed the shadowy figures of Ripley Marsh and the new guy from his spot at In Front's side. The blaze faced colt seemed nearly as interested, ears pricked and unmoving from the direction of the people. The bay colt mouthed the bit he had clenched in his maw, twitched his tail over his rump. The large horse seemed more than ready to get back into work, but first he had to deal with this intruder. In Front had become king of the palace recently and everyone, including the disgruntled fillies, knew it. Brooks patted the colt's neck, checked the tightness of the girth and walked down the hall. The blond guy nodded to Ripley and stuck his hand out to the slim, brown haired guy beside her. "Hello, Brookson Wells, assistant trainer." The brown haired guy cocked a brow over his hazel eyes and smirked. "David Carter, jockey." Brooks snorted, appreciated the steady hand he held and then released it. This David Carter guy passed for the moment. "I've watched you ride. You ride good and tough. We need someone good and tough. We seem to be breeding a heavier kind of horse than the last three years. That's good, but with heavier horses, you need stronger bodies." Ripley lifted her brows, shrugged. "Don't want a weak horse. Strong of body and strong of mind is my goal." "It's a good one," David remarked. He shuffled his feet, a little uneasy when a silence fell over the trio. He was in a world far different than the one he'd known before. The jockey school had prepared him for riding, but navigating the pre-existing social order in racing stables had not been taught often enough. He tucked his hands in his pant's pockets and shifted his gaze down the row to the towering presence in between the cross-ties. This particular horse needed no introduction to David. He'd admired the powerfully built animal in his rapid ascent to the top of the dirt colt ranks. In Front had been a powerful horse in full run with a massive stride, a big heart and a furious competitiveness. The Touch Up son had been David's favorite to take the Kentucky Derby, but looking at him now in his kingdom... David could see that the early spring version simply could not compare. His muscles were tense beneath his dappled light bay hide, his head was lifted at a challenging angle and his form seemed to promise ferociousness. His shoulders were large and his chest wide and deep. He was a magnificent specimen and he knew it. "Boy, he looks like a million bucks," David muttered. Ripley followed the kid's gaze to In Front, admired the horse herself. "Yes... He really came to hand after his vacation. He's getting too tough on the hands so it's time to get him back to the track. "He'll be your mount for the day." Surprise was an inappropriate description for what he felt course through him. He would be riding IN FRONT? When did a kid like him get to ride a horse like that? A horse that had been a top Kentucky Derby prospect and had finished second or third in the classic dirt races he'd participated in, including the Derby, the Belmont, the Queen's Plate, and the Prince of Wales. No surprise was hardly adequate. Elation, ecstasy, purpose and wonder were better terms. "Wow... Well I gratefully accept that proposition..." Ripley smiled, "Good. You'll be facing off against Reese and Laura today. The Devil's Hourglass and Wishing For A Heroine. It'll be over the dirt, but don't think you'll get off easy. Hourglass is nearly as effective over dirt and Heroine is as versatile as they come." She nodded to Brooks and marched off out of the barn to greet her female riders. Reese and Laura did their best not to crane their necks to get a look at the new guy. Laura told herself it wouldn't really matter til they hit the track. She liked knowing her opponent so the uncertainty threatened her. She turned the filly beneath her to face the track as Ripley emerged and climbed up on The Devil's Touch who'd been standing patiently beside her daughter, Hourglass. Laura admired the pair, was stunned by the shocking resemblance. Mirror images of power and impressive courage. That was the breeding result of Witch Creek Stable. "Let's go down to the track." The trio walked down the hill. Heroine pranced more than walked, her quick feet sifting through the dirt. She seemed to shake with excitement at being back home. She'd stepped off the trailer and walked in as though she'd never left. Laura enjoyed the sizzling energy beneath her. The filly was a grade three horse now, but her attitude had not changed a bit since her youth. Laura was excited to get on the quick filly. It was refreshing to get on new mounts. Reese was not new to Hourglass per say as she'd been galloping her for months. This would be her first workout aboard the tough bay filly. The three year old's eyes blazed with intensity as she stepped foot onto the track. She tossed her forelock, bearing her large white star. Reese nursed the filly along, trying her best not to give her too much freedom. Hourglass tended to be stronger in the mornings, more speed frenzied than she was in the afternoon. Today was going to be a fast workout with Heroine in the group. In Front was not a keyed up runner. Reese expected Carter to be working from start to finish. David eased the towering colt onto the track, let him move into a purposeful canter. Boy he just seemed to roll along like a comfortable chair. David could have sat the easy gait, but didn't dare with Ripley watching. The woman cantered up alongside him on the incomparable Devil's Touch. The bay mare, dam to Hourglass, looked every inch the stunner she'd been as a runner. Ripley nodded to David, "Just a six furlong workout. The other two already have their instructions." He nodded, looked back and guided In Front to the rail, allowing him to lengthen his stride to catch up with the fillies. The blaze faced colt strode over the course, mane and tail billowing out behind him, and truly impressed David. There was immense power beneath his gleaming light bay hide. In Front burned bright like a candle. Heroine and Hourglass cruised into the backstretch, battling for the lead. Heroine was so determined to knock Hourglass off of her pedestal. Laura had a tight hold on the filly, cursing her lack of gloves. Heroine was pushing the limits of speed here, but Hourglass' innate fiery nature did not help. The darker bay filly beneath Laura zipped over the ground, legs blurring beneath her lean body. Her eyes were bright with excitement and her happiness was almost tangible. Reese found no need to hold Hourglass back. This was the pace that the broad shouldered filly wanted to set and she moved effortlessly despite the quickness of the work. The Sand Storm daughter flew over the course, thunderous as she bulled her way through the first four furlongs. Her pace did not slacken as she rounded the turn, a half length ahead of Heroine. The Everyday Hero daughter fought on bravely, but slowed on the turn, not wanting to head breakneck for the stretch. Laura peeked under her arm, spotted the gigantic form of In Front three lengths back. He was closer than she'd expected. Obviously the new rider wasn't impeding him any. David peered between the pricked ears of his mount, absolutely thrilling as the colt picked up speed with ease. He was lighter on his feet than he'd looked in the videos. He was agile enough to move side to side on command and David liked the versatility. He moved his hands up the colt's neck, kept the inside rein tighter to keep him to the rail. The fillies were running three lengths ahead but the distance seemed very little to this massive striding animal. Ripley and Brooks watched in approval as David swung In Front off the turn and let him run the final furlong. Hourglass and Heroine reacted to the sudden move, gunned into a new gear. Hourglass was getting the better of the leaner filly, but she definitely was not happy to find another assailant running to Heroine's other side. The burly colt seemed to lay briefly when he reached his opponents, but a quick slap on the neck with David's hand sent him onward, leaving him to engage Hourglass. The star marked granddaughter of Touch Up fought bravely the final three hundreds, just beating out In Front's stupendous charge. The light bay marched on in his gallop, beating out Hourglass in the gallop out. He coasted along in the gallop, giving David Carter chills. Now this was a nice individual. "That works for me," Ripley said as she turned The Devil's Touch to face to Brooks. The blond man nodded, eyes betraying the excitement he felt. "If it works for you, it works for me."
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"This is going to be a fun workout," Reese said as she tightened the girth on Spotlight Pride's saddle. The lean chestnut colt twitched beneath the tack, but didn't fly off the handle as he'd used to do. The Deathflash's Pride colt had come a long way since the beginning of the season. Reese patted the horse's neck, smiled when he turned to look back at her with his signature white rimmed eyes. The eyes always made him look slightly wild. It was an over-exaggeration as the colt was not the ferocious stallion he was expected to be. He was a cool horse, wildly fast, but definitely not ferocious or bullish. "In fact, outside of racing my dear Pride, you could be called a coward." The horse snorted as if in disbelief and his attention swiftly moved from his rider to the shadowy form at the entrance to the barn. Reese laughed, "Typical man." She too turned her gaze to the entrance, cocked a brow. "I take it you're ready to roll?" The winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf looked ever the ominous opponent. The Devil's Hourglass had her mother's coltish frame, her father's savage head and her own personal vendetta to finish. Several second and third place finishes sat between her powerful victory in the Universal Cup. The time was ticking and the dark bay filly was more than ready to take back her crown. Her trainer was eager to get her proud personally bred filly to the winner's circle again, just once before she retired for good. Ripley's green eyes flashed from the shadows, irritable as usual. "Ready when you are." Reese nodded, clicked her helmet strap together and guided Pride into the weak winter sunlight. The copper colt glowed in the sun, eyes sweeping over the snow covered terrain. He snorted, waited patiently for Reese to mount up before parading down the track. He was as on his game as ever. He would have to be in order to take down the AJC Sires Produce Stakes. The ten furlongs was nearing his distance limit, but he was bloody fast enough to win. They'd have to keep up to take him down. Everyone knew where Spotlight Pride was going. To the front and never looking back. Hourglass was not quite as fast as Spotlight Pride, but she was known for some speed. She'd stolen the Belmont Turf Classic on the front end and was not against running away with her races. She'd been under prepared for the Flower Bowl, but would not be so for the World Filly Cup. It could be the race to reassert Hourglass as the top turf three year old in the nation. Ripley badly wanted the race, but it could be just a stepping stone to the year end goal of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Ripley patted the filly's neck as she stepped onto the dirt, ears flicking here and there. She had never disliked the surface when forced to work over it and her gallops were sometimes significantly better over it than the turf. Perhaps, a surface change would be called for as a four year old... Stranger things had happened. The pair of horses broke off into long striding canters. Hourglass snorted fiercely, tail flicking over her rump. She was all business on the track. She'd once been extremely hard to control, bloody fast as a juvenile and fearless. Now she was a professional. She knew her job. She was the class with the speed of sprinters. If there was any horse Ripley wanted under her in a race, it was this one. Ripley nodded to Reese, made the call. "Five furlongs, breezing." Reese let the reins out, smiled when her handsome juvenile scooted into a fast gallop. The horse had the quickest break of any other horse on the roster, besides Cross. He was a lean, mean machine. Pride was known as one of the toughest horses to beat in the juvenile circuit. He never had quit and when he lost, he gutted the victor. She admired the horse's hard trying attitude. He was as gutty as they came and this workout would set him up for his toughest test yet. Hourglass and Pride galloped in tandem over the dirt course, each lining out like greyhounds. Hourglass' ears were pinned to her neck while Pride's stood up like towers. He was an easy going horse, knew the difference between gallop and workout. Hourglass was on the ball from start to finish. Reese would enjoy playing with the dark bay filly, but wondered if she would be the one laughed at in the end. Ripley kept her hands light on the reins as Hourglass quickened down the stretch. The filly didn't need someone in her mouth, it made her obstinate. She was the kind of horse you left alone because she was just the good, just that smart. Her big loping strides covered the ground impressively and even though Pride was faster, she seemed to just have that extra power. The woman leaned close the filly as she shot through the first furlong, glanced back to keep tabs on Pride. The chestnut colt was tucked in at Hourglass' haunches. He looked like he was relaxed and right exactly where Reese wanted him. She was intent on keeping pressure on Hourglass, but the filly was just doing it so easy. Reese was happy with the way the colt was moving. He was just loping so prettily alongside Hourglass. Man he had some speed, but that speed needed some guidance. Now was the time to learn. The Kentucky Open was the destination and his speed would need to be contained in order to get ten furlongs. This was practice for that big race just as much as for the Kentucky Open. The horses charged into the turn, hooves churning up the course. Pride moved up to the filly's throat latch, his brown eyes flashing with enjoyment. The horse was so enthusiastic and he was just so much fun. Handy as hell was how Reese described him to other riders. He was there no matter what you needed. Reese wanted to see what the colt would do with a poor break. She thought he could handle it. He was becoming a partner in their journey, less so than the #1 star. Pride and Hourglass swung into the stretch, legs flying beneath each of them. The riders were quiet as the horses soared down the stretch, listening to their breathing, their thunderous hooves. There was nothing like riding on an empty track. The horses cruised through the wire, Hourglass a half length in front, her ears pricked. Nice and easy would get them to the winner's circle. The big races were calling their names. The hourglass was tipping toward their time in the spotlight. "I can see why Reese left Brazil," Maggie remarked as she mounted her powerful juvenile candidate. The blonde woman had learned to stay far away when any visitors stepped ten feet on the property. Better to let Ripley and the rest deal with the media and the outsiders. Maggie had enough drama on her plate. She smirked at Ripley's noncommittal grunt. The jock would rather eat her tongue than express her dislike for Cane. "I'd rather concentrate on why she came to my barn. Anyone would kill to get their hands on Reese." Defiance and pride laced Ripley's carefully chosen words. Maggie was pleased to work for a loyal boss, beyond happy to call her a best-friend. "It's true though. Never met a jockey that could settle a crazy horse like Reese." "Surprising, since she's as prickly as a cactus," Maggie muttered, drawing a laugh out of Ripley. The green eyed trainer aimed a smile at her friend as she hopped aboard The Devil's Hourglass. "I've heard tales that horses bring out a person's true self. Perhaps that can be said for Reese." Ripley stroked Hourglass' neck, turning her thoughts inward. She felt more human aboard any horse, tough or not. Her human side just became more expressive when she was on a horse she was especially fond of. Hourglass was one of those creatures. The bay filly was a hard-knocking, hard-working, tough son of a gun. The Belmont Turf Classic winner had been performing admirably since that race, taking down wins and seconds and thirds. It was time to step up her game again. Last year's top juvenile performer needed to get back on the podium and back into the conversation. The Just A Game Stakes over Hourglass' preferred turf track was just the place to do it. There was no preferred track for Vagabond. The Winged Heir colt was good, very good in Maggie's opinion. The horse showed up in every single race and put on a show every time. He was just on the edge of grade four and he was sitting on a good race. Maggie twined her fingers into the colt's black mane, enjoying the powerful feeling. Bond was her El Sol Del Mar, her Mastermind. The public just didn't know it yet. They would. The colt would go somewhere soon with more time to grow into his large frame and long stride. The colt arched his neck when he was asked to jog after Hourglass. The stout dark bay waved her tail in the colt's face, eyes blazing irritably. Kind she was not under saddle. She'd tamed down a lot compared to the foolishly fast creature she'd been as a two year old. Ripley was pondering a change in tactics for the strong bay. Taking back was not working much these days. She was so much stronger when allowed to run from the get-go in her workouts. It could be possible that was how she wanted to be raced. They would find out today. Maggie was curious how this workout would shape up. Bond wasn't a horse who enjoyed being scrubbed on the entire length of the workout. He liked to be allowed his big run at the very end. Maggie chewed her lip thoughtfully as the pair of horses moved into contained gallops to the first hill. She'd have to make a decision. Hourglass was becoming a Cross My Heart type and she wouldn't die off after eight furlongs. She'd keep right on going and going. Luckily, Bond was more of a stamina type animal. As expected, Hourglass took off like a rocket as soon as Ripley released her savage head. Maggie released her colt a second later upon noticing his strain to follow. If the colt wanted to keep up let him. It would hurt him if she held him back now. The bay powerhouse followed Hourglass over the crest, eyes alight with excitement. Ripley cocked her whip above her shoulder, signaling to Maggie this was to be a solid mile and a quarter gallop with the workout at the end. Maggie nodded in approval at the decision. Cross was going to be a deeply missed member of the roster, but at least there was something to look forward to in Hourglass. The strong baby daughter of The Devil's Touch was a blazing beast at the moment. She crushed everything in her path, taking down those that dare to run with her if she couldn't win. She had a big dog attitude in a little dog body. Ripley leaned close as the filly marched over the turf course, relentless in her speed. She was giving all of the right signs going into this next stakes race. Ripley tapped the filly on the shoulder, keeping her honest. Bond followed two lengths behind, tongue bobbing with his rhythm. He was really enjoying the chase. He loved to be in the clear did this big horse. He could get a little claustrophobic in tight spaces, but given room to run he really had a lovely cruising speed. He targeted Hourglass through the mile and a quarter, reaching with his stride up the hill and only shortening as much as necessary going down. Ripley didn't pause Hourglass at the top of the flat. She wouldn't get a breather in the race if there was pressure. Hourglass didn't take Bond seriously, but any other competition in an actual race was as dangerous as the next. The filly chugged down the hill, leaping the last foot to the flat. The reins flapped in the wind as the filly dashed across the flat. Ripley was laughing as the horse ran. Hourglass was something else. Maggie scrubbed Bond, grinning when he responded with a quick lead change and a burst of speed. His giant strides ate up the ground, caught the filly as she was moving through her last furlong. The big and small thoroughbreds bolted for the finish, eyes alight like their humans with passion for the race. Hourglass put the colt away with another gear, cementing her win with a length lead beneath the wire. Ripley fist-pumped the air excitedly, slapped hands with Maggie as Bond cruised by. The large colt had handled the test well. Like Hourglass, he was rounding into form at the perfect time as well. Reese knew how much The Devil's Hourglass meant to Ripley Marsh. It was so clear in every look, touch, word that Ripley directed at the filly. It was so clear to everyone how insanely talented the bay filly with the white star was. How many horses won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and later won the Belmont Turf Classic? Very few. Hourglass could run from nine furlongs to twelve furlongs on the lead or closing. How many horses could run a twelve furlong race on the lead at every call and still be there at the end to hold off the charge of Call Of The Wild? Not many. Only a horse with a magnificent heart and iron will. Ripley would love to hear Reese describe The Devil's Touch's filly in such a way. Reese kept it to herself as she put the finishing touches on the bay horse. Hourglass leaned into the brushes, a docile pet during grooming and tacking up. It was only game time when she caught sight of the turf track at home, The Wire or Green Horse Fields. Today, Hourglass would go head and head with the only horse that could egg her on and still be with her at the end. That horse was Mastermind. Another horse whom Ripley adored more than her own life. The progeny of her two favorite mares were easily becoming the most successful horses she'd ever raced or bred. The magnificent chestnut stallion stood powerfully outside of the barn, gleaming like a shiny copper coin. Mastermind was brilliance personified. It spoke with every step he took, every race he ran. He was gutty and talented. He could fight with the best, go five rounds with the champ and still be ready for the next race. Ripley would go out with her big horse. Go out with a big bang. Ripley's green eyes were cloudy with thought. She sat quietly and primly on the back of her chestnut mount. She was so content with her life right now, but things would change quite rapidly in December when she was forced to quit riding due to her pregnancy. She ran a soft hand down Mastermind's neck, smiling when the stallion didn't even budge a muscle. It was as though he felt her emotion. He perked up when Reese rode out of the barn on the stout Hourglass. Hourglass touched noses with the stallion, trotted by him with a twitch of her tail and headed for the turf track. Mastermind only moved when Ripley picked up the reins and nudged him forward. The Speed Demon horse, bowed his chin to his chest, trotted regally after the younger half of the pairing. He was a confident son of a gun. And why shouldn't he be? He only lost once in a while and while many people considered Witch Creek arrogant, Ripley didn't. When a horse was hot, he was hot. End of story. Mastermind was on a raging wild fire and Ripley was soaking it in. How many horses came around like this? Not many. The auburn haired woman allowed the colt to skip confidently into a gallop. His ears were pricked right up over his head and his eyes blazed with excitement. Hourglass was a fun opponent. She simply raged over the turf, engulfing it with magnificent strides. Reese was finding it just as thrilling to ride as it was to watch. Who knew that this dynamite filly could gallop along so easily in a race and be so demanding in a workout. She wasn't a morning glory by any means. She could roll along just as beautifully in a race as she did now. Hence the victory in the Belmont Turf Classic. Reese's fingers itched to release the bullish filly, but she held on tight. Mastermind may have distance limitations, but he was canny enough to hold his speed down until the time was right. The pair of horses galloped over the hills, slowing only on the steepest ones. The hills were intimidating to the riders, but to the horses they were just fun. Mastermind cruised about two and a half off of the rogue bay filly. Ripley kept her hands relaxed on the horse's withers, impressed with his performance. He didn't run as often as Hourglass did on these hills and yet he strolled along as though he'd been doing it his whole life. Reese could feel Hourglass concentrate more and more on the horse behind her. She had never faced Mastermind in a gallop or a workout before. He was a completely different type of animal. He didn't just fall away like Paranormal Hunter and come running at the end. He didn't linger like Bella Luna and then explode. He kept right on coming, draining her, but not draining himself. This workout would be a test of mettle and exactly what the star-marked filly needed for her first start against older horses. Ripley allowed the chestnut stud to catch up to Hourglass at the crest of the hill. Both animals seemed to pause and take a breath before they charged down the opposite side. They were complete opposites and yet both were filled with such brutal speed and talent. Mastermind was regal and lean while Hourglass was stout and physically. Both possessed raw speed with the ability to sit and pounce. The hills had leveled the playing field some and it was time to see what both of them had left. In answer to Ripley's unspoken curiosity, both chestnut and bay launched across the three furlong flat. Hourglass' hooves crushed the earth beneath her while Mastermind skimmed across the surface. His ears were up. Her ears were pinned and her eyes blazed in such ferocity. Mastermind was not playing though. Ripley knew that the hills had taken a toll on her mount and he was running on courage and heart. He flew through the second furlong with ease before he pinned his ears in absolute effort. Hourglass sensed her foe was weakening and dug in for the kill. She surged forward, snapping up what little separation there had been and forced Mastermind to throw down all his cards. He did with a brilliant gear, stunning the heavier bay with his tenacity. Together, the pair roared through the final furlong, running on heart more than talent, running on courage instead of raw ability. If toughness came into play in the final half of the season, both horses were more than prepared to deal with the devil and come out on top. |
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