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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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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