Laura could hardly believe that this might be the very last workout she ever rode Dirty Diana in. Their last races together would be coming up quickly and Laura was in a state of shock. She'd taken the grade four mare all the way to the edge of grade one and now they were sitting on the cusp of being a really good pair. Only one win separated Diana from her grade one level. It had been the most elusive and frustrating win of Diana's career. She'd made herself known for her top finishes, being first or second in almost every start this year. The All For Glory mare deserved her win and if she notched it in the Glissade Stakes, December Week Two, perhaps a start in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint awaited her. It was one big if, but Laura had pulled off two miracles last year. Feline Frenzy and Whipped Cream had set the bar high for Laura, but she was more than living up to it on Nirvana and Diana. The red head patted her mount's neck, breaking her stare into space when a clatter of hooves on ice broke her focus. Diana shook her head, nickering in greeting to the similarly dappled filly coming down the path. Taboo, the regally bred daughter of Everyday Hero and Forbidden Wings, looked every inch the princess she was. She glided over the track with her ears pricked and her neck slightly bowed. She cut a beautiful figure in the morning light and her gracefulness was hard to miss. She flicked her ears in greeting to Diana, but held herself poised and at attention. Reese patted the filly's neck, smiling. Tabz had come such a long way since her near disastrous beginning. "Ripley's coming in two. She said to gallop a half mile and work the other half." Reese signaled her two year old into her floating hand gallop, drawing her down to Diana's side. The pink roan mare flashed her teeth, suddenly competitive now that it appeared they'd be doing something racing related. Laura had her hands foal keeping the mare in line. Diana had been awfully rough lately. She wanted to do her work and do it as fast as possible. The powerful mare cut down to the rail, asserting herself on the front end. Taboo was like silk in Reese's hands. She was so soft on the bit and, yet, there was enough energy there to assure Reese that she had a ton of horse. Taboo was not one to be underestimated and she'd proven that on several occasions. She was a fierce runner and definitely tougher than she looked. Her light frame and nature told Reese that she'd never be an Hourglass or Nirvana. Both of them could take on the boys repeatedly and come away with wins. Tabz was more of a filly's filly with her swift agility and devastating kick. Dirty Diana fanned out wide on the turn, carrying Taboo wide. The younger filly pinned her ears, showing her competitive spirit. She could be pushed around, but she sure as hell didn't take to it. She kicked into a higher gear, daring Dirty Diana to keep up if she wanted to pull those tricks. The reins were taunt in Reese's hands by the time they were halfway up the backstretch. Tabz wasn't a pushover, just light. And she sure as heck was taking her stand now. Diana wheeled through the stretch, muscles loosening up until her stride was at its greatest point. Her delicate head pressed into the air furlong, large nostrils flaring and engulfing great gulps of air. Her body looked like that of a greyhound with her deep chest and lithe rear end. Laura twined her fingers in the mare's mane as she rallied on the inside of Taboo and took over the lead again. Taboo battled back on the turn, gaining just enough advantage on Di to catch her by surprise. The slick two year old cut the turn, nearly cutting off Diana if not for Laura's swift reaction time. The larger mare bulled through the hole between Taboo and the rail. Her attack was ferocious and she nearly bowled Taboo over in the process. Taboo let loose a squeal, insulted beyond belief. Reese was impressed when she picked herself up and continued on despite the physicality. It was too late to catch Dirty Diana though. Laura went still after that. Her big mare was galloping along like a champ, ears pricked and tail high. She knew she was the champ and carried herself like one. Laura was laughing as they passed beneath the finish line. Next stop was grade one.
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