"It always seems like Ripley picks up a horse at this time of season, doesn't it?" Maggie asked as she watched Brooks go to the wall for her. The wall was a furious mass of bay filly and she was not having any part in the tacking up process. She'd tolerated the grooming and the wrapping, but the saddle and bit were crossing the line. Maggie's blue eyes took in the powerful mass of the daughter of Passionate Class. She was a furious wraith that did not belong to her turf sire. Rather, that fury was passed down through Carmilla, daughter of Night Stalker and Requiem. "Yeah, next time I need to check pedigrees out before I let her bring a demon spawn home again." Brooks gave last heave, slapped the metal hooks in place and fled the scene a moment before Miss Josephine's teeth would have caught him on the shoulder. Maggie smiled, patted Brooks' back. "Atta boy. You did good even though she doesn't think so." The grooms and stall muckers had been watching the entertainment with large eyes. As soon as Brooks turned to them, they scattered. Brooks chuckled. "Seriously. Ripley does go for a certain type." "And that type has carried me to more winner's circles as a trainer than any other line." Brooks and Maggie didn't even bother to wince. Ripley's voice was less cold than it had been earlier. Mostly because she would be riding in this set. The pair turned and smiled at the woman and her black mare. Cross watched them owlishly as if she hadn't decided if she liked them or not. Her affection for Ripley was remarkable and her intelligence was so reflective of how she behaved. The sharp black sprinter snorted at Brooks and Maggie, dismissing them as she always had. They hadn't impressed her so far. "We're going to do a mile gallop and three furlong workout. Test Josey and give Cross and Tabz a lung opener. Lots of big races coming up with the end goal being the Breeders' Cup." Reese sat patiently out in the yard, relaxed as much as she could be aboard a flighty gray thoroughbred. Taboo had settled down a lot over the course of the season. It struck Reese that this must have been what Cross was like as a two year old. Horror stories of Cross' screams still echoed among the grooms and riders. Taboo had been just as "crazy" and now she was miles ahead of where she had once been. The Forbidden Wings daughter stared off in the direction of the grassy hills, lost in thought with her left hind hoof cocked. What a difference nine months made. The other riders mounted up and jogged by to the dirt track. Tabz ears pricked in longing toward the hills, but she obediently turned when asked. The turf track was closed until April. Soon the dirt track would be as well and all workouts and gallops would be moved to the indoor synthetic track. Reese was eager to try the place out and pitch her turfers against Brookson and Ripley's dirt horses. The clash would be interesting to say the least. Miss Josephine moved with such intensity that Maggie already felt she would have to hold on to her helmet. The dashing bay filly twisted her head to and fro, assessing her surroundings with ferocious eyes. She snorted, fog billowing out of her nostrils and emphasizing the dragon-like look. Maggie couldn't wait to pit Miss Josephine against The Devil's Hourglass. That would be a sight. Two coltish fillies battling it out in full-blown glory. The horses moved into their gallops, Cross immediately assuming the lead. It was so fantastic how durable the black mare had been. She'd raced constantly over three seasons and had never lost an inch of speed. Ripley allowed the black mare to dig into the dirt a little quicker than usual. The star marked mare was quite interested in clinging to the rail. After all, it was the fastest and shortest route around the track. Taboo cruised behind Cross, ears pricked and eyes bright. She floated over the dirt track, really handling it with such professionalism. The filly had this pizzazz to her that was so striking. More would be expected of her as a three year old. This year was all about getting to know her quirks. Reese kept an ear out for Maggie's horse, uneasy of that one's reaction to running. But all and all, she was more than pleased with Taboo. Miss Josephine was an absolute handful. Maggie had the filly under a good strong hold and her arms were already starting to shake with the effort. The wild-eyed filly wanted to dominate her two opponents and she moved rankly. The whites of her eyes could be seen from the rail by Brooks. He just shook his head. They'd see if she had this much energy left at the end of the exercise. The Passionate Class filly wasn't liking the surface at all, knees lifting very high in reaction. She snorted like a freight train with every stride and it was so obvious that the fire burned within her. Maggie let out a notch, nearly was rocked backward when she leaped into the bit like a mountain lion. So the bay filly had instant speed. Quite impressive. Maggie took the hold up, bided her time. Cross My Heart rolled through the mile gallop with consummate ease. She used to only be able to handle a mile before she blew up and bolted. Now, she waited patiently, or a little more patiently, for Ripley's cue to gun it. The cobalt mare charged forward emphatically, putting another two lengths between herself and Tabbo in the blink of an eye. She switched leads and roared through the turn. Ripley thanked her brain for reminding her to grab goggles. Her eyes would have been icicles by now. Reese guided Taboo off the rail and released her. She smiled when the gray roan smoothly transitioned into a faster pace, fluid as a swan. The Forbidden Wings filly pinned her ears into her waving black mane and commenced a stunning bid. She was a bloody fast filly when she wanted to be. She had unexpected power and strength beneath that beautiful coat. Reese ducked low on the filly's neck as they straightened up and pursued Cross down the stretch. The black demon was virtually uncatchable so that workout was more for Tabz benefit of the chase than the actual victory. Maggie let out a violent breath as Miss Josephine pounded the ground beneath her. The bay filly had demanded release and now she was roaring after the other horses. Her body glistened with the effort and she looked absolutely fierce from Brooks' point of view behind Taboo. Maggie was impressed with the Passionate Class filly. For her extreme dislike of the dirt surface, she sure was courageous in fighting it. She'd closed the distance between herself and Tabz with emphatic strides and now she was moving to challenge. Ripley pulled Cross up, cocking her head to glance behind her. Used to the trainer's tactics, Cross slowed to an easy going lope, ears facing back to listen. Ripley patted the mare's neck absentmindedly as she watched the action. "Definitely a nice filly," she muttered as she watched Taboo outgame the bay across the wire. The sleek filly looked surprised by her rival's fury, but even in the gallop out she refused to be passed. She was no longer an inexperienced juvenile. Miss Josephine was an outside threat and now Taboo had the resources to defeat her. Ripley nodded appreciatively as Miss Josephine rolled on despite Maggie's will. While she wasn't a dirt horse by any means, it was nice to see a spirited champion. One day, perhaps, Miss Josephine would be the champion Ripley thought she could be. Until then... she would be working her way up to that stunning point.
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