"She's a relatively easy filly to ride," Laura said as she tightened the girth on Lethal Dose. The strong bay daughter of Lethal Knack snorted, eyes rolling slightly in disgust. She never liked this part and Laura had to admit it reminded her a lot of corseting, something she probably wouldn't have enjoyed either. "But don't let her get distracted Brooks. She'll get sluggish if you lose focus. Being a comfortable ride, she can be slightly deceiving." Brooks watched Laura and Lee with watchful blue eyes. The prickly pair seemed a match made in heaven. Somehow, the girl was able to ride just as well aboard the sweetest filly in the bunch. He placed a hand on that filly's neck, assessing her. Nirvana was in gleaming good health and grade three status sure seemed to agree with her. She'd put them all to shame with her sweeping juvenile performances. Nirvana had been the underdog, but she was doing just as well as the perfectly bred Sun King. Brooks was eager to get on the outstanding two year old filly and compare her to his brilliant mount. "I've dealt with her type before. She'll go good for me, hopefully." Laura rolled her eyes. It was such a boy thing that they thought they could get on any mount and make it perform. Some pairs didn't click for a reason. Laura cast a wary eye at Vana, secretly warning her to behave. This workout would ultimately determine her performance in the South Ocean Stakes so she had to do well. Otherwise, defeat would be awaiting them. Justin walked Casualty of War outside of the barn, shaking his feet as he walked to rid them of the cold. The powerful bay colt beside him seemed to radiate heat. His magnificent body shimmered in the weak winter light and he hardly looked cold at all. The son of Man O' War was in excellent health and prepared to make another run over the dirt surface. The colt was an extremely talented animal and his form could hardly be argued with. He had a waspish temperament, but when he was on that could all be forgiven. Justin stopped the horse, facing the sunlight and just soaked it in. He'd be sweating in a matter of minutes when they got to the dirt track. Casualty of War was a hard animal to ride, but the reward was simply great when they connected. Ripley watched the horses intently, resting her arms over her belly. To anyone else it looked like she was looking for something to grow, but inside, Ripley was praying it would stay as small as possible. She couldn't lose her mounts and wouldn't send Mastermind postward without her. They'd worked too hard, stayed together too long to not go out in the spotlight. Ripley's green eyes were filled with shadows of late, betraying the nonchalance she'd shown the media days before. Mastermind had missed the Winter Dawn Treader Cup and now would be tested harder than ever in his final three starts. She sighed, shook her head when Brooks laid a hand on her shoulder. He was the only one who knew Ripley well enough to call bullshit. "What's it gonna be today, Doc?" Ripley snorted, leaned into him briefly, displaying vulnerability that shocked Laura and Justin slightly. The prickly woman wasn't one for PDA, not that this could really be titled that. Laura turned her gaze to Lee, pondering Ripley's upcoming retirement. She'd been one of the greatest jockeys, piloting El Sol Del Mar, Fiery Touch, Cross My Heart, Mastermind, The Devil's Hourglass and Saintly Touch. Each and everyone had been incredible in their own way. Several had been incredible enough to make a claim for legendary and Hall of Fame. Laura hoped one day she'd have that light, but knew pregnancy would never be in the cards for her. "Mile gallop into a five furlong breeze. Finish on even terms if you can. No runaways. We're trying to test their courage in the face of battle." Brooks nodded and mounted up on Nirvana. He was slightly surprised when he settled into the tiny racing saddle. For a small filly, she sure had a big feel to her. He could feel the power in her frame, eyed the large shoulders with excitement. This was the reason for Nirvana's success. He patted her thick neck in appreciation and nodded at Laura. "She feels good." Laura cocked a brow from her spot aboard Lethal Dose. The rangy filly flicked her ears, eyes blazing with fire as she walked by Nirvana. Lee possessed a commanding air, only increased by her recent accomplishments. One win from grade three was nothing to snort at when you'd raced only once as a two year old. "Good is an understatement." Ripley gave a leg up to Justin and repeated her instructions. "Don't let him get heavy in your hand today. Relax him." Justin nodded, patted his colt as he headed down the path. The bay horse had become a bit of a powerhouse in his gallops and was becoming a credit to Ripley's new style of training. The hotheaded animal simply couldn't tolerate being out of work. On days when he was feeling especially naughty, Ripley had asked Justin to take him out for the second time those days. It seemed to have work and the extra training certainly couldn't hurt the solid animal. The trio of horses stepped onto the track, ears pricking and muscles bunching. Lethal Dose was quick to break off, fleet strides flying over the ground. The unmarked filly had a quick way of going and she simply devoured the ground. Her black mane blew into Laura's face and she just grew stronger into the first turn. Laura kept her hands at the filly's neck, keeping herself steady as much as the horse. Sometimes Lethal Dose could be a handful and that energy could take over Laura. Not today. Brooks had to admit he was impressed with Nirvana. The blaze-marked horse seemed very much at ease when her two workmates shot out to the lead. She got into the bridle, but she sure didn't pull you out of the saddle. Her ears were pricked on the colt and filly ahead, but her stride was even and long. He kept a loose rein, not egging her on to pick it up just yet. The bay filly clipped through the fractions with ease and precision and Brooks didn't mind letting her fall back seven lengths off the top pair. Justin kept a kind touch on Sultan's face, reminding him that he was still aboard and that the horse needed to behave. The large horse could definitely get full of himself, but not in a race. It was quite unusual for the headstrong horse to not be a wild runaway. He could be strong, but if was allowed to set a strong pace the horse seemed to be able to run all day. The heavy colt kept the lighter filly just behind him down the homestretch, moving as easily as he pleased. Justin liked knowing he had a stamina proven mount, appreciated that there could be several moves made in the race. He leaned closer as they cut through the turn, nearly checking Lethal Dose in the process. Laura growled and switched the three year old to the outside, winged her up alongside Sultan. Lethal Dose grew competitive when she was pushed around and now was no exception. She bolted up to run head and head with the juvenile, ears lost in her torrid black mane. Her strides were swift and fast and she defied the idea that colts were innately better than fillies. Her maturity over the year had been impressive and now she was a running machine. Laura still had an easy grip on the reins, felt the filly's mouth as she rolled through the first two furlongs. Casualty of War kept up easily, appreciating the increase in pace. Laura knew that Nirvana would also be appreciating said pace and expected a run from that one very soon. Soon was an understatement. The stout filly was closing in rapidly, making up impressive ground on the turn. Brooks leaned close, a grin spreading across his features and pressed the filly onward. She had a good turn of foot for such a heavy looking filly. And when she ran, she cruised like a luxury vehicle. Nirvana swung out to the outside of Lethal Dose and was at the filly's haunch by the final furlong. Lee's outside ear flicked and Laura knew that it was time for more. She flicked the whip and Lee punched it, leaving the game Casualty of War slightly stunned until he saw the rival on the outside. Justin chirped to the colt, appreciated his response to run with Nirvana, despite being outfooted by Lethal Dose. Nirvana could not make the ground up on the middle distance filly after the tremendous run, but she sure had gotten enough bottom to do some damage in her next couple of starts. Laura patted Lethal Dose's neck as the filly galloped out powerfully into the final turn. She was only getting better. It was easy to forget that this was truly her only year of racing. The talent was there. The question was how long before she made it to the big leagues?
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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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