There was a lot of shifting going on around the Witch Creek barns. Horses were moving in and out for their days work. Some were leaving to Green Horse Fields and some were returning from The Wire for brief respites away from the race track. Brooks loved the action of the place. For all of its business, no one was ever raising their voice or confused. Ripley Marsh ran a tight, effective ship, but a compassionate one. If anyone had an issue, the head honcho was brought in immediately. It was her place and her passion. He smiled as she walked into the barn leading a dripping Hourglass. The bay daughter of Sand Storm looked beautiful after her workout, muscles standing out beneath glistening hide. She paraded by, nickering at Lethal Dose and pinning her ears at Optimus. Brooks let the horse star marked colt step back. Hourglass simply didn't tolerate the horses below her on the rung. It was better not to force the issue. He petted the winner of the Tick Tock Sprint, smiled when the colt rubbed his head against his chest. Optimus was a sweet one when he wasn't jumping all over the place. "For your workouts, I just want a good five furlong maintenance move. A half mile gallop is all that's necessary. Until next week, they'll be getting 2 minute lick miles so this effort really is just to open them up." Ripley stopped beside In Front, leaning down to check the cut he sustained in his turf race last out. He'd performed well for not handling the surface and the injury. "He's good to go." She looked up as Lethal Dose followed In Front out, a testy look on her face. "Don't let her go too fast, Laura." Ripley kissed Brooks before following them. He grinned stupidly after her. Happy to have her back. It'd been a long, cold year in Year Thirteen. Now she was his girlfriend and they were doing better than ever. Just as they should have been doing all along. "Like you, small fry. Let's go show these big horses who the real champ is." Optimus bobbed his head, pranced on his toes as he headed out of the barn. The Shiver Me Timbers colt was becoming a favorite of Brooks. He had a happy go lucky attitude and a good brain. He was malleable and brave and he could run the hooves off most other horses in the homestretch. Always a plus. Justin felt back where he belonged aboard the tall, handsome In Front. The huge colt was the type of horse he loved to ride. He was tough, durable and a tank. He stood proudly at the top of the path, soaking in the early morning sun. In Front let out a challenging trumpet, pinned his ears when it was answered by Lethal Dose and his sire, Touch Up. Laura patted Lee's neck, laughing. "He's not talking to you!" The filly stared coldly in In Front's direction, unimpressed. She wasn't a fan of the big horse. He'd been her workout partner for the past month and he was too annoying. Laura could understand the sentiment. She felt the same way about Brooks. She snickered when the man sent her a look and stated, "Well, might as well get going." The bay trio high-stepped down the path on to the track. All of their ears pricked simultaneously. Taboo was flying around the track, gray hide glimmering like a lake. The riders waited until the Everyday Hero filly flitted by before asking their horses to move out at an easy gallop. Lethal Dose assumed the lead, ears pinning back into her mane. She was more high strung than the two males, though definitely not the fastest right out of it. Optimus was the prince of fast in the workout. He ran with his chin tucked to his chest, muscling his way forward as if he were bigger than his 15.3 height. In Front lumbered along at the back, settled and easy-going as ever. He was a tough horse to ride, but once focused, it was more like point and shoot. He cruised along behind the pair, happy to not be running head to head with Lethal Dose. The filly was becoming tougher with every win and In Front was tired of losing to her. It just made her even harder to deal with. Justin let the reins loose as the heavy colt changed leads going into the backstretch. Half mile was officially up. And just like that, Lee leaped into the bit and tore off with Optimus on her tail. The filly became the epitome of racehorse as she soared across the track. Her body was neatly parallel to the track, completely extended. She had a serious look in her gaze that said she meant business. Optimus settled on her outside, pacing her like a predator to prey. He'd seen an increase in confidence as well. He was faster and more mature. He rolled along, tucking neatly to her hip as she trucked through the first three furlongs. Boy this horse could just cruise, Justin thought as In Front marched to his own beat behind the faster horses. He was such a good horse. So comfortable and such a confidence booster. In Front charged forward, eyes gleaming as the leaders launched into the turn. He was revved and it showed in the sweeping movement that took him from five lengths back to two and gaining. The blaze faced colt waited until the stretch before he swung out, listening perfectly to Justin's commands. Brooks sensed trouble when In Front rolled up on his outside and Lee came to Optimus' shoulder. The bay filly could be dirty in intimidation tactics. Just as Laura went to pull Lee off Optimus, the Lethal Knack filly firmly pinched him back. Optimus skipped backward, breaking his momentum enough that the larger horses narrowly missed slamming each other. In Front roared by, now pursued by a furious Lethal Dose. Cursing, Brooks winged Optimus to the center of the track and let the reins soar. With his typical flying stride, the Shiver Me Timbers colt burst forward as though he'd been standing still. In a matter of blurry strides, Optimus was up to In Front's outside and sandwiching him in tight. Lee had the lead again thanks to her quicker turn of foot, but the colts gained rapidly. The world was shaking for all involved as they soared through the line. And on the sidelines, Ripley was clapping like a fool. Now that was a terrific way to start the closing portion of the racing year.
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