July Week Threespeed, speed and more speed"We seem a bit like the underdog in this one, Vana," Laura murmured as she adjusted the bridle on Nirvana's head. The Gold Storm filly was standing quietly in her stall, wise eyes staring straight into Laura's blue ones. The filly was an odd sort of horse. She was calm, quiet, collected, but on the track she could be downright fierce. She was one of the most impressive closing fillies on the racing circuit with enough heart for three horses. She just couldn't connect with the wire first. Laura adored Nirvana with all of her heart, feeling as though this filly was cruising under the radar. A snort drew Laura's gaze out of the box stall to the chestnut horse between the cross-ties. An answering snort and stomp sounded down the row. Oh yes, compared to the colts at Witch Creek Stable, particularly these colts, Nirvana was definitely the underdog. Sun King and Saintly Touch were both winners of four races, but they were demanding of their audience and competition. Sun King had recently been termed a monster and Saintly Touch had simply been beautiful in every race he ran. It was going to be a crash course for Nirvana, but Laura knew the thick filly was up to it. Sun King's eyes blazed into Brooks' as he pulled on his helmet. Energy coursed through the man's body and left him bristling. This colt was something else. He was tough and fierce, physically fit and thick. He just had this arrogance and ferocity that was different than anything Brooks had ridden before. King knew how impressive he was and he never missed a chance to flaunt it. The colt switched his tail over his haunches, stomping his hooves in impatience. He was tired of standing around. Ripley pulled her gloves on, green eyes flicking over Saintly Touch's body. His body was nicely dappled out, his muscle showing beneath glossy hide, and his one seeing eye gleamed softly. Saint was not King in terms of temperament, but what lurked underneath the colt's glossy good manners was a demon wanting to be freed. She stepped up the colt, running a hand down his shoulder, smiling when he nuzzled her arm. He was growing more affectionate every day. "We'll go six furlongs workout. Only a half-mile gallop lead up. If they were to gallop out powerfully, let them. It's time to get serious." Brooks laughed at Ripley as he led King by. "Yeah, all of that stuff before was just play." Laura cocked a brow at the pair, feeling like a third wheel. "They may not notice us now, Vana, but they will." Vana snorted, standing still as Laura mounted up in the barn. The blaze faced filly stared after the colts as they left the barn, ears pricked and eyes bright. She stood still though, a partner to Laura, and waited until her cue was given. The stout filly strode out of the barn, only moving into a trot when asked. King and Saint burst onto the track before Vana was halfway down the path. Neither colt was a fan of the other so ears pinned and eyes blazed in fury when they were together between the gap. The horses looked like compete opposites, light vs dark, but their attitudes became similar in the wide open space. Sun King flashed his teeth. Saint flashed his flint-like hooves. The colts broke into barely controlled canters up the track, kicking up dirt in their wake. Ripley and Brooks were completely still on the colts, peering backward to make sure that Vana was following. The blaze faced filly slammed into gear the minute Laura dropped her to the rail. Her mahogany colt glinted in the early morning light as she burst through the crowd of birds gathered in a puddle. The birds flew off with insulted squawks, but Vana didn't pay them any mind. Her attention was drawn to the flying seal brown and chestnut colts. The reins were taunt in Laura's hand and the rider was impressed. Usually the two year old wasn't into the bridle this early. She might have been intelligent enough to understand what Ripley had spoken. Laura slipped her gloved hand down to pat her neck, beyond amused and ready for the stretch run. Sun King blazed through the backstretch, head high and tail in the air. He was an absolute powerhouse in full flight, his muscles really showed beneath his glistening golden hide. To Brooks, this horse looked beyond wonderful even from on his back. It was a testament to Saintly Touch's talent that he was hanging at Sun King's hip. The woman aboard the near black colt was thinking it was more than just talent. Saintly Touch had grit and courage. He was a grinder and more than a handful for the chestnut Native Flame colt. Saint's left eye was filling gradually with fury after every passing furlong pole. He wasn't making his move just yet, but he would not allow this bigger colt to get away with murder. Pressure was key and Saint knew how to apply just the right amount of pressure. The Night Stalker colt loomed at King's shoulder as swept into the turn. He made the executive decision to push King right down to the rail, his heavier muscle making its first appearance on the track. It was funny that he pulled the same trick as The Devil's Touch and The Devil's Hourglass. A family trait that was beyond useful. Laura and Vana watched the chess game playing out in front with intense eyes. Vana had been long since warmed up and now she was really pulling Laura into the turn. It was time to let her go. Throwing the reins at Vana's neck, Laura released her stout filly on the big boys, grinning when she blazed trail in the four path off the turn. A crowd had gathered at the rail to watch and everyone pointed in near unison at the ballsy move of Nirvana. The bay filly roared down the stretch, body stretched to her greatest advantage. She bore down on the boys, switching easily over Saintly Touch's heels. Sun King pinned his ears at the sight of the filly on the far outside, furious that he was being pushed so recklessly. Brooks was shaking his head in defeat, but he stopped when he realized his chestnut colt was responding to the dual challenges. Saintly Touch could not see Nirvana, but he certainly could feel her. Ripley did not stop breathing when King and Vana pinned her seal brown colt in between them. All three hides touched, but Saint did not become intimidated. Instead he bullied his way through the pinch, fighting fiercely. The two others went with him in a desperate rush to at least finish in a tie if they couldn't get a win. The trio landed on the wire together, barely separated by any physical part of the body. The riders let out excited hoots and high-fived as their horses continued to truck into the first turn again. A perfect workout for what promised to be an impressive second half of the season. simply superiorReese had looked at the white board this morning in surprise and unease when she saw the second workout pairing of the day. Supernatural, Reese's beautiful filly, would be taking on none other than the nearly unbeatable Mastermind. Reese could only question Ripley's reasoning with this one. She adored Supernatural, but never in her wildest dreams did she think the gray compared to Mastermind, Ripley's protege. The Speed Demon stallion was sensational this year and he had always been, but he was more sensational than in his previous years. Reese called Siri her 'Steady Eddie.' The Dylan Himself filly could be brilliant and gutsy, but she did not possess the wow factor. If the gray filly won it was because of her grit and determination not because she was infinitely more talented than the rest. Reese patted the gray nosed filly, smiling into chocolate-colored eyes. Siri was a traditional dirt horse and she was a consistent one at that. She only ranked third in the three year old fillies division behind Battle Wings and Reflected In Water. Her ranking had been hard fought against the boys for the majority of Year Fourteen. She was back against those same males in the Easy Goer Red Mile and this time she was joined by Battle Wings. Reese looked forward to the race. If Ripley believed a workout with Mastermind would set Siri up for a rousing victory, by God, Reese would send her gray against the hulk every day of the week. Ripley patted 'The Hulk' after she tightened the girth one last notch. The elegant chestnut stallion quivered with excitement, flashing an affectionate glance in Ripley's direction. Their partnership had been smooth from the get-go and it seemed the only place to go was up. The gleaming horse paraded out of the barn, head high, whinnying as he emerged from the barn. Several heads picked up in the pasture, ears pricked in Mastermind's direction. Ripley smirked, patted the horse and jumped onto his back. The horse pranced briefly, but his attention soon diverted to Supernatural. Reese was already mounted, letting the reins swing down around Siri's neck. The filly strode by Mastermind as though he weren't even there. She had purpose and was acting on it. She was a grinder type filly, but she worked as hard as possible for every victory. Reese liked how Supernatural had turned out, appreciated the dirt filly's honesty. Most horses weren't nearly as honest. Mastermind stalked after Supernatural, ears pricked on her lean form. She was a competitor and he was assessing her. His ears flicked back when Ripley jerked the bit in his mouth. He'd been pulling heavily to stay within range of Supernatural. Siri always bolted the minute she hit the gap and Mastermind would not be bolting with her. Ripley's green eyes flashed when Mastermind defied her momentarily, reminding her that she needed to ask not demand. Demanding got nowhere with this marvelous Speed Demon stallion Reese leaned forward just as Siri expectantly darted forward. Her feet slammed into the dirt fiercely, ears slamming against her neck. It was all for show. Siri was not a serious runner at first, She waited and waited until it was time for the homestretch. That was part of the problem. If she didn't focus immediately on this certain task, Mastermind would leave her six feet below the ground. Reese glanced under her arm, smiling when Mastermind blew by. The chestnut horse was on a mission. He'd obviously sized up the competition and agreed with Ripley's plan of attack. Ripley would never get over this horse. He was her big one, bigger than his dam, though she had more of Ripley's heart. He'd been her partner for the last two and a half years and she would not fail him. The same thing went for the legendary horse. He was indeed becoming legendary on the track. There was no doubt in Ripley's mind that he could join El Sol Del Mar in the Hall of Fame one day. It would be the icing on the cake for her star horse's career. He had nothing left to prove. Everything here on out was for fun and the horse's enjoyment. Reese could tell Mastermind was playing with Siri despite his fast pace. He was a brutal runner and he definitely would not take any prisoners. Her was merciless and spared no feelings. Siri, who normally had her ears up and playing at this point, was far more interested than usual. She'd never faced an opponent who had given her no leeway. Her ears were pinned against her neck and her dark eyes were flashing with irritation. Her pace was strong and her stride long. She was fluid as ever, but her intensity was as thick as the humid summer air. Reese kept the reins loose despite the change. Siri was in the bridle and ready to roll when called upon. Mastermind cruised over the dirt course, muscling his way forward with power. The star-marked stallion was taking the six furlong workout very seriously. Ripley's hands would have been burning if she wasn't wearing gloves. He was just that strong today. His next start in the Penn National Derby would not come soon enough. Reese shook the reins at Siri the minute Mastermind took a step into the far turn. This is where the horse threw off his competition like bugs. Siri responded, throwing her body into the movement and nearly tearing the reins through Reese's fingers. Her sleek gray form streaked over the course, cutting the turn precisely and making up two lengths on Mastermind. The Dylan Himself filly wheeled off the far turn, ears pinned and body tense. Reese was impressed with what the filly was showing her. She was showing her drive and competitive fire. Ripley did not have to glance under her arm to know Siri was breathing down Mastermind's neck. The gray filly was rounding back into form and she'd grown tired of being the bridesmaid in every race. Ripley urged Mastermind on with slight nudging, grinning when he responded with another gear. Siri was a thorough grinder though and Mastermind could not shake her loose. Reese mildly urged the filly on with her body movement and chirps, smiling when Siri reached Mastermind's neck. The two horses rolled through the wire with Mastermind being the clear winner. Reese was laughing like a loon by the time they pulled up. Siri had pulled a beautiful workout out of her hat and she was ready to take on the best of her generation, fillies or colts. Ripley could only think that Mastermind was the best of his generation. She stroked the horse's satiny neck, dreaming of what was still to come.
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