Reese knew how much The Devil's Hourglass meant to Ripley Marsh. It was so clear in every look, touch, word that Ripley directed at the filly. It was so clear to everyone how insanely talented the bay filly with the white star was. How many horses won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and later won the Belmont Turf Classic? Very few. Hourglass could run from nine furlongs to twelve furlongs on the lead or closing. How many horses could run a twelve furlong race on the lead at every call and still be there at the end to hold off the charge of Call Of The Wild? Not many. Only a horse with a magnificent heart and iron will. Ripley would love to hear Reese describe The Devil's Touch's filly in such a way. Reese kept it to herself as she put the finishing touches on the bay horse. Hourglass leaned into the brushes, a docile pet during grooming and tacking up. It was only game time when she caught sight of the turf track at home, The Wire or Green Horse Fields. Today, Hourglass would go head and head with the only horse that could egg her on and still be with her at the end. That horse was Mastermind. Another horse whom Ripley adored more than her own life. The progeny of her two favorite mares were easily becoming the most successful horses she'd ever raced or bred. The magnificent chestnut stallion stood powerfully outside of the barn, gleaming like a shiny copper coin. Mastermind was brilliance personified. It spoke with every step he took, every race he ran. He was gutty and talented. He could fight with the best, go five rounds with the champ and still be ready for the next race. Ripley would go out with her big horse. Go out with a big bang. Ripley's green eyes were cloudy with thought. She sat quietly and primly on the back of her chestnut mount. She was so content with her life right now, but things would change quite rapidly in December when she was forced to quit riding due to her pregnancy. She ran a soft hand down Mastermind's neck, smiling when the stallion didn't even budge a muscle. It was as though he felt her emotion. He perked up when Reese rode out of the barn on the stout Hourglass. Hourglass touched noses with the stallion, trotted by him with a twitch of her tail and headed for the turf track. Mastermind only moved when Ripley picked up the reins and nudged him forward. The Speed Demon horse, bowed his chin to his chest, trotted regally after the younger half of the pairing. He was a confident son of a gun. And why shouldn't he be? He only lost once in a while and while many people considered Witch Creek arrogant, Ripley didn't. When a horse was hot, he was hot. End of story. Mastermind was on a raging wild fire and Ripley was soaking it in. How many horses came around like this? Not many. The auburn haired woman allowed the colt to skip confidently into a gallop. His ears were pricked right up over his head and his eyes blazed with excitement. Hourglass was a fun opponent. She simply raged over the turf, engulfing it with magnificent strides. Reese was finding it just as thrilling to ride as it was to watch. Who knew that this dynamite filly could gallop along so easily in a race and be so demanding in a workout. She wasn't a morning glory by any means. She could roll along just as beautifully in a race as she did now. Hence the victory in the Belmont Turf Classic. Reese's fingers itched to release the bullish filly, but she held on tight. Mastermind may have distance limitations, but he was canny enough to hold his speed down until the time was right. The pair of horses galloped over the hills, slowing only on the steepest ones. The hills were intimidating to the riders, but to the horses they were just fun. Mastermind cruised about two and a half off of the rogue bay filly. Ripley kept her hands relaxed on the horse's withers, impressed with his performance. He didn't run as often as Hourglass did on these hills and yet he strolled along as though he'd been doing it his whole life. Reese could feel Hourglass concentrate more and more on the horse behind her. She had never faced Mastermind in a gallop or a workout before. He was a completely different type of animal. He didn't just fall away like Paranormal Hunter and come running at the end. He didn't linger like Bella Luna and then explode. He kept right on coming, draining her, but not draining himself. This workout would be a test of mettle and exactly what the star-marked filly needed for her first start against older horses. Ripley allowed the chestnut stud to catch up to Hourglass at the crest of the hill. Both animals seemed to pause and take a breath before they charged down the opposite side. They were complete opposites and yet both were filled with such brutal speed and talent. Mastermind was regal and lean while Hourglass was stout and physically. Both possessed raw speed with the ability to sit and pounce. The hills had leveled the playing field some and it was time to see what both of them had left. In answer to Ripley's unspoken curiosity, both chestnut and bay launched across the three furlong flat. Hourglass' hooves crushed the earth beneath her while Mastermind skimmed across the surface. His ears were up. Her ears were pinned and her eyes blazed in such ferocity. Mastermind was not playing though. Ripley knew that the hills had taken a toll on her mount and he was running on courage and heart. He flew through the second furlong with ease before he pinned his ears in absolute effort. Hourglass sensed her foe was weakening and dug in for the kill. She surged forward, snapping up what little separation there had been and forced Mastermind to throw down all his cards. He did with a brilliant gear, stunning the heavier bay with his tenacity. Together, the pair roared through the final furlong, running on heart more than talent, running on courage instead of raw ability. If toughness came into play in the final half of the season, both horses were more than prepared to deal with the devil and come out on top.
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