Post by ripley on Dec 23, 2017 21:57:14 GMT -6
Inferno
Silent Game jockeyed by Kendall Williams
Flash Fire jockeyed by Brookson Wells
Armistice jockeyed by Laura DeComte
The fog had cleared in time for Battle Brook's second set of the day. By all accounts, Straton and Tainted Love had rolled powerfully through their workouts this morning. From the glimpses she had caught, Ripley could believe it. Both colts had come back breathing fire, giving her hope that they might have a precocious group for the Y18 maiden races. While her classic horses were cooling out at the barn, Ripley turned her attention to the trio of bay horses that had stepped foot onto the track. Collectively, Ripley had not seen a stronger group of dirt horses in a long while. She knew that power that each brought to the table, had personally trained five of the six parents responsible for these horses and had witnessed the final horse, Silent Wings, in several of her record-breaking outings. Mastermind, Fiery Touch, Flashpoint, Nirvana, Ashes to Ashes: different horses, but each had the same general feel of precociousness, speed, durability and power. Looking at the offspring of those fine horses, Ripley believed that all four traits had been passed on successfully.
Kendall forced herself to breathe as she separated Silent Game from the fillies. Her mahogany bay colt watched the others with an eagle eye, bowing his neck and threatening to break into a canter after them. It wasn't stud behavior that drove the son of Mastermind. It was competition. During morning workouts, Silent Game rivaled Straton on his abuse of his riders and leathers. Usually, Kendall wasn't on the colt's back for his gallops. Silent Game needed a light rider, someone who wouldn't get in his way during his races. Silent Game had a tendency to make his own moves and once he did that, he was not nearly as amenable as his sire. He could be a wild horse at times, setting blistering fractions from the backstretch on, bolting to the lead on the final turn or even assuming command coming out of the first turn. It was something that his connections hoped would change as he aged, but somewhere, probably the El Sol del Mar line, Silent Game was blessed with stamina and he could get away with the freewheeling for now.
Flash Fire bounced excitedly under Brooks as he asked her to lengthen her stride. She was an elegant type, with a dainty head, but her body was all power. Her happy go lucky nature endeared her to everyone and Brooks thought she reminded him a lot of her sire Ashes. Not only in her excitable attitude, but in her body type, her drive and her racing style. She had the it factor and all of her mother's determined spirit. While Ashes had been a brilliant runner at times, he hadn't been a fighter. Fiery Touch gave Flash Fire a spirit that was both annoying and admirable. Brooks gave the filly a pat when she pinned her ears at Armistice, warning that rival to stay back. "Good luck with that," Brooks mumbled as he asked for a canter.
The darkest horse on the track was also the meanest horse in the joint. Well at the moment. Golden Envoy would probably have some say in that back at the barn. Laura stood in the saddle over the dark bay filly, admiring the way her ears were pinned back in her black mane as if she were already stirring for a fight. Neither Flashpoint nor Nirvana had been bad tempered creatures, but their daughter was through and through. Her eyes glared out all of her hatred for her compadres. She stayed on the muscle, keeping her arrogant nose just in front of Flash Fire's. The happy go lucky filly really got under Armistice's skin which made her the perfect workmate. Her build reminded Laura so much of both her parents, but in her, Laura found star power that had been missing in Flashpoint and Nirvana at points in their careers.
The trio moved into the gallop portion of the program, warming up for what would be a fiery workout. Silent Game curled his body into a 'U' in resistance to Kendall's control. The young jock gritted her teeth, but remained resolute. When they started back into the homestretch, Kendall would be free. She'd simply have to stay on his back at that point. Kendall guided the willful horse just behind the fillies. Army was on the rail with Flash Fire gliding just three quarters of the length back. Flash Fire had more initial speed, but Army would make a point to stay with her at least to start the workout before she settled down into her over-efficient stride.
Brooks let Fire go the minute they hit the back marker. Her lean body uncoiled gracefully, without the power she had leaving the gate, and gave Army time to adjust, but soon Fire was firing on all cylinders and Army wasn't in the picture. Fire assumed control of the pace willingly, giving her a great asset that sometimes left preceders vulnerable. While Flash Fire didn't need the lead, she could take it and feel no pressure to run on if pressed. Brooks let the reins out a notch, giving the dazzling filly her head as she settled into that inspiring stride of hers. He peeked under his shoulder to note that Armistice was now to their outside and pursed his lips in thought.
Laura leaned low over her filly's thick neck, certain that she'd have Flash Fire in her grasp, at least at this distance. Fire was a machine and at 7 furlongs and up, she had a better way of releasing energy than Army at this moment. The plan would be stretch Army out as she aged, just like Flashpoint, but for now Army's temperament and attitude pointed her at shorter distances. She could uncork a blistering late run that would leave her competition flopping like fish. Laura knew that Brooks knew this, but both of them were aware of the prince stalking them both. Both of them knew that at some point, Kendall would just have no choice but to let Silent Game fly.
The tall horse bounded easily over the ground, his ears flopping back and forth on his head as if he could go all day at this pace. Kendall was sitting in the cat bird's seat, just letting the animal run as he pleased. He could easily extend himself if the pace picked up, but otherwise, he was content to trail the fillies. He was so light on her hands now, so opposite of himself at a gallop. Now Kendall felt at ease, felt confident in why she was on this horse's back and not Brookson or Reese or David. Kendall wanted to sneak a light pat, but knew that rewards came after the work had been finished.
Flash Fire whirled into the far turn, flashing her agility when Brooks threw his reins at her. If Silent Game and Armistice wanted her, they'd have to come and get her. So fleet footed was Fire that she had put three lengths between herself an Army before that one had a response. While delayed, when Laura flashed her whip, Army reacted like a jet. She surged forward, a barrage of muscles and pure strength, and was on Flash Fire by the time that one straightened into the stretch. Brooks didn't need the whip on Flash Fire. Her competitive fires were burning and she met Army with the ferocity of a warrior. The two nearly collided together, but their jocks were able to prevent that.
Kendall released Silent Game later than normal and she would pay for it with sore hands later on. He'd been fighting her ever since the initial run into the turn, but now he was free. He was four lengths back, but within a matter of strides, the margin was down to two. Kendall dragged her right hand open and pointed the streaking colt toward the outside. With a chirp, Kendall set him down. He lengthened impressively and was alongside the fillies in a blink of an eye. No longer willing to play the working game, Silent Game soared by and was three lengths in front at the wire.
Army and Flash Fire bulleted through the wire, both infuriated that they had been outdone by the colt. However, neither of their riders were surprised. Silent Game operated at a different level right now. Flash Fire and Army had rocketed through five furlongs in :59 seconds, a brilliant time for fillies who weren't even in a real race yet. Silent Game just was that much a different animal at this point. Kendall stood tall in Silent Game's saddle, but could only breathe a sigh in relief when David sidled up aboard the venerable Jabberwock and collected Silent Game, who was still fighting to run longer. The bay colt blew in annoyance through his nose once and then settled down like a disciplined child should.
Ripley was grinning like a fool when Malcolm came down from the grandstand, a stopwatch in his hand. He'd caught Silent Game in :58 1/5 seconds, blistering fractions. "Well, well. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what these three do in their first starts," Malcolm said with a laugh.
"First starts?" Ripley scoffed. "How about their careers?"
"An even better wait and see than I could imagine," Malcolm relented, his blue eyes following the trio as they started their cool down process. All he could think was that Y18 was looking infinitely bright.
Silent Game jockeyed by Kendall Williams
Flash Fire jockeyed by Brookson Wells
Armistice jockeyed by Laura DeComte
The fog had cleared in time for Battle Brook's second set of the day. By all accounts, Straton and Tainted Love had rolled powerfully through their workouts this morning. From the glimpses she had caught, Ripley could believe it. Both colts had come back breathing fire, giving her hope that they might have a precocious group for the Y18 maiden races. While her classic horses were cooling out at the barn, Ripley turned her attention to the trio of bay horses that had stepped foot onto the track. Collectively, Ripley had not seen a stronger group of dirt horses in a long while. She knew that power that each brought to the table, had personally trained five of the six parents responsible for these horses and had witnessed the final horse, Silent Wings, in several of her record-breaking outings. Mastermind, Fiery Touch, Flashpoint, Nirvana, Ashes to Ashes: different horses, but each had the same general feel of precociousness, speed, durability and power. Looking at the offspring of those fine horses, Ripley believed that all four traits had been passed on successfully.
Kendall forced herself to breathe as she separated Silent Game from the fillies. Her mahogany bay colt watched the others with an eagle eye, bowing his neck and threatening to break into a canter after them. It wasn't stud behavior that drove the son of Mastermind. It was competition. During morning workouts, Silent Game rivaled Straton on his abuse of his riders and leathers. Usually, Kendall wasn't on the colt's back for his gallops. Silent Game needed a light rider, someone who wouldn't get in his way during his races. Silent Game had a tendency to make his own moves and once he did that, he was not nearly as amenable as his sire. He could be a wild horse at times, setting blistering fractions from the backstretch on, bolting to the lead on the final turn or even assuming command coming out of the first turn. It was something that his connections hoped would change as he aged, but somewhere, probably the El Sol del Mar line, Silent Game was blessed with stamina and he could get away with the freewheeling for now.
Flash Fire bounced excitedly under Brooks as he asked her to lengthen her stride. She was an elegant type, with a dainty head, but her body was all power. Her happy go lucky nature endeared her to everyone and Brooks thought she reminded him a lot of her sire Ashes. Not only in her excitable attitude, but in her body type, her drive and her racing style. She had the it factor and all of her mother's determined spirit. While Ashes had been a brilliant runner at times, he hadn't been a fighter. Fiery Touch gave Flash Fire a spirit that was both annoying and admirable. Brooks gave the filly a pat when she pinned her ears at Armistice, warning that rival to stay back. "Good luck with that," Brooks mumbled as he asked for a canter.
The darkest horse on the track was also the meanest horse in the joint. Well at the moment. Golden Envoy would probably have some say in that back at the barn. Laura stood in the saddle over the dark bay filly, admiring the way her ears were pinned back in her black mane as if she were already stirring for a fight. Neither Flashpoint nor Nirvana had been bad tempered creatures, but their daughter was through and through. Her eyes glared out all of her hatred for her compadres. She stayed on the muscle, keeping her arrogant nose just in front of Flash Fire's. The happy go lucky filly really got under Armistice's skin which made her the perfect workmate. Her build reminded Laura so much of both her parents, but in her, Laura found star power that had been missing in Flashpoint and Nirvana at points in their careers.
The trio moved into the gallop portion of the program, warming up for what would be a fiery workout. Silent Game curled his body into a 'U' in resistance to Kendall's control. The young jock gritted her teeth, but remained resolute. When they started back into the homestretch, Kendall would be free. She'd simply have to stay on his back at that point. Kendall guided the willful horse just behind the fillies. Army was on the rail with Flash Fire gliding just three quarters of the length back. Flash Fire had more initial speed, but Army would make a point to stay with her at least to start the workout before she settled down into her over-efficient stride.
Brooks let Fire go the minute they hit the back marker. Her lean body uncoiled gracefully, without the power she had leaving the gate, and gave Army time to adjust, but soon Fire was firing on all cylinders and Army wasn't in the picture. Fire assumed control of the pace willingly, giving her a great asset that sometimes left preceders vulnerable. While Flash Fire didn't need the lead, she could take it and feel no pressure to run on if pressed. Brooks let the reins out a notch, giving the dazzling filly her head as she settled into that inspiring stride of hers. He peeked under his shoulder to note that Armistice was now to their outside and pursed his lips in thought.
Laura leaned low over her filly's thick neck, certain that she'd have Flash Fire in her grasp, at least at this distance. Fire was a machine and at 7 furlongs and up, she had a better way of releasing energy than Army at this moment. The plan would be stretch Army out as she aged, just like Flashpoint, but for now Army's temperament and attitude pointed her at shorter distances. She could uncork a blistering late run that would leave her competition flopping like fish. Laura knew that Brooks knew this, but both of them were aware of the prince stalking them both. Both of them knew that at some point, Kendall would just have no choice but to let Silent Game fly.
The tall horse bounded easily over the ground, his ears flopping back and forth on his head as if he could go all day at this pace. Kendall was sitting in the cat bird's seat, just letting the animal run as he pleased. He could easily extend himself if the pace picked up, but otherwise, he was content to trail the fillies. He was so light on her hands now, so opposite of himself at a gallop. Now Kendall felt at ease, felt confident in why she was on this horse's back and not Brookson or Reese or David. Kendall wanted to sneak a light pat, but knew that rewards came after the work had been finished.
Flash Fire whirled into the far turn, flashing her agility when Brooks threw his reins at her. If Silent Game and Armistice wanted her, they'd have to come and get her. So fleet footed was Fire that she had put three lengths between herself an Army before that one had a response. While delayed, when Laura flashed her whip, Army reacted like a jet. She surged forward, a barrage of muscles and pure strength, and was on Flash Fire by the time that one straightened into the stretch. Brooks didn't need the whip on Flash Fire. Her competitive fires were burning and she met Army with the ferocity of a warrior. The two nearly collided together, but their jocks were able to prevent that.
Kendall released Silent Game later than normal and she would pay for it with sore hands later on. He'd been fighting her ever since the initial run into the turn, but now he was free. He was four lengths back, but within a matter of strides, the margin was down to two. Kendall dragged her right hand open and pointed the streaking colt toward the outside. With a chirp, Kendall set him down. He lengthened impressively and was alongside the fillies in a blink of an eye. No longer willing to play the working game, Silent Game soared by and was three lengths in front at the wire.
Army and Flash Fire bulleted through the wire, both infuriated that they had been outdone by the colt. However, neither of their riders were surprised. Silent Game operated at a different level right now. Flash Fire and Army had rocketed through five furlongs in :59 seconds, a brilliant time for fillies who weren't even in a real race yet. Silent Game just was that much a different animal at this point. Kendall stood tall in Silent Game's saddle, but could only breathe a sigh in relief when David sidled up aboard the venerable Jabberwock and collected Silent Game, who was still fighting to run longer. The bay colt blew in annoyance through his nose once and then settled down like a disciplined child should.
Ripley was grinning like a fool when Malcolm came down from the grandstand, a stopwatch in his hand. He'd caught Silent Game in :58 1/5 seconds, blistering fractions. "Well, well. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what these three do in their first starts," Malcolm said with a laugh.
"First starts?" Ripley scoffed. "How about their careers?"
"An even better wait and see than I could imagine," Malcolm relented, his blue eyes following the trio as they started their cool down process. All he could think was that Y18 was looking infinitely bright.
