Go The Distance
Ode To Glory & Halexia Suhail
Santana's Legend & Vivien Charron
Sweet Mimosa & Tigris Greenfire
Santana's Legend & Vivien Charron
Sweet Mimosa & Tigris Greenfire
For the first time since the establishment of Valkyrie Stables, the farm was going into the Breeders' Cup with horses raced under their colors for an entire year. And how the year had flown - successes and defeats, everything had come down to this one week of racing, and the excitement was palpable in the air around the Mavecci shed row. Never before had they had a lineup such as the one they had now. Never the quality or success, though they had their longshots as well. But just knowing that they were going in on a level playing field meant the world.
While all of the jockeys had their excitement and nerves about the coming races, none were more jittery than Vivien. He'd never experienced the kind of success that he'd had on Santana's Legend this year, the two of them clicking so well as to take her to the top of the juvenile turf ranks. Even now they were good for each other - her quirky and happy nature helped to distract him from his nerves, and he let out a laugh as he pulled her from her stall. She reached her nose out, wiggling her lip on his shoulder but not even trying for a bite. It tickled, but Vivien let her do it for a moment before pulling away, smiling as he looked over at Cole. The trainer was the other calming presence around the barn, and Vivien was infinitely grateful for him. "How are you this morning?" The trainer asked, not prying but leaving the door open for Vivien if he needed to talk. After all, they were only a week from the race now. "I'm okay," he answered, running a hand down Ana's nose. "Nervous, but okay. I'm starting to realize that nothing I do leading up to the race is going to make much of a difference, so I might as well save my nerves for the race itself." And it was true, for the most part. Sometimes he got hit with a wave of nerves big enough to make him feel sick, but it always passed. Talking to the other helped as well. Tigris and Hal and the rest had been through this before, and their words of advice were gold it him.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Bring her here, you're meeting Hal and Tigris at the track." Nodding, Vivien maneuvered Ana up to Cole and slid along her side to get a leg up. Once mounted, they walked out side-by-side, Ana relaxed and happy enough to walk at the same pace as the human even without a lead attached. The dark bay filly was considerably filled out since the beginning of the year, walking with a long-strided gait that showed her peak form muscles. Not a hint of sweat touched her coat in the chill of the morning. She was the picture of a brilliant racehorse, with the obvious temperament of a track pony.
When they reached the track, there were two horses standing by the gap. One was considerably bigger than the other, even though he wasn't actually much taller. Ode To Glory, the stallion ready to finish his brilliant racing career, looked every bit the fantastically competitive racehorse that he was. While he hadn't had the breakout season that his early wins this year would have suggested, he was still considered a very classy horse and, in Cole's mind, deserving of his final chance at a second Breeders' Cup win before retirement. At his side was the black daughter of Sweeto Cheeto, Sweet Mimosa. The tall filly had a gorgeous build and was the precise replica of her dam as a juvenile. However, Osa had experienced far more success at that age than Screaming Mimi had. While she hadn't often run in HOTYs, she had shown her class by the sheer number of times she was able to pull out a win - even against those regular HOTY competitors. Cole might otherwise have shied away from sending a mostly-undercard horse into the big races, but her sheer prowess and overwhelming classiness, coupled with a jockey that knew his way around the BC, had her pointed toward the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
With the gang all there and some last-minute instructions from Cole, the three turned their horses to the track. Osa was the most eager of the bunch, bowing her neck and causing Tigris to pull her head to the side to keep her at a trot. The other two were alert and forward in the cool air, and kept pace with the black juvenile with ease. They moved quickly into a canter, moving down the center of the track past traffic in a loose group. Vivien took Ana up to the lead before they moved into a gallop, starting about three lengths ahead of the others. She moved effortlessly into a gallop, reaching and patient against the bit. She was aware of her pursuers, however, evident by a tilt of her head and flicking of her ears. Vivien sat chilly on the bay, moving her to the rail and asking her to pick up speed to start their five furlongs. She went willingly, eating up the turf with confident strides and absolutely breezing around the turn. Ode and Osa went in company behind, Osa given the inner lane and Ode having no trouble at all on the outside. Being the most mature of the group, he started his run soonest - Tigris expertly kept Osa from giving immediate chase, knowing that Ana was their real and attainable target. And it was no easy thing, especially when Ode was moving like a hunter sprinting after prey. And Ana truly was the prey - two years younger, she was no match for the stallion. He blew past her, charging off as if he was in a solo work until he sailed past the wire. Vivien watched him go, and once more reveled in the patience Ana always showed. He hadn't cued her, so she continued to wait and didn't fight to give chase. When Vivien heard Osa gaining behind them with a furlong to go, that was when he asked her to fight, and fight she did. At her own pace, she fought off the onslaught of Osa from the rear, but the black filly was coming on with heat. She was only a neck behind when they sailed past the wire, and caught the bay in another few strides - but Vivien didn't mind, because Ana had given just as much as he'd asked of her, just as she always did. Osa, for her part, was still a bundle of energy as they galloped out, and all it took was for one to see the smile on Tigris' face to know that he was ready for the next challenge.
While all of the jockeys had their excitement and nerves about the coming races, none were more jittery than Vivien. He'd never experienced the kind of success that he'd had on Santana's Legend this year, the two of them clicking so well as to take her to the top of the juvenile turf ranks. Even now they were good for each other - her quirky and happy nature helped to distract him from his nerves, and he let out a laugh as he pulled her from her stall. She reached her nose out, wiggling her lip on his shoulder but not even trying for a bite. It tickled, but Vivien let her do it for a moment before pulling away, smiling as he looked over at Cole. The trainer was the other calming presence around the barn, and Vivien was infinitely grateful for him. "How are you this morning?" The trainer asked, not prying but leaving the door open for Vivien if he needed to talk. After all, they were only a week from the race now. "I'm okay," he answered, running a hand down Ana's nose. "Nervous, but okay. I'm starting to realize that nothing I do leading up to the race is going to make much of a difference, so I might as well save my nerves for the race itself." And it was true, for the most part. Sometimes he got hit with a wave of nerves big enough to make him feel sick, but it always passed. Talking to the other helped as well. Tigris and Hal and the rest had been through this before, and their words of advice were gold it him.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Bring her here, you're meeting Hal and Tigris at the track." Nodding, Vivien maneuvered Ana up to Cole and slid along her side to get a leg up. Once mounted, they walked out side-by-side, Ana relaxed and happy enough to walk at the same pace as the human even without a lead attached. The dark bay filly was considerably filled out since the beginning of the year, walking with a long-strided gait that showed her peak form muscles. Not a hint of sweat touched her coat in the chill of the morning. She was the picture of a brilliant racehorse, with the obvious temperament of a track pony.
When they reached the track, there were two horses standing by the gap. One was considerably bigger than the other, even though he wasn't actually much taller. Ode To Glory, the stallion ready to finish his brilliant racing career, looked every bit the fantastically competitive racehorse that he was. While he hadn't had the breakout season that his early wins this year would have suggested, he was still considered a very classy horse and, in Cole's mind, deserving of his final chance at a second Breeders' Cup win before retirement. At his side was the black daughter of Sweeto Cheeto, Sweet Mimosa. The tall filly had a gorgeous build and was the precise replica of her dam as a juvenile. However, Osa had experienced far more success at that age than Screaming Mimi had. While she hadn't often run in HOTYs, she had shown her class by the sheer number of times she was able to pull out a win - even against those regular HOTY competitors. Cole might otherwise have shied away from sending a mostly-undercard horse into the big races, but her sheer prowess and overwhelming classiness, coupled with a jockey that knew his way around the BC, had her pointed toward the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
With the gang all there and some last-minute instructions from Cole, the three turned their horses to the track. Osa was the most eager of the bunch, bowing her neck and causing Tigris to pull her head to the side to keep her at a trot. The other two were alert and forward in the cool air, and kept pace with the black juvenile with ease. They moved quickly into a canter, moving down the center of the track past traffic in a loose group. Vivien took Ana up to the lead before they moved into a gallop, starting about three lengths ahead of the others. She moved effortlessly into a gallop, reaching and patient against the bit. She was aware of her pursuers, however, evident by a tilt of her head and flicking of her ears. Vivien sat chilly on the bay, moving her to the rail and asking her to pick up speed to start their five furlongs. She went willingly, eating up the turf with confident strides and absolutely breezing around the turn. Ode and Osa went in company behind, Osa given the inner lane and Ode having no trouble at all on the outside. Being the most mature of the group, he started his run soonest - Tigris expertly kept Osa from giving immediate chase, knowing that Ana was their real and attainable target. And it was no easy thing, especially when Ode was moving like a hunter sprinting after prey. And Ana truly was the prey - two years younger, she was no match for the stallion. He blew past her, charging off as if he was in a solo work until he sailed past the wire. Vivien watched him go, and once more reveled in the patience Ana always showed. He hadn't cued her, so she continued to wait and didn't fight to give chase. When Vivien heard Osa gaining behind them with a furlong to go, that was when he asked her to fight, and fight she did. At her own pace, she fought off the onslaught of Osa from the rear, but the black filly was coming on with heat. She was only a neck behind when they sailed past the wire, and caught the bay in another few strides - but Vivien didn't mind, because Ana had given just as much as he'd asked of her, just as she always did. Osa, for her part, was still a bundle of energy as they galloped out, and all it took was for one to see the smile on Tigris' face to know that he was ready for the next challenge.
Longshots
Beautiful Liar & Desmond Drake
Bowen Arrow & Tigris Greenfire
Bowen Arrow & Tigris Greenfire
Immediately after Osa was taken from him to be cooled down, Tigris turned to his next mount. Bowen Arrow was tacked and ready for him, fractious in the cool morning air before Tigris was even aboard. It took some maneuvering to get him in the saddle with the stallion more interested in moving than standing, but it was a routine everyone was pretty used to. Bowen Arrow had gone above and beyond already in this, his last season. He'd had his ups and downs, of course, but that just came along with breaking into the big leagues. Tigris couldn't even begin to take credit for the stallion's rise - he'd liked the horse, but the stallion had really matured of late, and with it had come a massive competitive drive. He'd won against classier competition simply on his own gut and will, and that made him into a classy horse in his own right. It was that valiant will that had convinced Cole to give him a shot at the Mile in his final race, and he was training up to the big moment beautifully. Every gallop showed improvement and complete relaxation from the stallion, and they were looking for a very nice breeze out of him today.
"Drake, move it!" Tigris yelled over to his co-worker, who was looking much more leisurely aboard the cool-headed mare Beautiful Liar. He gave Tigris a nondescript smile, clearly enjoying his moment of a kind mount - as the jockey of Chiquato, he didn't take an obedient horse for granted. "We'll catch up, go on," Desmond said with a wave of his hand, and Tigris complied with a grunt, turning his excited stallion out to the turf. Once they got moving, the difference in the bay was palpable. He loosened up immediately, ears happily pressed forward and stride practically bouncing. The traffic on the track, the noise from the stands, neither seemed to faze him in the least. Desmond took Leah out about a furlong behind, mimicking the same warm-up pattern as Bow. The grey mare had been something of a surprise that season, though perhaps she shouldn't have been. After being shuffled around from farm to farm for most of her career, she'd obviously never been able to settle and repeat the success of her three-year-old year. However, some TLC at Valkyrie had created a mare that was a threat in the filly and mare turf division, even if she wasn't necessarily a frontrunner in the ranks. However, she'd won some major races and continued to build. After some poor placings in her most recent races, Cole had been somewhat reconsidering her entry into the Breeders' Cup. However, given the fact she'd beaten these horses before and that she'd been training very well - there was nothing at all wrong with her - there was no reason not to give her a shot. She was in the best form of her life, at she at least deserved a shot.
The horses were moved into a gallop, and Leah was on the prowl first. Along the rail, the mare settled into a deep stalk, inching up on the stallion as they started the work. Even knowing that Bow was being held, it was an exhilarating feeling to draw up behind the other horse, knowing their target and attacking them in a calculated drive. Over the five furlongs they continued to gain, more in the last than any other. When they drew even with Tigris and Bow, though, it was Tigris' cue to hold them off. While the stallion preferred the pack, he was fine with working alone, and seemed to accept the challenge when pressured by the mare. Bow picked up the pace on cue, rallying against the drive the grey had worked herself up to. While he was being let go much later, he was within a length of the mare by the time they passed the wire. While Desmond settled Leah to gallop out, Tigris really asked Bow for more, pumping his arms along the stallion's neck, asking Bow to close. And close he did, flicking his tail and surging forward, passing Leah in a couple of strides. Tigris almost immediately pulled the stallion back to a more manageable pace after they surged by the mare, rewarding the effort of the bay at the end of the work. He couldn't help but continue to be impressed - Bowen Arrown didn't even look or feel like the same horse that he used to. He had that same drive and will and talent that Shenanigans did, though it had never been present in the past. His peak was now, and he was about to make a splash. And Leah? She had proven over and over again how classy she was this season - she just needed the chance to rebound off of recent races and shine.
"Drake, move it!" Tigris yelled over to his co-worker, who was looking much more leisurely aboard the cool-headed mare Beautiful Liar. He gave Tigris a nondescript smile, clearly enjoying his moment of a kind mount - as the jockey of Chiquato, he didn't take an obedient horse for granted. "We'll catch up, go on," Desmond said with a wave of his hand, and Tigris complied with a grunt, turning his excited stallion out to the turf. Once they got moving, the difference in the bay was palpable. He loosened up immediately, ears happily pressed forward and stride practically bouncing. The traffic on the track, the noise from the stands, neither seemed to faze him in the least. Desmond took Leah out about a furlong behind, mimicking the same warm-up pattern as Bow. The grey mare had been something of a surprise that season, though perhaps she shouldn't have been. After being shuffled around from farm to farm for most of her career, she'd obviously never been able to settle and repeat the success of her three-year-old year. However, some TLC at Valkyrie had created a mare that was a threat in the filly and mare turf division, even if she wasn't necessarily a frontrunner in the ranks. However, she'd won some major races and continued to build. After some poor placings in her most recent races, Cole had been somewhat reconsidering her entry into the Breeders' Cup. However, given the fact she'd beaten these horses before and that she'd been training very well - there was nothing at all wrong with her - there was no reason not to give her a shot. She was in the best form of her life, at she at least deserved a shot.
The horses were moved into a gallop, and Leah was on the prowl first. Along the rail, the mare settled into a deep stalk, inching up on the stallion as they started the work. Even knowing that Bow was being held, it was an exhilarating feeling to draw up behind the other horse, knowing their target and attacking them in a calculated drive. Over the five furlongs they continued to gain, more in the last than any other. When they drew even with Tigris and Bow, though, it was Tigris' cue to hold them off. While the stallion preferred the pack, he was fine with working alone, and seemed to accept the challenge when pressured by the mare. Bow picked up the pace on cue, rallying against the drive the grey had worked herself up to. While he was being let go much later, he was within a length of the mare by the time they passed the wire. While Desmond settled Leah to gallop out, Tigris really asked Bow for more, pumping his arms along the stallion's neck, asking Bow to close. And close he did, flicking his tail and surging forward, passing Leah in a couple of strides. Tigris almost immediately pulled the stallion back to a more manageable pace after they surged by the mare, rewarding the effort of the bay at the end of the work. He couldn't help but continue to be impressed - Bowen Arrown didn't even look or feel like the same horse that he used to. He had that same drive and will and talent that Shenanigans did, though it had never been present in the past. His peak was now, and he was about to make a splash. And Leah? She had proven over and over again how classy she was this season - she just needed the chance to rebound off of recent races and shine.
Remember The Name
Shenanigans & Tigris Greenfire
Sweet Inferno & Halexia Suhail
Sweet Inferno & Halexia Suhail
The interest of the press wasn't completely uncommon for Valkyrie Stables, given that they'd campaigned Flawed Princess for the last few months of her career. However, with its largest lineup of Breeders' Cup contenders that it's ever had, the farm was definitely feeling a bit of celebrity status, even if it was only in the staff's minds. One of the spotlights for the event was on Shenanigans, the previous year's Juvenile Fillies winner and a filly on track for a second Breeders' Cup win. After taking the Prince Of Wales Stakes brilliantly, the filly just kept on her winning form, taking three other HOTY races against strong competition and older horses. She was in top form, and she was well-rested going into the race - everything that Cole could have asked for. And there was no one better to work alongside in this critical moment than Sweet Inferno, the black mare who was having a killer season under Valkyrie's lease. The experienced daughter of Crooked Fire had stepped up her game, not finishing out of the money at all during the year and racing at the highest level, with fourteen of her sixteen races in HOTY competition. Both were highly anticipated in the upcoming Breeders' Cup races, though they were, of course, facing the best horses in their divisions. However, they were on their levels, and they were not the underdogs this time around.
Tigris took Shanna onto the track first - unlike Hal, he didn't have the temperament to stop for the cameras and neither did his filly.Well, she might have been fine, but the problem was more in what would happen if she did have an outburst. She was fairly capable of being dangerous on any given day, let alone when she was faced with a bunch of cameras and reporters. No, it was safer to just take the unpredictable filly to the track and let his coworker take the media with the Stride Of Perfection leasee. And as he jogged Shenanigans alone the outer rail, slow and out of the way, he was able to see that Hal was doing just that. While Sweetie wasn't thrilled with her current position - close to the track but not actually moving on it - she was behaving herself, and Hal seemed completely at ease answering any questions directed at her. Tigris was happy to see that Minske was alongside her at the mare's head, close enough to give the woman's ankle an inconspicuous pinch if she got too bold. After all, she was representing the farm on the largest stage.
After a bit of Q & A, Sweetie finally announced the end of her tolerance - as Tigris watched the mare ducked her head and gave a small standing buck. A warning, but it had the reporters scooting back and leaving the path clear, clearly wary of the explosion that might come. Tigris snorted. Sometimes they acted like horses were ornaments, not living creatures, at least until they were faced with an overt threat. It was just in time, too, because Shanna was beginning to get antsy, chewing on the bit and throwing her shoulder forward into a canter. Tigris managed to rein her in, turning her back to meet up with an antsy Sweetie as she stepped onto the dirt. Shanna was taller than the older mare, though they had a similar build. Sweetie was perhaps a bit more on the lean side, specializing in the distance races, where Shanna had a bit more raw strength in her hindquarters. Regardless, the two of them made a very nice pair trotting down the track, all eager energy and refined class combined. After a warmup canter, the pair stopped to turn into the center, all eyes turning to their spotlight work as they took the rail. The first furlong on the rail was preparation, both mares having necks bowed and heads a bit high in eagerness. However, when they hit their mark, they were off. Immediately both blacks flattened, both preferring to have a nose in front, though Tigris was able to convince Shanna to give up the lead by a head as they went around the turn for their five furlongs. Tigris could already tell the work was blistering - however, more importantly, he knew that his filly wasn't running herself ragged. She felt good and she wasn't overextending, running with massive speed in a controlled fashion. Tigris kept Shanna right on Sweetie the whole way, never letting the older mare draw away, and in the last furlong Tigris asked Shanna to finish. Hal, too, was asking it of Sweetie, and the mare was responding - however, those bigger haunches were paying off for Shanna, and at this distance her kick was just a bit stronger. The filly charged to the wire past the black with a neck to spare, and Tigris almost immediately eased her back to let Sweetie charge by - as expected, Shanna took that poorly, fighting Tigris' hands to try and chase once more. However, Tigris stayed firm, keeping her contained in a very mild gallop-out. Sweetie took the gallop much more strongly, looking more like a longer work than just a gallop-out with her strength of stride.
Strength. They had it, and they would capitalize on it, and it would bring them a Breeders' Cup trophy.
Tigris took Shanna onto the track first - unlike Hal, he didn't have the temperament to stop for the cameras and neither did his filly.Well, she might have been fine, but the problem was more in what would happen if she did have an outburst. She was fairly capable of being dangerous on any given day, let alone when she was faced with a bunch of cameras and reporters. No, it was safer to just take the unpredictable filly to the track and let his coworker take the media with the Stride Of Perfection leasee. And as he jogged Shenanigans alone the outer rail, slow and out of the way, he was able to see that Hal was doing just that. While Sweetie wasn't thrilled with her current position - close to the track but not actually moving on it - she was behaving herself, and Hal seemed completely at ease answering any questions directed at her. Tigris was happy to see that Minske was alongside her at the mare's head, close enough to give the woman's ankle an inconspicuous pinch if she got too bold. After all, she was representing the farm on the largest stage.
After a bit of Q & A, Sweetie finally announced the end of her tolerance - as Tigris watched the mare ducked her head and gave a small standing buck. A warning, but it had the reporters scooting back and leaving the path clear, clearly wary of the explosion that might come. Tigris snorted. Sometimes they acted like horses were ornaments, not living creatures, at least until they were faced with an overt threat. It was just in time, too, because Shanna was beginning to get antsy, chewing on the bit and throwing her shoulder forward into a canter. Tigris managed to rein her in, turning her back to meet up with an antsy Sweetie as she stepped onto the dirt. Shanna was taller than the older mare, though they had a similar build. Sweetie was perhaps a bit more on the lean side, specializing in the distance races, where Shanna had a bit more raw strength in her hindquarters. Regardless, the two of them made a very nice pair trotting down the track, all eager energy and refined class combined. After a warmup canter, the pair stopped to turn into the center, all eyes turning to their spotlight work as they took the rail. The first furlong on the rail was preparation, both mares having necks bowed and heads a bit high in eagerness. However, when they hit their mark, they were off. Immediately both blacks flattened, both preferring to have a nose in front, though Tigris was able to convince Shanna to give up the lead by a head as they went around the turn for their five furlongs. Tigris could already tell the work was blistering - however, more importantly, he knew that his filly wasn't running herself ragged. She felt good and she wasn't overextending, running with massive speed in a controlled fashion. Tigris kept Shanna right on Sweetie the whole way, never letting the older mare draw away, and in the last furlong Tigris asked Shanna to finish. Hal, too, was asking it of Sweetie, and the mare was responding - however, those bigger haunches were paying off for Shanna, and at this distance her kick was just a bit stronger. The filly charged to the wire past the black with a neck to spare, and Tigris almost immediately eased her back to let Sweetie charge by - as expected, Shanna took that poorly, fighting Tigris' hands to try and chase once more. However, Tigris stayed firm, keeping her contained in a very mild gallop-out. Sweetie took the gallop much more strongly, looking more like a longer work than just a gallop-out with her strength of stride.
Strength. They had it, and they would capitalize on it, and it would bring them a Breeders' Cup trophy.
Don't Blink
Optical Illusion & Savita Tusaint
"A broken leg. You get through the entire freaking season, and just before the Breeders' Cup you go and-"
"Shut up, Hal! It's not like I planned for this!"
It was the tears Hal could hear in her voice, though her eyes were still dry, that made Hal pause in her teasing. Savita's eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep and crying, her skin pale from pain medication. Her right leg was heavily casted, making her movement clunky and slow.
It had been a spill off of Alucard that had done it. It was a stupid thing - a yearling had gotten loose and spooked the stallion while they were walking down to the training track. Savita had been caught off guard and thrown into a fence. He'd landed badly, and had fractured her leg in the process. Too close to the Breeders' Cup - only a week out. Alucard had run loose for a bit before he was finally caught, and it resulted in mild inflammation in one fetlock. While it was a minor injury, it was enough to sideline him from the Sprint. With Savita out of commission, it meant finding a new rider for Optical Illusion. The juvenile colt was a fairly easy ride, and Hal had been chosen as the closest fit for him. Hal had helped train the colt as a yearling, so she new a fair bit about him already. And with her affinity for bringing the best out of the males... well, it was as good as they were going to get.
This work was the first real test of their connection. Hal had only meant to rib Savita a bit before they went out, but even she wasn't so cruel as to keep after her when she was obviously upset. She waved off Savita's outburst, turning to get a leg up on the antsy grey colt at her side. "Anyway, don't worry about it. You'll be back in the saddle in no time. Probably." With the last parting shot that she couldn't quite help, given the constant animosity between the two, she picked up the reins of the sprinter and pointed him out onto the turf. While she hadn't been on the dappled grey in awhile, his movements and way of going were familiar, and she settled into her familiar routine. The colt was big for his age, reflected in his success over the course of the year. With six HOTY wins races on the season, many in large fields, hardly anything else needed to be said about his immeasurable talent. And he was surprisingly well-behaved given his age and impulsion - while he was obviously eager, especially when other horses breezed by on the inside rail, he didn't get fractious. "Good boy," Hal breathed in approval as she eased him up, turning him to the rail to move counter-clockwise.
She let him jump up to a gallop, relishing the ease with which he moved over the turf. His ears were pressed forward and his movement was steady and smooth, wanting more but not demanding it. Hal was only taking him two furlongs, and she highly expected it would be a near-burning lick. When she let him turn on the speed, she was not disappointed. Even without letting him run flat-out, she still felt like she was flying, breathless as the sprinter did what he did best. Hal simply had to hold on and make sure he didn't over-exert himself. When the pulled the colt up, there was a freshness about him that had her very much looking forward to pitting him against the best competition and letting him run to his fullest. She gave Savita a smile as they rode past toward the barn, and Hal couldn't help but relish the surprised look on the girl's face. Wanting to add to it, Hal added in parting, "You've done well with him."
"Shut up, Hal! It's not like I planned for this!"
It was the tears Hal could hear in her voice, though her eyes were still dry, that made Hal pause in her teasing. Savita's eyes were red-rimmed from lack of sleep and crying, her skin pale from pain medication. Her right leg was heavily casted, making her movement clunky and slow.
It had been a spill off of Alucard that had done it. It was a stupid thing - a yearling had gotten loose and spooked the stallion while they were walking down to the training track. Savita had been caught off guard and thrown into a fence. He'd landed badly, and had fractured her leg in the process. Too close to the Breeders' Cup - only a week out. Alucard had run loose for a bit before he was finally caught, and it resulted in mild inflammation in one fetlock. While it was a minor injury, it was enough to sideline him from the Sprint. With Savita out of commission, it meant finding a new rider for Optical Illusion. The juvenile colt was a fairly easy ride, and Hal had been chosen as the closest fit for him. Hal had helped train the colt as a yearling, so she new a fair bit about him already. And with her affinity for bringing the best out of the males... well, it was as good as they were going to get.
This work was the first real test of their connection. Hal had only meant to rib Savita a bit before they went out, but even she wasn't so cruel as to keep after her when she was obviously upset. She waved off Savita's outburst, turning to get a leg up on the antsy grey colt at her side. "Anyway, don't worry about it. You'll be back in the saddle in no time. Probably." With the last parting shot that she couldn't quite help, given the constant animosity between the two, she picked up the reins of the sprinter and pointed him out onto the turf. While she hadn't been on the dappled grey in awhile, his movements and way of going were familiar, and she settled into her familiar routine. The colt was big for his age, reflected in his success over the course of the year. With six HOTY wins races on the season, many in large fields, hardly anything else needed to be said about his immeasurable talent. And he was surprisingly well-behaved given his age and impulsion - while he was obviously eager, especially when other horses breezed by on the inside rail, he didn't get fractious. "Good boy," Hal breathed in approval as she eased him up, turning him to the rail to move counter-clockwise.
She let him jump up to a gallop, relishing the ease with which he moved over the turf. His ears were pressed forward and his movement was steady and smooth, wanting more but not demanding it. Hal was only taking him two furlongs, and she highly expected it would be a near-burning lick. When she let him turn on the speed, she was not disappointed. Even without letting him run flat-out, she still felt like she was flying, breathless as the sprinter did what he did best. Hal simply had to hold on and make sure he didn't over-exert himself. When the pulled the colt up, there was a freshness about him that had her very much looking forward to pitting him against the best competition and letting him run to his fullest. She gave Savita a smile as they rode past toward the barn, and Hal couldn't help but relish the surprised look on the girl's face. Wanting to add to it, Hal added in parting, "You've done well with him."