Testosterone Rush.
Bowen Arrow & Tigris Greenfire
Alucard & Savita Tusaint
Passionate God & Halexia Suhail
Alucard & Savita Tusaint
Passionate God & Halexia Suhail
It had been three months since the gang had all been together. After all, what need was there for jockeys when there were no horses? However, now that the farm was back full-swing, the vagabond riders had settled at home once more. The morning would prove to be a busy one, with nearly all of the active horses slotted for a breeze. They had all been kept in peak form, both those previously owned by Valkyrie and the newcomers to the string, so conditioning wasn't an issue - just seeing where they stand and where the work needed done was the goal.
Tigris and Hal were already waiting at the track when the bay colts were brought up. Since Jena had gotten to Valkyrie she'd been accompanying the horses to be worked out to the track, but today was a busy one and she'd apparently stayed back to help prepare the racing string for their works. She wasn't a drill-sergeant, but she was efficient and expected the same from her workers. In light of that, it was surprising that Jena and Hal got along so well - they'd become fast friends, despite their huge personality gap. Savita arrived just after the horses, walking with Cole and chatting animatedly with the man. The shorter woman ignored Hal, as per usual, but gave Tigris a friendly smile before moving straight to Alucard and getting a leg up. The big colt, who Savita had affectionately dubbed 'Luca', didn't give her a second glance. He stood proud as a statue, only moving confidently forward when she urged him. She started trotting him down the turf track.
Hal looked curiously at Cole, unmoved by the girl's dismissal. "What were you guys talking about?" Savita wasn't normally so chatty with anyone except perhaps her brother. Cole shrugged, gesturing them to the horses. Bow was already getting fidgety and Nate was pinning his ears at the older horse in an aggressive manner. "Just about Alucard. He's the only mount she's got, and she likes sprinters." The man legged Hal up, then paused. "Her brother's the same, actually. Must run in the family." Hal smiled, turning her already unruly colt out toward the track. "Fits her hot temper," Hal said wickedly, allowing Nate to trot out onto the turf. Tigris remained behind for a moment, running his hand appreciatively along Bow's neck. For the moment Bow stood still, not itching to get after the other colts. Cole smiled up at his son's best friend, putting a hand on the stallion's shoulder. "Happy to have him back?" Tigris gave a rueful smile, embarrassed at being caught during a sentimental moment but also not really caring. "Yeah. He's something special, and I hated seeing him go." Cole couldn't argue that point. Bowen Arrow had won over half of his races on the year, even without having a ton of races overall. He was strong and versatile and resilient - everything you wanted in an older horse. "Well, we've got him back for good now. So just do your thing with him." Tigris nodded, then picked up the reins and sent his first ever mount back out onto the track for the first time in months.
It felt good to have so much power beneath him again. The stallion was eager, biting at his bit and tensing his whole frame in anticipation. Tigris kept him in hand automatically, just as he always had - the familiarity was pleasant and almost relaxing. He asked the bay into a trot allowing him to lengthen and catch up to the other two riders. Nate still had his ears tightly pinned, threatening to kick even while in motion any time Hal took him too close to Alucard. The Motion Sprint winner rolled his eyes toward the juvenile, but didn't react in any other way. He seemed to know the threat wasn't real, not on the track. And thus he simply ignored the antics. Tigris signaled to them and the three riders took their colts into canter. Bow gave a buck and Nate tossed his head, but they settled into the pace easily enough. The horses were obviously all starting focus, Minds tuned to what they knew was coming.
Finally they asked them into an easy gallop, Nate aggressively placing himself a head in front of the others. Luca settled behind him without a fuss, though by the way Savita kept him held he wanted to be going faster. Tigris maneuvered Bow to the rail, on the inside of both Luca and Nate but hanging back off the lead. Bow was pretty content as long as he had other horses to run by. Once positioned, the three riders got ready, leaning close to their mounts' necks and getting the reins in tight grips. Glancing to the furlong poles, they all let loose at the same time for their three-furlong run.
The gallops were in-hand but powerful, charging strides driving them around the grass turn. Luca pressured Nate from the outside already, Savita allowing him to harass the younger, hot-headed colt. Nate tried to charge ahead, but Hal soothed him, crooning instead of fighting with him. He'd have others harassing him in races - he couldn't lose his head. Tigris watched as they settled in again, a small smile on his face. Hal did have a way with the hot-headed ones. However, he was going to use the disruption to his advantage. A furlong out, Tigris let Bow loose at about the same time the others started moving. The big stallion flashed his power, ears back and legs charging after the leading horses. Nate fought, but he was beat before he started with the mature horses bearing down on him. Luca tapped into his sprinter power, driving forward with great explosive strides. Without the distance to catch the sprinter, Tigris got Bow by the wire half a length behind the three-year-old Alucard and a length and a half ahead of Nate. Tigris rubbed Bow's neck vigorously, nothing but optimistic for the races to come. The bright future they'd all seen before was back on track.
Tigris and Hal were already waiting at the track when the bay colts were brought up. Since Jena had gotten to Valkyrie she'd been accompanying the horses to be worked out to the track, but today was a busy one and she'd apparently stayed back to help prepare the racing string for their works. She wasn't a drill-sergeant, but she was efficient and expected the same from her workers. In light of that, it was surprising that Jena and Hal got along so well - they'd become fast friends, despite their huge personality gap. Savita arrived just after the horses, walking with Cole and chatting animatedly with the man. The shorter woman ignored Hal, as per usual, but gave Tigris a friendly smile before moving straight to Alucard and getting a leg up. The big colt, who Savita had affectionately dubbed 'Luca', didn't give her a second glance. He stood proud as a statue, only moving confidently forward when she urged him. She started trotting him down the turf track.
Hal looked curiously at Cole, unmoved by the girl's dismissal. "What were you guys talking about?" Savita wasn't normally so chatty with anyone except perhaps her brother. Cole shrugged, gesturing them to the horses. Bow was already getting fidgety and Nate was pinning his ears at the older horse in an aggressive manner. "Just about Alucard. He's the only mount she's got, and she likes sprinters." The man legged Hal up, then paused. "Her brother's the same, actually. Must run in the family." Hal smiled, turning her already unruly colt out toward the track. "Fits her hot temper," Hal said wickedly, allowing Nate to trot out onto the turf. Tigris remained behind for a moment, running his hand appreciatively along Bow's neck. For the moment Bow stood still, not itching to get after the other colts. Cole smiled up at his son's best friend, putting a hand on the stallion's shoulder. "Happy to have him back?" Tigris gave a rueful smile, embarrassed at being caught during a sentimental moment but also not really caring. "Yeah. He's something special, and I hated seeing him go." Cole couldn't argue that point. Bowen Arrow had won over half of his races on the year, even without having a ton of races overall. He was strong and versatile and resilient - everything you wanted in an older horse. "Well, we've got him back for good now. So just do your thing with him." Tigris nodded, then picked up the reins and sent his first ever mount back out onto the track for the first time in months.
It felt good to have so much power beneath him again. The stallion was eager, biting at his bit and tensing his whole frame in anticipation. Tigris kept him in hand automatically, just as he always had - the familiarity was pleasant and almost relaxing. He asked the bay into a trot allowing him to lengthen and catch up to the other two riders. Nate still had his ears tightly pinned, threatening to kick even while in motion any time Hal took him too close to Alucard. The Motion Sprint winner rolled his eyes toward the juvenile, but didn't react in any other way. He seemed to know the threat wasn't real, not on the track. And thus he simply ignored the antics. Tigris signaled to them and the three riders took their colts into canter. Bow gave a buck and Nate tossed his head, but they settled into the pace easily enough. The horses were obviously all starting focus, Minds tuned to what they knew was coming.
Finally they asked them into an easy gallop, Nate aggressively placing himself a head in front of the others. Luca settled behind him without a fuss, though by the way Savita kept him held he wanted to be going faster. Tigris maneuvered Bow to the rail, on the inside of both Luca and Nate but hanging back off the lead. Bow was pretty content as long as he had other horses to run by. Once positioned, the three riders got ready, leaning close to their mounts' necks and getting the reins in tight grips. Glancing to the furlong poles, they all let loose at the same time for their three-furlong run.
The gallops were in-hand but powerful, charging strides driving them around the grass turn. Luca pressured Nate from the outside already, Savita allowing him to harass the younger, hot-headed colt. Nate tried to charge ahead, but Hal soothed him, crooning instead of fighting with him. He'd have others harassing him in races - he couldn't lose his head. Tigris watched as they settled in again, a small smile on his face. Hal did have a way with the hot-headed ones. However, he was going to use the disruption to his advantage. A furlong out, Tigris let Bow loose at about the same time the others started moving. The big stallion flashed his power, ears back and legs charging after the leading horses. Nate fought, but he was beat before he started with the mature horses bearing down on him. Luca tapped into his sprinter power, driving forward with great explosive strides. Without the distance to catch the sprinter, Tigris got Bow by the wire half a length behind the three-year-old Alucard and a length and a half ahead of Nate. Tigris rubbed Bow's neck vigorously, nothing but optimistic for the races to come. The bright future they'd all seen before was back on track.
Soldiers.
Gallant Knight & Vivien Charron
Van Guard & Halexia Suhail
Jericho & Tigris Greenfire
Van Guard & Halexia Suhail
Jericho & Tigris Greenfire
Off one horse and onto another. Tigris handed Bow off to a handler, then almost immediate moved over to Cole to get a leg up onto the juvenile Jericho. The good-natured colt whickered to him and Tigris put his fingers through his mane in a smoothing motion. Jericho had originally been ridden by Minske at the beginning of the year, but since the young rider had switched his focus to the youngstock, the bay had been put in Tigris' charge. He hadn't been as successful as some, but the juvenile hadn't done badly and would likely get better as he matured.
Hal had a quick transition as well, leaving the ill-tempered Nate to jog to one of her favorite horses, Van Guard. Even if he hadn't had a breakout season, he was still one of the most talented horses Hal had ever ridden. From the first day she'd set eyes on him, she'd known that he was special. That he would do amazing things. She'd never doubted him, not for a moment. He was eager when she was legged up, tossing his head and prancing sideways, eyes on the track.
The last horse was one that Valkyrie had seen before in their barns. Gallant Knight had been leased by Valkyrie around the same time the year before from Oak Hill. When he'd been sold, he just didn't fit with the scheme - and now here he was again, once more on lease, looking to make a statement. And the staff wanted to make that happen. He had the pedigree, he had the demeanor, he just needed the opportunity to break through once and for all. He'd already come a long way from the year before, so there was no doubt as to his potential. Vivien had drawn the mount on the good-natured stallion, and he looked small on him now, blonde hair piled under his helmet and slender frame seeming girlish against the muscled chestnut.
With instructions to take the males six furlongs, the riders moved the horses out onto the dirt. They were all excited colts, ears pressed forward and eagerness in their every move, but they were good as well. None of them fought their riders, and for Hal, it was a pleasant change from her previous work. Van had always had a winning attitude, with tons of energy and more willingness than she could hope for. She settled him in front of the others as they warmed up, though the stallion normally wasn't one to lead. Without a true leader, she had faith that her bay would do better than the others up front.
The horses were moved out of a canter and into a gallop. Van and Knight moved nearly as a team, comfortable in each other's company. Hal and Vivien were both a little surprised by their ease in running together, but they didn't change it. It was fine as long as they weren't fighting. Jericho settled just behind, at their heels. When they were six furlongs from the wire, all three of them let the horses stretch out a little, but they didn't push for speed. Six furlongs was long for a work, and they'd have enough of a stamina test later on - this was just to get them sharpened up with their riders. They went along easily that way until the second to last furlong, Jericho sitting as chilly as Tigris could hope for. A lot of two-year-olds got fidgety sitting behind, but the colt didn't seem bothered at all.
At two furlongs out, Tigris starting Jericho moving. The colt picked up the pace eagerly, not seeming the worst for wear over the distance at all. As he drew up alongside the older horses, they stallions kicked in. Hal saw the juvenile out of the corner of her eyes and she barely had to urge Van to take off like a shot. The big stallion dug deep, with Knight charging gamely beside. The two of them slowly edged out the juvenile, mature muscles giving them the edge. Close to the wire Van gave a final push, sticking his head in front of Knight's blazed face to get the 'win'. Hal whooped, easing the stallion back into the gallop out. Tigris could see, even from a few lengths back, how proud she was of her boy. Tigris couldn't deny that he was excited too - the horses were going to be incredibly strong in their upcoming races.
Hal had a quick transition as well, leaving the ill-tempered Nate to jog to one of her favorite horses, Van Guard. Even if he hadn't had a breakout season, he was still one of the most talented horses Hal had ever ridden. From the first day she'd set eyes on him, she'd known that he was special. That he would do amazing things. She'd never doubted him, not for a moment. He was eager when she was legged up, tossing his head and prancing sideways, eyes on the track.
The last horse was one that Valkyrie had seen before in their barns. Gallant Knight had been leased by Valkyrie around the same time the year before from Oak Hill. When he'd been sold, he just didn't fit with the scheme - and now here he was again, once more on lease, looking to make a statement. And the staff wanted to make that happen. He had the pedigree, he had the demeanor, he just needed the opportunity to break through once and for all. He'd already come a long way from the year before, so there was no doubt as to his potential. Vivien had drawn the mount on the good-natured stallion, and he looked small on him now, blonde hair piled under his helmet and slender frame seeming girlish against the muscled chestnut.
With instructions to take the males six furlongs, the riders moved the horses out onto the dirt. They were all excited colts, ears pressed forward and eagerness in their every move, but they were good as well. None of them fought their riders, and for Hal, it was a pleasant change from her previous work. Van had always had a winning attitude, with tons of energy and more willingness than she could hope for. She settled him in front of the others as they warmed up, though the stallion normally wasn't one to lead. Without a true leader, she had faith that her bay would do better than the others up front.
The horses were moved out of a canter and into a gallop. Van and Knight moved nearly as a team, comfortable in each other's company. Hal and Vivien were both a little surprised by their ease in running together, but they didn't change it. It was fine as long as they weren't fighting. Jericho settled just behind, at their heels. When they were six furlongs from the wire, all three of them let the horses stretch out a little, but they didn't push for speed. Six furlongs was long for a work, and they'd have enough of a stamina test later on - this was just to get them sharpened up with their riders. They went along easily that way until the second to last furlong, Jericho sitting as chilly as Tigris could hope for. A lot of two-year-olds got fidgety sitting behind, but the colt didn't seem bothered at all.
At two furlongs out, Tigris starting Jericho moving. The colt picked up the pace eagerly, not seeming the worst for wear over the distance at all. As he drew up alongside the older horses, they stallions kicked in. Hal saw the juvenile out of the corner of her eyes and she barely had to urge Van to take off like a shot. The big stallion dug deep, with Knight charging gamely beside. The two of them slowly edged out the juvenile, mature muscles giving them the edge. Close to the wire Van gave a final push, sticking his head in front of Knight's blazed face to get the 'win'. Hal whooped, easing the stallion back into the gallop out. Tigris could see, even from a few lengths back, how proud she was of her boy. Tigris couldn't deny that he was excited too - the horses were going to be incredibly strong in their upcoming races.
Silent Attack.
Chiquato & Desmond Drake
Mourning Passion & Savita Tusaint
Barely A Sound & Vivien Charron
Mourning Passion & Savita Tusaint
Barely A Sound & Vivien Charron
Losing National Treasure had been hard. Losing Dare to Impress had been even harder. Losing Mourning Passion, their dark horse underdog, had been practically painful. However, due to their relations with Intrepid and an incredible show of friendship on their part, Mourning Passion was once again home to Valkyrie Stables. The dominator, the surprise Kentucky Derby Winner, and Savita Tusaint's most successful mount - none was more excited than her that she was once again getting the chance to ride the horse that both scared her and excited her in equal measures. He was so strong, so determined... and he'd won over half of his races this season. It was hard to beat that kind of performance.
The other two horses, both new to Valkyrie, would benefit from the work with the champion colt. That was Cole's plan, anyway. Barely A Whisper was a juvenile filly, a little spacey and distracted but well-raced this season. If nothing else, she had the experience to be calm during a race instead of panicking and making rash decisions. That's why Cole hadn't been too bothered by her record - a frequently raced juvenile had a much better head on her than a lightly raced one. She'd learn, and she'd grow. Especially with horses like Mourn to learn from. The last horse, Chiquato, was older but far less experienced than the juvenile. The farm had taken him in from his previous owners practically for free due to his completely unmanageable temperament. He was like an overgrown, spoiled child, and only now was he behaved enough to even think about putting him in a race. "Behaved enough" didn't mean he wasn't a monstrous handful, though. He was mean-spirited and willful, and that was the reason they'd put the older, experienced freelancer Desmond on him.
The three riders were tossed on, Desmond settling despite Chicken swinging his hindquarters away and snaking his head around to try and bite Cole. The trainer swatted at the colt's nose and Chicken jerked his head up, ears pinned. "Don't try it with me, idiot," the trainer mumbled, and Desmond laughed good-naturedly from the horse. "He'd better do some sort of good work out there to make up for manners as bad as these." But Desmond was known for working with difficult horses and was pretty willing to put himself on dangerous animals, so he was a perfect choice to start the three-year-old.
Savita angled Mourn out onto the dirt track first, and the colt strode in a commanding way that showed he knew he was the most powerful animal on the track. Versatile and strong, Mourn had most recently taken the first leg of the Sprinter Triple Crown against the Valkyrie-raised Allouette Divine. To take both the first leg of the Triple Crown and the first leg of the Sprinter Triple Crown was not a feat many horses could brag, but Mourn just wasn't like other horses. Every stride, the look in his eye - everything showed he was special. Savita had never felt happier than she did on the powerful miler. As they started the warm-up Chicken was kept a good few lengths away, not allowing the mean colt to get too close to the others while they were still at lower speeds. The filly was taken closer to Mourn, and he pretty much ignored her as they went along.
Finally they were asked into a gallop. Chicken immediately pushed past the other two for the front and Mourn let him go, settling beside Whisper for the beginning of the four-furlong breeze. Vivien sat easily on the new juvenile, but she didn't seem to be getting over-excited anyway - she had too much experience to do that much at this point. Mourn was chilly as ever, not caring if he was in the lead or not. As they went around, Mourn started edging up outside of Chicken. The big bay reacted by speeding up, just as Savita knew he would - it was a short outburst thanks to Desmond's strong hands, but it was enough to distract Chicken from his lead. Mourn immediately took advantage, charging forward in a brilliant outburst of speed. Chicken rallied gamely, Whisper giving her all on the inside despite the difference in strength. Vivien encouraged her even when the boys drew away, not letting her accept defeat. She was happy to oblige. Mourn put a furlong of distance between himself and Chicken before he passed the wire, only the barest hint of sweat on his coat.
When they pulled up, Desmond gave Savita a rueful smile. "You played him well," he commented, referring to Chiquato. "I'll be ready for that from now on, though." Savita laughed, patting Mourn's neck. "Wasn't me. Mourn's the one who knows how to play them. He's twice as smart as he needs to be, I swear." However, it had gotten him far, so she wasn't one to complain.
The other two horses, both new to Valkyrie, would benefit from the work with the champion colt. That was Cole's plan, anyway. Barely A Whisper was a juvenile filly, a little spacey and distracted but well-raced this season. If nothing else, she had the experience to be calm during a race instead of panicking and making rash decisions. That's why Cole hadn't been too bothered by her record - a frequently raced juvenile had a much better head on her than a lightly raced one. She'd learn, and she'd grow. Especially with horses like Mourn to learn from. The last horse, Chiquato, was older but far less experienced than the juvenile. The farm had taken him in from his previous owners practically for free due to his completely unmanageable temperament. He was like an overgrown, spoiled child, and only now was he behaved enough to even think about putting him in a race. "Behaved enough" didn't mean he wasn't a monstrous handful, though. He was mean-spirited and willful, and that was the reason they'd put the older, experienced freelancer Desmond on him.
The three riders were tossed on, Desmond settling despite Chicken swinging his hindquarters away and snaking his head around to try and bite Cole. The trainer swatted at the colt's nose and Chicken jerked his head up, ears pinned. "Don't try it with me, idiot," the trainer mumbled, and Desmond laughed good-naturedly from the horse. "He'd better do some sort of good work out there to make up for manners as bad as these." But Desmond was known for working with difficult horses and was pretty willing to put himself on dangerous animals, so he was a perfect choice to start the three-year-old.
Savita angled Mourn out onto the dirt track first, and the colt strode in a commanding way that showed he knew he was the most powerful animal on the track. Versatile and strong, Mourn had most recently taken the first leg of the Sprinter Triple Crown against the Valkyrie-raised Allouette Divine. To take both the first leg of the Triple Crown and the first leg of the Sprinter Triple Crown was not a feat many horses could brag, but Mourn just wasn't like other horses. Every stride, the look in his eye - everything showed he was special. Savita had never felt happier than she did on the powerful miler. As they started the warm-up Chicken was kept a good few lengths away, not allowing the mean colt to get too close to the others while they were still at lower speeds. The filly was taken closer to Mourn, and he pretty much ignored her as they went along.
Finally they were asked into a gallop. Chicken immediately pushed past the other two for the front and Mourn let him go, settling beside Whisper for the beginning of the four-furlong breeze. Vivien sat easily on the new juvenile, but she didn't seem to be getting over-excited anyway - she had too much experience to do that much at this point. Mourn was chilly as ever, not caring if he was in the lead or not. As they went around, Mourn started edging up outside of Chicken. The big bay reacted by speeding up, just as Savita knew he would - it was a short outburst thanks to Desmond's strong hands, but it was enough to distract Chicken from his lead. Mourn immediately took advantage, charging forward in a brilliant outburst of speed. Chicken rallied gamely, Whisper giving her all on the inside despite the difference in strength. Vivien encouraged her even when the boys drew away, not letting her accept defeat. She was happy to oblige. Mourn put a furlong of distance between himself and Chicken before he passed the wire, only the barest hint of sweat on his coat.
When they pulled up, Desmond gave Savita a rueful smile. "You played him well," he commented, referring to Chiquato. "I'll be ready for that from now on, though." Savita laughed, patting Mourn's neck. "Wasn't me. Mourn's the one who knows how to play them. He's twice as smart as he needs to be, I swear." However, it had gotten him far, so she wasn't one to complain.
Frosted Summer.
Phantasm Frost & Clarimonde Tusaint
Summer Romance & Vivien Charron
Summer Romance & Vivien Charron
The last work of the day was one Valkyrie was incredibly happy to have - two returning juveniles, wrangled back from the farms who had taken them in. They couldn't be more grateful, especially since it was talent that the staff had cultivated from the beginning on the year.
Phantasm Frost was the more successful of the two, taking a HOTY race in July and getting plenty of experience in other big races along the way. Cole felt he was sitting on a big breakout, even if it didn't happen by the end of the year. He would be a great prospect for the sprinter turf triple crown if he could keep on the way he was, and he only seemed to be getting better. Summer Romance was definitely a filly that had taken a slow start, overshadowed by the other Valkyrie juveniles at the beginning of the year. She was slow in breaking her maiden, and that was her last race under Valkyrie colors for the summer. She'd raced once under a new farm, running dangerously outmatched against some of the top horses on the tracks - well, it could be called experience. She'd been improving toward the end of her races, and the trainer was confident that she was simply growing into herself a little more slowly, and may be close to hitting her stride. He was certainly hoping so, but he wasn't going to push her before she was ready.
The two boys were legged up, and Clarimonde immediately leaned down, rubbing Frost's neck and giving him some love before the work. The colt reacted like a dog, stretching out and closing his eyes in bliss. The colt reacted well to praise, and Clari was good at doting on him. Ro was more of a go-getter, ears pricked and energy radiating from her as she pranced. She didn't fight, but she definitely wasn't one to stand around, either. Vivien chatted to her soothingly, then allowed her to trot out onto the turf with Frost in tow. Ro was quite happy sitting in the front for the warm-up, preferring to keep flecks of dirt and mud out of her face. She was also a dominant sort that just didn't like to see another horse in front of her. They were only going a quick two furlongs to sharpen them up, particularly Frost for the upcoming Hawk Cup against tough competition.
Vivien started the speed on the big filly, urging her out of the easy gallop and into race speed. She obliged with enthusiasm, throwing herself forward and surging along the rail. Frost sat back about a length behind, but there was fire in his eyes and power radiating with every stride. From the start he was already catching ground because of the short work, Clarimonde urging the sprinter to show his true colors. Every stride had him eating ground on the filly's outside despite her fierce struggle to remain ahead - there was only so much a miler could do at this sort of speed, but the show of heart was incredibly encouraging to her rider. Frost charged past, easily getting a neck ahead before passing under the wire. Instead of feeling tired, Clari could tell that the colt would happily have gone again, and Clarimonde vigorously scratched his neck, telling him in no uncertain terms that that's exactly what he was looking for. Ro didn't look defeated by the work, either - the filly was done coming in behind, and Vivien knew it. This time the odds had been stacked against her, but in a race it would be different. She'd be in her element, and she'd be ready.
Phantasm Frost was the more successful of the two, taking a HOTY race in July and getting plenty of experience in other big races along the way. Cole felt he was sitting on a big breakout, even if it didn't happen by the end of the year. He would be a great prospect for the sprinter turf triple crown if he could keep on the way he was, and he only seemed to be getting better. Summer Romance was definitely a filly that had taken a slow start, overshadowed by the other Valkyrie juveniles at the beginning of the year. She was slow in breaking her maiden, and that was her last race under Valkyrie colors for the summer. She'd raced once under a new farm, running dangerously outmatched against some of the top horses on the tracks - well, it could be called experience. She'd been improving toward the end of her races, and the trainer was confident that she was simply growing into herself a little more slowly, and may be close to hitting her stride. He was certainly hoping so, but he wasn't going to push her before she was ready.
The two boys were legged up, and Clarimonde immediately leaned down, rubbing Frost's neck and giving him some love before the work. The colt reacted like a dog, stretching out and closing his eyes in bliss. The colt reacted well to praise, and Clari was good at doting on him. Ro was more of a go-getter, ears pricked and energy radiating from her as she pranced. She didn't fight, but she definitely wasn't one to stand around, either. Vivien chatted to her soothingly, then allowed her to trot out onto the turf with Frost in tow. Ro was quite happy sitting in the front for the warm-up, preferring to keep flecks of dirt and mud out of her face. She was also a dominant sort that just didn't like to see another horse in front of her. They were only going a quick two furlongs to sharpen them up, particularly Frost for the upcoming Hawk Cup against tough competition.
Vivien started the speed on the big filly, urging her out of the easy gallop and into race speed. She obliged with enthusiasm, throwing herself forward and surging along the rail. Frost sat back about a length behind, but there was fire in his eyes and power radiating with every stride. From the start he was already catching ground because of the short work, Clarimonde urging the sprinter to show his true colors. Every stride had him eating ground on the filly's outside despite her fierce struggle to remain ahead - there was only so much a miler could do at this sort of speed, but the show of heart was incredibly encouraging to her rider. Frost charged past, easily getting a neck ahead before passing under the wire. Instead of feeling tired, Clari could tell that the colt would happily have gone again, and Clarimonde vigorously scratched his neck, telling him in no uncertain terms that that's exactly what he was looking for. Ro didn't look defeated by the work, either - the filly was done coming in behind, and Vivien knew it. This time the odds had been stacked against her, but in a race it would be different. She'd be in her element, and she'd be ready.