Good to Go.

Nightshade & Michael
Predator & Adele

Michael was excited. It had been a good bit since he and Atropa had had a good normal race. With so much pressure to perform, he would be lying if he said he hadn't felt the pressure. Nightshade had just missed out on the Novizio Derby to the older Fiery Touch and they had been grateful for the month of rest. There was a shrill cry from the energetic black form underneath him and Michael smiled as Atropa locked eyes on her workout partner ahead.

Predator cruised ahead on the dirt track with the small slight woman on his back. Michael shook his head. He had never understood why this tall, thin blonde could control the massive monster she rode. If he or Nick or anyone for that matter, ever dared to approach the bay...well needless to say...fireworks went off, but with Adele it was as if he barely noticed she was there. The three year old from unknown lines had proven his worth this year, solidly leading wire to wire and winning. He and Nick whispered often as they watched the beauty and the beast work about how solidly he would close at the end of year twelve and truly shine in year thirteen.

Nightshade's story had been vastly different than Predators, but as they followed behind the older horse, Michael couldn't think of a better horse to prep with. Predator had a dark determination that matched Atropa's. He was excited for this prep.

Adele rode her charge firmly. The bay underneath her was an impregnable force. He looked ahead firmly, body glistening in the morning sunlight. Like rippling lava, the colt unflinchingly made his way around the track at a good gallop. Adele smiled silently as she rode like a queen. She could feel the eyes of others following her and her silent, but commanding bay. Predator had flourished this season. Out of his twelve starts he'd only finished out of the top three...well...three times and that was something for a horse like Predator. From unknown lines, but from known grit and determination. That was her Predator and she couldn't have been more proud of his first full season of performance. They had gone up the best on GHF and TW and now it was to be asked of them again. She turned her head slightly to peek back at their workout partners. Atropa was in pristine condition, her pelt like deep black obsidian. The filly's eyes were locked onto them, Michael caught Adele's eye and smiled.

Nick had briefed them to gallop them a mile and then run them a mile. Both horses were facing great odds and Nick wanted them both to be prepared.

The mile gallop was uneventful as both kept their mounts moving forward. Atropa tossed her head now and then, but otherwise had her sights set on the prize of Predator. The mile was coming to an end and Adele peeked a look back at Michael, who simply smiled and waved back signaling his readiness. Alright boy, now the real work begins. Sensing her eagerness, the bay began to pull out more for his head and Adele didn't hinder him. They heard the thundering response behind them as the black bay juvenile flew after them. Around the turn they went and Adele didn't press Pred to loose the black bay filly a furlong behind. She was one of the classiest closers Adele had ever seen and even Predator would need to bring his A-game in the final stretch. The filly was used to taking on older and more experienced horses. They didn't intimidate her in the least, but it wasn't intimidation they were playing at...no...they would play on Pred's sheer determination and grit.

Predator was in a race with two other horses. Mercurial Magic and Silver Song. They were both front runners, though Magic could fall back and stalk. They key for Pred's race was going to be patience to wait out his prey and then close solidly finish. They could definitely learn this from their workout partner. They entered the back stretch and Predator was content with his pace. He heard the filly behind him, felt her eyes on him, but he kept his cool...He was not one to be pressed or flushed out from his leg.

The second bend and now both horses felt the mounting excitement. Both jockeys felt the flood of adrenaline as they entered the final stretch. There was the roar and thud of hooves kissing and displacing dirt as the two thoroughbreds finally showed off. Predator felt and heard the sudden release of the filly behind him, but he didn't bolt...no he was going to let her come alongside him...

The two horses ran side-by-side, eyes locked as the battle of wills commenced. The wire loomed ahead and each horse now threw all they had into the game, neither willing to be bested and both more than ready and good to go...to fight to the finish.