silence in a blue moon

Silent Wings and Henna Turath
Moondance and Krystal Yhate
Limited Bluez and Amber Black

It was nighttime, an interesting time of day for a workout. However, Amber had wanted to break up the usual morning routine and go for a nighttime workout away from activity and media tension. Krystal had only reluctantly agreed to do this, liking the morning routine, while Henna had just batted it away and agreed on the spot. She was over the moon about Fire's victory last week. It didn't matter to her that Fire wasn't high enough of a grade for the Unicorn Horn Series this week - she was too excited and hopeful for Fire's future. Speaking of the Unicorn Horn Series, this was a workout for the Unicorn Horn Mile. The field was packed with good horses with good blood and good records. It was necessary to work out for it.

Dara seemed to welcome the blackness; she let it fold in around her and moved slowly through it, as though she lived in its darkness and let in enhance her beauty. Being coal black, she faded right in, only reappearing occasionally under the track lights. Deadly and silent, she paid no attention to Blue and Mona. Henna excitedly faced forward on her, really looking forward to her mare's run. Dara was retiring next year; this was her last season on the track. She was making her first start of the year in the Unicorn Horn Mile, and had been lightly working up to it. This would be her first really major workout this year. After her win in the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, she'd had light training in preparation for her return to the track. Now she was ready to go for her five year old season.

Mona uneasily skittered about underneath Krystal. Krystal glanced just as uneasily around the track and held Mona in. Compared to Dara, Mona, who was only a year younger at four, was a skittish two year old. She was, however, just as beautiful as Dara, and though she wasn't as high in grade she was certainly on the rise. The Mile would also be her first start of the season, and she was looking to win and make it at last to grade three. Similar to her half-sister Fire, whom Henna doted on, Mona appeared to be a late bloomer. At four, there was no doubt that she was ready to take off and prove to the world her greatness. Krystal couldn't wait. She loved bringing horses to stardom.

Blue was calmer than Mona, but even her looked out at the darkness with unease. Amber was calm, the night workout being her idea, and her feelings of ease soon erased Blue's doubts. The chestnut stallion pranced, liking the feel of the dirt under his hooves and looking forward to a hard workout. He was also making his first start of the season. He had been a surprise grade three last year, and was blooming beautifully. This would also be his first workout of the new year. He had filled out, and was looking beautiful. Amber cast a glance at the other two riders, and then began to canter Blue. In turn, everybody picked up the pace. It was time to run - they were doing a half mile race to prepare.

The pole loomed and passed them by, and they were off. Dara instantly took the lead, a dark shadow charging ahead and kicking dirt in the faces of her competitors. Amber smartly angled Blue to the outside and then asked him to catch up to the older horse, which he didn't hesitate to do. Krystal sat Mona back behind the two, getting ready to swing to the outside on the stretch but letting Mona eat dirt for now. The furlongs were passing quickly - the horses were moving at fantastic speed. The darkness enclosed them, but they were racing, and racing meant utter trust in their rider, and then their instincts.

The thoroughbreds roared into the stretch. Mona shot like a cannon suddenly to the outside of Blue. In response, Blue shot forward as well, daring the mare to pass him. Dara was left in confused dust, Henna cursing herself before urging her on. Unfortunately, Mona and Blue had both opened up two lengths of daylight on the mare, and when they passed under the wire she was a length behind and still gunning for it. Mona and Blue had as good as tied for the win. Amber and Krystal sat smirks at each other while Henna rode up, seething at herself. All in all, it had been a good, effective workout. The horses were prepared to rock the Unicorn Horn Mile.