Bred to be the Best

It was the crack of dawn. No, it was before the crack of dawn. Dawn wasn't even starting to crack yet; it was still dark as night outside as the two sisters and their employee/long lost sister Stella walked purposefully down to the stables, to the Star Thoroughbreds shedrow where sixteen of their beloved thoroughbreds were staying until after they ran in the Breeder's Cup. It was a stressful and very exciting time, and this year they were in with plenty of chances at winning.

Stella, who hadn't had breakfast yet, separated from Sarah and Marissa in search of food, while the two went straight to their first mounts' stalls after greeting the rest of the horses. Good morning, handsome. Marissa said softly to her young stud colt. Triple Crown Champion Furious Passion stuck his nose in her pockets in search of a treat, then backed away, turning back his top lip in seeming disgust when she didn't have anything. Marissa smiled, letting herself into the stall, where she clipped a lead line to Passion's halter and lead the sleepy colt out into the aisle. Clipping on the cross ties, the first checked him over for any injuries he might have sustained since she last saw him. Once satisfied he was perfectly fine, the young woman began to groom him.

At the other end of their private barn, her sister Sarah was doing the same with their all round champion and Triple Tiara winner filly, Born To Soar. The stunning chestnut nickered softly, giving her rider a little nuzzle as she also searched for a piece of carrot or something. Sarah put the filly in cross ties, then stroked her thoroughbred's velvety nose and behind her ears affectionately. After checking Sophia over as Marissa had, she began to groom the horse ready for their workout.

Twenty minutes later, the horses had had a good pre workout grooming session and were tacked up ready to go. Passion had woken up properly by now and was being his usual pain in the butt aggressive self, while Born To Soar's divatude kicked in, and the filly acted up a little. Finally the riders were mounted up, and set off towards the dirt track.

20 minutes later, after thoroughly warming up, the thoroughbreds simultaneously broke into gallop at the six furlong pole. They maintained nose to nose, eye to eye. Each horse desired to go all out, wanting no more than to cross the finish line first in a speed blur of glory. Marissa and Sarah perched on their backs, kept focus on their riding, to keep the pair in check. They flew around the turn, and into the homestretch. Both made their moves at the same time; now it was just a matter of who was fastest and who could hold the pace for 2.5 furlongs.

As it turned out, neither got ahead of the other. They were so equally matched, that it came down to whoever made their move first. And since they made it at the same time, they crossed the finish line in unision. They were ready for the Breeder's Cup.

Windbreaker had had an unfortunate year of being outclassed by much older mare Deadly Desires. She had still come home with six wins, and the filly would do so much better next year. She would be running in the turf Sprint against four other horses of varying age and experience; Pegasus Wings, who was Deadly Desires' stablemate, was the biggest threat in the field. Here's The King would be running in the Sprint, after also coming home with six wins. Shockingly, there was only one other horse running in the race - Limited Bluez. Not including their last minute entry, Super Sparky. Now, Star Thoroughbreds did not expect the grade four stallion to win it; he would probably place third. King was the big hope for the win.

Windbreaker's rider, Davo, was very quiet and calculating these days. He had bought his own farm and was beginning to build the stables, where he would in future keep his own racehorses and breeding stock. He still rode Windbreaker on a regular basis, and was hoping to breed a foal from the filly when she retired in a few years. Blaze was aboard Super Sparky. The pair hadn't raced too successfully due to the thoroughbred's extended time off, but by now the chestnut had regained his former form and was fit and fast enough to give the other two a run for their money. Stella was astride Here's The King. The five year old stallion had done well, but not exceptionally so this year. If he won the Sprint, he would be a single win from Grade One.

This wouldn't King's last race either; we planned to run him for at least another year.

Indian Delight had really done well this year. Next year he would be taking on 'the big boys' in the high grade races. Studley Dudley had had alot of time off due to his previous owner's absence, and had had a good career with us since returning to our stables. The flashy bay had in fact beaten his superstar stablemate Lawliet's Girl in none other than the Melbourne Cup. That win certainly made up for the young stallion's losses.

It was a testosterone fueled workout ahead. Indie couldn't stand galloping anywhere but at least two lengths ahead. Studmuffin liked to run mid pack, and then fly to the lead in the stretch. Both colts thought they were the best looking thing ever to live.