an innocent kiss

WILD KISS AND AMBER BLACK
THE INNOCENT SKIER AND KRYSTAL YHATE

KISS'S WORKOUT FOR THE BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

An interesting field consisting of four other fillies had been drawn for Wild Kiss's Breeders Cup race. The two year old female would be facing Forbidden Enchantment, Quintessential, Strike A Pose and Broadway at one mile on the turf. All of the fillies had the potential to take the race, but Amber was confident in Kiss's chances. She had experience, both in races and in the winners' circle, as well as an excellent running style for the race as well as suitability to the mile distance. Some of the horses made better sprinters than milers, while others were mainly routers. Strike A Pose was one of the fillies who would really love the mile distance, and Amber made a note to keep an eye on her. But really, Kiss potentially had the race made. Forbidden Enchantment and Broadway would spend the race battling for the lead, with Strike A Pose and Quintessential somewhere behind them. Amber intended to have Kiss in the rear, ready to pounce at the first opportune moment. Kiss had a strong closing kick, and her acceleration was something to be reckoned with. Not only that, but she was small enough to fit in any small spaces that may open up in front of her. Not to mention that Amber was an extremely experienced jockey who had ridden many horses to victory in the Breeders Cup.

With a sly grin at the thought, Amber clicked her tongue at Kiss and got the slim bay going at a preppy trot. She moved with an interesting, jumpy motion. It was extremely graceful and flowy, but lacked the power of a hard knocking racehorse. Even when Kiss matured and became a great turfer, Amber knew she would retain this sense of grace about her. It was apart of her being and a reflection on her soul. Though beneath the graceful exterior hid a sly, cunning interior. Kiss could be likened to a backstabbing, popular high school girl who manipulated others. She used her sweetness to get what she wanted. Was Kiss a sweet filly? If it meant getting a treat out of you, yes. Amber had only recently realized this cunning in Kiss. It had not been expected of her, but every horse had their flaws. Kiss's flaw was how she would not listen to Amber in a race if it did not suit her. Amber had to work closely with the current of the filly's thoughts in order to get a strong partnership going. Amber hoped that this would change as they remained bonded for the racing seasons to come.

For Kiss's Breeders Cup workout, Amber had arranged for Galaxy Ruler and Krystal to come out and work with them. The three year old son of Little Miss Innocent had the bloodlines to do great, but so far had not been spectacular. Amber was praying that he was a late bloomer, and that some extra work would get the racing spirit within him going. He was a good partner for Kiss today because the two worked the same way. They'd come from off the pace and close like freight trains to hopefully take the win. Amber hoped that by having Ian challenge Kiss during the final furlong in an all out sprint, Kiss would reach a new height and peak for the Breeders Cup. It was a good workout strategy, one that had worked for her before, so Amber was hopeful of it working again.

Ian was quiet today. He listened to Krystal's commands, and that was about it. Despite the feeling of disconnection she got from him, Ian reminded Krystal of Foolish Lad and Passionate Class. She hoped that Ian could grow to grade one level as well. It was definitely a huge ambition of Krystal's to get her next turf king up to grade one. Next year, they would do it. They had worked out a workable partnership, and they would rise. But this year, their purpose was to help others rise. Krystal nodded, and had Ian trot out towards where Kiss and Amber were standing, waiting for them. She was curious about what plans Amber had for her filly's workout, and of the part she and Ian were to play in them. Would they simply be racing each other? If so, at what distance? And if not, then what kind of creative scheme had Amber dreamed up now? Krystal had known Amber long enough to just know that Amber had cooked up some scheme for getting Kiss ready for her race.

Amber smiled as Krystal approached and launched right into the workout plan. As you know, both Ian and Kiss have very awesome closing styles she began, sounding very preppy today. In order to get Kiss to close even faster, Ian is going to push her to it. How? Simple. They're going to gallop five furlongs, neck to neck. In the third furlong, you're going to get Ian to go. He's going to go, and leave me and Kiss behind. At three and a half furlongs to go, me and Kiss are going to come for you. Your job is to stay ahead of us. My job is to make sure you don't succeed. Krystal nearly laughed at the dramatic end to Amber's speech, but Amber looked completely serious, so Krystal managed to hold her laughter in. She nodded, and waited for Amber's signal. Would they be starting now, or in the backstretch?

Amber seemed to pick up on Krystal's silent questions. With a grin, she got Kiss going into a canter. With Ian following beside them, she and Kiss traced a path to the beginning of the backstretch, and then took off like a shot. Krystal, luckily, was used to Amber's sudden attitude, and quick as could be they were off too, drawing up alongside the two year old filly and her rider. Such went the first two furlongs of their race. In the third furlong, Krystal kneaded her hands along Ian's neck, and suddenly the pair were off like a shot, heading around the turn and to hopeful victory. Beneath Amber's firm hands, Kiss attempted to speed up too, but Amber held her in. When the half furlong had passed, she let the filly, and like a freight train the filly set off in pursuit of her new rival.

Time seemed to stand still. Krystal was aware that Ian was still picking up speed, and that Kiss was somewhere behind them. Amber was aware that Kiss picked up the speed a lot slower than Ian, and that this was showing as Ian drew farther away. In the final furlong, though, Kiss finally seemed to find her stride. She came quickly forward then, with a turn of foot Amber had not expected of the pretty bay filly. The turn of foot came too late, though. Krystal and Ian crossed the wire a couple lengths in front, with Kiss coming in breathing hard and looking frustrated. Amber could picture just what her filly looked like. Kiss had a determination that matched Fire's, and that was saying something. Despite their loss, she gave Kiss a good pat on the neck. Fired up as she was now, she wouldn't let the field get away from her during the Juvenile Fillies Turf. She would chase them down to make up for her failure today, and Amber would guide her every step of the way.