Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Dec 22, 2011 15:22:06 GMT -5
SILENT WINGS AND HENNA TURATH
DARA'S WORKOUT FOR THE BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC
There was plenty of this going around, this feeling of it being the last time. Amber was having it with Deadly Desires. Krystal was having it with Foolish Lad. And she, Henna Turath, was having it with Silent Wings. Except in Dara's case, they were being completely insane, and going for the Breeders Cup Classic, as Dara's maximum distance of ten furlongs. Why? Dara had proven her proficiency throughout the year at a variety of distances. She had been entered several times at ten furlongs, and had always won those races. She was also the winner of the Senior Superstars series - when it had been a series, anyway. But the point was that she had beaten many fine horses that year. She had never placed out of the top three. And it was obvious that she had heaps of talent. She had been proving that to the world ever since she had stepped out onto the track. And now that it was all coming to an end, Henna felt upset. She had loved riding Dara - and now, they were riding their last workout together.
Similar to Amber, she had requested to rider alone for her Breeders Cup workout, and the request had been understandingly accepted. Now, as Henna swung into the saddle of her best older racehorse, she was forced to confront the fact that this would be one of the last times she would do this. Dara's time as a racehorse was coming to an end. She had proven everything and more, and would now retire to respectable broodmare status. And for her last workout, Henna just wanted to gallop and swoon above the gentle tides of the mare's gallop. But there was, as per usual, business to be done. Competition in the Classic was, as per usual, fierce. They were up against Moondance and Furious Passion. Mona was Fire's half sister, and based on that Henna knew she was going to be a challenge. She was a preceder. Furious Passion was the Triple Crown champion who had matured to amazing lengths this year and become a racehorse of note. He was a closer. And what do you know, Dara was a front runner. Everything would be working out perfectly.
Henna already knew what her strategy would be for the race. Go out fast, but just fast enough. Don't get too far ahead of the field. Save it for the final furlongs. Don't let Dara lose her head. Make Dara listen to her. Dara used to not listen at all to Henna; now, she listened to Henna the majority of the time. As the years had passed, their relationship had grown to the point where Dara actually respected Henna. And Henna had never felt more proud of having another creature's trust.
After a customary, cool warm up, Henna sent Dara flying into a regular gallop. She kept it calm and under control. They didn't want a crazy pace this close to the Breeders Cup, after all. Just something that would be enough to get Desiree on her toes. A light, smooth six furlong gallop would do the trick. No sprinting, no cantering, just gallop.
Smooth, elastic strides were characteristic of Dara. She had a way of covering ground quickly and tirelessly. Henna had sworn it had come from experience more than anything, but who really knew for sure? Perhaps it was just natural talent. After all, Dara's dam Forbidden Wings had produced top notch sprinter Pegasus Wings and amazing rising star Flashy Wings, as well as the promising prospect Forbidden To Fly. Dara had been the first in a line of stars; she carried the first genes of the stardom. In fact, Henna had already made arrangements to breed her to Akuma Battlecry of Star Thoroughbreds next season. The resulting foal would have a dark, intimidating temperament, but an uncrushable spirit, and some excellent speed, too. Though he wouldn't see the track for at least two years.
Six furlongs was minimum distance for Dara. She covered them efficiently, galloping under the wire like poetry in motion. She was a picture of class, truly. Not to mention that she felt like a thrumming engine underneath Henna, ready to reve up whenever the time was given. So much power was contained in her limbs. So much to give, so much to leave out on the track. In her two year old season, she had missed the Breeders Cup. In her three year old season, she had come second in the Dirt Mile. In her four year old season, she had won the Dirt Mile. And now, she was headed towards a hopeful second win. Her competitors may have been talented, but did they have her veterancy, her amount of wins, her attitude about racing? No. Dara was her own creature. A beautiful creature. Light radiated from around her even though darkness stemmed from her cold exterior of a soul. On the inside, she was a horse one could understand. She used the exterior to keep others away. But Henna had learned many things about her mare. She was not a killing machine. She was simply a horse that stood apart.
And no matter what she was, she was Henna's horse, and she would be Henna's first Breeders Cup Classic winner.
