second shots

<sub>There you are. Blaze said, running the brush off the two year old chestnut's back one final time. She raised her head from her doze, perking her ears and opening her eyes rather widely. Blaze laughed, and rubbed her neck affectionately. Stop that face, you look crazy! She snorted loudly, blinked a few times and changed her resting leg over to the other one. Blaze shook his head with a smile, and proceeded to tack the filly up.

Ten minutes later, he was also geared up in boots, protective vest and helmet, a whip sticking out of the back pocket of his jeans. He didn't like to use it, and usually didn't have to with this little lady. But sometimes, a tap on the shoulder or hip with it made all the difference. Even showing the horse the whip could bring out the best in it.

Blaze lead Image over to the mounting block, where her trainer waited. His uncle James. James was watching another horse critically, and didn't notice the pair until Blaze tapped him on the shoulder. Hey, mate. Here - He legged Blaze up onto the thoroughbred. Blaze removed the whip from his jeans and held it in his right hand, along with the reins. Image started forward, eager to get a move on. Blaze firmly stopped her, and held her at halt.

James proceeded to give Blaze his workout instructions. Just a three furlong breeze, nothing too strenuous. Nodding, Blaze squeezed Image's sides gently with his legs, sending her off walking briskly toward the turf track. James followed, stopping at the rail to watch as Image broke into an energetic trot and continued up the stretch. A few minutes passed, uneventfully. Blaze's thoughts turned to Image's upcoming race. It was only her second start. She was entered in the January Week 3 race Jumping Beans Maiden Sprint, which was five furlongs on turf.

Pressing Image into a canter, Blaze began to consider the competition in the race. A four year old colt named Iron Man from Xenia Racing stables had drawn gate one. He was obviously older, and had the advantage of prior experience. Blaze knew the colt would probably win in the small field of three. A two year old colt bred by Start Thoroughbreds had drawn gate two. Owned by Prison Hill Stables, the colt was dual surface and had one previous start. Gate three would hold Spitting Image.

The three furlong pole was ahead. Blaze prepared to cue the filly to gallop, crouching more, and taking a little handful of mane. After a few seconds he gave the cue, and she took off immediately, with a surge of power you wouldn't expect just looking at her. Sweeping around the turn and into the stretch, Image took long powerful strides, gaining speed with each of them. She took off fast, and then just kept gaining speed. It was strange, but wonderful.

Blaze continued to urge her on, using his body, not the whip. Finally, about halfway down the straight, she reached her top speed, and held it all the way to the finish line. Blaze grinned with pride as he slowed her back to canter, then trot. She was ready.</sub>