Loose That Smile

Meester Surprise, a chestnut sabino stallion, and Terror Smile, a dapple grey mare, stood in the cross ties, waiting to be saddled. Although the two had different coat colors, they were very much alike. They both were 16.3 hands high, both were turf sprinters, and both loved running. Really, the only difference was that Smiles had actually showed in nearly all her races, while Meester, hadn't gotten a single fourth.

Two jockeys walked across the stable yard, to meet the horses. The jockey on the right was a little taller than the one of the left and had brown hair and brown eyes, along with a more hardened and older face. The jockey on the left had jet black hair and sea-green eyes. His face was still very young, but it looked as though it had been sun-burnt many times and he stayed in the sun alot of the days. The older jockey's name was Beck Weiss and the younger, Aiden Smith, an apprentice jockey with alot of talent.

They both entered the grooming area, holding a saddle and saddle pad, along with a bridle hanging from their shoulders. Aiden threw the saddle and saddle pad on the grey mare, Smiles, while Beck walked over and saddled Meester. They spoke little as they bridled the horses and started to walk them towards the track.

Finally, the older jockey spoke to Aiden, "Ms. Levine ain't here today, but she told me that she just wanted a light workout for these two. She wanted us just to stay together going at a light gallop out of the gate and then push em' out in the final furlong to the wire," he jumped up onto Meester's back with a leap and Aiden followed his motion, now Aiden speaking,"How long did she want the work?" Beck spoke, a slight frown on his face, as if annoyed by the younger jockey, "Just five furlongs," he replied short and snappy as if wanting to end the conservation, then. Aiden got the message and stayed quiet as they moved onto the track.

They stopped their horses in front of the gates waiting for the horses who were already loaded in to be set off. When they broke from the gates the starter yelled down to them, "Bring em' forward, boys!" Aiden nudged Smiles forward and she stepped forward willingly, entering the gates. The starter closed the gate behind her before signaling Beck to move Meester forward. Beck nudged him forward and Meester took a hesitant step forward before rearing and twisting in mid air. He bolted away from the gates and Beck pulled him up before he could go too far. The starter came forward and grabbed his bridle, pulled him towards the stall. Meester tried to rear but Beck kept him down and he was suddenly in his stall, thrashing around wildly.

The bell chimed in their ears as the gates opened. Meester nearly threw Beck from his back as he charged away from the gate, tripping over himself in the process, but regaining his feet straight away. Aiden's mount, Smiles, took off clean and went straight up front about a length in front of Meester who stumbled inward towards the rail. Aiden pulled Smiles into a slower gallop, waiting for Meester to catch up. This obviously annoyed Beck, because he yelled angrily towards him, "Back off!" Aiden responded and let Smiles run freely. She was certainly enjoying running up in the front.

After a furlong, Meester and Beck had caught up, neck and neck with each other. Smiles was obviously annoyed that she wasn't winning anymore because she kept trying to take the bit from Aiden, who had his hands too full to ask Beck why he had yelled, which he really wanted to do. Beck, on the other hand, was holding Meester in tight as they galloped in nice long strides.

As they entered the third furlong, Smiles had given in to Aiden and he now felt like he should ask Beck, but at the same time he didn't want to get yelled at for speaking while riding. So he kept quiet until they approached the fifth furlong; the final furlong. Aiden could feel Smiles growing restless under his smug hold and it seemed like Beck was rocking a little faster in his saddle than he was just a moment ago. He gave Smiles a notch of rein and she responded with a short burst of speed, surging forward. Beck came up right behind him though, for he had given Meester a notch of rein as well. Aiden let go of all his reins at the same time Beck did. They both moved forward together, head and head. Beck was waving his whip madly at Meester's side. Aiden pushed his mount forward and Smiles ran away from Meester, leaving him in the dust. Aiden and Smiles crossed the finish wire and a second later, Meester and Beck did too.

They approached the gap in the rail when Aiden thought of how he wanted to ask Beck why he yelled at him. He was still smiling from the thrill of the work when he rode over towards him and Meester. He hesitated, thinking if this was really the best time to speak, but before he could talk, Beck cut him off, "Loose that smile," he snorted, "You look like a little kid who just got the toy he wanted for Christmas." Aiden thought he heard him mutter, "Pathetic" under his breath but maybe it was just his imagination. "Why... Why did you yell at me to back off?" Beck spoke quickly, "Is it not obvious?" he shook his head, "The other riders won't wait for a horse that's stumbled in a real race." Aiden felt disipointed but he stuck it out and nudged Smiles into a trot. Behind him he heard Beck say, "Good job out there, kid." Was it just his imagination or had Beck really said that? Aiden's heart rose in his chest and he couldn't help the small smile that played across his face.



words; 1012
turf track - 5 furlongs