Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jun 26, 2012 21:07:19 GMT -5
AXIS MUNDAE AND AMBER BLACK
BREEDERS CUP TURF SPRINT WORKOUT
A black thoroughbred filly of three years stepped onto the turf track and then was halted by her rider. Her eyes looked at the world around her, drinking it in as though it was air, living for the sight that greeted her. Horses were working on the turf track right now. They trotted, cantered and galloped alone or with others, practicing for what they had been bred and trained for. Axis Mundae observed them, her eyes flicking from horse to horse. Her gaze mirrored that of Amber Black's. Amber was checking out the horses, searching for competition, eyeing the horses that looked good to see if she recognized them. The track was really full, but that was to be expected. The Breeders Cup was nigh, and that was also why Amber was here.
The filly she rode, the daughter of Warlock and the Hall Of Fame mare Little Miss Innocent, was entered in the Turf Sprint. Four horses had risen to challenge her, and she was far from the favorite for the race. Not only was she young, but her record left something to be desired. Though she was grade three, none of her wins had been truly glamorous, and she was far from being the top horse on the track. Her sister Beltane had done far better in one season than Axia had in two. But while Amber may have felt upset about that, Axia did not seem to notice her inferior status. Hers was an undaunted spirit. Even if defeat after defeat hammered her, she would still return to the races with the attitude of a winner. She wouldn't give up. She wouldn't let past events stop her. She would give it her all, and that was everything Amber could ask for.
White Chocolate was a brilliant mid packer. She was incredible and was likely the favorite for the Turf Sprint. Rising as she had, that was hardly a surprise. Silver Birch was a preceder who looked a lot like his stablemate. He was a horse they stood a chance against, Amber thought. If anything, she wanted to get Axia ahead of him. Chicago Blues of Close Racing was another that they could defeat. He was the speed of the race, and he hadn't been to impressive, though he did have the advantage of age over them. Windbreaker was the highest grade in the field and sent from Star Thoroughbreds. She was bred for this, and was a good sprinter, though she had had a quiet season. She was a versatile runner, though Amber had noticed a preceder or mid packer trend with her. Axia was also a variable runner. She could run anywhere, though they usually went for a closer position.
So the race would play out very interestingly. It was six and a half furlongs long, so things would happen very quickly. Chicago Blues would take the lead. Silver Birch and likely Windbreaker would be behind, likely pressuring him. This could mean a fast pace would be maintained throughout the race. White Chocolate would take a position right behind them, letting them fight it out while biding her time. Amber decided that they would stay maybe a length or two behind Chocolate, biding their time as well. They would stay until about the fourth furlong. Then, they would make their move. The key thing to do, in Amber's opinion, would be to time their move so that it was just before Chocolate's. The horses in front might have tired themselves out by then. She was fairly certain Blues might have, and maybe even Silver Birch. Windbreaker would sweep into the lead and she and Chocolate would begin to run her down. Amber wanted Axia moving alongside Chocolate to challenge Windbreaker. Then, they would stay off a bit while Windbreaker and Chocolate dueled before sweeping in to surprise while they were still distracted. It was a bit risky, but Amber had long since mastered the art of reading the jockeys around her. She could do this. She knew that she could.
Finished with her thoughts and analyzing the horses before her, Amber asked Axia to go. The black filly did more than go. She lunged forward, attempting to grab the bit in her teeth. Amber was thrown forward a little bit but quickly regained control, slowing the filly's plunge into a half-canter half-gallop and getting her into a pure trot. She originally wanted to start with a canter and get moving a bit faster, but Axia obviously needed a reminder of who was in control here. After about a furlong of trotting Axia stopped lunging for the bit every couple paces and calmed down. Amber had them going for another furlong before switching to a canter. With long strides they swept up the turf track, lapping some trotting and slower cantering horses as they did so. Each time they passed another horse Axia attempted to lunge again, but eventually realized that Amber would not be duped and calmed down. Amber was ready for Axia at every turn. She knew what kind of mood the filly was in - the mood that desired to sprint.
Slowly, slowly, the pair gained speed. They were shooting forward now in a sort of half and half. Amber finally let the filly all the way out. They were galloping. Axia's strides were smaller and faster at a gallop. Very sprint like. Amber moved with the motion and felt for the speed. She found it, and smiled. There was a reservoir of speed waiting to be used in this filly. All she needed to do was unlock it. She grinned, and nudged the filly a little faster. They were sprinting now, letting it out, and the world was a blur around them. They were on the inside, where only the fastest horses worked, and the track ahead was clear. They went, blurring forward, and Amber felt her spirits soar as Axia demonstrated to her just how much she had in reserve. After about two furlongs she slowed Axia down, much to the filly's disappointment. A grin stretched her face. She couldn't wait to try out her daring strategy in the race. It would be brilliant.
