wild passion

INNOCENT PASSION AND KRYSTAL YHATE
WILD KISS AND AMBER BLACK

ANNA'S MERMAID CUP WORKOUT

One of the most standout qualities of a champion racehorse is the passion he or she expresses for racing. A champion racehorse unconditionally loves to run. At the first opportunity, they will gallop off and won't come back until they're too tired to keep going. Aside from passion, another aspect of a champion's personality would be competitive spirit. If the horse wanted to compete, and this motivated them to run, then he or she was a champion. It was this particular seed of greatness that Krystal had discovered from a young age in Anna. The Passionate Class and Little Miss Innocent daughter was ruled by the need to compete. Getting her to listen had been tough at first for Krystal, but when she had finally convinced Anna that she was a helper and not an opponent their relationship had grown by leaps and bounds. Now they had a strong partnership. Though that didn't mean Krystal had free reign over Anna during a race. In the races, Anna did her own thing and only took suggestions. Any attempts to alter her personality would end with failure.

Now to step in with Wild Kiss, the daughter of DW Flamekissed and Wild Flower. She was the polar opposite of Anna and born to be the filly's rival. Their dams had been rivals on the turf in their time. Though much of their careers had not overlapped, they had worked together several times, and both were talented. That was the deal with Anna and Kiss. Kiss, however, was not ruled by a need to compete. She was ruled by the need to manipulate. She could be sweet, but she was also sly, and she was a master of subtly getting what she wanted. She had the brains to get what she wanted as well. It was always great to work with intelligent racehorses. It meant that they learned faster and were generally more adaptable. But it also meant that they could get the better of you and you wouldn't even know it until it was too late. Amber had had to grow in intelligence herself in order to learn what Kiss would do next.

The turf track beckoned today. It was freshly mowed. The weather was pleasant, maybe sixty five degrees outside, with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. Amber had contacted Krystal today to inform her of a workout. Innocent Passion had a race in the Mermaid Stakes coming up and this was to be her prep for it. Amber had said she would work with Krystal, because both knew that Anna worked best with competition due to her competitive spirit. But how would Anna fare against an intelligent, tricky racehorse like Wild Kiss? This was what Amber had sought to find out. She tacked up her slim bay mare, who was now four years old. Kiss stood obediently as she did so, the picture of calm, but Amber was on her toes. Kiss was planning something. There was a certain gleam in her eye that promised something. Amber remained alert as she finished tacking, picked up the reins and led Kiss outside.

Anna and Krystal were already outside, apparently fresh out of the training barn. Anna looked gorgeous. She had some good muscles and looked healthy. She had come out well from the Unicorn Horn Series and was now prepping for the fourth race of her career. Her movements were more fluid and her eyes took in the turf track with a certain familiarity. As Anna noticed the approach of Kiss, her eyes narrowed just a bit. They zoomed in on the mare, taking in her larger frame and her greater maturity. But they were not uncertain eyes. She looked at Kiss not as a more experienced mare, but as one that they could defeat with ease, though the opposite was true. Needless to say, it would be an interesting race. Amber wondered if Kiss's plan involved her competition today. If so, Anna had better watch out.

The two warmed up side by side. Even now Anna was flashing some speed and energy, trying to intimidate her competition. Kiss coolly ignored her. The filly, usually so sweet, was unusually dark and cunning today. Her eyes missed nothing, and Amber thought she could hear her brain whirring. Anna was in for it. The race plan was short, just six furlongs, a distance Anna would have the advantage in. But Kiss was a horse to fear when she was like this. Amber mentally bade Anna luck as she steered Kiss away from the two year old for a couple of circles and cantering. A couple yards away, Anna was also going through some cantering circles. She looked good, and she was definitely eager to go. The pair finally met back at the line. Anna was glaring at Kiss now, who actually whinnied in a friendly manner before taking her place at the line. Talk about a personality flip, but Amber had no time to question it. She counted down and the race was on!

Though Kiss broke faster, she purposely let Anna have the lead. Anna was a preceder, but she was only too happy to claim the lead as hers. Kiss stayed about two lengths off of her, adopting her usual closer position. Her eyes were glued ahead, and Amber thought she could hear Kiss ticking off the seconds until she made her move. The two thoroughbreds were galloping powerfully, their hooves pounding the turf in harmony. Anna had settled into her lead comfortably and appeared content. She knew that Kiss was behind her but was disregarding that fact for the moment. She just wanted to enjoy her race for a bit before being challenged again. Kiss, in the meantime, was sensing that Amber wanted her to pick it up a bit. This implied to the intelligent mare that the race was short. This altered whatever plan she had come up with...but she was adaptable.

With three furlongs left to go, Kiss turned on the speed just enough to run up alongside Anna. Anna sensed her presence and doubled her speed. Amber cleverly rated Kiss's acceleration so that she accelerated at the same pace as Anna. How did she know? It came from years of experience as a jockey. Anna was obviously frustrated that Kiss was not being shaken off. She went faster. Being a miler-sprinter, her rate of acceleration was greater. But Kiss was expecting this. Amber was briefly aware in the final furlong that the mare had been playing with Anna. Now she showed her true colors. With a flick of her ears, she finally showed her true speed and took off. Anna did not have a chance, yet the bay filly dug in and refused even as Kiss's tail daintily flicked in her face. Amber had not thought Kiss would be capable of such a surprise but clearly she now was.

As the two slowed down after the race, Anna was glaring daggers at Kiss, who was finally expressing herself and glaring back. Their two riders exchanged identical looks of excitement. A rivalry was brewing, and next race things could be radically different. Especially since Anna was new to the game and needed a goal to reach. She would aspire to reach Kiss's height and give the mare a challenge next time out.