Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Oct 6, 2012 10:50:37 GMT -5
ETERNAL PHANTOM AND KRYSTAL YHATE
PREAKNESS STAKES WORKOUT
What a glorious thrill that had been. Leading the race gate to wire, striding away at the line barely to win by a nose. A close race, and Krystal was still pounding from the adrenaline two weeks later. The Kentucky Derby had finally fallen into the grasp of the Phantie's family and Krystal almost couldn't ask for more - well actually, she was, by going to the Preakness Stakes and praying once more for a win. Eternal Phantom. The first filly to have a chance at taking the Triple Crown in a while. She had taken the first leg, and they were facing the same horses for the second leg. It would truly be another battle of tactics, and of constitution. Which of the three would break first from the Triple Crown trail - Instant Success, Euphoria's Warrior, or them? Time would tell.
But thus far, Krystal could say with certainty that Phantie was not feeling any differently today. She certainly was not on the edge of a precarious breakdown - if anything, she felt full of energy, and the slight curtain of wild smugness about her spoke volumes of how she felt after that last win. But this time their competition would come with new tricks up their sleeves and an extra furlong to make their magic work. It would be tougher, and Krystal wanted to meet that challenge with one of their own; come and try to take the Crown from us. We don't need a Tiara; we're here for the Crown. We accepted your challenges long ago and we're not backing out now. Krystal's sudden smirk was similar to the one Phantie would have been wearing had she been human. They were expecting a dogfight and wanted nothing less. Let the dirt burn beneath all of their hooves. Another trip to the winners' circle was all they needed for grade two and the rising hope that came from a potential Triple Crown winner. And the industry certainly could use that hope.
The race would play out the same - Isa and Warrior in the back, Phantie near the front and comfortably moderating the pace. Krystal bet that there would be a long drive at the finish in which the heart and will of her horse would be tested. The two closers would be coming on strong and it would be up to Krystal to make sure Phantie had enough left to fend them off. Even if it was by a nose, Krystal once more wanted this race as badly as her competition. To prepare for it, they were going for a nighttime workout again. The press had doubtlessly caught on to the fact that Phantie worked at night before her biggest races and would probably be all over the track. The Preakness was six days away and Krystal would not be doing anything fast - however, some galloping was in order, or Phantie would not be fluid for race day. Some could argue rest over work, but for Krystal work would be the ticket to success.
Fluid as a predator, they moved independent of the stress of the cameras and began to glide as silently as a wraith over the dirt track. They were smooth and put together and every ounce of them felt brilliant. Blending into one, Krystal grinned and flicked her fingers every other stride, just barely teasing her mount with the promise of speed. Phantie coolly responded to each casual flicker with a slight increase of speed. The message was clear; as soon as Krystal asked her to run, the black thoroughbred would leap forward with the speed promised to her and claim what was rightfully hers, or what she saw to hers. She had grown in strength and was ready to climb to new heights. They were merely cantering and already the pace was quick, and the breeze was singing its sweet melody in Krystal's ears.
Krystal released and kept releasing. Phantie gave and kept giving. They began to gallop, and each quiet stride left plenty of dirt behind them. They barely kicked up a cloud, and in the darkness of night Phantie's eyes alone gleamed as brightly as the white moon in the cloudless sky. She alone seemed utterly at home here, in this environment none except those of her bloodline should be at home in. She was utterly focused here, focused on every flicker of her rider and every movement in her peripheral vision. They were picking it up and living for this speed, and yet there was more packed within those legs and chest. Krystal grinned slightly, then regretfully began to slow this machine of a filly down. She felt fluid as water, ready to rock in every way possible. They had tasted the darkness of night again, and now they were ready to rock for the next jewel in their crown.
