A Likely Story, Mr Giraffe.

Spring had begun to set in on In Stride Racing. The eight foals we're bouncing round the pastures, playing with each other. The mares grazed quietly and calmly throughout the days as being mothers. One particular mare looked up to her beautiful offspring to make her seem renown. Foxtrot was the dam of a two year old colt by the name of Tears No More, sired by the great sprinting sire who's two year olds last year had shot to greatness, Cryin' Out Loud.

Trouble was a colt that really took after his father in most cases. With the way he raced, he would take to the lead and stay there throughout the majority of the race, but this colt added a whole new personality to Cry's foals. He's usually restrained from doing what HE wants to do, unlike his gentle laid back twin sister. He's very furious and mischievous, and wants to do his own thing. He's a troublemaker, hense the name.

Trouble was a visibly huge and hotheaded colt. He's a fiery and forward going colt, dominant, headstrong, and a decisive individual when it comes down to it. When at the races, he likes to attract the attention so all eyes are on him. He stays focused, and never loses that focus as he takes the lead and powers away from the rest of the field, pushing himself to the ultimatum just to win. He was a born sprint/miler colt, and nothing would stop him from doing just that.

The race that he was entered in had six entrants, all looking very strong and willing to win the race. We would start in gate one. In Gate Two was a Touch Up colt, making him half to Winning Touch, by the name of In Front. He'd raced in prospect races, take a win, a place, and two shows, finishing out of the money three times. He was a versatile runner that ran over mid/route distances on the turf. He had a good workout this morning too, and he was looking strong. He's a big colt, standing at 17.2 hands.

In Gate Three, Intrepid had entered their colt, Samhain. This Warlock x Lyrick colt was a half to Axis Mundae and our very own Beltane. He'd had a very good prospect series, taking three wins, four places and a show, before placing a disappointing sixth in the yearling show. This colt also ran over the mid/route distances over both surfaces. He was looking very nice. He was also a big colt, standing at seventeen hands high.

In Gate Four, Star Thoroughbreds had entered their Royal Red Richard colt out of our very own Made In Manhattan, Manhattan Royalty. The colt stood at 16.1 hands but was yet to be seen making his debut workout. He hadn't ran as a prospect and he was expected to do well, following in the footsteps of his father. He ran over sprint/mid distances on the turf.

In Gate Five there was the biggest threat of the race. A colt out of hall of famer, Rising Fury, and hall of famer, The Natural. Furious By Nature was the major threat. He had an impeccable prospect season, taking five wins, but disappointed with a fourth in the Stable Face-off. He, somehow raced over sprint, mid, and route distances on both surfaces. He was a colt to watch big time, though he hadn't been seen working out on the track yet. Saying that, he has a great personality and looks to crush the competition.

In Gate Six, Witch Creek Stable who were known for their death defying maiden runners had entered Flashpoint. The Flash Limits x Flash at Dawn colt (coincidence much?) was looking to dominate. Only problem was that he was a colt who would race over the dirt, not the turf, unlike this race. He was a sprint/miler who would do just that. If he was going to win today, he was going to have to push himself. Big time.

Trouble had been tacked up and I walked him out into the stable yard. The numerous heads of horses poked suddenly over the door in canon. I giggled slightly. Just as I did up his girth, he dragged me over to his twin sisters stall and nuzzled her. I fell onto my back and pulled myself up before laughing it off a little bit. Jacey walked out onto the yard. What are you doing down there, you fool! She laughed.

I brushed my back down and laughed. He dragged me over to Tyra. It was a bit silly of him but he loves his sister. I smiled. Jacey giggled. I laid him away and Jace gave me a leg up onto the colt. Cheers Jace. I said, smiling. I walked the colt out on to the turf track and let him look around. I smiled and pushed him into a… what was supposed to be a walk which turned out to be a trot. Hmm. He collected his trot and bobbed his little head along.

I grinned and let him rock into a canter on the backstretch onto the correct lead. I tightened my grip on the reins as we approached the six furlong mark, and as the five furlong mark approached, I relaxed and asked him to go, and boy did he go. He bounced into a quick and speedy gallop as he entered the bend, changing his leads and sticking to the rail. He pressed his ears flat back and focused purely on the workout.

He came into the top of the stretch and the crop hit his rump. He snorted and flew forward, extending his stride and I pushed him on even more. I bit my lip and closed my eyes. I was all out, and really feeling it. The colt speeded up more and more until he reached his maximum speed in the final furlong. We crossed the line and I relaxed, breathing a huge sigh of relief. I patted his warm neck and grinned. He was ready for the Greasy Giraffe Stakes.