Dirty Millionaires

The season progressed, moving into April and as such the two year olds would face a new challenge, and the first two year old series which was open to more than hall of fame offspring: the Magic Millions. It was an exciting time, and a series in which a horse's name could be made or broken and so of course one toward which Silver Stride Stables would be heading. After all, you could not make a great horse without taking risks to get there and with only three juveniles they had to take every step they could.

To prepare for the series, Matthias had decided that the two sprinters - Nebby and Annie - should work out together. Come race day they would, of course, race seperately with Nebby headed toward the Colts Dirt Sprint and Annie headed for the Fillies Dirt Sprint - races in which they hoped to make a positive impression. Of course, it would be a challenge. Every race was unpredictable and this was a series which drew a lot of attention. But if they could pull it off... Well, maybe it was just a step toward stardom.

Alexia was nervous about the upcoming race, not because she doubted Nebby's talent but because so far he had struggled to use that to his advantage. He'd claimed a victory in his first start, yes, but since then had not made it to the winner's circle. Still, there was always this race and no one could say Nebby wasn't getting more confident. In fact, having placed second only two weeks previously he was chomping at the bit to claim victory once more. it was the competition that worried her, however. Tears No More of In Stride Racing had known a good season so far with one victory and four seconds meaning that he was more than ready to take the next step while Flashpoint was the most successful in the field with his two wins. Still, they were not impossible odds and Alexia hoped that with a good workout the colt would finally find his stride.

Mitch, on the other hand, was feeling good about the upcoming race - although he was not certain of victory he knew Annie was a strong, talented runner and that she would give her best in the upcoming race. Her record so far was not long, having raced only five times so far, but she had two wins of which one was in a major race and she had never placed outside of the top three. Even if she could not claim victory she would give her best, and to him that was enough.

As the horses were led out onto the track there was an obvious difference in their mannerisms. Nebby held his head high, moved with an almost aggressive determination with his audits pressed forwards and he didn't even seem to notice as the blonde-haired jockey ran her hand down his side before mounting except to shift a little and pull against the handler. There was an obvious focus, his eyes set on the gates and his mind seeming stuck there. Annie, on the other hand, was much gentler. Although a bit of a show off, she walked calmly with a much more relaxed gait and nuzzled at her jockey when he walked over. As he climbed into the saddle she was still and only once she was being led toward the gates did her audits press forwards. At least no one could deny that these two wanted to run.

Loading the juveniles into the gate was a quick and easy process, with both walking in without fuss and the calm was almost unsettling. The jockeys looked at each other across the side panels and grinned before settling their eyes upon the track. This was a challenge and they would take it seriously. It was fun for them, fun for the horses and would be beneficial. Plus, whoever lost would face a forfeit and this time... Well, who knew what that might be really? Surely something unpleasant, or humiliating perhaps.

The gates crashed open and the horses were quick to break, with Nebby taking a slight lead in the beginning stages of the four furlong race and from there it only took a few strides for the two to settle into things. The pace was, inevitably, quick and the juveniles were pushing to go but their jockeys held them back as they would in a race, setting a pace which was more manageable than the break-neck speeds the pair would surely reach if allowed t just run. But the first furlong still flew by quickly, and Nebby had extended his lead to half a length.

Mitch patted his bay filly's neck reassuringly as they entered the second furlong, watching as the grey colt beside them moved. He was quick and determined, but Annie was no pushover either. They were just biding their time and the filly seemed more than happy to listen to what the jockey asked of her. Alexia flashed a smile back at Mitch before starting to drive the colt, the two furlong mark now upon them but Annie was not beat. As Nebby started to build speed slowly, Mitch crouched low to the filly's neck and cracked the crop against her rump. She responded almost instantly, surging forwards and was soon neck on neck with the grey colt once more.

A battle ensued, colt and filly locked in the stretch as they pressed onwards. Their heart and spirit was flowing, their jockeys urging them onwards but neither was gaining headway now. The post loomed with every stride but still they battled. Neither was showing signs of tiring, neither was giving in and they crashed past the post together. As the jockeys warmed the juveniles down, Nebby seemed frustrated but Matthias was grinning. It would leave the horses ready for competition in their coming race.