to begin to fly [closed - Ripley]

<sub>Laura patted Indian Darling, glancing at Brooks who stood at her stirrup. The blonde haired man was taking in the looks of both competitors, nodding shortly in approval. He liked what he saw from New Flight's other horses. He patted Darla's butt as she pranced in place, noting how high strung she seemed. The filly needed a good run if she was going to be calm enough for the Seaspray Cup. He grinned hello to Valencia and Henna. We've sure got a killer group for the first workout. Darla here feels a little miffed at the lack of attention pointed her way. She thinks she needs to get the clockers to say "wow" and bet their money on her in the Seaspray Cup.

Laura laughed, quite certain that was not Indian Darling's plan at all. The sharp filly was pinning her ears in agitation at the older horses, muscles taunt enough to explode on command. Actually... I think she just wants to kick butt. The filly bobbed her head, stirring the bit in her mouth with irritated movements. She definitely agreed with Laura's assessment. Laura circled the filly in a tight circle, eager to get moving on the overcast morning.

Brooks cocked his head to listen to the plan, nodding. Well you may "usually like" our workout plans, but it works well enough in the big races. He shot the words out like a dare, willing to protect Ripley Marsh's training style even if she wasn't present. Laura sent a look his way, uncertain if he should be so willing to stir up competition with the new partners. We've been running Darla for miles every day. If you think your horses can last as long as she can, well... we're ready when you are. Teasing lit a fire in Laura's eyes that otherwise only appeared on race day. Indian Darling needed to prove that she was better than her grade four status said she was. Laura believed in her filly. The SOPS people had never seen Indian Darling run in a controlled environment before. At those times, Darla was nearly unbeatable.

Laura nudged her filly to move off, nodding to Brooks who lifted his stopwatch in ascent. He sent an eager look toward the other two women, Let's give them something that keeps them awake at night. He darted under the rail, assumed a position that warned others to keep away and prepared to watch the action.

Indian Darling trotted fluidly over the track, tail winging out over her haunches so that she was a picture of wild grace. Laura smiled. Boy, for a filly that had just gotten her butt kicked in the Triple Tiara, Indian Darling sure wasn't showing any lack of confidence. Her black tipped ears swept back to listen for the others, but immediately pricked forward Laura asked for her gallop. She charged forward until the bit kept her from moving to a faster pace. Her legs blurred and then fluttered to an easy motion that said she was settled. Her fine-tuned form was an easy three lengths off of the rail and she maintained that position going into the first turn. Afterglow and Mercurial Magic were going to be up against a filly who loved longer distances, thrived in them to be more exact. Laura gritted her teeth to contain her exuberance.</sub>

<sub>Laura smiled at Valencia, appreciating the sarcastic barb. Anyone who could be sarcastic had a healthy sense of humor in her opinion. The red head patted Indian Darling's neck as she galloped along. Stride of Perfection didn't under-train their horses. They just didn't train them to the extent that Witch Creek did. Some horses at Witch Creek like GS Royal Crown, Midnight Thriller and Frozen Motion galloped up to three miles daily. Indian Darling ran a solid two every day. Cross could only handle a mile and a half before her violent temper sent her into fits. The distance had more to do with personality than with ability to get the distance. Indian Darling had the perfect personality.

Indian Darling floated over the course, settling down even when crammed between Mercurial Magic and Afterglow. Her second start ever had been disastrous. A six horse field had pretty much deflowered whatever innocence and inexperience Indian Darling had possessed. However, because of that raucous start Darla had never been timid when thrown into a large or intimidating field. It was her strong suit and even faced with these older horses, she was not afraid. Her nostrils flared in and out, her dark eyes glowed with excitement when Afterglow rushed up to her outside to run head and head.

Laura kept her hands quiet in her lap, letting Indian Darling get her bearings even as her body flexed, long and lean over the course. Henna and Valencia had never ridden Indian Darling. Some day maybe they would get the privilege, but for now they would have to be content with just watching. Her sharp eyes flickered with challenge as the trio moved up the backstretch at a stern clip. Brooks was nodding in approval at the speed of the workout and the way the horses were moving.

Accomplished Stormi may be and strong as Merc may be, I think both Ripley and Laura would tell you that you have not seen the true Indian Darling quite yet. I don't think any of us have. He paused as Indian Darling cruised forward to take control up the middle, noted her bobbing ears and easy stride. Well... from what he could see beyond Mercurial Magic's gigantic frame. This whole thing is hard to get used to. Sorry if I may seem anti-SOPS. But I know what works for our horses. And New Flight is Ripley and Amber's brain child. I don't want to let them down. But they all sure look good out there, don't they? He hummed to himself, noted the time. They've got a good two minute clip going as well.

Laura clamped her mouth shut in a smile as Indian Darling cruised over the course. God, the filly was something special. Her ears pricked up as they started to enter the final turn. The first lap around was nearly complete. She moved easily, not feeling pressured in the slightest. Good girl, baby girl. You're doing awesome.</sub>

<sub>Indian Darling pushed at the bit with her teeth, practically begging Laura to let her do what she did best. Laura knew that it had more to do with Henna's mount than Indian Darling's desire to actually run off. The bay daughter of Native Flame normally ran at mid-pack, but the SOPS representative was really pushing Darla's buttons. Laura tugged gently on the reins, reminding Darla that she was in charge and still existed despite her quietness.

Mercurial Magic was moving well to their inside, keeping Darla locked between him and Afterglow. Darla wasn't intimidated by the large stallion. She recognized him as a challenge, but Afterglow was the pressing issue at the moment. Laura was becoming confident, however, that Darla was a pressing issue for Afterglow to deal with as well. She discovered this was so when the bay mare hurtled up to the outside in response to Indian Darling's challenge. Darla's head flew up briefly when Afterglow rolled on by, but other than that she did nothing.

Her training had not gone to waste. Darla settled back then, more than willing to allow Afterglow to have the lead. Her inside ear flickered to keep track of Mercurial Magic as Afterglow drew off to lead by a length. Laura felt the change in Darla within seconds. The filly had changed game plans. Laura nearly laughed out of shock. She had never met a horse so willing to switch on and off as Indian Darling did. The bay filly took up at that point, conceding second place to Mercurial Magic, falling back two lengths behind Afterglow, one behind Merc.

Darla gathered a big breath in her lungs, taking a breather as they swept up the homestretch and into the far turn. Laura eased back, giving herself a break too. There were people on the rail now beside Krystal and Brooks. They would be interested in seeing why Stride of Perfection horses were racing side by side with Witch Creek horses. She shifted in the saddle, at ease now with the situation. The real show was about to begin.

Afterglow was cruising into the backstretch all by herself, making incredible strides with a body that promised more stamina than at first glance. Laura eased Indian Darling down to the rail, cutting it so close that her stirrups rang against metal. The slim filly took the turn with tight, eager strides, making up ground she had lost when backing up. The Witch Creek rep swung into the backstretch with easy strides now. She would not move until Mercurial Magic moved... Or maybe, Laura wondered, they would move before. She was indecisive for the moment. Afterglow was the threat in this workout. Not Merc, not yet anyway.

The plain Jane filly was within striking range just behind Mercurial Magic. Her ears were flicking back and forth, wondering when Laura was going to hit the "go" button. Her muscles twitched enthusiastically. The time was drawing closer and rapidly so. One half furlong left before gallop turned to racing speed, when things turned serious.</sub>

<sub>Laura kept Indian Darling locked into third even when Afterglow and Mercurial Magic began to pick up the pace. The bay filly's nostrils flared and she tensed up as if she would lift right off the ground and take after them. Afterglow was still full of herself and Merc seemed to be finding his best stride. The time to strike would come when the SOPS horses began to battle with each other. Laura guided Indian Darling off the rail as they headed for the final turn. The bay filly was now three lengths behind Afterglow and Mercurial Magic.

Laura knew the SOPS reps were waiting on her move. They expected Darla to be easy pickings. She'd won four races this year and not just because the races had been relatively light. Laura leaned close, smirk spreading over her lips as they passed through the first furlong of the workout. Indian Darling was on the bit now, head high and legs flying. Laura asked her to wait for another stride or two so that they had only three and a half-furlong to contend with Afterglow and Merc than a full four.

The turn roared close and that was when Laura allowed Darla to make her move. The reins zipped through her gloved hands with rapid speed. Darla spread out like greyhound, black mane and tail fanning out behind her like a warning flag. Laura leaned close, excepting the abuse of the mane as Indian Darling roared from her contained gallop as though she'd been standing still. Laura's breath was stolen on the wind as Indian Darling made up the distance between herself and the battling SOPS horses. The filly danced over a path more, going wide at the farthest point of the turn to hook up with Afterglow and further in Mercurial Magic.

Laura braced herself. Indian Darling was not one for slowing down on the turn to wait for competition. She hurtled forward, mouth chomping on the bit to take the lead. It would be up to the other two if they would go with her or throw down the white flag.</sub>

<sub>Her bay filly let out a whistle mid-run that nearly chilled Laura. Indian Darling was something wild, something nuts and uncontainable. She flew alongside Afterglow, not letting the older mare have the better of her. She had the momentum. Afterglow had to pick it up, an even tougher task than closing from out of it. Indian Darling's ears remained prick, her eyes glowing excitement and eagerness. She was running into her wheelhouse now, right into her comfort zone. Afterglow was her challenge for the moment. Laura peeked over to see Merc revving up from the inside and that was when she knew that maybe both horses would be contenders in this workout after all.

Seeing Merc drive, Laura pushed forward with her hands, alerting Darla to this new move. Darla scooted forward off her rear, launched forward up the stretch with a bid to maintain head and head with Mercurial Magic at least. Her ears disappeared into her wild mane, her eyes danced with the fury of the crazed. Laura let her filly run, knew she was a contender, a future champion. This filly everyone counted out would make everyone eat their words later this year or maybe next year.

The trio of horses hit the wire then, dead even, all across the board. Darla was on cloud nine as she danced away from the miler and Tiara mare. Laura let her glide out beyond the others, celebrating in a victory. Darla had kept up. She had kept with a grade three horse and grade one victoress. Sometimes the best rewards did not come from getting into the winner's circle.

How about that one Krystal? I'd say we just hit a home run with all three of them! He laughed, nearly maniacally as Indian Darling galloped into the backstretch like a fighter poised for round five. Seaspray Cup here she comes.</sub>