flashy kingdom

FLASHY WINGS AND HENNA TURATH
LYNARA'S KINGDOM AND AMBER BLACK

FLASH'S SENIOR SUPERSTARS SERIES WORKOUT
LYNARA'S SHORT STAKES/HIGH SPEED STAKES WORKOUT

These two grade one thoroughbreds had been hand-bred by Amber Black, one horse five years ago and the other four years ago. And now she looked at them and beamed with pride. They had become champions to her and to the racing world. They were her pride and joy, and the pride and joy of her riders as well. The first of them, Flashy Wings, was one of the most consistent and balanced horses in racing. He was a victor of thirty two races and he showed that off every time he raced. Flash could take losses and brush them off these days. He just threw down the gauntlet in his next race. He was too much of a senior racehorse to let these defeats get to him. After experimenting with the turf in late August Flash had returned to the dirt and picked up a second in the Babbling Brook Handicap followed by a third in the Independance Cup. He had dropped too many races. Now it was time to claw their way back up the standings. They needed to win the Senior Superstars Series. And that attempt started with the Who's More Youthful Stakes and continued to the Kiss Your Title Stakes.

The toughest competition awaited them, but Henna thought Flash was ready to go out with a bang. The mighty blood bay thoroughbred pranced his way to the dirt track, not affected at all by his busy surroundings. This was the Green Horse Fields track during championship season. Horses and people bustled about, getting in their workouts and all working hard for that one shining moment in the winners' circle. Henna grinned from her spot aboard Flashy Wings. This was where they had belonged. Her career with this horse had been a roller coaster. They had been the undisputed champions of the juvenile dirt division. Then as three year olds they had lost some face to Sunset Crusade. But they had worked through those tough times together and come out flying in their four year old year. Now at last it was their senior year, and soon it would be time to say good bye to racing.

Henna's thoughts were interrupted by an indignant snort. She glanced up to see Amber Black herself piloting the gray Lynara's Kingdom. Now that horse was a real firecracker. Lynara was the leader of her division, and with good reason. She had reeled off nine spectacular victories this season including the Wire Finish Cup Sprint and the Burst Stakes. She had lost by a nose to Mastermind last time out, and any person that knew Lynara would not be surprised by what came next. Lynara was sitting on a bomb for the Short Stakes and High Speed Stakes this month. She didn't take defeat well at all, ever, and the last time she had lost she had explosively taken two victories in a row. Lynara was practically breathing fire as she strode purposefully down the dirt track, and Amber felt like she was walking on eggshells around her today. She greeted Henna with a grin.

So as you might imagine...Lynara's a bit pissed off. We're going to gallop a half and then sprint two furlongs. But you and Flash should gallop the full mile and then open it up for two. Nothing big. Lynara needs to let off some steam and your horse there just needs a good workout. Henna nodded, eyes warily watching Lynara in case the mare decided to take a chunk out of her pride and joy. Lynara's eyes glittered with deadly intent, and her muscles gleamed from beneath her coat as she gave Amber a really hard time. Amber grimaced and nodded to Henna, signifying the beginning of the workout. Henna was only too happy to comply. She turned Flash and let the bay out. They bounded down the track at an easy canter, Flash turning heads as he always did. The stallion just had that presence about him which attracted others like bees to honey.

He was absolutely beautiful in motion. He always had a powerful sort of grace about him. Evidence of fantastic conditioning was etched in every muscle that moved in smooth tandem. Flash knew the drill, but he was paying close attention to the partner of his heart as they thundered down the track. Amber and Lynara came shooting up to their outside within a half furlong. Apparently there had been some debate regarding who was in charge early on. No surprises there. Flash snorted and Henna wondered if the stallion found it humorous as well. Now Amber and Lynara went blazing right past them. Amber's face was tightly set as she brought the gray mare under control. Lynara was lightning fast and she was dead set on sprinting away her cares today, if Amber would only let her burn herself to the ground and bring others down with her.

The half slipped past and now Amber obliged her mare. Lynara's Kingdom opened up with her thunderous strides that hailed her coming. She was a silver flash, a blur on the inside of the track. She was beautiful, breathtakingly fast and ready to make a run for Horse of the Year if she could. Amber grinned as Lynara obliterated the quarter. She pulled her up and swore that Lynara was absolutely thick with smugness. The mare was happy that she had gotten her sprint in and was apparently happy enough to pay attention to Amber's commands too. Amber shook her head and felt like snorting with her horse. She was so volatile, but that was her greatest strength. Her eyes widened as Flash went soaring past them on their outside, just opening up into his lung opening gallop. He was beautiful, like a lion taking down its prey.

Henna felt exhilarated as Flash galloped like a pro down the dirt track. He never headed, never tired and never gave up. He was too proud to give up. Henna cheered as Flash finished off his workout with a flourish and then pulled him up. He was ready to stake his claim and take the Senior Superstars Series by storm. As for Lynara...it was time for the gray mare to storm the track once more.