What More Could They Need

TERROR SMILE RIDDEN BY AIDEN SMITH
WORKOUT FOR THE WINTER CUP
- - x - x - -

Terror Smile, Triple Krown Racing's four year old grade four champion, stood on the turf track, her nose facing the wire. Aiden Smith sat upon her back and Hailey Levine leaned against the rail behind them. Aiden turned his head to look at Hailey, "So, how long do you want us to go?" Hailey nodded in the direction of the wire, "She's still in her best condition so I think all she needs is a nice long gallop. Take her a mile and a quarter going at a slow gallop... Actually, the last quarter, work her. Okay?" Aiden nodded slowly, lost in thought. Suddenly he spoke, "Alright."

Smiles threw her head and backed up as another horse that was working passed by in front of them, in eagerness to run. Aiden clucked to her and she responded instantly. Smiles set off at a abrupt trot down the homestretch. Aiden kept her close to the outside rail all the while talking to her. "This is your time to shine," he whispered, "You gotta show them what your made of, baby girl." With those words, a horse that was working swiftly passed on the inside. Smiles threw her head, acknowledging both his words and the horse. Aiden then released a bit of her rein, kissed to her, and tapped her with his heels. The filly took off at a full charge, passing the wire the first time.

Aiden veered Smiles to the middle of the track and quickly pulled up on her, in regard of Hailey's instructions. The filly threw her head going into the first turn, but slowed down significantly. They moved around the turn with long, sweeping strides going at a slow, yet powerful gallop. As they exited the turn Smiles tried to increase speed, attempting to flatten out now that they were on straight track. Aiden checked her quickly though and Smiles tucked her head into her chest trying to restrain from the hold on her mouth. She soon gave up, figuring out that it was not time for Aiden to give her any rein.

As they gained ground on the final turn, Aiden let Smiles have a tiny notch of rein bit by bit. Smiles, whom had picked this up quickly, started to increase speed. Aiden veered her to the inside rail right before entering the final turn. Smile's head was still tucked into her chest but her legs were spreading out quicker every second. They passed the quarter pole and Aiden leaned forward over her withers and released all restraint he had on her. Smiles spread out her entire body and charged down the stretch. All Aiden had to do was stay on her. Aiden glanced at the rail which seemed to pass by faster and faster. Suddenly the filly bursted with speed and charged even faster down the stretch. Aiden again, glanced at the rail. All he could see was a white blur.

When Aiden looked back he noticed a sudden bend in Smiles and to his surprise they were entering the first turn again. His eyes grew bright and he grinned, standing up in the irons. Smiles slowed down significantly, but was still moving at a very fast pace. Aiden pulled up on her and she threw her head but slowed to a jog. Aiden patted her warm neck and turned her around, heading for the Hailey. He leaned over and whispered to her, "What more could they need?"

When they got back to Hailey, she was still leaning on the rail with clock in hand. She grinned up at Aiden. "Well, she broke her personal record for a quarter of a mile," she spoke coolly. Aiden grinned, "I didn't even have to ask her for it." Hailey nodded, "She's ready."


words; 626
turf track; 1 mile gallop, 1/4 mile work