Battlefield Melody [OPEN]

[Cruisey]

The seasons were getting warmer and so were the horses at Firestone Racing. Carter had gone to the Intrepid Racing Sale and Auction and had acquired two horses, Coco Cabana – a Triple Crown hopeful- and Whispering Melody; a shy and nervous 2 year old filly, though the filly hadn't been raced for quite a while. Wendy was an average sized and very sturdy filly and it was time to get her back into full racing fitness. Carter had decided to have Talia to ride the filly because she had experience dealing with her type of horse. Devil’s Blessing was exactly the same as Wendy. You had to gain their trust in order for them to succeed. He hoped that Talia would spend as much time with Wendy as she did with Cian.

Wendy wasn’t sure she was ready for this, but she went along with it anyways. Talia had spent the morning grooming her and plaiting part of her mane to make her look extra pretty. Talia tacked the filly up quickly and Carter handed her hat, crop, and gloves before helping her mount onto the filly. They both walked out on to the dirt track. She looked around, ears flickering from one direction to another. The track wasn't new to her, but it was the first time in a few months that she would be racing. Carter still had to pick out a race for her, but he had to watch and see what she was like today.

The track was quite crowded today, and Talia was hoping for some competition with whoever was training today. It was a great day to do so, and there was no doubt that the filly was out of shape.
“You know she is out of shape, Talia. Take it easy, but if a battle arises, see how she feels and let her do her thing.” Talia nodded to Carter, who was behind the trackside rails. She took the dark bay filly on the rail, trotting her quietly. Wendy’s eyes and ears moved constantly, taking in her new surroundings.

[Isabelle]

Barely A Sound was making a lot of noise in her stall, pawing the hay pile while she eagerly awaited her turn for the crossties. Isabelle had gotten the filly from a close out sale, having seen her promise but lack of consistent training. A fresh two year old with five races under her, she had yet to break her maiden, but with her growing experience it wouldn't be long before she made the higher grade. A groom opened the stall door, and the filly barreled out, having to be circled and brought back under hand while being led to the stable aisle to be tacked up for the training race.

Final Conquest was spanking new to ISS, having only been in the stables for about a day! He was a very large colt, standing a muscular seventeen hands at the withers. With his older bloodline, he was a solid contender for the track. Placing in all three of his races, Isabelle was able to nab him at auction and was zeroing him in for his maiden win. A far distance runner, Conrad was a sure fit for ISS, as well as his ability to run both dirt and turf tracks. His overwhelming presence dwarfed Barely A Sound as he joined the filly in the cross ties for his own freshly oiled racing gear.

The lady jockies were ready and excited for their training race today, Chloe hopped up daintily on Whisper and Abigail demurely mounted Conrad. The foursome went on a loose rein towards the dirt track, sharing ISS secret training tips before coming into earshot of the their competitors. Today was a loose training race, nothing fancy or bold, but as every jockey new a fun race could turn hot if one of the horses decided to take the bit for a win. Today Whisper was ready to run, but not overly anxious. Conrad however was eager to race, and could prove troublesome to keep under control should he find someone else to beat. Picking up a trot they continued their warm up as the rails came into view.

[Deleted]

Taylor had her friend, and new assistant trainer Kelly Maccabee with her as she reached the GHF barns. They would be taking out newcomers GM Halloweentown and King's Ransom for the workout race. Tropez and King were well ready. King was patiently waiting in his stall. Kelly would be riding him. She lead him out to get him groomed and tacked.

Taylor went to Tropez's stall. The dark bay stallion eagerly nipped at the sleeve of her hoodie. He was a son of the great Night Stalker. He was an incredible addition to Sugarhill. The girls got the horses tacked up quickly. They were ready to get out to the track. Once tacked they mounted and rode the horses out to the track.

Four other horses and their riders were already out there. Tropez sniffed the air, alarmed. Taylor trotted him along at the rail. Kelly wasn't sure which spot to put King in. The buckskin stallion lead her along. He was always more comfortable at the rail. That's where he went. They trotted around perfectly, getting a good warm-up in before the race would start. 

[Cruisey]

Wendy perked her ears at the newcomers to the track. Her stride quickened as Talia eased her over towards the horses. Talia recognized Barely A Sound and Final Conquest from Ivory Storms Stables and GM Halloweentown, who was a newcomer to the new barn Sugarhill Farm. The other horse was unknown, but Talia could tell he hadn't been raced in a while, like Wendy.

Talia wanted Wendy to have a good workout, so she guided her over to the group of trotting horses.
"Mind if we join you? Little Wendy here needs a good workout!" Talia called over just as Wendy tossed her head. She noticed Final Conquest was eager to race, and it was easy to spot the bay gelding. He was a fierce competitor against Whispering Melody in the two year old category. She saw the four girls look at each other.

"C'mon, gates are ready!" Talia motioned to the mobile gates that weren't too far away. She wasn't planning on using the gates, but it was good practice for Wendy. She had never loaded Wendy before and she was hoping the filly would load with ease. Without a second thought, she cantered the dark bay filly over to the gates. Talia could feel her start to quiver in anticipation, so she reassured her by patting her neck. She nodded for the gate stewards to load the filly. Hopefully the others would follow behind her, if not, it would be a one man race. Wendy loaded surprisingly well, standing quiet but alert in the small space. It was all down to the ride. If she broke well, Talia could easily keep her in the back of the field since she was a strong closer.

[Deleted]

Tropez balked as the stewards tried to lead him into the gate. Taylor ran her hand down his neck. "Easy boy", she said. He lowered his head with a nicker. His muscles quivered as he threw his head up. He gave up the fight after giving a half rear. Then, he mellowed out and walked into the gate with ease.

King waited attentively. He would be loaded on the outside. Kelly wanted to see how he would break from there, since he was used to sitting on the rail. She glided a hand through his mane. The buckskin was still calm, cool, and collective. A steward came to take his lead. They waited as Whisper was loaded in. Then, it was his turn.

The wait for the gates to open seemed to take forever. It always did. It was the longest minute. The horses were snorting and stomping their hooves. They were ready in wait. Then, the gates flew open....

[Isabelle]

Long legs and gleaming coats shone in the sun as Conrad and Whisper came out of the shadows of the overhang and walked onto the track. Their soft foot thuds churned up the freshly drug track, the even rows ahead were like an invitation to run free. Conrad threw his head, Whisper dropped hers and snorted. The riders eased their mounts with some pats and a firmer rein hold as they pranced on the soft footing, getting a look at their competition for the day. Friendly and laid-back, but when it came to racehorses and being on the track, sometimes getting the win was all that they could focus on.

After getting their nice warm up round in at working trots with a few canter lengths to get their muscles humming, Chloe and Abigail inched over to the starting gate. Whisper went in without argument, her nostrils flaring as she breathed in the smell of the track. Conrad danced a bit, backing once and shaking his head before trotting into his chute. With a few stamps the pair waited for the bell, ears pricked and jockey's crouching lower.

[Deleted]

The gates opened and the bell rang. Tropez shot out first. King reared a bit before he gained momentum and thundered behind the pack. Tropez shot to the front. He was going head to head with Conrad and Wendy was just behind them with Whisper on her tail. The group hung tightly together as they thundered down the backstretch.

Taylor gave Tropez all the rein he needed. She glanced under her arm to see if she could get a glance of Kelly and King. They were at the back of the pack, but he wasn't far behind the leaders. Kelly held King up, not wanting him to waste his energy.

The group of six horses were nearing the turn.

[Cruisey]

Like Talia predicted, Wendy was slow out of the gates. The other horses shot ahead, easily taking the lead from the pair. Talia wasn't expecting Wendy to shoot out for the lead. This was just a nice and easy start for her. She reined the filly to the back of the field, pairing her up on the outside of the dark buckskin stallion. The pack was tightly bunched heading around the turn.

Wendy's breathing was starting to get heavy and labored, but Talia could't give this race up. She knew she had to make a move quickly, so she loosened the hold on Wendy's mouth. Wendy's ears flickered back and forth, but her leads swapped as she drove around the turn. Talia knew the filly was a strong closer, and she was going to make use of that now. She could see the finish wire at the front of the pack, and that's where they were determined to be.

Talia pumped Wendy's neck hard as the filly increased her pace, passing a few horses on their way up to the front. Talia couldn't tell which horses they had passed but she was glad that they had. Wendy didn't want to give up, and neither did she.

[Isabelle]

Whisper broke well, releasing from the starting chute with a graceful leap and immediately positioned herself in the middle of the pack. She was one to let the others run out the pace and push ahead at the end. Easily gliding around the first turn she didn't break a sweat as her muscles worked warmly to keep and even and fluid stride. Conrad on the other hand broke quickly and bounded with great energy into the herd of equines, pushing towards the lead. Despite normally running middle pack as well, today he was fired up and geared to run! He was game and wanted a win, and wasn't listening too well to Abigail's cues to hold on to an easier pace, the huge colt was turning this breeze into a track meet.

Whisper was taking it easy, listening well to Chloe and heeding her soft hands, letting her barn mate Conrad duke it out for the lead. She knew it wasn't a race day, and although she would put in a good stretch towards the wire she wasn't getting hot and bothered over the colt's determined mind. Despite the differences in speed the group stayed closely bunched through the backstretch, with Abigail's arms nearly pulling from her sockets to keep Conrad reined in. It would be a miracle if he didn't win his upcoming race, that was for sure! The boy was sick of losing and wanted to close out his first winner's circle.

[Deleted]

Heading into the final turn, Tropez still held on to the lead, but he could sense another horse in his presence. Taylor didn't let up on him. She kept him at a steady pace. His stride was long and fluidly strong. He didn't weaken at all as they rounded the turn, but horses were coming. It was time for Taylor to urge him on. The dark bay stallion obeyed the commands. He wasn't going to lose this one, even though it wasn't an actual race. He wanted to let his presence be known.

King was back behind horses. Kelly was waiting for that opening on the rail. King had broke pretty well from the gates. He stayed back, not wanting to use up all of his energy. They were running strongly. Once that opening came on the rail. Kelly pointed King towards it and took it. Away he went, passing a couple horses. He darted through the opening. He wanted to make his run. Of course he knew the stretch was soon to come. He had to make sure he was in a good spot to reach the front.

[Cruisey]

Wendy galloped on hard despite her being out of shape, her hooves flying over the dirt. Her black mane whipped Talia in the face but the jockey didn't mind. All she was thinking about was keeping the bay filly in line. The placing didn't matter to them. They rounded the final turn and Talia let the filly loose. The other horses were making their moves, each one accelerating hard. A few passed Wendy and that made her upset. She flicked her tail in the face of the horse behind her and kicked into another gear.

Talia was left in the backseat of Wendy's sudden burst of speed, so she quickly tried to regain her seat. Wendy muscled on, passing 2 horses in the final stretch. Wendy was definitely a strong closer as she bore down on the leader, breathing down his neck. She ran her way up to his flank and stayed glued to him, her eyes never leaving the colt. Although she was one of the youngest of the pack, she had a heart of gold and never gave up. Talia kept her pace steady, half halting on the reins to let the filly to save her energy for the very last furlong. The finish pole was in sight ahead and Talia could feel the filly's eyes lock onto the red and white striped pole.