Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jan 15, 2015 12:50:50 GMT -5
FLEET STREET AND MEREDITH MAHON
COINCIDENCE AND HENNA TURATH
Henna realized that she was one lucky woman as she put the finishing touches to her next mount's appearance. She had led an illustrious career, riding several Hall of Famers and Breeders Cup winners into the history books. Even though she was getting a bit too old to ride, in her opinion, and was preparing to retire, Amber had gifted her with fast juveniles to go out with a bang on. Coincidence eyed her with that brilliant, tactical gleam in his eye that Henna had come to treasure. Here, in Henna's opinion, was the most brilliant two year old among the Year Fifteen bunch. He was the smartest, the most tactical on the track. He was eons ahead of his peers in terms of maturity and was often mistaken for an older horse when he had come out to work in public before. Coney was indeed her hidden gem. He wasn't loud in his way of talent - he was quietly brilliant. Henna nodded, unclipped the lines and led her horse from the permanent SOPS mini-barn at the Green Horse Fields racetrack. There was a lot of hustle and bustle as reporters ran around stalking horses and others were led about. Coney took it all in in his usual quiet way, not even a bit bothered. Henna smiled, patted his gray neck and prepared to mount up.
Coney was a smaller horse, but he had plenty of power in him. He walked to the track with an unassuming air, quietly making his way to the track. Henna clicked her tongue and posted to his trot, and now people began to notice him. He just moved to easily, and he was beautiful to look at. He carried an air around him different from many others - he was assured and confident, not scared of every rattling leaf like many of his agemates were. Henna felt as proud as though she had bred the colt himself. They were already making an impression without having done anything yet. Coney moved smoothly and Henna allowed her thoughts to wander. The relationships among SOPS riders were defined and interesting. She herself was perhaps closest to young Kylie Silverstar - she had practically mentored the girl into knowing the ways of jockeying. Now Kylie was in her second year on the tracks as an apprentice, though she was still receiving training to become the next head of youngstock training for SOPS. Amber and Krystal were tighter than peas in a pod. One day, Henna knew, Krystal would be taking over the training for some of their horses. Amber would take one section and Krystal would take another. Henna hoped that one day she could train Amber's sprinters, intended to mention her dreams to Amber one day.
But the most interesting pair amongst them was Meredith and Valencia. Henna thought back to the viciousness Valencia had displayed towards Meredith back at the Wire mere hours ago. Meredith had responded in kind, and it was clear something had happened between them, some kind of falling out. This was Valencia's first year as a full jockey instead of just an apprentice, and Meredith's first as a track jockey at all. It was likely Meredith would only ride for one year as an apprentice jockey; Valencia would have moved up as quickly as well if she hadn't been so young. Perhaps the falling out had something to do with that. Or, at twenty six, Meredith had age seniority on Valencia. Valencia had just turned twenty one and perhaps felt her future riding prospects were threatened by the new jockey. Henna shook her head and did not know what to think. It was simply too odd.
Henna noted the appearance of said rider to her left. Meredith was smoothly riding Fleet Street, the SOPS project three year old. He was one of their two contenders for the Triple Crown and would need to play a lot of catch-up in order to stand a chance. He definitely had the lines to do it, though, and, Henna noted, the partnership. Fleet and Meredith seemed to get along - perhaps because they were both so fussy, she noted with amusement. Meredith noted the smirk on Henna's face and snapped at her. Henna brushed her off with a grin and Meredith refocused on her mount, shaking her head. Fleet Street wafted arrogance which Coney quietly didn't take note of. He was uneasy next to Coney, and Meredith knew why. With a quiet word she was off. High-maintenance Fleet couldn't take being warmed up with another horse unless it was the same horse every time. Meredith smiled affectionately - it was a labor of love to take care of this horse, but entirely worth it. He moved like another horse, easily the most talented horse she had ridden. She wondered if this was what Valencia had felt like when she first rode Italian Ice, and then snorted and dismissed her thoughts entirely. Her rival clearly shouldn't occupy any place in her thoughts when there was such hatred between them. It was unworthy of her.
Fleet didn't take long to warm up. He was aware of everything around him. Here was the horse who had triumphed over seasoned juveniles to place second in the Blue Mountain Stakes off a massive layoff. It spoke volumes of his talent, and Fleet got more mature every day. The Triple Crown would suit him well. Coney remained smooth and calm all the way along the stretch and then hooked back up with Fleet for the actual workout. Both women turned as a voice called out to them, and none other than Krystal Yhate came trotting up on the horse she owned, Passionate Class. The award winning grade one stallion snorted and seemed to appreciate the exercise. Krystal felt deeply affectionate for the horse she had hand trained to become a champion since she discovered him as a young horse. You guys are doing a four furlong workout, one furlong blitz. It's short because of Coney, but Fleet hardly needs a tune-up after that amazing race last week. Meredith smiled and nodded, while Henna's eyes glowed. One furlong to show the world Coney's speed. Time to move out. No gates? she checked. Krystal grinned. Coney's passed the gate test since he was a year and a half old Henna. Nothing shakes up your quiet colt.
The women nodded, and as Krystal rode away Henna finally turned her inquiring gaze on Meredith. What the heck happened between you and Valencia? Meredith's golden brown eyes, lighter than her hair, glittered. Nothing that should be repeated Henna. Short, sweet, prickly - that was Meredith. Henna sighed and nodded. Well, if anything every happens to make it repeatable, you have a listening ear here. Meredith sent a searching gaze Henna's way and gave a small nod. Whatever you say. Now let's ride.
The horses were given the command and they received an instant response. Fleet took control of the early pace, finding no real leader. He was comfortable on the lead, long strides striking out over the dirt smoothly. Coney took note of the older horse's position and was tactical from the start. He found a spot he liked just behind Fleet and stayed there, letting the black control the pace as he wished. Coney was a patient horse who knew how to turn races to his advantage. His brilliance wasn't proven yet through races, but Henna knew her horse. He would be the only juvenile worked out with an older horse, a testament to his maturity and his precociousness. He would prove something out here today.
The four furlongs clicked by. Krystal glanced down at her watch and smiled. The pace was steady - twenty four for the quarter, a shade under forty eight for the half. And now the horses were truly running. Their riders had given the command and were getting blown away. Fleet accelerated in his typical fashion, but he couldn't shake off Coney. The gray two year old was gutsy despite his physical immaturity, and he did not allow himself to be shaken off like yesterday's news. Fleet found himself a companion all throughout the one furlong blitz, and as they finished the workout stride for stride Henna couldn't help the smirk on her face. Here was a horse who sang with speed. They would surely be impressive first time out. And Fleet...Fleet was a rising star who would soon be acknowledged by the world.
