The Outliers. [BC Workout Compilation]

[Cavallo]

The Outliers.
Y16 Breeder's Cup Workouts

IRS had been settling in for quite some time into their designated barns as they joined the masses in preparing for the end of the year onslaught called the Breeder's Cup. Jaime was giving a simple interview with the press, keeping the masses entertained as Nick and the rest of the crew worked diligently unloading their charges and the track ponies and getting them settled in their assigned stalls.

Nick led Nightshade from the trailer as she took in the familiar sights at GHF. The filly had truly come full circle. Her first race ever had been run on this track and now her final would be on the same dirt track. It seemed fitting. She danced sideways slightly as they hit the ground from the trailer, but he was quick to soothe her. They walked down the aisle to her stall as he led her in and unclipped her head, patting her rump affectionately as she went in and inspected her new home.

"One more week girl. One more week and then it's the history books for you. Win or lose, you're a champion to me," he whispered to the filly as she hung her head outside of her stall as he played with her forelock, much to the filly's distaste. She shook her head free of his meddling fingers and he laughed and made his way back to the trailers to continue unloading the rest of their BC entries.

The time for the Breeder's Cup had arrived in full force and Intrepid was ready to make their outlying presence known.

[Cavallo]

Dirty For the Crown

Featuring: Nightshade, Anodyne, Restricted Access & Night Visions

There was a natural hustle on the tracks. The week that everyone was waiting and working towards the whole year had finally arrived. The only thing left was to polish off the fierce foundation that had been laid throughout the trials and struggles of the year. Nick Landing grabbed Admirable's lead rope and lead her out into the main paddock area. Reporters were held back by security and he was grateful. He didn't need that kind of hassle right now. Not when there was so much riding on the line. Jaime sauntered over with Barely Legal under the saddle. Naturally, the PR rep and trainer was quick to say a few friendly words to the masses, but he was brilliant in engineering his escape back over to where Nick was looking at the Irish man with a strained smile.

"Take it easy boss man. You look like your about to shatter all over the paddock here," he teased patting Leila's neck in appreciation. He'd been pleased when the mare had ended back up in their barn and both Nick and Jaime had been of one mind to retire the grade two racer. She was going to have much more acclaim as a brood and IRS needed her unrelated lines to infuse some freshness into their bloodstock. Plus, with her kind and personable nature she was going to become a perfect track pony too in the off breeding seasons.

Nick rolled his eyes, but had to smile at the man's teasing. The gesture helped him to relax if only a smidgen. "So who's on the list first today?" Jaime asked as they made their way through the paddock and over to the dirt track. Nick once again rolled his eyes. It was becoming an occupational hazard around the man. Like he didn't know. He shot him a glare and both men laughed, pulling themselves up into their saddles and making for the gap. They were getting the big guns out of the way. Nightshade, Anodyne, Restricted Access and Night Visions were scheduled to run first in the pre-morning dawn. It was still cool out and track lights lit up the racing world. Nick had been hoping that there wouldn't be as many people, but he should have known better - it was the Breeder's Cup and this year the public was focused on IRS' second bid on the Classic after being denied last year to Eternal Phantom. Every win and every loss was to propel them to have a fighting chance at claiming the coveted Classic.

This was the strongest year IRS had experienced and this was the year they had a real chance at stealing the crown jewel. Nick was nervous-excited, but more than confident that Nightshade could get the job done. Anodyne had been building his momentum since the middle of the year and now he was back to defend his title in the Dirt Marathon. Restricted Access had become a fiercesome creature at the end of the year, beating out even some of the racing industries top male runners in the coveted Donn Handicap. She had never been more ready than what she was now and now it was time for the final breeze.

Night Visions was orney but then Nick and the crew were used to the colt's darker nature. He had shaped up to become resilient, battle tested and above all else hungry. The juvenile had shown his grit and mettle time and time again and now was the time to shine.

This four horse session would be worked in pairs. Michael sat astride Nightshade. The people went abuzz as the black bay filly made her appearance. She eyed them all with a fire in her eyes as she danced through the paddock at a prance. Anodyne snorted after the filly with an irritated gleam. These two horses had never seen eye to eye, but they always pushed one another. Today they would pair off and Restricted and Night Visions would pair off in like fashion.

Jeff kept Dye a respectful distance from Atropa, but the two were soon trotting back and forth up the homestretch, limbering up as Sy and Oro did in a similar fashion as well. Nick sat astride Admirable as he and Jaime watched the duos warmup.

Atropa kept an aggressive eye on the bay colt. Anodyne was certainly feeling the threat of Nightshade as he trotted with a crow-hop of disdain every so often. He was ready to blow off some steam. That much was apparent. Night Visions was his assertive self stalking Restricted Access' every move like an undaunted shadow. The filly flicked her ears in irritation, but Kyle was quick to keep the filly focused on the trot at hand. Satisfied wth the warm-up, Nick waved to the pairs to proceed into their breezes. This was it. For three of the four horses this was their final breezes of their careers. It was almost sad to see these seasoned veterans retiring, but then looking at the likes of the energetic Night Visions, it was a good reminder of what was to come. IRS' future was just as bright as their present.

Kyle kissed to Oro and the chestnut filly was only to willing to finally get to work. It was hard to believe that the once shy and timid Restricted Access was the confident and blossoming runner before them. Her career had been one of hard work, transformation and persistence. Kyle couldn't have been more proud of the filly's most recent accomplishments, beating out the boys and all. All she needed was the room to run and Kyle's guidance and she was golden.

Estella sat poised in the saddle guiding Night Visions over the dirt as they closed in on the inside of the older chestnut filly. The last son of G1 performer and BHOF'er Night Stalker was looking to make his mark in the Juvenile. He was edgy and hungry and willing...all dangerous combinations. Nick's head ticked off the fractions as the pair breezed in tandem and drove for home in their three furlong exercise. Enough to take the edge off, but not exhaust them. He was pleased with their form and their fractions. Competitive to say the least and he was pleased with the way Oro pushed the juvenile to think about more than speed. There was a cunning and an art to racing.

He grinned over at Jaime as they left the track and then Nightshade and Anodyne took to the track with a quiet and commanding presence. They were each a champion in their own mind, both only too eager to knock the other down a peg or two. They rolled in tandem as his instructions had been given prior. The two titans rolled through their paces, testing and teasing the other and then the blitz flowed as Andyne pushed in fury and then Nightshade closed in cunning. Nose to nose they passed through their paces, neither fully satisfied and both eager for more. Come what may, they would be hungry and ready for more.

[Cavallo]

Dust Dervishes.
Featuring: Mainspring, Doubloon Moon, Lilith Wind & Quick Silver

The bay stallion danced underneath Ariel as they danced over the dirt track. The bay sprinter that had come from an unknown background had made a name for himself. Some would never pick him as the race favorite, but Nick and the crew were of a different mind. Jett had proven himself over and over again as durable, fast and lethal in the sprints no matter the surface and they were going to give the bay stallion the chance to make his mark.

He warmed up like liquid fire and Ariel smiled in response as she looked over at Mikhail Levinsky on Doubloon Moon. The black juvenile with the white star had come into her over the past couple months to finally best some of the biggest names in the sprinter game. Every horse had their day and Flit was working her way into that consistent sweet spot and it was right on time for the end of the year BC Juvenile Sprint. Mikhail patted the black filly's neck as she posted in the saddle through their warmup.

Nick looked on aboard Admirable and watched as they two dirt sprinters went through their paces. He heard the crunch of gravel and the snort of another equine. He turned in his saddle to see a feisty looking chestnut and a fiery bay filly. Lilith Wind was floating over the dirt with all the regal bearing of a queen. She was primed and keyed up for a win. This final breeze was going to be just what she needed to keep the edge off. She'd be keeping company with Quick Silver. The Mr. Hat and Clogs daughter had been on the precipice of something great and Nick knew the next big thing was right around the corner for the filly.

Adele was working hard aboard the Clogs daughter. She flashed her teeth briefly as they got close to Nick. She didn't care for men still, even if they were her personal trainer. Adele pressed the filly down into the ground and forward. She fought for a moment and then settled down to her soothing voice and soft commands. She tossed her head, but moved in fine fashion towards the track.

Jeff and Adele smiled and joked about as they joined Mainspring and Doubloon Moon and their riders on the track. Nick smiled. It was good to see that his crew was still having fun. Yes, there would always be the pressure to perform, but the moment this stopped being about the horse and his team having fun, then that would be the moment he would scrap everything and retire.

Nick signaled for the other four to pair off. Mainspring and Lilith moved to a smooth gallop in the lead as Mikhail and Adele paired the two juveniles together a respectful distance in their wake. Lilith and Jett were head to head as they entered the turn and then sprinted in a breeze. Lilith stalked alongside her older partner as Jeff sat still in the saddle. Ariel tried not to focus on the British jockey, he was a distraction at times and now was not the moment to be caught up in his charming smile - not when there was a BC race at stake.

Nick watched with satisfaction as the two sprinters put in their time, ticking off their fractions in an acceptable manner. They were fresh and ready come race day and Nick knew that those two stood fair chances at a win. He looked back to see the second wave of runners. Doubloon Moon and Quick Silver were two very contrasting horses, but equally driven. Adele kept her touch light on the reins as they galloped for home as Dana eyed the black filly with a dark look. She responded to the power of suggestions, not delegation.

Mikhail tried not to be overwhelmed by the experience of it all. Here she was a first season jockey riding a juvenile to a grade three status and now the BC juvenile sprint. Doubloon Moon couldn't have been a better introductory ride because in horse racing it takes two to tango. Nick watched satisfied with the choice he'd made last year to pair the two. They were a winning combination. Dana and Flit pressed one another in a final drive for home coming in, in tandem.

The two juvenile fillies were lathered with a light sheen, but their eyes were bright for more. Who knew what would happen come the Breeder's Cup.

[Cavallo]

Seeing Green.
Featuring: Abastor, Night Goddess, Lady Timeah & World Dominion

Intrepid had run a solid season this year, but now was not the time to check out. If anything it meant that they had to be more on their game than anything else. The press hovered on the track as they all wanted to catch a glimpse of Abastor as Jeff began to warm-up over the turf track. People all wanted a glimpse of the stallion, but who they really should have been paying more attention too was Night Goddess. The black filly had been paired with the black stallion and they made a striking pair. People honed in on the stallion with the white blaze, but they should have been looking at the one with the simple white star.

The Grand Silence filly was pure poetry in motion. She was galloping smoothly alongside her partner, but she was an understated beauty to Abastor's blatant power. Each horse was stunning in their own fashion and Nick couldn't stop his heart swelling from pride at the sight of them. Night Goddess' journey had been an uphill battle. Ever since he'd bred her and then left the tracks, he'd come back to find the filly shuffled from home to home and he'd done everything within his powers to bring the Grand Silence filly home. The effort had paid off. She'd thrived coming back home and now in her fifth year of racing, she'd proven to the masses her capabilities and her versatility over the turf.

Abastor was a tale of persistence. He'd run his juvenile season in the shadow of Nightshade's stunning season, but he hadn't been shut down. His third year had been a small respite as IRS collected their thoughts on how to proceed with their return, but his fourth year had been a career defining build that had molded him and shaped him for his stellar fifth and final year of racing.

The two had done everything Nick had asked of them this year and now the one thing that they had been working towards all year was here. The final test loomed in the Breeder's Cup, but the energetic looking Abastor and keen eyed Night Goddess gave Nick hope.

Jeff sat poised on Aba's back as they galloped with Night Goddess. Angelina Voldaire was feeling the thrill of another Breeder's Cup opportunity. She felt the latent power of the black filly as she easily kept pace with her partner. It was hard to believe that this Breeder’s Cup race would be her last and that put more than a little bit of internal pressure on herself to make sure that Goddess put on the show of a lifetime.

Jeff felt the thruming power of Abastor. It was time for one more performance and then the five years of work would draw to a close. It felt surreal. He'd been with the colt since his yearling year and now they were at the pinnacle. The crowning moment of the colt's career was only hours away and Jeff knew he needed to make sure that the black son of Bucephalus was ready.

The warmup portion complete, both Angie and Jeff nodded in unison and unleashed the black turf monsters on the course for their three furlong breeze. The turf flew in their wake as the pair stretched and reached and Nick thought it fitting. They had both been fighters their entire career and now they would dare to fight and reach for one more win.

The dark bay filly was keened eyes and willing as Estella Marino sat light in the saddle, posting as they trotted through the gap and onto the turf. She was in her element no matter what track she was on, but there was no questioning Lady Timeah’s experience on the turf. She was just as lethal as her workout partner today. World Dominion had been on point the whole season and now was the time to solidify that this son of Alluring Assault was no fluke. He was the real deal. Nick couldn’t help, but feel a special attachment for the chestnut colt, being the firstborn from his prized turf mare and so far Duke had met and exceeded all expectations. Now it was time for just one more performance and hopefully one more win.

Nick knew that both the colt and filly were in against tough competition, but nothing was written in stone. Anything was game, but Nick knew that Marino and Voldaire would push their mounts to be even more so. It was time to rise above the challenge. It was time to shine. Marino hummed in appreciation as Lady moved with such fluid elegance beneath her. The dark bay filly’s eyes were bright, ears pricked and her movement as smooth as butter as she took to the turf with relish. The chestnut juvenile wasn’t far behind as Angie sat through one of the colt’s rambunctious crow hops. He was clearly glad to be on his home turf – but then again that was any turf track. He didn’t care about the location as long as it was turf and he could run on it.

Nick waved them on as he watched perched on the rail with the other railbirds, everyone looking in eagerness at the two juveniles, hands ready on their stopwatches for their official works. Nick looked at the handicappers, but he didn’t feel the need to technically track his juveniles. He could do that in his head. Let the others worry about the technicalities today, he wasn’t. Today he just wanted to see to the mindset and movement of his horses before the final plunge of the year.

Duke was toying with the bit, Angie was having to keep the chestnut colt off of it as they galloped their warmup. His eyes flicked about the track with eagerness, his stride was long and eager, but he minded the petite Argentinian woman on his back. After a year of getting into the flow of the racing business the energetic colt was smart enough to anticipate what was next. He was contained energy simply waiting to be unleashed and Angie relished in the power at her fingertips.

Lady was like a coiled cobra simply waiting to strike as she kept pace alongside her partner in crime. They were power personified. Nick held his breath as they entered into the breezing portion of the workout. Duke was instantly on, soaring over the turf with an acceleration of foot that took Angie’s breath away. It never got old with this guy. He was always a thrill and he had never looked better this season than he did right now. He thundered over the turf and Angie forgot for a moment that Estella and Lady were even there, but it didn’t take long for the filly to remind them both of her presence. She watched for a half stride as Duke came to life before Stella released the filly to up the ante. Her response was reactionary and seamless as the gap between the two closed without much effort on Lady’s part. Her scope was impressive, they both were to be honest and it was evident as they breezed the three furlongs in quick fractions. It was going to be tough in but seeing his two turf contenders sweep for the finish he felt peace settle over him. These BC Juvenile races were only the beginning.