Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Aug 29, 2011 11:53:55 GMT -5
TDI LIVE THIS LIE and AMBER BLACK
MYSTICAL MELODY and HENNA TURATH
The dark bay three year old danced, full of energy as per usual. Henna grinned and held the filly in as best as she could, but her energy was rubbing off, and it filled Henna with adrenaline. She glanced back at the horse they were racing today, the gray thoroughbred they called Falsehood, but who was known to the racing world as TDI Live This Lie. Amber was aboard the colt, and she looked a tad bit calmer than she had been. Since ARS had closed their doors and given them four horses to take care of, she had been harried with getting them settled, and then she had come to the conclusion that they had to sell a couple horses in order to have room. And Henna knew that Amber hated selling.
Amber looked out at the calm, blue sky above and sighed. Her life wasn't as calm as that sky lately, what with the mares delivering foals and new horses to take care of. But she could still go out for a run on the horses she loved. Sighing, she cued Falsehood for a canter, and the gray colt responded instantly. He smoothly slid into the gait, and they caught up to Mel and Henna. Henna had Mel going in a canter too, and glanced across at Amber with a grin on her face. Amber nodded wearily, and after a furlong had passed the two women cued for a gallop and dropped deep over their horses' necks. As expected, both front runners instantly began fighting for the lead. Mel pulled hard, turning a bit rank as they raced down the backstretch, but Henna kept her well in hand.
They were still neck to neck as they ran down, and Amber knew that Falsehood would fizzle if he didn't moderate his pace. Mel had a lot more energy than her colt, and could probably outlast him. Falsehood apparently got this impression too, as he grudgingly dropped his pace and let Mel run with the lead. The filly was only too happy to oblige, and in seconds had opened up a two length lead. Now comfortably in front, she settled down, and Falsehood waited for the moment to strike. Henna listened intently to Mel's breathing, which was steady, but knew that the early speed duel had taken a bit out of her energy. Mel was slightly winded already, and Henna had to watch and make sure she didn't kill herself before the end of the race.
The two thoroughbreds rocketed towards the final turn into the stretch, and now Amber knew it was time to make a move. She urged Falsehood into a faster pace, and the colt went forward, seeking a smooth path to catching Mel. But Henna was well aware of Amber's tactics. She had raced against Amber many times, and the two women knew each other well. She asked Mel for more, and the filly obliged, bringing it up a notch. Amber snarled quietly to herself, and grimaced. She would have to really tire out Falsehood in order to catch up to this pace. But if they didn't get to work now, they wouldn't be catching up. With a sigh, she asked Falsehood for more, and the colt, though uncomfortable with this pace right now, gave it. They came forward, and Henna smirked. She knew Falsehood was tiring, and didn't have the energy reserves of her filly. She just had to keep Mel gunning.
Smirking, Henna had Mel go a bit faster, and then realized something. Mel was tiring fast too, and if she pushed her too hard she'd end up making Falsehood's trip to the win easier, not harder. Now it was her that was snarling. Coming to a quick decision, she decided to keep Mel at the same pace, in the hopes of dissuading Falsehood. But the colt had seen that the gap was closing, and as they went into the stretch he came forward with an eager resolve, seeing victory within his hooves. Henna grimaced and then decided to just go for it. She leaned deeper and asked for all Mel had, and the filly gave it. The dirt raced under her hooves in a brown blur of motion. Henna smiled, enjoying the speed, and she could tell that Mel was enjoying it too. But their victory would be short lived.
A gray flash entered Henna's corner of vision, and then Falsehood was there, barreling past them towards the wire. Henna asked Mel for even more, but the filly was already trying to move her legs faster, not eager to lose to her new rival. As they went under the wire, Falsehood was a length in front, with Mel a brave, game, still going second. Both women slowed their horses, and turned towards each other. The fire of competition burned in both of their eyes.
