Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2011 0:12:43 GMT -5
The morning was gloomy with a heavy overcast that blotted out the sunrise. It was still a little dark, being very earlier in the morning. Most of the other owners, jockeys, and trainers were still asleep. But not Lexi Fray and Aden Smith. They were planning to work their horses before others started to arrive at the track.
STEALING THUNDER ridden by LEXI FRAY
AFTERSHOCK ridden by ADEN SMITH
Aden quickly put a bridle on his mount, Aftershock, while Lexi slid a bridle on her mount, Stealing Thunder. The light racing saddles went on the horse's next. Aftershock stood quietly, with Aden holding his reins while they waited for Lexi and Thunder. Lexi Fray was ready for Thunder's giant, swift, movement as she tightened the girth. Lexi then took the reins and led him out towards the track. Aden and Aftershock followed.
Thunder moved uneasily, crab-stepping with graceful strides. Lexi grabbed a tighter and firmer hold of him, and spread her hands quietly on his neck. Aden had already mounted Aftershock easily, before Lexi calmed Thunder down enough to hop on. The big black colt snorted, his eyes light and his ears pricked forward. Shock broke into a slow canter down the stretch of the track before Aden could get a good hold of him. Lexi wrapped the reins in her hands and let Thunder go into a slow canter after Aden.
Lexi never took her eyes off of her colt, but asked Aden, "How long do you think Shock can handle?"
Aden shrugged, looking back at her, "However long you believe Thunder needs to be worked."
Lexi nodded and then turned her black colt to the stretch once again. The stands loomed in the distance, a dark shadow. Lexi could feel Thunder shivering with excitement underneath her legs. Thunder's movements were lightning swift and graceful carrying her to the start of the workout. Lexi stopped at the wire to wait for Aden and Shock.
Aftershock seemed still half-asleep, but as soon as he stepped forth to meet Thunder and Aden turned him to face the way horse's raced, Aden could feel Shock vibrating to life. He became restless, even bumping into Thunder as he danced in place waiting for his jockey's command to run.
Lexi said, almost in a whisper, "Ready, set..." the wind whipped the words away though. Aftershock shot away, with Aden totally off guard. Aden lost his stirrup, but soon regained balance grabbing onto the chestnut's mane and lowering himself into a crouch position on his back. Lexi asked for Thunder to run. As always he stumbled into a gallop, nearly 10 lengths away from Shock with a slow pace.
What Lexi started to noticed, was that Shock was surging away, quickly. Lexi fanned the whip at Thunder's side just to get him going a bit faster. She knew what he had in him and that he could catch up to Shock at the turn but she also didn't want to push him so hard that she ruined him. They were approaching the turn fast. Shock was still surging but Lexi could see he was running out of stamina.
Aftershock and Aden were in the turn now coming onto the stretch. Aden fanned the whip across Shock's side and then tapped him on the rump. Shock gathered himself to run faster, but not much faster than he had been running the whole workout. Stealing Thunder and Lexi were in the middle of the turn coming to the stretch. Lexi pushed Thunder to drive harder. Thunder surged forward with great force, but as they entered the stretch, Lexi used the stick on him once.
Lexi found her hands being pulled by Thunder who was taking his bit. Stealing Thunder thundered down the track, his eyes blazing with determination. He was gaining on Aftershock quick. With three more giant strides he gained 8 whole lengths! Aden pushed Shock but the horse was being worn out by the black colt who was coming on fast. Thunder bore down the stretch passing Aftershock. Lexi held on tight, glanced at Aden, and then stared forward to the wire, her eyes blurred by the wind. Stealing Thunder and Lexi Fray pounded underneath the wire an entire 6 lengths in front of Aftershock.
Aden had already pulled his colt up and dismounted by the time Lexi was getting control of Thunder. She turned him around to gallop up to Aden, who was waiting for them. Lexi stayed mounted patting Thunder's neck which was covered in white lather.
"How was that?" Lexi grinned. She knew this horse would go places.
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