to the successors

[S u N f r O s t ~]

FLASHY WINGS AND HENNA TURATH
IMPRESSARIO AND AMBER BLACK

FLASH'S WORKOUT FOR THE BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE

Amber had promised something special today for Henna's workout with Flashy Wings. The two year old colt was going to be putting in his final prep for the Juvenile. Every year, the Juvenile field was a tough one. This year was no different. The three colts he was facing were all extremely talented and had been successful. Some of them even carried extremely good breeding and relations, with Dark Charmer's relation to Buccaneer, Euphorion's relation to four Hall of Famers (and by Merry Bay King, no less) and Sunset Crusade's two successful parents. But though every colt was impressive, none could compare to the majesty that was Flash - in Henna's mind, anyway. The colt had captured her heart and held it hostage at first sight. He had won the Next Top Racehorse series and had been crowned Prospect of the Year and Best Prospect Colt. Now he was also looking at Best 2yo Colt and potentially some other honors for his race performance.

Of fourteen starts, the colt had won eight. At two years old, this was amazing. Among those wins were the Unicorn Horn Juvenile, Summer Cup and Seaspray Cup races and the Youth Challenge. He had raced against older horses and gained experience from that. He had been undefeated for his first couple of starts. Really, the lion-like colt was brimming with talent. Henna knew that he was a top contender for the Triple Crown next year, without a doubt. He was definitely talented. But who was he working with? Amber had acted like it was some kind of celebrity. Did that mean it was Wildly Natural or Deadly Desires? But both were turf racehorses. Perhaps Falsehood? But he, no offense to him, was hardly a superstar. Who then, would it be?

Walking out onto the dirt track, Henna shaded her eyes and looked out over it, searching for a horse and rider. A black form caught her eye. The horse was making his or her way at a canter from the final turn into the stretch. He moved swiftly and surely, with his eyes eagerly looking ahead. His grace was fluid, and Henna imagined herself falling asleep aboard his back. From looking at him, Henna knew it was either a male or a filly that acted like a male. But there was only one horse that would bring such an expression of contentment onto Amber's face. Only one, and that would be Hall of Famer, Triple Crown champion, winner of four different Breeders Cup races, the one and only Impressario. Now six years old, and siring his own legacy, and still galloping strong on the dirt track, the surface that had made him a legend.

Henna looked on with awed eyes as Amber and Ario approached. She could hardly see Amber's cues as Ario slowed to a trot, and then a walk and finally a stop in front of him. Already his head was thrown up high and arrogantly. To his credit, Flash's head remained up, but in more of a proud than dominant way. Amber grinned at Henna as she pulled up, enjoying the look in her eyes. He's doing great, isn't he? she half gushed, and smirked. He's also your workout partner today. I thought he would be perfect for Flash. Henna nodded, still awed, and began to dissect why Amber had made this decision. Perhaps she thought that Flash was a sort of successor to Ario, from the talent that he had shown during his races this year. If so, Henna felt her hopes flare. To attract Amber's eye was excellent news. The woman had had too much experience in horse racing to not know what she was talking about.

So, what's the plan? asked Henna, truly curious. We're not racing you guys, are we?! Amber laughed, finding her sudden panic at the thought of pitting her immature colt against the full grown champion stallion. No, no. We're just going to go for a little gallop. Don't forget, Cruze will take the lead. You and Euphorion will go behind him. Dark Charmer will be somewhere behind you guys. Your objective is to get past Cruze and hold off Dark Charmer and Euphorion. You'll have your work cut out with Euphorion, though. Henna couldn't held but glare at that. You and your bias. Just because he's a King son, you think he can beat us? she scoffed. Amber smirked. I'm riding a King son right now. Are you challenging Impressario to a race, Henna? I promise to take you up on that challenge. Henna felt her competitive fire burning. Yes, we are challenging you! But after the Breeders Cup. For now, we need to simply gallop. Amber smirked and nodded. Don't think I'll forget that challenge, though she cautioned. Now go get warmed up. Ario and I will wait here for you.

Henna nodded, and off she went at a canter. Some time later, she and Flash were ready to go. Amber and Ario cantered up to them, matching their pace, and then they were off. It was a swift gallop, a nice gallop, Ario's famous front running gallop. And like a shot, Flash responded to Henna's command and was off after him. They shortly caught up, but the pace was tremendous for Flash. He was working hard to keep up with the black stallion. Amber was smirking, while Henna was sighing and hoping that the gallop would not last for so long. She never understood how front running horses did this, managing to stay out there for god knew how long and still manage to fend off other horses. She bet that it relied on a combination of luck and talent.

Two furlongs went by, and the pace was not letting up. If anything, Ario was urged to go faster. Flash stretched out a bit, determinedly sticking to the other horse's side, but he was tiring fast, and Henna hoped that not much more of this was left, or else Flash would be left behind. Another quarter mile swept by, and Henna sighed. This half mile gallop was beginning to really tire Flash. He was flagging slightly, clearly wanting to slow down and bide his time so that he could catch up later on. But thankfully, Amber was slowing as well. Flash panted hard while Ario panted only slightly. Sweat coated both of them, most heavily on Flash. Henna realized that she was breathing hard too, but with exhilaration. They had actually managed to keep up with Impressario for a half mile. If they could do that, they could definitely take on the Juvenile.

Amber grinned at Henna. Still want to challenge us after the Breeders Cup? she called. Henna smirked back. Hell yeah!