royal return (open!)

[S u N f r O s t ~]

STRICTLY ROYAL AND KRYSTAL YHATE

His initial return to the track had been pretty good, all things considering. Taking fourth in the stuffed Missile Stakes two weeks ago had been good, and now he was slated for another extremely competitive race in the Cocoa Cup this week. And for it, he would need a competitive workout. Roy had faced the horses of the stable before, and done well against them. But now he needed an outside challenge in order to truly be on his toes for the Cocoa Cup. Thus, Krystal had taken him out after a thorough grooming that would make him catch any person's eye.

Currently they were trotting along easily, Krystal purposely keeping him slow for his warm up so that there were opportunities to approach the pair. She stroked his neck every other stride. If they had been at home, Roy would have reacted with a nicker or two. But since they were "in public", Roy instead maintained a cold silence. He had a very dominant personality that came out in public or rival situations. With it, Krystal knew that Roy would still stand a good chance in his next start without this workout, but she was a very careful woman, and she wanted to make sure that her colt, now three years old, would leave his mark on the track by the end of this year.

Krystal decided to start cantering and go ahead with a normal workout if nobody showed up soon, but she was sincerely hoping for some good competition to satiate her sudden need for a good race...

[Deleted]

Dark Charmer & Jacob Donovan

Having arrived at the course the day before, Dark had settled in overnight ready for his next race. The Cocoa Cup would be his second start of the season, another chance to get his first win of the new year. Not that he had done badly in his first race of the year, coming second to the likes of Euphorion - a horse with lines which could not be denied when it came to talent. So Dark, with his unknown lines, had done well to place and had only been beaten out by a small distance. With work they could have that distance closed down and perhaps even obliterate it. But it would take work, work which Jacob was eager to put in.

Mounting the dark bay colt, the red-haired jockey stroked the muscular neck of his ride. This was their year, together they would achieve great things, and they would start with the Cocoa Cup. As they strode out onto the dirt track at the racecourse Jacob glanced around. They had done workouts alone, they had done workouts with other horses at the stable, but other than Afterglow none were really at their class. Mona was too high in class, Aztareal and the others had a way to go to catch up with him... Jacob wanted a new challenge. Something that would spark the competitive streak in the colt.

Dark seemed to be excited about the track. He tossed his head and walked at a quick pace as Jacob looked around, soon finding what he was hoping for. Another horse on the track... Perhaps suitable competition for his up and coing star. He pushed the colt on into a trot and was soon near the other horse and rider. "Hey there, fancy a little competition?" he asked.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Krystal had to repress her sudden desire to laugh maniacally. Yes, some competition, the plan worked! she thought gleefully. A genuine smile appeared on her face as she slowed Roy down a little bit, letting the other horse and rider catch up. And as they did so, Krystal felt her excitement rise. Years of riding on the racetrack had made it so that she remembered the horses that caught her eye - and Dark Charmer was certainly one of those horses. He had been a talented juvenile, and Krystal was looking forward to seeing him in the Triple Crown. And funnily enough, if she remembered correctly, Dark Charmer was also entered in the Cocoa Cup. This would be a perfect way for Roy to prepare, and Dark was good competition.

A genuine smile sprung to her face at the jockey's question. Was looking for some, actually she replied. But before we get started, how about we introduce ourselves? I'm Krystal Yhate and this is Strictly Royal, or Roy for short. She patted the colt's neck affectionately as she said his name. Roy, for his part, was a bit more tense now in the presence of another colt. His head was thrown up high and aggressively, and his eyes surveyed the area around him. He would not engage in a staring contest with the colt until he had drawn up alongside them - but when Dark Charmer did arrive, the contest would commence. The hum of competition was thrumming through Roy's blood. He was dying to pound his new competition into the ground.

[Deleted]

Jacob had not been on the track long, he had a long way to go until he would be able to recognise a horse just by seeing them, but there were some that he had seen race which stuck in his mind. But the horse before him was no such creature. While horses such as Silverianna and Flashy Wings were difficult to forget from the juvenile races the previous year the horse before him was one which he was struggling to place. But of course he recognised the jockey, being one of the main jockeys for Stride Of Perfection Stable, was recognisable as one of their sucessful riders. Jacob shifted in his saddle as his bay mount snorted indignantly, obviously impatient to get started.

"Yeah, of course. Jacob Donovan of Silver Stride Stables and this is Dark Charmer, we just call him Dark. It's nice to meet you." he replied, also stroking his mount's strong neck. The colt was a dark color, in certain lights it was easy to mistake him for black, and he was a handsome boy. At sixteen hands he stoof just below the average height of a thoroughbred and what he lacked in size he made up for in brain and heart. Yes, Dark's career had started slowly... He had served a spell in the Economy Stable, even... But he had made himself known in his juvenile season and while he had been unable to compete in the Best Two Year Old Colt awards he had come out on top, earning the prize for Best Grade Five.

But he would not stay grade five for long, one more win and he would have made his way to grade four and once he was there he would continue to improve. By the end of the year it was hoped he would be grade three, if not above. By the time he had finished his four year old season it was hoped he would have made grade one. But that was a long way away, and they needed to focus on the present. The jockey's grey eyes gleamed as he recognised the name of the other horse from the race schedule and he couldn't help but smile a little.

"You and Roy are down for the Cocoa right?"

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Nice to meet you, Jacob. Of course, I recognized Dark Charmer. You heading to the Triple Crown this year? Krystal politely asked. Dark would be an excellent addition to the Triple Crown. Of course, she was rooting for Henna and Flash all the way, but at the same time she wanted them to be challenged by good horses all the way. That had been what had made Ario's win in the Triple Crown so satisfying in year six. He had faced true top class horses in ten horse or more fields. Krystal wanted Henna to experience the same feelings of satisfaction if and when Flash won the Triple Crown. Horses like Dark Charmer, Euphorion and others would contribute to that.

Yes, we are down for the Cocoa. It should be a good race remarked Krystal. Roy and I have been working for a good season this year. He won't be going to the Triple Crown, seeing as he doesn't fit the distance, but he is the type that will get a chance to shine against some fine competition this year, hopefully. We're going for grade three and beyond. She stroked Roy's neck. Once again, the three year old did not respond to the stroke; instead, he glared ahead of him and struck the track hard with his front left hoof for a stride before going light again. It was clear that impatience was getting to him. Krystal knew that they should probably get a move on. So, what workout were you guys going to do today?