Getting Down [open]

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Afterglow. In her prospect season she had been recognised as a future contender, in her two year old season she had become a champion - even if such had not been recognised in the year end awards. She had won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies' - one of four wins in her first year on the track - having broken her maiden in the Stable Face Off. Most of her races had ended in good results, with firsts and seconds being predominant, one third and three results which were out of the top three. She had proved herself a decent competitor and she would continue to do so.

The dark bay filly was on good form as she strode out onto the track, Alana on her back. She had the look of a filly who was entering a peak year in their career and it was probably true. Having performed well in her two year old season she would probably hit her peak at some stage in the next year, and she would hopefully take some big races down on her path to victory. She hadn't done badly in her first race of her three year old season, having come fourth against the fiery colts, but Alana knew they could do better. Alana knew that they could come out on top if they tried.

But Stormi seemed to be in a bad mood. She eyed the other horses on the track with a suspicious eye, tossed her head and scratched at the ground. Occasionally, she ignored Alana's instuctions and did her own thing. But she was obviously in need of something... That something was competition. Another horse, someone she could duel with and increase the adrenaline in her system... Prepare her for a race which was not short of big.

[Snowflake]

Silverianna was slightly hyper this morning. She had not raced since the Breeder's Cup, in which she had narrowly lost. Stella grasped the reins firmly, then after a few minutes walking, nudged the filly into trot as the reached the dirt track. Naturally Charismatic followed, with Sarah aboard. The other filly was being her usual playful self, not yet interested in the workout. Once they got cantering, she'd fire up like a machine.

Charis had only raced a handful of times. She'd come second in her first race, won her second race, then unfortunately placed fourth in the three starts that had followed. She hadn't been on form for a run in the Breeder's Cup, so she had sat that one out. Unraced for more than two months, Charis was well ready for a good race. She was due to run the coming weekend, along with Strike A Pose in the Crystal Cup. A competitive workout gallop was just the thing she needed.

Ahead, Stella recognised a filly, whom would provide both of their thoroughbreds with the run they needed. Hey, Sarah - isn't that Afterglow? she questioned her employer/friend. Sarah glanced up from Naturally Charismatic, and nodded. That's her. A look crossed her face. Perfect... She nudged Charis, sending the three year old into canter. Stella did the same, and the quickly caught up.

Hello, mind if we join you for a run? Sarah asked the rider, flashing a smile.

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With the filly on the verge of one of her temper tantrums Alana knew that this run was important. It was always important to keep Stormi exercised and entertained if you wanted to get the best out of her. If you didn't she turned into a bundle of energy, and a nightmare. Controlling her on the track when she was in a mood could be terribly difficult, a fact that Alana knew all too well. She had seen how her ride reacted to it in the past and even she - who loved a little competition and challenge - did not wish to repeat the experience. After all, she wanted Stormi to prove herself on the track once more, to flex her muscles and start to be a real contender on the track... A princess of the dirt, perhaps. Just like Mona was becoming.

As she stared down the course Alana could hear the sound of hooves and Afterglow seemed to be getting fidgetty, moving from where Alana had pulled her to a halt in order to throw her head and paw at the ground. It almost seemed like the filly was dancing, showing off. There was only one thing which could have caused the filly, who had finally been starting to settle down, to react this way... Competition. So Alana turned her head and, sure enough, competition had found them.

The first to catch her eye was Silverianna, who had been their biggest source of competition in the Breeder's Cup. The grey filly seemed to be energetic and ready for a run, not unlike the bay filly which sat beneath her. Beside her a bay filly Alana was not sure she could place. But placing them did not matter... What mattered was that Afterglow got the exercise she both needed and deserved. Alana's gaze hardened for a moment, the competitive edge seeming to get the better of her, but then she reined it in as she knew that Alexia and Matt would want her to make a good impression for the stable.

"Sure, a run sounds great and I know that Stormi here would love it. Alana, by the way." she said matter of factly, stroking Stormi's neck. Yes - a race against these two would be the perfect way to prepare for the Unicorn Horn.