Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Apr 8, 2012 18:22:28 GMT -5
TDI LIVE THIS LIE AND AMBER BLACK
FIRE DANCER AND KRYSTAL YHATE
FALSEHOOD'S WORKOUT FOR THE SUMMER CUP GRADE THREE DIRT
FIRE'S WORKOUT FOR THE SUMMER CUP GRADE FIVE DIRT
The tall, intimidating bay filly was officially one year younger than the gray stallion that she barely walked alongside, but the usually arrogant gray was actually getting a bit...well, intimidated. Are you sure that Falsehood isn't just some scared two year old, Amber? He's certainly acting like it commented Krystal loftily. Amber silently snarled to herself. She hated it when whatever horse she was riding just so happened to deem itself worthy of Krystal's jabs. And are you sure that what you're riding is ready to take on the fields she'll face in the Summer Cup and the last Triple Tiara race? she shot back heatedly. Krystal had to bite her tongue to avoid lashing back. You're really lucky I'm not Henna. She would have killed you for saying that. Amber appeared not to care, but on the inside she knew Krystal was right. Henna would have flipped out. She was sensitive right now, due to her worries over Fire and Flash. Never mind that she rode other kick butt horses - it all came down to her feelings for the two she loved the most.
Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I think Fire is doing a brilliant job, really. She's been racing a lot lately and holding up well. Your training is responsible for that Amber said softly. Krystal merely nodded. She was currently preoccupied in analysis of the Summer Cup Grade Five Dirt. They were up against a good field, including her former mount Strictly Royal, who had been sold to the newest stable on the scene. Falsehood was facing a smaller field in the Grade Three Dirt, but they did have the advantage of experience and obviously some talent if they had made it that far. Not to say that Fire didn't have talent. Placing third in both legs of the Triple Tiara so far, as well as competing in the prep races, she had simply faced the same two fillies over and over again and been beaten by them over and over again. But Krystal would never stop trying to defeat them. They had each captured a leg of the Tiara. The next one, by all rights, should belong to her and Fire. But this was the Summer Cup they were focusing on right now, not the next race in that series, so Krystal got right back on track.
Amber was absently scratching Falsehood's neck as they cantered down the dirt track. Falsehood had been working hard this year, trying his way through the Senior Superstars Series, but it wasn't working. The competition was extremely fierce, and he didn't have the work necessary to keep up with them right now. Amber was going to start working overtime with him as they approached his final season next year in the hopes of reaching grade one, and Krystal wished them all the best. Falsehood was an arrogant show off with amazing bloodlines. If anything, he'd make fantastic bloodstock. As a racehorse, had had come third in two legs of the Triple Crown and even won the Santa Anita Derby last year. Luck just hadn't been on his side lately. In Krystal's case, the same fate had befallen them. The same good horses were taking them down.
It was time to fight back.
As discussed, the two riders cued their horses to gallop and held them in. Falsehood managed to jump to the lead anyway, with Fire contentedly following behind. They were doing a mock race for the final quarter of this six furlong workout, after all. There was no harm in assuming race positions. Thus, each jockey rated their horse as they should and let them run easily. There was no need to hurry, but no need to overly relax either. Fire, who usually ran a bit farther back, was being urged a bit closer to the pace today due to the shortness of the race. She was a distance runner, so found the early speed discomfiting and wanted to drop back. However, she had learned enough this year to know when to listen to her jockey, and she did so now. Amber, meanwhile, comfortably let Falsehood run. The stallion only ran as fast as necessary to keep his lead. Countless races of experience had taught him the principles of conservation.
The pace heated up a bit as they got farther in to the race. Fire was urged up a little bit more, and she obeyed even though she clearly didn't want to. Falsehood began to increase his pace slightly, knowing from experience that a charge would come eventually that would be aimed at taking him down. Amber glanced under her shoulder briefly and saw Fire there and coming closer. She decided that it was time to run for it - they were hitting the final turn, and she knew Krystal's tactics when it came to Fire. She asked Falsehood to run, and the stallion responded rapidly. He lengthened his stride and increased the frequency of each step. Soon, he was sprinting. Fire was a bit slower to respond, but when she did it was with a soaring motion that brought her close to Falsehood.
They were going into the stretch now, and both women urged their horses on. Fire drew up alongside Falsehood and was looking very determined. Falsehood was equally determined, and he was also quicker of foot. This gave him the advantage as Amber prodded him one last time and they burst over the wire a half length in front of the fiery bay filly. Pulling up, Amber was grinning, while Krystal just looked dismayed but encouraged enough by the speed she felt from Fire to know she was ready. Summer Cup, here came the flames!
