Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Apr 8, 2012 18:24:41 GMT -5
WILDLY NATURAL AND AMBER BLACK
SILLENIA AND KRYSTAL YHATE
TURA'S WORKOUT FOR THE SUMMER CUP GRADE ONE TURF
SILL'S WORKOUT FOR THE SUMMER CUP GRADE TWO TURF
She was as good as they got, and then some. Now in her final season of racing, the royal black mare surveyed the turf track with an edge of excitement in her gaze. Normally a bit more aloof or flirtatious, she now focused fully as Amber got her going at a trot over the firm turf. It was such a change and such a joy to have watched Tura grow from a weanling. From the moment of conception to now, a lot had changed in Tura. Over the year she had gained in arrogance, but she had also gained a reasonable, tactical side of her that came out in races and workouts. When she ran, the five year old mare was a veteran, and few could stop her from achieving what she wanted. Just two years ago, she had nearly won the Turf Triple Crown, just barely missing out in the final leg. Then last year, she had continued to race in top class turf races, and her personality had developed - a sort of pride. Losing a race now seemed to bother her more, and she seemed more determined than ever not to lose. That probably accounted for her record right now - three wins and two seconds from her five starts this year, approaching her sixth in the Summer Cup Grade One Turf.
There were currently no other declarations for the Grade One Turf, and it was likely she would face the Grade Two Turf field instead. It consisted of Sillenia and Executioner's Apprentice. At least all the horses could relate in some way - they had all won the Kentucky Open in three consecutive years. It was kind of like a legacy, the passing of the crown, and Amber reflected on this fact fondly. No doubt the media, when they made the connection, would make a big deal out of it. The three year old colt was talented, and Sillenia had been successful this year, but Tura was the veteran. She was the current turf queen. Though speaking of Sillenia, there was talent there, too. Sillenia had been running well this year, coming away with two wins with three to go before reaching grade one status. Krystal had taken great pride in seeing others identify Sill as a threat. They still had another year left to take the crown from Tura, and Amber was eager to see what they would do.
But this year was Tura's, and Amber didn't care how hard Krystal worked to make it Sill's. The turf belonged to Wildly Natural, daughter of Hall Of Famers The Natural and Wild Flower, bred for the turf and queen of the turf. This was her element.
Shading her eyes against the mid morning sun, Amber looked for Krystal and Sill. She finally spotted them trotting towards her, coming the wrong way around the track. She frowned, and was about to retort when Krystal came within distance of them. But she said nothing, and Krystal simply sent Sill through a half circle and came to face the same direction as Tura. The two mares set off at a canter now, stride for stride, and Krystal exchanged some words with Amber. Easy workout today, please. Sill doesn't need the extra work, and your princess over there doesn't, either requested Krystal shortly. Amber had been getting a lot of short comments out of Krystal lately. She just hoped the woman's anger at whatever it was she had done would disappear in time.
Let's just gallop then. A half mile sound good? Krystal nodded curtly and immediately cued Sill to gallop. If it was a half-hearted attempt at leaving Tura and Amber in the dust, it was a bad one. Tura had a racehorse's reflexes and reacted quickly when Amber gave her permission to go. In no time at all, the two were galloping side by side. Being closers, neither was overly eager to take the lead, but eventually Sill did upon Krystal's prodding. The headstrong filly had calmed down over the years, and she was now almost always compliant to Krystal's cues. Of course, on race day she was less likely to care about Krystal's orders, and was doubly more unlikely to follow any commands she issued, but Krystal was used to working past that from years of working past it all the time.
The workout went quietly. Not much was said. Amber felt the smooth muscles of horse pounding the turf beneath her. Tura's stride was smooth, ground-eating and full of quietly contained power. She breathed easily, each breath in and out of the lungs done to the full extent and in the maintenance of a rhythmic tandem. Krystal was also analyzing Sillenia. The bay mare was moving as though she wanted more, and she was also picking up on some of Krystal's sudden irritation, making her gallop a bit more choppy than usual. Krystal wasn't even sure why she was so mad at Amber. She just was, and hoped it would wear off eventually, for she truly had no reason to act the way she did to Amber as she had been and as she had done again just now.
After the allocated half mile, the two women pulled their horses up. Tura listened and slowed, but Sill was much less eager to stop, and Krystal had to work to get her to drop to a trot. As Amber turned to go, not expecting much from Krystal, she suddenly saw the bay shape of Sillenia out of the corner of her eye. Turning in the saddle slightly, she was surprised to see Krystal and her horse walking alongside them back to the stable. Krystal was purposely avoiding eye contact. Amber smiled a small smile. This was as much of an apology as she could get from Krystal right now, and she would accept it. Now they could get back on track to winning their races in the Summer Cup.
