Vengeance

[Deleted]

TERROR SMILE RIDDEN BY AIDEN SMITH
WORKOUT FOR THE JULY WK 3 EXHILARATION STAKES
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After her win in the July Wk 2 Maiden turf, her owner, Hailey Levine, decided to send her right on back to run in the Exhilaration Stakes, a ten furlong turf race. Hailey had little to no doubt about how Terror Smile would preform in her next race; quite well. No one could help that there would be some tough competition in the race. Not to mention the horse who got a head over Smiles in the Stable Face Off to defeat her in her four year old debut.

"This time will be different though, won't it girl?" Aiden sat upon the fillie's back, stroking her dappled neck. They stood on the outside rail of the track right along the homestretch. Other trainers and jockeys on their horses stood nearby. Clockers stood next to the rail, watches in hands. All hands were preoccupied in different ways, but all eyes were on the horses that were now circling the track at full speed, battling each other for position. The only sound was the sound of thunderous hoof beats against the soft earth.

Aiden's eyes watched them with wonder and as they turned onto the homestretch, Smiles started chomping on her bit in excitement. Aiden shot a quick glance at her before tightening the reins and returning to feast his eyes upon the two colts. As the colts sped up nearing the finish wire, their heads stretching out for the lead, Terror broke into a jig down the stretch. Aiden tugged her back and circled her, causing the most commotion among the spectators since the horses started their gallop. At that same moment the horses crossed the finish wire.

It was also then that Smiles bolted down the stretch after them. Aiden was caught unprepared and was launched back into the saddle. He pulled hard to the right and Smiles almost immediately stopped. When he managed to stop her, her ears with pinned forward and her eyes watching the horses whom she was racing to. Aiden popped the reins before heading her towards the starting gate as if he had meant for her to take off running. The coward in him did not allow him to look back at all the others who were watching the horses, fearing that he would be a laughing stock.

As he approached the starting gate, he did not look up at the starter. Instead he walked Smiles forward into the first stall without the starter's help. He heard and felt the jolt of the back gate closing and got forward into a crouching position over her withers. With one quick glance towards the grandstand he could make out everyone in the same position they were in, all still watching the track, waiting. Waiting for the next horse to start their workout. With that last look, the gates opened, the starting bell rang in his ears, and the Grey filly charged from the gate, pounding down the track.

Aiden leaned forward, riding her strides with ease. He was prepared for a four furlong full out sprint to the wire; what Hailey had asked of him to work her. He gave her a notch of rein and Smiles jolted forward, her legs working quickly. Aiden did well to keep his eyes from the grandstand by either Smile's ears working back and forth trying to detect any sound besides her even hoof beats or by watching the ground in which she was digging into.

As they neared the middle of the far turn, Aiden gave in a little more notch of rein; almost all of it, now. In response, Smiles turned out into a nearly full fledged sprint for the wire. Her ears now only perked forward towards the finish, not getting sidetracked by the crowd on the right side while her rider, Aiden was. He couldn't help but glance to his right side. He soon turned back to look down the track feeling a sudden increase in acceleration. He hadn't given her more rein but she still moved forward even faster than she had just a moment ago. They were inching towards the one furlong pole at blinding speeds.

Aiden started to rock with her strides, letting her have all the rein and she dug into the ground, spreading out into full stride, completely. In only a few seconds they had crossed the wire and Aiden was now easing her up steadily. Smiles threw her head once before easing up completely and turning around to trot back to the rail. Aiden still didn't meet the eyes of any of the audience and rode Terror Smile right on past them. One of the clockers caught his attention, though.

Hailey Levine was making her way towards him, smiling. "Very well done, Mr. Smith! Your time smashed those colts!" her pleasant smile turned into a wide grin, "I am impressed... of course." Aiden's eyes widened in surprise, "Oh! Ms. Levine... I hadn't noticed you were watching." He smiled, "Thank you." Hailey nodded slowly taking hold of the fillie's bridle and led them both towards the barn. "I have to talk to you actually... about the whole regular ride." Aiden nodded apprehensively, "Yes... Of Course."

As they entered the stable area, Aiden hopped off. Hailey had not said a word until now, "I understand that you will be getting a regular jockey license next month." He nodded quickly. She spoke again,"Yes... Beck has decided he will try to retire once again and I have decided your going to be our regular jockey once he leaves. What do you think?" Aiden answered a little too quickly, "Really?" he coughed, "I mean.. I would love to be a regular jockey for the stable." Hailey nodded. "Good... Show me what you can do on race day with her, okay?" With those words she stroked Smile's head and then strode away back to the track. Aiden smiled, nodding. A sudden determinism spread over him. He would do whatever he had to for Terror Smile to win her race. He had to impress Ms. Levine.

turf track; 4 furlongs
words; 1007