feel the breeze

[S u N f r O s t ~]

INFINITE WARCRY AND AMBER BLACK
SUGAR JAYDE AND HENNA TURATH

INFINI'S WORKOUT FOR THE YELLOW CUP

The breeze swept down the track and ruffled the mane of the gentle giant. The grand colt stood motionless in the breeze, ears pricked, eyes half closed as though he was about to fall asleep. He looked like a picture you would find hanging on a wall of an unknown racehorse that was, despite the lack of knowledge of his name, belonged in the history of racing among the stars. Aboard the black colt, Amber Black looked out at the turf track with fondness in her eyes. There was a tenderness there, too, the tenderness that came from the knowledge of things that had taken many years to learn. As the breeze stopped blowing, a small cue from her sent the powerful Infinite Warcry into a smooth canter. They cut across the turf at this furious pace and almost left their companion behind. A second after they started cantering, Henna Turath had guided the bay filly that was exactly one hand shorter than Infini to his side. The filly was excited. Being a lover of sprinting, she was practically crying out to be released. As of late, the top two year old had been keen to race and challenge. Usually she was a bit more detached, but right now she was focused and responding to the silent challenge she felt from Infini.

The breeze blew again as the pair swept down the backstretch at their warm up canter. Neither Amber nor Henna spoke as they enjoyed the feeling of a ride on a pleasant autumn day. Their thoroughbreds were well behaved, especially Infini. Amber could swear that Infini did not possess a bad bone in his body. He had a bit of coltishness about him, yes, which could lead to something unwittingly harmful, but never had he been outright furious just because he could be. He didn't lash out like Lynara did at times just because he could. He was the eye of the storm, the calmness amid the fury. Jayde was similar. She was sweet but usually distant. The keenness she was currently showing on the track was rare but had manifested after her latest race. Jayde was rising and Henna had big plans. But in order to get there, she needed to work on Jayde's stamina. As a sprinter she had speed, but they needed a balance. In Amber's case, they needed speed and had plenty of stamina. He was running in the Yellow Cup shortly, a race that would test him against older horses. Amber wanted him to be prepared to do well and gain some worthwhile experience.

For today, they were going to be doing a nine furlong run with some sprinting at the end. It would test Jayde's stamina and Infini's speed, so it all worked out. And they were nearing the time when they would start running. They cruised around the final turn and then it was finally time. The breeze blew one more time, and as though it buoyed their invisible wings up Infini and Jayde set off at a swift pace. Jayde, used to sprinting, let her legs fly. She took the front, and Infini took a comfortable position off. He was going nowhere fast, and quickly dropped to about eight lengths behind the sprinter Jayde. Henna was making no move to contain the filly. This was how the filly ran. Amber also looked comfortable aboard Infini. She knew that Jayde would begin to tire and was waiting for the right moment.

The first half passed in a blazing 43 flat. Jayde was still moving easily, not looking as though she was letting up. Amber had Infini ghosting a bit closer now, narrowing the gap. The time to run the filly down as nearly at hand. And when it at last came, the breeze they had created grew stronger. Infini accelerated and closed at an astonishing rate. It was as though Jayde had stood still and was no longer galloping. They closed the gap as they passed into the final furlong and eventually drew up alongside the bay filly. She was struggling but still fighting hard, yet it was nothing against the sudden speed that was a closing Infini. He got a neck in front before they crossed the wire and were slowed by their riders.

Jayde was lathered with sweat but seemed happy to have run. Infini was his usual self, tossing his head slightly as he was trotted. He seemed to be ready, a picture of beauty. The breeze blew again, and Amber felt inspired to race it. But not today. They would save it for the Yellow Cup.