Post by Kirsten Jade on Jun 15, 2012 0:04:44 GMT -5
Thunderstrike
Workout for the Kaniska Stakes.
Melanie leaned against the side of the stable door and watched one of ARS' grooms prepare her next mount of the day. She yawned. It wasn't her first mount today so she was surprised the stable hand didn't have the horse waiting for at the track. After ten minutes of waiting she had decided to check out what was going on at the stables. Apparently Striker was giving his handlers a hard time lately for some unknown reason.
Melanie smirked and went to the dark thoughbred's side and reached her hand out towards him. Thunderstrike rolls his eyes at his handler and threw his head into Melanie's arm. She laughed. What a silly boy... "I can take him from here, thanks." The young groom nodded and hesitantly handed over the reins. Melanie smiled reassuringly. The poor young kid was probably scared half to death to get into trouble with Kirsten. Melanie winked and reassured her that it was alright.
Once the kid left Melanie turned to Striker and gave him a big hug. "Why are you being such a brat lately Striker?" The horse rolled his eyes and stepped backwards from his jockey. Melanie shook her head anda led him out to the track. Striker followed close to Melanie and quivered with excitement. Since his last race he had been in a much better mood, due to his near win. The poor four year old had a tough season last year and did not place in any of his starts. This also resulted in an injury that sidelined him the rest of the season. Now he was in top shape but still getting back into the swing of things.
Melanie brought him to the mounting block and mounted the tall horse on her own. Normally it would be a dangerous thing to do, especially on an excited racehorse like Thunderstrike but Melanie wasn't worried. She had been present in his life since the first day he came to ARS as a weanling. They had always had a fun relationship and Melanie enjoyed working him. He had a lot of spirit and was almost never in a bad mood.
They rode onto the turf track and both paused with awe at the beauty of the sunset. Striker whinnied at the horses and pawed at the ground. This horse never stayed still for long. Melanie smiled and moved him into his warm ups. He was prepping for his next race, possibly the last of the season, the Kaniska Stakes. If he would win he would have a shot at the Breeder's Cup and if he lost he would get a nice rest to prep for next season. It sure would be nice for him to win but Melanie wasn't convinced he would come out of it with the win. Firebird would most likely be their top competition. Melanie sighed.
Striker tossed his mane in Melanie's face to bring her back to the present. She shook her head, what a character he was... She rode up to the rail and exchanged a few words with her sister and then pointed the stallion towards the inside rail. Just a short breeze for today would be just what Thunderstrike would need for today. She patted her mount one more time before taking off on a ride into the sunset.