let's think about this

[S u N f r O s t ~]

INFINITE WARCRY AND AMBER BLACK
INFINI'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

He was a gentle and incredibly well rested giant headed for a start in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf as a potential surpriser. Would he be counted out completely? Of course not. But he had been raced a lot less than the other two year olds out there, despite the fact that four of his measly seven starts had been wins. His biggest had come from the Magic Millions Colts Turf, and he had furnished his victory by beating older horses in the two races immediately following. He had been gone from the track since then due to the lack of races that Amber wanted to race him in, and was now slated for his eighth and final start of the year in the Juvenile Turf against what would no doubt be a ferocious field. Though the true entrants of that field were, as of right now, unconfirmed, Amber was already preparing her colt for one of the biggest races of his life.

The interesting thing about Infini was his temperament. He was mean or cruel, nor bossy or arrogant. He was just...him. At nearly seventeen hands high he commanded the mass necessary to boss others around, but it was not in Infini's nature to do so. He was more of a pacifist, a peacemaker content to go onto the track and off of it with the same neutral and happy air. He loved to race. He loved to stretch out his legs and run wherever the wind chose to take him. He loved to feel Amber on his back willing him to faster, and then obey her commands and feel the breeze sing to him. He loved to work with other horses, too, and race them for all he was worth. When he raced, Infini also showed his pacifist temperament. He didn't like to tangle with others early; thus, he broke slowly and took a position at the back, avoiding others until the latter stages of the race. Then, he would suddenly accelerate and come at them with a closing kick. Then, he would tangle with them, and they would remember him as he shot into the lead with perhaps an inch to spare before the wire. He made for hair raising finishes as he usually did not win by much - but he did win, and Amber loved it.

The best part was that Infini came from relatively unknown bloodlines. His sire Jessie James had been a grade one overshadowed by Merry Bay King and True Enough in his racing days. He was also a hellion, famous for injuring now grade one racehorse Dashing in the Firelight. Infini was apart of his first crop, along with his twin sister Dazzling Dame, and both were making a name for them. They were also the only foals of Ebony Gold Lady, a nice mare who hadn't made it big but who Amber had respected and thus bred to Jessie James for twins of. So while Infini was certainly not warm blooded and wasn't a competitive demon either, he was a great horse, and he garnered respect from his success on the track and not just from bloodlines. Those that harked back to bloodlines to decide who was good and who wasn't were stupid - but even so, good bloodlines usually guaranteed some semblance of quality. Few horses transcended past what their bloodlines foretold. Infini would be one of those few.

He was a smooth mover, and his trot was like floating. His canter was a lot more bouncy, and even held some traces of energy in it, energy difficult to control. But Infini was anything but a difficult ride. Amber smiled as the black obediently listened to her commands. When they finally galloped, it was with the breeze, and she let Infini dictate the length. Two furlongs, four furlongs, a mile...all passed, and they did not slow until they had run a glorious twelve furlongs. Infini was a distance runner, and the longer the distance the happier he was. Amber slowed the colt, feeling a bit impressed by his aerobic capacity even though she knew he had it in him, and led the colt off of the track. They would take the Juvenile Turf or go down trying.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

WILD KISS AND AMBER BLACK
KISS'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

Wild Kiss. The sly bay three year old that nobody would see coming. The filly that had proven her consistency over and over by placing second again and again and again. But could the filly win? She had won only her first start of the season in the Unicorn Horn Fillies and had just come second after that. So she could place in the top three, as she had proven that, but win? What was there in her record that said she could win? Where was the proof that she was capable of attaining that win and being one step closer to grade three? Well, you could argue that she had placed second all season usually to Silent Fury, and the fact that the colt wouldn't be in the Filly and Mare Turf - unless he was transgender - suggested that she would win. But others would be entered, and she would have to face them, wouldn't she?

Then you might move on to her bloodlines. By DW Flamekissed and out of the Hall Of Fame mare Wild Flower, you could say she definitely would win again. DW Flamekissed was known for his heart and gritty determination. Wouldn't that be a characteristic of her as well? And she had proven it to be by her gutsy though non winning finishes. So how about her dam? Wild Flower had been named Best Turf Horse plenty of times and had won over thirty races in her career. To add on to her accomplishments, she was also the dam of Worldbreaker, a grade three stallion who had won plenty of races this season, and Wildly Natural, the killer turf queen on the track whom Amber also loved deeply. So didn't that guarantee Kiss to be capable of something other than second? But then you would argue that bloodlines weren't everything, and you would be correct.

So let's show you why Kiss is amazing by using her hooves instead.

Amber's face was frowning as she guided Kiss through a quick warm up. The sly filly obeyed her commands almost obediently, and she was suspicious of that. When they were finally ready to gallop, Amber was careful to make sure she was holding the three year old in enough and then let her go, rising in the stirrups to hover over the filly's neck. Kiss exploded, for lack of a better term. She essentially flew into a sprint, which surprised Amber. The bay was a distance runner and a closer. What was going on with this?

The filly continued to go faster, and Amber saw the world become blurry. And faster they went. They blazed through fractions, and Amber wondered what the heck was going on. Where had this blazing desire come from? For a full mile they went, and then Kiss slowed of her own accord, breathing heavily, with an equally breathless Amber aboard.

Kiss had shown Amber something, and by showing Amber she had showed the world. She would prove a challenger, and Amber thought about a Breeders Cup win seriously for the first time. She smirked.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

AXIS MUNDAE AND AMBER BLACK
AXIA'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

Here was a black filly whom hadn't had a lot to say on the track this year. At three years old, Amber's main goal for Axis Mundae was to get the filly's hooves wet on the sprinting scene and nourish her love for racing. She had succeeded. They had made many starts this year and even won four times. They had gone to the Girls Festival and the Star Festival and had shown themselves to be the future sprinting prospects for the stable. That had been Amber's goal. With Asus retiring at the end of this year, the bulk of the top level sprinting went to Axia, and Sugar Jayde among the two year olds would be following her example. So it was important that they did well.

Amber had done some thinking about the future of the Warlock and Little Miss Innocent daughter. They had done well, but not well enough to be true contenders in the Breeders Cup. This would be Axia's first appearance at the Breeders Cup, too, which kind of counted against them. They were going to the Turf Sprint, and would be facing Axia's full sister Beltane there - most likely. Beltane had risen this year to great heights and was a huge contender on the sprinting circuit. More than anything else for Axia, Amber wanted them to show Beltane and company who was truly the best. The sibling rivalry was heated, and it was up to Amber to not be completely outclassed in this battle.

For now, focusing on the horse was critical. Being braver and bolder than any horse Amber had probably ever ridden, Axia was making no secret of her desire to not run today. It was unusual for the filly to act in this way, but not altogether unexpected. They had raced a lot and then reverted to a tough workout schedule, and Axia was getting a bit lazy. She pulled back on the reins and barely listened to Amber. The filly loved to race, yes, but not when she was feeling lazy. Especially when she was being worked alone, as she was today. Axia responded much better to challenges, openly thrown her way. She was a bit of a proud filly and didn't back down from challenges.

Amber asked the filly to canter and got dragging hooves in response. She asked for a gallop and got an accelerated canter. Axia just wasn't feeling it today, and that worried Amber. She had some thinking to do. Could they make it to the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint or should they give up now? She finished the workout distressed, yelling what seemed to be empty reassurances at herself. Axia didn't seem encouraging, and she was worried - but she would work with the black filly more and would soon know what was going on with her.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

TDI LIVE THIS LIE AND AMBER BLACK
FALSEHOOD'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

They had more potential to surprise than probably any other horse out there. They had surprised before, in big fields, and he had shown himself capable of placing well. But winning in those big fields? Was he capable of that? He had only won three times this year, all in fields that were essentially beneath grade two and had been nothing scary. But he had won, and ascended to grade two. He had most recently come third in the Consumato Derby. Didn't that mean that they stood a chance, though a slim one, at surprising? Amber was deep in thought, measuring up her competition. She hadn't even decided about where to send Falsehood yet, or if she would at all. They had come second in the Dirt Mile last year. Perhaps they should return and attempt to win that? It was within their abilities, wasn't it, and a better choice than the Classic...?

As per usual, Falsehood was arrogant today. He was never lazy, thus danced in place as Amber mounted up and trotted him out. He was full of energy, and was now being rested until the Breeders Cup. Amber didn't think she had any races slated for him until then, and hadn't even declared the SOPS entries for the year end championships yet. She was also thinking about a new circuit that was opening up next year, where she would also be sending her horses for racing purposes. She had raced there before, and the place was gorgeous. She was also happy to be on the dirt for a bit. The other horses she had ridden today had been turf.

Falsehood was an eager racehorse, and they were going along at a swift canter in no time. Amber's head filled with thoughts of the colt. He had been the weanling everybody wanted at the weanling sale held by Tropicana Dreams, Inc. She had been chosen from twelve owners to take him home, and she had cared for him since. His bloodlines were priceless, both in rarity and quality. At two they had done all right, and at three they had been just another pair racing in the Triple Crown. At four he had also slipped to the sidelines again, being the horse that occasionally showed his talent. And next year, plans were being unveiled. He was going to be the best. It was okay if he remained in the sidelines for the rest of this year. At the end of next year he would go to the Classic, and they would have no idea where he had come from.

Amber grinned and set Falsehood into a gallop. The stallion went along at a fast clip, one that was ordinary for a horse that was a grade two. He was nothing special yet. But there was something beginning here, something that Amber felt in a sudden lurch forward that was them accelerating into a faster pace before slowing again. The horse nobody saw coming - that was them, and they would wait for their moment.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

WORLDBREAKER AND AMBER BLACK
WORLD'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

They had no option but to enter the colt in the Breeders Cup. He had run too fantastic a season to be denied the opportunity to compete. Yet the problem was where to run him. He was only eligible for the Turf, but Amber was already riding Wildly Natural in that race. It was a jockey conflict, and while it was obvious even to Amber that Tura deserved it more, she knew it would be an injustice to not enter World. So who would ride him? Henna had a smidgeon more talent than Krystal, but Krystal excelled in riding turf horses. It would all come down to who World ran the best with, and that rider was to be decided tomorrow.

So this was World's final workout with Amber for at least one month. It would require nothing short of a miracle to get World suited up with the correct rider in order to stand a chance in the Turf against the best of the best.

World had been running fantastically. He had won five of his ten starts this season and was only one win from grade two. They were resting until the Breeders Cup, so the only option left to the colt to reach grade two before next season was at the Breeders Cup. Was such a thing possible? Was World talented enough to beat Tura, the expected favorite for the race? Amber thought that he was definitely capable of this feat, but it would require nothing but trust and hard work between him and his new rider, whoever that turned out to be. The worst case scenario was that she would have to take on a new rider in order to make the match work. And yes, she was definitely willing to pay extra so that World would stand the best chance possible. It was inconceivable for Amber to do nothing less than her best for the stallion that she loved so deeply.

They cantered and then galloped. The turf graced their hooves. They felt mutual love and affection and a bond that seemed unbreakable. It seemed to Amber that time did not pass as they galloped. They just were, and World did what she asked and more almost before he completely knew what she wanted. Such a bond was not easy to recreate, and Amber prayed that she would be able to find the right rider in time.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

LYNARA'S KINGDOM AND AMBER BLACK
LYNARA'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

Now for the horse that was simply exhausting to ride. Lynara was the toughest shell to crack in the barn. She was unpredictable, but predictable in her moodiness. She was crazy, but sane enough to be considered regular at times. She was the moodiest, the queen of being crazy, the one you didn't know what to expect of. And Lynara did love to sprint, but it depended on her mood. Would she give it her best shot today? There had been times when she had not, instead seeking to act like a diva and not listen to a word Amber said to her, not obeying any cue sent her way. But today was, thankfully, an on day for the gray two year old. She pulled at the reins and was whinnying constantly, making a huge racket as she pranced along. Amber wad relaxed but alert in the saddle, looking around her to see how the track was while also minding Lynara's mood.

The filly was slated for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Dirt Sprint or whatever it was called. It was a new race this year, so Amber was a bit rusty on the full details. They would probably be going in as the long shots, and with good reason. They had started off the season brightly, winning their first two races and then placing second. Then they had placed out of the top three every race after that. Lynara had proved harder and harder to control, and Amber had been forced to work more extensively with her. Finally, they had won the Lullabyebye Derby last week, surprising the world and putting them back on the map. They only needed one win to grade four, and Amber would be incredibly pleased if they pulled it off in the Breeders Cup. They wouldn't win any year end awards, but Amber would go home extremely proud and ready to take the dirt sprints by storm.

It was clear to Amber that the only way she would meet her hopeful goal was by working hard as everybody else was right now. So they old sprint today and then leave the world with something to speculate about as they retired to the home track to complete training. So, with a firm tug on the reins to remind Lynara just who was in control, Amber asked for a trot and then a canter. Their warm up was comically slow, as Lynara exaggerated her desire to gallop and only gallop by slowing down all her other paces. Amber was not fooled and merely ignored the filly's antics, which displeased her greatly. Soon they were ready, and Amer had the filly start galloping.

An explosion of speed from the filly let Amber know she was still high off of their recent win. Grinning, Amber held on and let the speed go. She didn't think, just felt, npand Lynara's exultation at the speed was unquenchable. They gave the world something to see.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

SILLENIA AND KRYSTAL YHATE
SILL'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

Sillenia had truly excelled this year. The press had gotten into a nasty habit of writing off horses that didn't win every start, yet Sillenia had pulled surprises that called media attention to her. Her biggest had been winning the Little Miss Innocent Memorial Stakes against a super competitive field. She had also just finished second in the Dubai World Cup against a murderous field. She had initially been written off because she had never won a race on the dirt before, something that Krystal had found to be true. But the filly was dual surfaced, and any doubts about that were blown away when they crossed the wire in second. She had also reached grade one and was set to take the place of Tura as head turfer, as well as find a way to take home some dirt wins while they still could. And it had been decided that she would defend her title in the Filly and Mare Turf. No other race beckoned her as much, and Krystal couldn't wait.

She had beaten colts in the Juvenile Turf before taking the female only race last year. So she could definitely handle colts. However, the Turf was for Tura and World. To avoid conflicts she had been scheduled to defend her title. The Turf had been promised to her next year, as it was to all retired horses that favored the turf. The competition was anything but easy. They could even be outclassed. But she was the highest grade horse for a reason. She had talent, especially on the turf. And to underestimate her as the media had would lead to a surprise.

Sillenia nickered as they cantered. She had a very rocking motion canter that was hard to mistake. As they warmed up, Krystal considered the filly. Had Grand Silence actually sired any good dirt horses? Worldbreaker had been a turfer. Silent Fury was a turfer. Sillenia was the highest grade of both of them. Could there be no dirt greatness here? Had Amber been incorrect? It seemed unlikely, given her experience, but Krystal was willing to go by only what her eyes showed her to be the truth. And thus far, the sire line was unproven on the dirt and very proven on the turf. She would have to mention that to Amber.

They now galloped, and for a mile they comfortably coasted. Then they slowed and stopped, surveying the track. Would Sill defend her title s the Filly and Mare Turf Champion? We would see, and very soon.

[S u N f r O s t ~]

FIRE DANCER AND KRYSTAL YHATE
FIRE'S INITIAL PREP FOR THE BREEDERS CUP

They had moved off of the Green Horse Fields track for a little bit, taking to the Novizio and Valorrizare derbies that were apart of the exclusive Risorgimento Cup. Fire had excelled with the new scenery, and Krystal was proud of her filly. They had not had a bad season by any means, placing third in each leg of the Triple Tiara and capturing the Novizio Derby. They had broken into grade four, and though they were far behind the top of their division they were doing great, in Krystal's opinion. Next year they would shine. But right now, she had to think. Where were they going to send her in this year's championships? Last year she had placed third in the Juvenile Fillies. The top of her division would likely go to the Ladies Classic. Should they face them there? Or should they go to the Marathon and run a longer distance? The Classic was definitely out of the question.

The real question here was, how much could the filly handle? She had been up against some fierce fields and while she had rarely come out on top, she had done well and may have even garnered herself a following by now. Krystal only knew that she was proud of her and wanted to show off her abilities in the most fitting way possible. The Ladies Classic was looking more and more likely. They were also going to the Risorgimento Cup itself. It would serve as a more precise indicator of her current abilities.

Fire and Krystal had created a big bond . They mutually respected each other, and occasionally that respect even turned into love. Though tall, intimidating and even unapproachable, the filly had accepted her rider and they worked together smoothly. It was the expected level of commitment between rider and horse by the beginning of four year old season. In fact, the bond Krystal and Fire shared was as strong as the bond Henna and her Fire had, and that was saying something. This made Henna and Krystal so alike, yet so different. Henna could be a basket case yet had a lot more talent than Krystal, who excelled only with the turf horses it appeared. Yet Fire was a dirt horse, wasn't she, and they were excelling!

Back on the Green Horse Fields track, Krystal was faced with reality as she cantered Fire along. They were here to compete and be serious. Rumor had it that Amber wanted some horses to take it easy by working at the home track before doing final Breeders Cup preps. That was a good idea for some, but not for all. Some horses fed off of the competitive energy at this track and would work here full time. Fire would likely be one of those horses. They had just been off track, after all. Fire wanted to soak in the familiar surroundings, and Krystal wanted to as well. She wanted to see what had to be seen here and then move on to prepping. They would gallop now, and let the wind try to stop them.

Krystal leaned forward. Her hands gripped the reins. Her legs bent at the knee. And off she went, galloping aboard the dark bay mare with fire in her eyes and a desire to win burning in her chest.