Post by Kirsten Jade on Jun 18, 2012 23:57:17 GMT -5
Popcorn Blitz
Workout for the December Turf Maiden.
Kirsten hummed as she prepared the beautiful chestnut colt for his first workout of the year on the GHF track. The handsome boy was the son of Hall of Famer Speed Demon. He was three years old and has not raced yet this season. There just hadn't been any opportunities for Popcorn Blitz to make his appearance but now they finally had the perfect race lined up for him, the December Turf Maiden. It was a sprint, just how Blitzen liked it: fast.
Blitzen viewed his surroundings with excitement. He pranced on his toes as Kirsten tried to saddle him up. "Calm down Blitzen and we'll get out there faster." The chestnut paid his rider barely any attention. Figures. She tightened the girth and nearly cried out when the pain in her hand arose. She shouldn't have reacted the way she had yesterday after the disappointing loss in the Dubai World Cup. Now she was going to pay.
There. Popcorn Blitz was ready to go. She clipped on the lead shank and started to lead him out of the barn. The chestnut colt danced at the end of the line. He was excited to be back at GHF and was ready to race. His muscles glistened under his coat. His eyes sparkled with excitement. Kirsten laughed to herself. It will be fun to ride a sprinter again. It has been awhile.
Just as Kirsten and Popcorn Blitz were about to reach the door her younger sister Melanie came barreling into the barn, slamming the door behind her. "Kirsten!!!" She yelled. Aaron came running in after her. Popcorn Blitz screeched and half reared in terror. Kirsten pulled the big boy down and whispered calming words to the colt. Her heart was beating fast. Her darned sister had scared the living daylights out of her.
Aaron had raced to Kirsten's side and grabbed a hold of the lead shank. Melanie stood nearby with her hands on her hips. Kirsten turned to her younger sister and frowned. "What's the matter? You scared the crap outta me." Melanie stomped her foot and chucked the daily newspaper at her. Kirsten grabbed it and gasped. She quickly read the article about ARS and Melanie's "friendliness" around the track.
She shook her head and turned red in the face. She looked up at her fuming sister. "How did they find out? And who the hell is this Jill Jennings?" She bit her lip. She figured that the press would find out sooner or later about Melanie and Aaron's mishap but how did they find out about what happened six years ago? "That's what I would like to know! And how did she find out about ... well you know..." Melanie blushed. Then frowned. "And there is another stupid article by this chick. Check the next page." Kirsten frowned and turned the page. She nearly screamed as she saw a picture of herself crying at the back paddocks. Oh my word...
Kirsten read the article and then crippled the paper up and chucked it on the ground. She was fuming. "[swear word]" Melanie stared at her sister. "Now what?" Kirsten shook her head. She didn't know what to do. This Jill Jennings was on their tail and was digging up as much dirt as possible on them. Aaron cleared his throat. "You know, I'm ticked about this too but I say we just go out there every day and do our best. No drama. No outbursts. And no talking to any Jill Jennings." Kirsten and Melanie both nodded in agreement. "Hopefully if we can keep our cool and look happy this month then she will lose interest and give up. And maybe we can try and gain some good press and get the people on our side." Kirsten folded her hands together. "Sounds like a plan?" Melanie and Aaron looked at each and agreed. "Fine, but I'm still ticked. I was pretty much called a slut to all the racing world. There goes my career." Kirsten sighed, "And I was written off as pretty much the worst jockey ever and who needs to find a new job." The girls looked at each other for a minute before both breaking into a tight smile. Aaron shook his head. "You are both nuts, let's just get to work. I'll bring Blitzen down."
Kirsten linked arms with her sister and followed suit. "This time Mel we need to be in it together. Let's start winning and get some good press. It's time ARS started to be known world wide for more than having a slutty jockey and a jockey who is ruining her own horses with her petty riding." Melanie laughed. She needed to focus on her game and let the press not get the better of her.
-
Kirsten mounted the firery red chestnut and moved onto the turf track. He was a horse that could run on both surfaces but Kirsten wanted him to start on the turf. It was a softer surface and the surface his sire was most successful on. Blitzen was a speedball on anything though. This colt just loved to run.
She released the colt on the rail and felt him drift away. Faster and faster he moved. He breezed by the wire in no time flat. He was loving being back. Kirsten pulled on the reins but he just wouldn't stop. After a five minute tug o war he finally gave in and slowed down. He shook his head proudly. There would be no stopping him this weekend.