Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2012 18:39:30 GMT -5
TERROR SMILE && AIDEN SMITH
WORKOUT FOR THE TROPICAL RAINFOREST INVITATIONAL
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There would be no fooling around or letting up. Now, they were in the big leagues. The competition would be fierce in the Turf Invitational but the whole TKR team was confident in Terror Smile's ability and none doubted that she would win. That of course did not mean that they couldn't be nervous. Everyone at the stable had been chewing their nails down to the skin ever since Hailey had accepted the invitation to the race. Aiden was the only one that wasn't apprehensive about the whole thing. In fact, he was eager to show what he and his filly were made of and he would stop at nothing to do so.
He saddled Smiles with high spirits for Becky had recovered enough to hang around the barn and had agreed to watch them work. Aiden had almost completely forgotten about Smile's antics in the cross ties but caught himself before walking behind her. She seemed a bit disappointed when he remembered but her spirits lifted when she was all saddled up and ready to work. Aiden patted her neck and unclipped her from the cross ties. Becky was prepared to follow, a smile played on her face. She sure missed the filly during her recovery. Aiden started leading Smiles to the track as she looked back at Becky, "So how are you feeling?" Becky nodded and smiled, "Much better... really wish I could ride though." Aiden nodded, "Yeah... When did the doc say you could ride?" Becky shrugged, her smile faded into a frown, "Didn't say." She continued to look at the ground and Aiden decided that he had poked in the wrong spot and hesitated to speak more. Hailey came to the rescue.
She walked up to Aiden with a grim expression on her face. She looked absolutely drained. "Alright we got to focus now. There is way too much competition to be fooling around." Aiden nodded, "I know." Hailey spoke seriously again, "Okay so I believe that currently no one is to be underestimated and everyone in the field is our competition. I believe that our biggest threat however is Executioner's Apprentice." Aiden nodded and Hailey continued, "He will push all the front runners. Our best bet is to get her either to the outside or to the rail and keep out of his way. You must set your own pace. Don't worry if your not in front, it won't matter in the final stages of the race because it's going to be the closers who will challenge. She runs well at 10 furlongs if she preserves her energy. She won't mind being alongside other horses, so keep her at the same or a slower pace than Excutioner's Aprentice. She will have enough left to make a run for it and win."
Aiden breathed in deeply and nodded, "Okay. How long should we work?" Hailey responded, "Just like I said the other day. A nice and slow gallop for eight furlongs. Nothing over a slow gallop. Okay?" Aiden replied "Alright," took a deep breath, and jumped onto Smile's back. Becky smiled at him and said quietly,"Good luck... Make me proud." Aiden smiled back and then returned his gaze to Hailey. She nodded, he evened up his reins, and then sent her off down the stretch at a trot.
Even after their very fast and intensive workout just a few days ago, Smiles was ready to go more than ever. Aiden sighed and stroked her neck as she tried to take off at a full fledged sprint down the stretch, "Not today," he whispered to her. The mare's ears flicked back and then pinned forward, excitedly. Aiden smiled; she was so willing to do anything that he wanted her to do. He had no doubts that she would be able to run behind the front runners in this race. Aiden asked her for a bit of speed at the wire. She broke from her trot to a fast gallop. Aiden checked her quickly and she slowed into a slow gallop. He patted her and then crouched down for the ride.
Smiles ran freely, head bobbing and legs stretching far as she galloped around the first turn. Aiden tapped her a bit with his heels, "Focus." He whispered into the wind that whipped through her ears. The grey mare heard him. Her ears flicked back and then collected her stride. She ran with her head held still and legs moving in short quick bursts. Aiden nodded, "That's it." Smiles snorted in reply. They then exited the first turn and Smiles started travelling down the backstretch. Aiden felt an increase in speed but Smiles hadn't changed her stride one bit. He figured that it was just the straight in the track and Smiles began pulling away from the invisible horses behind her, although still running at a slow gallop.
They travelled down the backstretch well. Smiles was still very excited to be running and like other horses might she was not getting a bit bored with the slow pace. They travelled near the center of the track due to their slow run so a couple of fast working horses passed on their inside. Each time they passed, Smiles flicked her ears toward them curiously but didn't put up a fight to try and get in front of them. Aiden saw this as a good sign and a hint that she would be able to run behind the pace makers. Maybe she would even be better right behind them and it would give her a bit more competitive edge when running down the homestretch. Aiden could only imagine.
They rounded the final turn slowly. Aiden noticed a sudden change in Smiles now whenever another horse passed by on her inside. She would pin her ears back flat against her head and then try to increase speed. Aiden kept having to check her every single time a horse passed. When they exited the turn and entered the homestretch however, the change was massively noticable. When another horse passed her she would try and take the bit from Aiden. He had to keep her on a very tight rein to keep her from charging after the horses. Smiles never acted like this when being ridden... but then again Aiden never held her back on the backstretch. Suddenly Aiden noticed a horse coming up on her inside going a bit slower than the others. Not as slow as Smiles but pretty close to it. They were about to pass her but it was then Smiles took off after the horse. Aiden pulled on her reins but she wouldn't slow. She was determined to beat this horse. Aiden checked her heavily and she pinned her ears back irratedly, "Save it for the race alright?" he whispered to her. It almost seemed like Smiles sighed but slowed to a slow gallop.
Aiden patted her neck and they passed the wire. He stood in the irons slowing her down. Smiles looked after the other horse that had passed her with fire in her eyes. She tossed her head as the horse passed by going the opposite direction. Aiden stopped her and turned her around. She trotted after the other horse eagerly but when Aiden pointed her back towards Hailey and Becky, she seemed disappointed that she couldn't challenge the other horse. Aiden scratched her neck. "You'll have a lot of competition in your race, okay? Lots for you to beat." He hopped off and turned to Hailey, "How was that?" Hailey nodded with a sigh of relief, "Well she seemed pretty competitive when being behind another horse... especially down the stretch. I liked it." Becky smiled, "She did great, Aiden." Hailey nodded, "Yes... go hose her down, okay?" Aiden nodded and then lead her towards the barn, Becky beside him. They just had to win this and prove what they were really made of!
turf track; 8 furlongs
words; 1318