pizza paparazzi

[Kirsten Jade]

Limitless Time
Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP CLASSIC.

Kirsten tapped her pen on her clipboard repeatedly deep in thought. The Breeder's Cup was in a week. ONE WEEK! Akita Rose Stables only had six horses running this year due to their late start in the season. That was just under half of their racing stock. Technically she was eligible to enter more of her horses but she was pretty sure that the other ones were not quite ready for this type of competition. They would just lose. She sighed. Next year was going to be a better year for Akita Rose. Hopefully.

She glanced back down at her clipboard to see what she had scheduled for today. Today they were just going to focus on the horses that they were sending to the Breeder's Cup. The other racehorses would be getting the day off (Lucky for them).

Breeder's Cup Preps. June 26 2012.
Limitless Time - 2 mile gallop.
Dark Sunrise - 2 mile gallop.
Mystical Melody - 1 mile gallop + sprint 2 furlongs.
Knight Rousseau - 2 mile gallop + sprint 1 furlong.
Apollo Bear - 1 mile gallop + sprint 2 furlongs.
Midnight Thriller - 1 mile gallop + sprint 2 furlongs.

Kirsten had arranged for her two mounts to be first and last so that she would be able to keep a sharp eye on her horses as they practice. She didn't want to miss anything. The horses needed to be in tip top shape for the Breeder's Cup. This year was way more nerve wracking on the young owner/trainer/jockey because she was so unsure about their chances this year. The previous years she had always been confident they would be able to pull off a win but this year... She sighed again. She felt like her stomach was twisted into knots. She squeezed her hands together in anticipation. She was so stressed she did not know what to do with herself.

"Mama!" Kirsten turned around to see her nine year old daughter Emma approaching with Melanie and Ben. Emma ran to give Kirsten a hug and then grabbed the rail to see which horses were out on the track. Melanie smiled. "You nervous?" Kirsten bit her lip and nodded. "Yep, I'm pretty stressed alright." Emma picked up her younger cousin and lifted him up the rail. Melanie watched her son carefully then looked back at Kirsten. "Don't worry so much about it. If we fail to win anything at the Breeder's Cup then we do. We'll just try again next year and the year after that... like we always do." Kirsten nodded. "I know. It's just... we need something especially this year. I just want them to win so bad... Our horses deserve it." Melanie sighed and nodded silently. "I know, I know... She moved to the rail and took six year old Ben into her arms.

Kirsten leaned next to her daughter and checked her clipboard once again. "Mom?" Kirsten flicked her pen another time and slid it in the pen holder attached to the clipboard. "Um hm?" "Are you riding Limitless first?" Kirsten looked up at her daughter. "Yeah. Why?" Emma raised her eyebrow. When did she learn to do that? "Cause Amelia is waiting at the gap with him and calling your name." Kirsten started and looked out towards the gap. She waved to her stable hand.

"Alright. Will you hold this for me dear?" Emma nodded and took the clipboard. "Go Mama!" Kirsten smiled at her daughter and looked at Melanie. "Will you keep an eye out for me? Let me know if you see anything..." Melanie rolled her eyes. "Stop worrying so much! Limitless is great, you are great. Just get out there and show your stuff!" Kirsten shook her head. "I'm serious here." Melanie rolled her eyes again. "So am I. Now hurry up, Amelia is waiting." Kirsten nodded and bent down to pick up her crop and helmet. Here goes the first workout of the day...

She went to collect her mount and thanked her stable hand after getting a leg up. Limitless stamped his hoof and looked at Kirsten with annoyance for making him wait. She smiled and patted his neck. "Alright let's go big boy." Limitless strained at the reins as soon as she put him into a walk. The stallion was getting antsy. After his humiliating loss in the Dubai World Cup he needed to reclaim his spot in the winner's circle. He did not like getting boxed in and did not like losing to the same horses he has beaten before. And Kirsten thought that she was getting frustrated. It looked as though the stallion was also getting frustrated.

She trotted Limitless onto the track and he immediately started to run through his warm ups. He knew what to do. Get the boring part over with and then soon he could race. "Sorry to disappoint you today bud but we will just be working on building endurance, strength and muscle today. Just a good workout to prepare you for the big race." Limitless huffed and continued to warm up his legs. It's not like he can understand what I'm saying anyways...

She sat back and started to reflect on the upcoming race. The competition was going to be an extremely tough race. First of all there was Moondance, the mare had beaten the boys and won last year's Classic. She would be running about mid-pack. Then there was Flashy Wings, Kirsten was probably most scared of him than anyone else, competition wise. The colt had nearly stolen the Triple Crown this year and had won the Breeder's Cup Juvenile last year. He was on the top of his game and will probably be stalking the other horses, waiting for the right moment to strike. Then there was the two stallions from Star Thoroughbreds. Sunset Crusade would be leading the field down to the stretch. Bank on Greatness would probably be close behind him. The full brother to Impressario had previously won two breeder's cup races and definitely knew the business well. Limitless would be the only closer in the race.

That would be their advantage. Limitless' closing style. If all goes well Limitless would be able to close on time and swipe the win from under their noses. IF everything goes well. Kirsten sighed and moved Limitless towards the inside rail. She was nearly shaking again with nervousness. Limitless perked his ears back and slowed his pace. Kirsten gulped and focused on the handsome stallion beneath her. She was not going to be THAT jockey that everyone would talk about that made her horse lose his race. This was their time. They needed this win more than anything. Please God...

[Kirsten Jade]

Dark Sunrise
<sub>Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP LADIES CLASSIC.

Melanie watched as Limitless and Kirsten made their way around the track. Ben yawned and sat down on the grass. He started to pick at the ground with boredom. I shouldn't have brought him today. Emma has started coming to the track almost every day with Kirsten and sometimes Benny put up a fight to come as well so Mel decided to let him come. It was probably a mistake, he was just going to be in Kirsten's way today.

"Emma who is next to work?" The girl looked at her mother clipboard carefully. "Sunny. Two mile gallop." Mel nodded and turned back to the track. She couldn't believe there were only going to be six horses from ARS in the Breeder's Cup this year. It was unreal. They normally sent out their entire stable. She sighed. She totally understood why Kirsten was so nervous. They needed to get back into the game. At least they had Dark Sunrise.

Melanie smiled as she thought of the black mare. She was their best horse at the moment. Since ARS had received the True Enough mare back she had race four times and won two of those races, and received a second on another. She had already won the Unicorn Horn Mile this year and just recently won the Dubai Filly Cup. She was at the top of her game and ready for the competition in the Breeder's Cup.

Speaking of competition... Melanie tried to think of the field that Sunny would be running against. There was Silverianna and Vindictive Fury from Star Thoroughbreds and Fire Dancer from Stride of Perfection Stables. All of them were top competitors. Silverianna had nearly won the Triple Tiara. Vindictive Fury had won many major races in her career, her most recent ones being the races from the Senior Series. Then there was Fire Dancer who was only grade four but was still a really great competitor. She had only won one big race so far, the Novizio Derby, but was pretty consistent this year.

As for racing styles Sunny was the only closer in the field. That would give them an advantage. When it was a small field it was always good to have a closing style. But we will see if Star Thoroughbreds will still send Vindictive Fury out to lead the field. Come on Dark Sunrise!

Just then she saw a flash of black from the corner of her eye. Melanie turned and smiled at her prized mare from across the grounds. Her handler was bringing the all ready mare towards the gap. It was Melanie's time to ride.

Melanie was just riding onto the track as Kirsten was riding off. Kirsten had a big smile on her face. Good. Limitless cheered her up. She grinned and patted the big black beneath her. She knew how that felt to have a horse cheer her up. She had been devastated when Kirsten had to sell Dark Sunrise when Melanie had found out she was pregnant. The mare only rode for Melanie and she was too full of potential to leave lying around the stable eating all day. Now she was back and Melanie felt like life was starting to make sense again.

Sunny threw her head and neighed. She wanted to get going. She was coming off a loss and needed to be ready for her next race. "Alright girl. Let's show them how it's done!" She kicked her heels and brought the mare to a gallop.</sub>

[Kirsten Jade]

Mystical Melody
<sub>Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT.

Kirsten removed her helmet and took the clipboard away from her daughter, all the while concentrating on Dark Sunrise and Melanie. The mare was moving good, no odd gait or anything. They looked good on the track. Melanie and Dark Sunrise has always worked great as a team, and that is why they win.

Her nephew stood up and looked out at the track with boredom. He started to stray away from her. Kirsten sighed. She didn't have time to babysit today. She looked at her daughter, "Emma can you keep your cousin company please? Take him to the structure or something... Emma slapped her hand against her leg. "Ahh Mom... I wanted to watch the workouts! No fair! Why do I always have to watch Benny? That's what Brenda is for. THIS SUCKS!" Kirsten looked at her daughter impatiently. "Emma. NOW. GO." The nine year old pouted and grabbed her cousin's arm roughly. "Let's go you dumb baby..." Kirsten looked at Emma sharply but it was too late the girl had her back to her already and was dragging the six year old towards the public stands. She sighed again. That girl was going to be a difficult teenager.

Not long after they left ARS' new jockey made her way next to Kirsten. She nodded a hello. "Ca va?" Chantal smiled. "Ouain, ca va tres bien! Je suis tellement excite pour avoir cette chance! Merci encore eh?" Kirsten grinned at her top jockey she had hired from France. "De rien!" Chantal looked out to the track and watched Melanie for a few minutes. "Bien j'ai deja preparer Mystical Melody, je va la chercher maintenant... si c'est correcte avec toi?" Kirsten nodded. "Ah oui. Vas-y!" Chantal gave a thumbs up and ran towards the holding stables where she had prepared Mystical Melody for her workout.

Chantal whistled as she entered the stable to make sure the horses were aware she was here. She always did that. Mystical Melody popped her head out of her stall where Chantal had left her just five minutes ago. She had been spending a lot of time with the mare since she found out that she was going to be her first ride. She truly believed in bonding with her horses before riding them in a race. It had been two weeks since Melody and Chantal had come to ARS and they spent most their time together. Kirsten had allowed for that time since she said that Melody really needed that.

Also, she was waiting until after the Breeder's Cup to go over her other mounts. That way the focus was on Mystical Melody for the Breeder's Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Chantal rubbed her hands together. She was super excited for the race. This was the first time she would be running in the Breeder's Cup and it was also going to be her first race at the GHF Racecourse. Next year Chantal was hoping to be recognized as one of the top jockeys around.

She clipped on the reins on the dark bay mare and led her out of her stall. The mare trembled with excitement. Chantal found it quite amusing how much this horse actually moved. She was always on the go and was quite vocal too. "Ah bien Melody. On y va! Oui Oui." She led her out to the track and looked for someone to give her a leg up.

Once they were on the track Chantal settled into a good pace with Melody and focused on the mare's footing and moods. She found it to be extremely important to be one with the horse and to listen to the horse's wants and needs. People can call her crazy all they wanted, Chantal didn't care. She would see what they think once they start seeing Chantal in the Winner's Circle.

Kirsten rubbed her chin and focused on the horse and rider in front of her. She had to admit that the jockey was good, really good. Probably better than herself. She had confidence that if anyone can get Melody to run it would be Chantal. With all the time the two have spent together the past two weeks it wouldn't surprise Kirsten if they actually did win.

Melody was moving gracefully on the dirt track. She had really settled in with ARS. Kirsten was hoping that Melody would be able to take the Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Spring for the second year in a row. It would be tough though. She would be going against top horses like Seraphim and Afterglow. Kirsten was unsure how the mare would react to that type of competition.

They would also be running against Native Gold and The Goodness. Neither horses have gotten over grade four yet. Nor have they won any major races. But anything could happen in a horse race. Seraphim and Afterglow scared the crap out of her though. Especially Afterglow. Afterglow was only three years old but she had already won some big races, including the first race of the Triple Tiara. Nearly every single racehorse in this race were front runners, except Native Gold. Kirsten bit her lip at the thought. They would all be fighting for the lead.

Kirsten made a note on her notepad and gestured Chantal over. "Umm, I want you to try and hold Melody back a bit until the last furlong. Then let her go. I don't want her to rush the lead on Saturday. It will just be suicide." Chantal nodded in agreement. "Good thinking. I got this." Kirsten gave her a thumbs up. I know you do...</sub>

[Kirsten Jade]

Knight Rousseau
<sub>Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP MARATHON.

Aaron stood to the side of the track with Rousseau. They would be entering the jungle next. In fact it was already a jungle. The stallion was being feisty today. He was throwing up his head and side stepping all over the place. His eyes rolled around in its socket. His breathing was heavy. He was pissed today. It had been nearly impossible to dress the stallion before getting to the track. He was in a biting mood and kept yanking everything off his back. Aaron's frustration level was already high.

The stallion screamed and reared up. Aaron yanked his mount down and tried to calm him down. It did not work. He pushed Aaron with his nose and Aaron toppled backwards. The crowd around him gasped as he fell near the stallion's hooves. Rousseau reared up again, this time the line slipped from his hands.

Kirsten had seen the commotion from far and was already rushing to Aaron's side when he was pushed down. She quickly dove for the stallion's lead shank and pulled him to the side, trying to help Aaron avoid getting trampled on. The stallion screamed and tried to yank the line from Kirsten's hands. She held on tight with a death grip. The stallion lunged at her to try and bite her. She just dodged the teeth by a few centimeters.

Aaron's face blazed bright red from embarrassment that he had been bested by a horse. He reached out to grab Rousseau's halter. "NO! That's ENOUGH." The big bay rolled his eyes and tried to pull his head back. Aaron kept a strong hand on the halter. He was not to be bested again... today...

Once they managed to get the crazy stallion semi-controlled Kirsten quickly gave Aaron a leg up in the saddle. "You okay to ride?" Aaron grunted. He was fine physically. It was just his pride that was a little bit hurt. "Yeah."

Kirsten regarded him another moment before shrugging. "Alright then. He needs a good work today to get all the kinks and stubborness out. Two mile gallop, sprint the last furlong. Good?" Aaron nodded and turned his mount into the track. The stallion had already worked up a little sweat. Good, no more tricks...

The thought had barely entered his mind before Rousseau bucked and tried to grab the bit. Aaron held tight. He grinded his teeth in frustration. You could sure tell that this was a foal of Night Stalker. OMG. And to think that this spring they will have three Night Stalker foals. Great, just great... If they were anything like their sire and Rousseau Akita Rose Stables would be in for quite the challenge.

He started Rousseau at a gallop, hoping to get his frustration out. Rousseau fought him every bit of the way. They hadn't even started their gallop yet and Aaron felt like his arms were getting yanked out of their sockets.

Kirsten watched the pair work and let a small swear word slip. Rousseau was just as high strung as ever today. They needed to get him running in a straight line today before the Breeder's Cup came around. He was against some tough competition and he needed to be at the top of his game. This was not the time to blow it. He would be running against the Triple Crown winner, Furious Passion, Euphorion, Dashing in the Firelight and Xalbodora. All top horses, all higher grades than he.

She cracked her knuckles and watched Aaron and Rousseau battle it out. Too much testosterone between the males. She shook her head. Aaron was the only one that was strong enough to ride Rousseau, it was just going to have to work.

Aaron pointed Rousseau at the rail. "Fine you big brute, wanna run than RUN!" He released a bit of rein and allowed the stallion to take off. He would be running two miles. This was the test to see if he had anything left at the end.

One mile down, one to go.

And it was time to release him. Rousseau pounded on. Aaron released the rest of the rein and Rousseau took off like a shot. He had more left. He stretched his nose and ate up the ground to the wire. Aaron sat up and pulled on the reins. And he still didn't stop. Eventually he gave in and pranced on the tip of his toes. The horse had done great and he knew it. Why he didn't run against high competition all the time surprised Aaron. This stallion has speed.</sub>

[Kirsten Jade]

Apollo Bear
<sub>Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE.

Aaron gladly dismounted for the big bay stallion Knight Rousseau after that deadly workout. His arms were killing him and he felt like he had been hit by a truck. He leaned against the fence and tried to look untethered. If anyone knew how exhausted he was he would be the laughing stock of the track.

Kirsten smirked at the young male. "Tired?" Aaron shook his head. "Me? Nah." Kirsten raised her eyebrow. She knew better than that. No one could fight that much with a stallion and not be tired. It was inhuman. "Well good, cause you still have another horse to work right away." Aaron nodded. "I know. What do you wanna do with him today?" Kirsten smirked at the way the man was trying so hard to be nonchalant. "A mile. Sprint the last two. He'll be up against a lot of closers so he will need to keep something left for the end." She gave Aaron a stern look. "Don't fight him too much. Let him figure it out. He needs the practice." Aaron nodded and turned to watch the big powerful black colt by Determination come towards him.

The bloodlines of this colt was unbelievable, the speed was unreal and the personality was unique. This could very well be Akita Rose Stables' contender for the next Triple Crown. If Aaron could ride him to perfection. The competition was crazy this year for the two year olds and there were some that were just winning every race meant for them. Instant Success, Euphoria's Warrior, Eternal Phantom, Forbidden to Fly... They were all big names around the barns. Everyone knew who they were. The two year olds probably were the most competitive group at the moment. The Y12 Triple Crown and Triple Tiara were going to be crazy. Aaron and Olio would have to work hard if they wanted to beat all those big name horses.

He accepted a leg up and moved his mount towards the gap. Olio flicked his tail and pranced excitingly. The colt was just starting to get into racing and already he was improving with each time out. His last race he had broken his maiden and set a new record for that race. Aaron was excited to see him run against the big guns now. He might not win such a high class race but he would try his very best. Olio did not like to lose, and neither did Aaron.

After a good warm up he pointed him towards the rail and released the reins. Apollo exploded into an earth shattering gallop. Aaron bit his lip in concentration. The colt was moving too fast. He wasn't going to have enough left at the end. He was told to let him run. So he was.

They were coming around the turn and Aaron released all rein and snapped his crop. "Go!" Olio paused for a millisecond and then moved up his pace. He did have something left! He was going to do it! Aaron smiled. If Olio could run this well on Saturday... well then they just might have a chance...</sub>

[Kirsten Jade]

Midnight Thriller
<sub>Workout for the BREEDER'S CUP JUVENILE FILLIES.

Finally it was time for Kirsten to get back in the saddle. She threw her clipboard on the ground and picked up her helmet. Midtee here I come! Although she had secretly planned on retiring from jockeying she just can't give up Midtee as a ride. As long as Limitless Time and Midnight Thriller were on the track so would Kirsten Jade.

The pure black filly was already creating a ruckus near the track. Ohhhh Night Stalker babies... Such a challenge to train, so much speed to contain. Why she kept breeding her feisty stallion she'll never know. It was crazy how much she loved his offspring and him. She was crazy, definitely.

She accepted a leg up from her stable hand and pointed the filly towards the track. She was excited today, just as her older brother had been. Was it a full moon today or what? Midtee let out some little bucks and yanked at the bit. She was still young so Kirsten wasn't too worried about her antics. She just needed to mature a little bit.

It was taking longer than Kirsten thought for Midtee to come to her prime but it will come yet. She was only two and was skinny and tall, a little lanky. She needed to still grow into her legs yet. Coordination will come yet. Night Stalker had only started really racing as a four year old anyways and look at how amazing he was...

Kirsten smiled and bent down to hug the filly. Midtee rolled her eyes back and shook her head. Kirsten laughed. Midtee would be doing the same workout Apollo Bear had just finished doing. Midnight Thriller liked to stalk her rivals, following just behind the lead and then blowing past them at the finish.

Kirsten mentally went through how she thought the race might play out on Saturday. It was a small field this year. Only three horses in the Juvenile Fillies. Most the competition were entered in the actual Juvenile race. Yet the two horses entered were not going to let Midnight Thriller win it. Paradise Island, one of the top fillies at the GHF track was almost a sure bet to win it. She would probably even go wire to wire. Kirsten pierced her lips together. Midtee would not let Sonja have an easy ride. She would stay on her tail until the very end. Then there was Fiery Touch. Another ill tempered filly would preferred the closing style. Yes it will be a tough race indeed.

Kirsten pointed the filly towards the rail and let her run. Her black coat glistened from the rising sun. Saturday was coming fast. The outcome was anyone's bet. Anything could happen in the Breeder's Cup.</sub>