Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jun 27, 2012 20:08:47 GMT -5
INFINITE WARCRY AND AMBER BLACK
BREEDERS CUP JUVENILE TURF WORKOUT
A race simulation. That was what Amber wanted for this workout. She wanted to see how Infini would run. His pre-Breeders Cup workout would be tougher than the regular due to the fact that he had essentially had a long lay off after scoring a brilliant fourth win. He had been sighted last week on the track, and this week was his final track work before the Juvenile Turf - a race Amber had every intention of winning.
He was a big black horse with a gentle heart. In his eyes soared a gentle spirit that would leave you alone if you left him alone and would socialize and be friendly with you if you were nice to him. Right now, Amber was in his stall at the track holding out his favorite treat - an apple. The colt dropped his head and sniffed her hand before taking a huge bite of the apple and chewing contentedly. He was then quickly back for more, and he almost gently took the treat out of Amber's hand and chewed in a thoughtful manner. Amber grinned and reached forward to scratch the horse's neck thoughtfully and massage his nose. Infini's eyes closed as he snorted thoughtfully and relaxed into the scratching. He loved being shown attention, just like any horse. Amber grabbed his halter and lead rope and prepared him for the workout.
There were three horses facing them in the Juvenile Turf. Dawn Of Silence would precede, Passionate Flyer would precede as well and Canjun Moon would mimic Infini and close. There wasn't a whole lot of speed in the race. Amber bet that Passionate Flyer was more likely to grab the lead, with Dawn Of Silence just behind. Canjun would probably run closer to the pace. Amber planned to have Infini running well off of it. Infini did not like to deal with other horses early on in the race. He liked to lay it off far behind them and take his time running, with no pressure until the final couple of furlongs. Then, he was happy to extend his stride and make a bid to catch the leaders. No matter how far ahead they were, Infini did not give up. That was when his eyes burned with a not so gentle fire and his muscles heaved with a power that you hadn't seen from him before.
Their warm up was quick and easy. Infini did not need much to ensure his looseness. He had been on the track working every other day for the past couple of months.
Now Amber started to gallop the colt. She slowly eased him into the pace. Infini picked it up quickly and extended his stride a bit. He looked like the definition of lazy, just running along easily, though in reality this was a race pace for him. He didn't like to go fast too early. Amber enjoyed the slowness, content in the knowledge that there was more squirreled away within which Infini was just not showing right now. All that mattered was it was there, after all. She let Infini move along. For two furlongs they galloped easily. At this point in the race the other horses would have settled into their positions. It was time to up the ante just a little bit and get a bit closer. So she let Infini out just a little bit.
The acceleration was almost unnoticeable, but it was there. They had perhaps scooted forward another two lengths into the pace. They would likely have been at least ten lengths off, given their slow early speed. Now there were only eight lengths separating them from whoever had claimed first. Amber let Infini sit at this pace for half a mile. They had a whole nine furlongs to race and plenty of time to make up ground. She imagined that the leaders had put on some more speed at the six furlong mark and had widened the gap to maybe nine lengths. It was time to use their last three furlongs to chop it down. So she let out a little bit more, and Infini's acceleration was once again nearly unnoticeable but there. They were ghosting up now, a silent threat, one that had yet to be recognized.
And then, with two furlongs left to go and maybe six lengths separating them from the win, Amber let Infini out. There was no gradual acceleration here. They shot forward at triple their original speed. Amber hung on and restrained a smirk at the power Infini showed. She knew that the light of battle was shining from his eyes and from hers as well. She felt the hooves pounding forward over the turf in a sudden release of speed that would make the announcer hoarse with excitement and the crowd scream with appreciation. She imagined it now. The six lengths were obliterated. They were pouring it all on and stealing the win and running away with it in a vision of blinding speed.
Two furlongs was up quicker than she would have thought possible. She slowed Infini down, and the colt was breathing a bit hard and a bit sweaty. He was even a bit lathered, but his breathing was returning to normal and he was holding his head up proudly. His eyes shone, and Amber felt as though they could have continued running to infinity. They were ready.
