Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jul 2, 2012 9:35:41 GMT -5
ODE TO GLORY AND KRYSTAL YHATE
ODE'S WORKOUT FOR THE JANUARY MAIDEN TURF
At the sight of the turf track merely a couple feet away from his hooves, the gray colt's ears twirled and his eyes glowed with a sudden fire. He pulled once at the reins in the direction of the track. He desired to go and run, his favorite activity, and he wished to go now. Krystal held the gray colt back with a smile and planned her next move. Ode was an obedient colt, even on the track, but on the track every step of his carried some extra oomph and fire. He wanted to go and was less willing to listen out there.
His initial start was coming up. Ode would be in a field of seven all gunning for the win. It had originally been nine, but one had been scratched and the other had broken their maiden and was no longer eligible. All of the horses entered were talented and had excellent blood. Krystal didn't want to disappoint Ode. In a big field like this, he would be favored. Ode was a mid packer and the horse nobody noticed until the final three furlongs. Then he was like the sudden gray cloud covering the sun in a usually cloudless blue sky. You would sit up and wonder "Where did that cloud come from?". Ode was the horse nobody would see coming.
Krystal grinned as she walked the colt onto the track. Ode was currently being as disobedient as a usually obedient colt like him could be. He was tossing his head and nickering quietly. His brighter eyes swept over the track endlessly and restlessly, and his stride carried a hint of self contained energy about to become uncontrollable. Krystal cued for a trot and sat to the bouncy pace easily, enjoying being out on the track. The turf was especially springy today, she noticed, and there was no dew on the blades. It was soft and pliable beneath their hooves. Krystal felt like she was riding a machine as they made their way forward.
Ode was the type of horse that could gallop forever. He loved to run and he loved to cover long distances. He had been a born router and Krystal just knew that he would excel. His only problem would be his total obedience to his rider's commands. Ode would always listen to Krystal, sometimes even sacrificing his own racing instincts to obey her. This would mean that his first race would be amazing, as Krystal would be able to outsmart the competition who would hopefully be resisting their much more experienced riders, but in future races, where the rider couldn't be relied upon as much against more experienced and better competition, there would be trouble. Ode would have to grow to rely more on himself with each race he ran, or else he would be in trouble in the future.
The January Maiden Turf was ten furlongs, long enough to satisfy both Ode and Krystal. To prep for it, Krystal just wanted to do a gallop. She felt like relaxing a bit now even though the two year olds were all debuting and there were many horses to prep for the year. The Breeders Cup had been difficult, with all horses running, and she was still recovering. Hopefully soon they would all be ready to commence with their usual schedule. Krystal clucked to Ode and they began to canter. This gray colt cantered with a masculine sort of grace. His hooves were light and lifted easily, landing just as lightly before taking off again. His eyes focused ahead and waited for more.
Krystal eased the pace over into a gallop. They went faster, the world blurring around them, yet Ode functioned as though he had been born in this world of speed. His gaze never wavered as things became harder to discern around him. His stride remained strong as they went along and put furlongs behind them. He never hesitated and just kept going. His gallop was that of a leopard's. It was powerful yet graceful, beautifully feather light, and with just the right amount of bounce. Krystal loved the feel of it. Ode also loved it. He just wanted to keep going. This was what he loved doing and had been bred to do, and his spirit was soaring as they went along.
Half a mile soared by, and Krystal wanted to feel more speed. She urged for more and found it. Ode had dug deep and was giving her all that she wanted and then some. The pace increased dramatically and with it the colt's desire to run faster and farther. He wanted a competitor as well, another horse to run against, and Krystal planned which horse they would race against with a grin on her face. There were so many options that came with the new year, and she couldn't wait to get going. Especially with Ode, this beautiful gray two year old that loved the turf so much. It was joyous to coast home after a mile of galloping feeling as though only two furlongs had passed.
She slowed the colt and he obeyed with no resistance. She vigorously petted him on the neck, having enjoyed the run and the effort Ode had put into it. He was ready to go!
