Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2012 5:37:22 GMT -5
AKUMABUELLE RIDDEN BY BECKY ANDREWS
WORKOUT FOR DIRTY DUCK STAKES
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Akumabuelle was a last minute entry into the Dirty Duck Stakes. It would be the two year old's racing career debut and hopes were high for her. Only a week ago, Ella had won the Breeder's Cup Yearling Show. If only she had been showed more in her prospect season; Hailey had the thought that she could have won GHF's Next Top Racehorse. Hailey was so happy that the little filly had returned to Triple Krown Racing and she would be running under their silks. She would have been very fearful if she hadn't.
Ella had raw talent. With those bloodlines, it would be expected. She was fast, and yet so full of energy and life. She actually had placed higher than the actual winner of GHF's Next Top Racehorse twice. These two times being the only two times they were in the same prospect race. Ventura would be running in the Dirty Duck Stakes with Akumabuelle, the debut. All of Triple Krown Racing knew that Ella had the skill and potential to beat her. Apparently, the prospect judges believed that as well or else they wouldn't have put her in front of Ventura both times Ella faced her, right?
Becky, who had been freaking out over Aiden's accident wanted to get her mind off him and had watched the workouts all morning. She happened to catch Ventura's work and was really getting nervous. That horse was skilled and had amazing bloodlines. So did Ella, but Becky had never let her run at that type of speed; which made her want to badly. She decided that she would; atleast once before the race. As soon as the works were over however she went right back to worrying about Aiden. Hailey kept asking Hailey about him but all she gave her was the same answers she was giving the press and Becky felt she was hiding something. Becky just needed one stress free work on an empty track.
That's exactly what she would do. Akumabuelle needed a workout for the Dirty Duck Stakes and Becky was dying to let her run how she pleased. It was 3:30 AM when Becky pulled Ella out of her stall. She wanted to make sure that no one was on the track. Just her and her mount. Becky saddled the bay filly quickly and quietly. Ella let ouit a loud whinny in excitement to run. Becky briskly jumped up and unclipped her from the crossties after bridling her. "Shh." Becky glanced around the deserted, stable yard before leading the filly off towards the track. She didn't mean to be secretive but it was hard not to when no one else was on the track or even awake. She was just working her filly at a very early time of day.
Becky hopped onto the bay filly as they got onto the track. Ella's ears were perked forward and she let out a high pitched squeal across the track. Becky nodded, inhaled deeply, and asked Ella to trot down the homestretch. It was pitch dark except for the little light the moon and the lamp posts in the distance provided. Here, right now, Becky was free to let herself flow without being judged. She gulped before letting the tears start streaming down her face. She wished that Smiles hadn't broken down and that Aiden hadn't been injured. She rubbed her eyes enough so that she could see where they were at. Ella was fighting to run and Becky breathed in deeply, crouching down for the ride. She then let Ella have full rein.
The filly took off at a charge around the first turn. Becky's eyes widened and then she smiled to herself. She grinned, welcoming the freezing gusts of wind blew across her tear filled cheeks. Ella was travelling easily over the dirt, effortlessly. Becky sniffed, half way down the backstretch, "You got some run in you... Let's see just how much." Becky smirked and let go of all hold of Ella. The filly spread out, barreling around the turn at full speed. Hair, mane, and tail whipped out from behind them like a flame. They swept across the dirt as a shadow, blending with their surroundings. It wasn't until the homestretch that Ella really flattened out though. Becky thought that going around the turn was fast, well now it felt like she was flying. This only matched her rides on Terror Smile, maybe even outdid them. Perhaps it was just that all of her stress had suddenly disappeared which made it feel so amazing?
It was then, as they were whipped across the wire at blazing speeds that Becky caught a glimpse or more like a blur of a figure watching at the rail. Becky's heart dropped to her stomach. Who would be out here at such a time? Becky stood in the irons, patting Ella's neck and steered her around. The filly didn't mind easing up and instead took joy to being ridden and having fun. Becky smiled at her attitude but felt tears coming back on now that they had slowed down. She bit them back and hopped off before approaching the stranger. She lead Ella forward slowly, straining to get a better look at the man. Her heart leaped to her throat when she recognized him. She fell into his arms and then the tears started streaming down her face again. "Ow." Becky jumped back from him, "Oh my gosh! I'm sorry." Aiden stepped forward and hugged her, "Don't worry about it. You don't understand how badly I missed you." Becky started tearing up, "I... I..." Aiden shook his head, "Shh." He wrapped her in his arms. Becky stepped back, "What happened? Your not hurt? I thought you were in the hospital." Aiden nodded, "I am. Your not the only one who sneaked out tonight." Becky shook her head slowly, "You should probably get back." Aiden came back with, "You should be in bed."
Becky started leading Ella back with Aiden walking next to her. "I have a cast on... Don't know why they keep me locked up there." Becky shook her head, "They have reasons." As Becky was unsaddling Ella she spoke to him about her debut, "I'm so nervous. It will be my debut as well... I've ridden in races before but not in a long time." Aiden smiled, leaning on the door of Ella's stall, "Don't worry you'll do great." Hailey slipped her halter off and exited the stall, "You think?" Aiden leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "I know. Don't worry, I'll be in the stands." Becky smiled up at him with bright eyes. "I've missed you..." Aiden nodded, "I have too."
words; 1114
dirt track; 6 furlongs
notes; I had no muse for the rest of the work so I decided to throw in a bit at the end. xDD