pride [closed - cav]

[S u N f r O s t ~]

PEGASUS WINGS AND HENNA TURATH
ASUS'S WORKOUT FOR THE UNICORN HORN DIRT SPRINT

At fifteen hands high, he looked anything but impressive, but he was ever so impressive. You had to take a closer look to see what was special about him. He was light on his feet, bouncy and energetic, and even now, at six years old, he was loud. He snorted and neighed and even attempted to flirt with any of the mares he saw. This was bold and even focused behavior for the usually youthful and innocent black stallion, but he was finally six years old and was showing some actual mental maturity. He was fast as ever, though, and he was preparing for his last race. Henna wanted it. She wanted win number thirty. She wanted Asus to finalize his mark in the sprinting world, proving his superiority one final time.

The winner of twenty nine of fifty one races, they were going for thirty in fifty two. This was easily over half of his races, and he had never placed out of the top three. Henna was so proud of her horse. She loved him so much, and he had been one of the most amazing horses to ride. How could a horse so youthful yet be so talented and fast? She didn't know. Their competition for his last race, the Unicorn Horn Dirt Sprint, was looking good. Henna knew they could take them. They were the Best Sprinter award winners as well as Best Older Horse. But for today's prep, they were facing somebody from Imperial Glory in honor of the close relationship SOPS was forming with them. Henna couldn't help smirking as she thought of Nick and Amber. The two were definitely becoming amazing friends.

Now she sat aboard Asus, just standing on the edge of the dirt track, waiting.

[Cavallo]

Kyle Landing and Flying Solo

The bay four year old stud colt really hadn't been much to look at when Nick had picked up the struggling colt off of what had formally been called Gelli Aur stables, but the once anxious colt had really bonded with his rider Kyle and had performed superbly in his first outing this year taking second in the Aquamarine Stakes. The colt had tasted near success and Kyle cultivated his hunger for more.

Nick had approached his cousin casually with an opportunity to run the developing colt against Grade One racer Pegasus Wings....Kyle had blanched slightly. It would be too cool. The stallion had needed a workout partner to prep for the Unicorn Horn Sprint and Solo was a sprinter who loved turf and needed the work.... Kyle couldn't say no to this rare opportunity.

So Nick had given Kyle the time and place and now...here they were. Solo had nearly cantered the whole way as they approached the black stallion and his rider. His eyes flashed in competitive spirit as his eyes landed on the stallion...he was eager and ready.. Kyle patted the colt's glistening nape as he halted the stud colt a good length across from Pegasus Wings.

Morning...Name's Kyle and this is Flying Solo...Nick said you guys were looking to prep for the Unicorn? He seemed cool and collected...friendly, but inwardly he was totally pumped. This was going to be great for Solo...and all the while they were helping out a fellow race mate...what wasn't to love?

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Well, the workout would be on the turf, and his race was on the dirt, but seriously, Asus's last race had been the Breeders Cup Sprint, against the top dirt sprinters, and he had won that. He could handle the surface fine. So Henna wasn't worried about this workout impacting anything except the looseness of her stallion's legs for the race. Soon, a voice spoke from just behind her. As a bay stallion she didn't recognize cantered over to them and stopped, Henna grinned and nodded a greeting. Asus had taken little notice of the other male. Instead, his whole psyche seemed to have realized he was on the track, and the stallion was getting ready to go. He was bouncing on his hooves like an athlete and feeling a bit hot.

Henna made sure her hold was secure before talking. Hey. I'm Henna, this is Asus, as you already know. We are definitely looking to prep for the Unicorn Horn. We wanted some fresh competition, and we definitely haven't raced against Solo before. This will be perfect. Her grin was wide and genuine. Even though Solo might have been of a lower grade, there was no escaping his or his rider's excitement at this opportunity, and she was genuinely looking forward just to riding Asus against them. Any horse was good competition.

[Cavallo]

<sup>Kyle nodded and smiled genuinely. We're glad to help. Sorry though that it isn't on the dirt. We know you were prepping for the Unicorn, but Solo here isn't a huge fan of the dirt.

The bay four year old stood alert and eager, his posture had tensed slightly upon seeing the other black stallion, but had settled under Kyle's soothing touch. The pair had had a rocky beginning, but now Kyle was Solo's chief handler and comforter. The four year old had really taken quite a shine to his human.

Kyle had never officially met Henna before...they'd been in the same races before and events, but never had they ever spoken...guess he couldn't claim ignorance anymore when they met on the tracks.

Have you and Asus warmed up already? If not, I say we take them three furlongs at a light canter and then let them go all out for five?

It'd be a grand total of eight furlongs, but Kyle was sure that both horses could handle it.</sup>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

That's fine. Asus doesn't need the dirt work. In fact, it's good that we're working on the turf here. If he fails in the Dirt Sprint, we're going for the Wire Finish Cup Sprint. And that's on turf. Yes, Henna had calculated the odds and made her decisions. She had her plans made and she knew that even if they lost they would be going to the race that made champions of horses. So she had no bone to pick with that. She would love her stallion anyway. Win thirty couldn't be denied from them for too long.

Asus was getting a bit jumpy now. He was typically this crazy and was particularly insane today. He was sidestepping and tossing his head, being difficult to control, and Henna had her hands full. But she cleverly managed to contain the stallion using her iron hands and her deep knowledge of how he functioned. Asus just had too much energy. He was dying to move and not liking the fact that they weren't moving or going anywhere yet, especially since he was on the track. So when Kyle proposed the workout plan, she grinned. We haven't warmed up yet, but even if we had I wouldn't miss this opportunity to check your colt out. She steered Asus along, leaving the inside rail open for Solo and Kyle if they desired the ground saving spot. Henna wanted to take advantage of as much distance as possible to get stave off Asus's energy.

So, how long have you been a jockey and how did you get into it?

[Cavallo]

<sub>Solo was an edgy horse all around, he'd come from the former Gelli Allur Stable a ball of bullying energy, but ever since Kyle had gotten his hands on the bay four year old, he'd matured quickly, but still had that edge...which was good for a race horse to have. At least he wasn't biting his workout partners that much anymore...

Kyle quickly said a prayer at the thought. The last thing he needed was for Solo to try and nip SOPS prized sprinter stallion. Kyle tightened his hold on the energetic stud colt...he was not about to get an earful from his cousin because Amber was yelling his ear off about the black stallion.

Yes....they would take the inside and let the black run a bit distanced from them. Kyle nodded at Henna's consent and nudged the ever ready Solo forward.

The colt responded instantly. Relieved to be moving, it also took his mind off the black stallion sprinter. They slid in on the inside as Kyle asked the bay colt for a light canter and Solo threw his head into the task with zest. Kyle couldn't help, but smile at the edge the colt had. It had served them well in their last two outings on the tracks here on GHF. The colt had had a rough start to his career, but it looked now though that things were looking up for this underdog sprinter.

Suddenly hearing Henna's voice, he let Solo do his thing, trusting the colt to stay focused and listened to Henna's question.

So, how long have you been a jockey and how did you get into it?

He looked at her while she spoke his mind already trying to think of an answer. How did he start? Ha. It really hadn't been much of an option.

He smiled as she finished and he answered her promptly. The Landings are a big name in the Kentucky area. My family is thoroughly immersed in the thoroughbred horse racing business. Our Cousins own a large stable there and Nick and I both grew up working there. Well...I kind of just tagged along behind Nick until I was old enough to start jockeying. I filled my time in being an exercise rider until I got my license. Our dad's are brothers and lived close and worked together on the Landing Farm...

Horse racing is really the only thing I've ever known. When Nick expanded out and started his own branch I tagged along and jockeyed for him...and here I am.

There was no need to inform her of his Hollywood career, that would just cause an unwanted stir...He had effectively disappered from the world of lights and cameras...and he preferred the track cameras anyways...

The last thing he needed would be to fight Hollywood Paparazzi, hence...he kept that to himself...

Every once in a while...someone would stare or whisper...but so far so good. He was just a jockey and he preferred it that way.

He checked the bay stud colt, who was running smoothly...He felt the tension easing, as his strides became more fluid.

How about you?

They had about one furlong left to warm-up.</sub>

[S u N f r O s t ~]

Asus had always had a sort of prodigious talent. From a young age he had shown the world he was talented by excelling in as many two year old sprints as possible. There hadn't been a whole lot of opportunities for him, as many two year old races were at a mile or longer, but they had managed. Then from three years old to now Asus had proven himself the true champion Henna had always known him to be. For Henna, he was a new slice of the offspring of Forbidden Wings. She had ridden all of the mare's foals. Silent Wings had been menacing and slightly scary to deal with, though talented. Asus had been different from her in every way, and perhaps even more talented. Then there had been Flashy Wings, and the talent had nearly culminated in the bay colt. Henna didn't think things could get any better, and then Forbidden To Fly had won the Juvenile and become a champion.

The thought made Henna smirk. Asus's two younger brothers had won the Juvenile for the past two years. What mare had a legacy like that? Fly was most like Asus, while Flash was an in between. Henna still had no idea where Dara's temper had come from.

Henna briefly noticed that Kyle was holding Solo in tight, taking all precautions as though the horse was flighty. She recognized the iron hold. It was the one she was exerting on her side stepping and immature black stallion right now. Perhaps Solo had similar energy problems? She was distracted from her thoughts by Kyle's long answer. Apparently the Landings had always been into racing, and Kyle had just tagged along with Nick. It took him two furlongs to get through the story and by then Henna was intrigued. When he asked her about herself, she knew her reply would be nowhere near as long.

Well, I was always good with horses. I started out with eventers and other english style horses back when SOPS had show horses. I worked mainly with them. I was a bit too tall, but Krystal managed to get me to learn how to jockey and when SOPS stopped showing I became a full time jockey. I found I was actually rather good at it and I enjoyed it so I haven't looked back since. Her story was short, but that was a good thing. It was time to go for that five furlong run, and she wanted to be ready for the start.