Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jul 25, 2012 12:10:23 GMT -5
INFINITE WARCRY AND AMBER BLACK
FLASHY WINGS AND HENNA TURATH
INFINI'S HERITAGE STAKES WORKOUT
The gentle black giant was an impressive racehorse. He had only lost a race three times in nine starts. Though he had raced lightly as a two year old, he had flashed serious talent whenever he ran. He had even taken the Juvenile Turf at the end of the year in an ultimate show of his dominance, winning with hard grit and even some ease in a sudden closing charge that left the spectators gawking. He was classy and Amber loved her classy runners. Especially if they were on the turf. Especially if he had won his first start of the year in style and was going for the Turf Triple Crown, the jewel that had evaded SOPS's best. They had come so close so many times, yet it had constantly eluded them. Amber wanted Infini to win it. She wanted it so badly that her focus had shifted to the young black colt who showed such tremendous potential. She wanted him to run with and learn from the best.
So in stepped Flashy Wings. The bay four year old had been a star his whole life, and bragged wins in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. He was the perfect horse to get Infini working. Even though he was mainly a dirt horse, he had shown an affinity for the turf from a young age. He could learn how to run on the turf from Infini. Infini could learn to run faster from him. This arrangement had been settled recently in preparation for Infini's race in the Heritage Stakes against The Innocent Skier. The stable was intimately acquainted with Ian, as they had owned him for at least one season of his career. Because of this, Amber knew just how to race against the Little Miss Innocent son. Though Ian was older, she was confident that she and Infini could take him. They had already declared Infini for the Coronation Cup, the first prep race for the Turf Triple Crown, and were even considering the Wire Finish Cup Turf for the talented colt. But that wasn't set in stone yet, and they had to get through their next race first.
Henna and Flash had been out on the track and lapping it since dawn. The grin Henna had on her face was hard to conceal as she cantered Flash around. The stallion was a fluid mover and he looked gorgeous. He was perfectly groomed and moving easily and eagerly for Henna. He had won his first two races this year and was getting this week off to prepare for next week's race at The Wire racetrack. They were expected to be shipping him over in two days time, so for now Henna was eager to work him out. Even if it was with company, and not alone. She respected Infini though, for the colt had accomplished a lot even if he hadn't started too often, and she loved colts who were talented like that. She was curious to work with him atop a stallion she was sure was top class just so that she could see how Infini functioned.
Infini ambled out onto the track with Amber barely paying attention. The colt needed no attention. He was three years old so should have been a bit more high strung and hyper, but instead he was laid back. He wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere and moved as though he had all the time in the world. The turf beneath his hooves excited him and he merely picked up his pace as he saw Flash ahead of him. The bay four year old made contact with the black three year old and snorted a challenge. Infini snorted back before ignoring him, instead focusing on his surroundings. The sun was rising and the angle of it cast dramatic shadows of the two thoroughbreds. Amber stopped Infini about five feet away and the two stared at each other again before their riders steered them side by side and began to canter them. Flash was already warmed up and had cantered about two miles already, but Henna was all game for some extra conditioning. Infini moved with long strides, easily covering ground, and Flash had to work a bit to keep up, but soon a mile had been covered and Infini was ready to go. Flash was still fresh after his three miles of cantering, and Henna was eagerly looking forward to the race they would be having now.
They would be going for eight furlongs at an even pace for the first half and then racing for the second. Flash was expected to take the lead with Infini following. What Amber wanted to work on was Infini's pick up. She wanted to see if he could run twenty to thirty lengths within half a mile to take the lead. So she had instructed Henna to let Flash sprint for the first half and then steady him for the second half. This would be Infini's opportunity to catch up. Amber would be sure to hold on tight when she finally let the colt loose to narrow Flash's lead. Henna would have her hands full keeping Flash at the slower pace after a half mile blowout. At the end of the day, four miles would be under Flash's belt with more to come as Henna continued working hard with her top stallion.
The beginning of their gallop came. Henna lightly released the reins and Flash darted off in front, rapidly accelerating as though he was breaking from the gate. He was running quickly, and he steadied a bit as though wondering if this was a race and if he should rate his pace. But Henna urged him on again, and the colt was only too happy to run faster. He surged forward with renewed speed. His legs had long since warmed up and he was in his element as he ran. The daylight opened up behind him. Ten lengths, fifteen, twenty and more. Henna briefly considered steadying him to give Infini not too impossible of a task but dismissed it. The black colt would have a half mile to bridge the gap. That was plenty of time. So she let Flash fly while Amber and Infini cruised along nearly forty lengths behind.
Infini had not reacted when Flash had run off. The only change Amber noticed had been a sudden readiness in his stride. As soon as Flash was clear by five lengths Amber had eased Infini into a gentle gallop. The colt was content to gallop along easily, barely moving his legs, looking all the while as though he didn't have a care in the world. But despite this appearance, his eyes spoke of a different story. They tracked his prey around the first turn and into the backstretch. They saw the gap and planned the best way to defeat the flashy bay who appeared to think he was the king of the world. Amber readied herself as the half mile pole approached. Flash was perhaps fifty or sixty lengths ahead and was finally beginning to flag a bit after four furlongs of intense sprinting. Henna and Flash passed the half mile pole and Infini and Amber shortly followed.
Infini's acceleration was sudden and tremendous. As soon as Amber gave the black giant the command to go he responded. His eyes sharpened and his ears were perked as he almost casually accelerated and began his bid to catch up to Flash. His strides came faster and faster and the gap began to melt like butter in a microwave. Infini was fast. He was quick to respond and quick on his hooves. The final turn was upon them and Amber was forced to slacken Infini's pace a bit as they curved around it. The black colt took it well. There were only thirty or so lengths between them now and Flash looked as though he was finally beginning to tire. Amber briefly wondered what kind of ridiculous conditioning regimen Henna had had the bay on before refocusing on catching up. With two furlongs left to go Infini was still closing the gap and not tiring. If anything, he was going even faster now and he never ceased to amaze when he got going like this.
They were right alongside Flash now, catching up. Flash was panting and Infini was still breathing evenly. They just got nose to nose before the wire, and then both women were standing up in the irons and pulling their mounts back to a canter. Flash was breathing hard but appeared happy, and Henna looked as though she was already planning the stallion's next workout. As for Infini, Amber detected a hint of triumphant happiness and could practically see the aura of glory hanging around him. The colt had proven himself and Amber was eager to see even more in the coming months.
