Post by Cavallo on Aug 2, 2012 21:27:36 GMT -5
They had just come off a solid two weeks rest after a crazy successful January month. Michael couldn't have been more proud of his dark beauty, in every outing thus far, she'd charged her way from behind to close in on the win or a place...
He was proud of the Requiem filly, but they couldn't afford to get cocky and loose ground. This would be Atropa's first big race against older and more experienced horse...Michael hadn't wanted to enter her, but Nick had been insistent.
Listen Michael...if she faces older compeition now...it will only make her sharper as the season progresses. She's a monster now because of raw talent...but now that talent needs to be developed and refined...and it comes form entering races like these.
Michael had understood Nick's logic, but still the thought of breaking Atropa's streak was disheartening to say the least...
So he simply was going to throw everything he had into the black bay filly...
Atropa stood hot and ready as Michael mounted the towering female. Her hawk like eyes were taking in everything...the emptiness of the track... Michael's determined attitude...everything came filtering in through her astute senses as she stood poised and ready for Michael to settle in and give her her cues...
She knew he meant business and Michael could sense the added edge to her already dominant personality. That's my girl.
Michael clucked to the dark horse and she was off in an instant. He held her back into a canter as they made their warm-up round around the track. Tactics and plans whirled through his head, but the more he thought about things the more frustrated he became.
Atropa let a little buck go...she sensed his frustration and knew he wasn't focusing on her...The buck brought things back to reality for him.
Whoa. Easy there. Michael kept his seat, but sighed as he surrendered the race. There was really only one way to run this race...and that was to trust his horse. He'd guide her with all of his eyes and abilities and observations and he knew that she'd obey trusting him implicitly....This race would truly mark the ending age of her beginning honeymoon season of racing...now the real work began.
He steeled his mind as he clucked to the filly asking for her to breka into her fierce gallop. He knew deep within his gut and seen it displayed every time they'd walked into the winner's circle.
Atropa had what it took and there could be not doubt about it.
Worries and cares began to truly sail behind the duo as Michael clung to the filly whirlwind...stress eased away and in it's place a sense of budding hope.
