Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2012 18:53:07 GMT -5
KOSOKU
RIDDEN BY BECKY ANDREWS
Hailey had brought Kosoku to the main track the day after his last workout. She figured that since they were going to start to race him regularly it would be nice to have him there instead of at the farm. He also needed to work once on GHF's racetrack before the Magic Millions so that he could get used it it. The last time he was at the GHF racetrack he had barely missed the opportunity to break his maiden, placing second. The first place horse had the advantage of experience while Kosoku was a first time starter. It was still a very close race however and the skewbald preformed brilliantly.
Kosoku had been entered into the Magic Million's Colts Turf Sprint. The competition would be tough, no doubt, due to the major atmosphere that came with these types of race cards. The best two year olds were going to be competing in the Magic Millions. Now, Hailey could of entered the speedy colt into a cheap race if she really wanted him to just destroy the opponents so bad that it made them look bad, but instead she wanted her horse known about. If he were to win this major race, he would become well known, indefinitely. Hailey knew he was capable of beating really tough competition or else she wouldn't have entered him in the Magic Millions. She didn't care that he only had one start. He knew just as much as any other two year old did about racing. It was just in his heart; an instinct to beat any other horse.
After saddling the short, flashy, pinto colt, Becky lead him out to the track with Hailey walking with her. "So got anything specific in mind for this work?" Hailey nodded, "I wanted to have Aiden ride with you guys but something came up, I guess..." She shrugged, "So instead, I want you to just blow him out for six furlongs. I want to time him and just make sure his speed is on check. It will help him loosen him up before the big race, too." Becky nodded, "Anything else?" Hailey glanced at Kosoku, "I don't think you'll have problems due to the fact you guys will be the one's passing everyone but just in case... Make sure he doesn't try to bolt if someone has their horse in front of him. We'll talk strategy for the race after."
With one last nod, Becky stopped Kosoku and leaped up onto his back. She clucked to him and they trotted onto the track, ready to warm up for their work. Becky had the skewbald trot circles down the stretch and then had him canter back and forth, until finally, she let him canter all the way around the first turn, heading towards the 3/4 pole. When they exited the turn, Becky kissed to Kosoku. Without even having to urge him into a gallop, Kona took off, catapulting Becky back in her saddle. It took a moment for her to regain her balance and get back above his withers but as soon as she did, they sped past the six furlong marker.
The wind whipped her hair straight back and made her cheeks red with the hot summer air. Her two year old had his head down and his ears pinned back as he charged down the backstretch, needing no urging or kissing of Becky's lips, to know that he was supposed to be running his hardest. Becky thought that she would have gotten used to his paranormal speed but he never ceased to surprise her with his power and eye-stinging speed. Words could not describe how fast Kona could run when he really set his heart on it. Well perhaps one measurement. 299,792,458 metres per second; the speed of light for which Kosoku was named. It really didn't take rocket science to know that her skewbald was faster than any other horse out there.
As they entered the final turn, they were going so fast that for a moment, Becky felt Kona was going to slip out or something. He didn't although he probably would have if the track had been muddy. They were going to need to work on that for the rainy days. As soon as they were entering the turn, they were exiting it. As Kosoku's hooves hit the straight turf he launched himself through the air and dug into the ground harder and harder; challenging himself over and over. Becky felt as though they had almost lifted off and flew coming off of that turn but then again that would be silly. She urged him for the first time in the work, and Kosoku, like always gave her his secret weapon; another, whole new and improved gear.
This was her favorite part about him. Sure, he was freaking incredible when he wasn't in this gear, but when he switches to his secret weapon it blows his other speed out of the water. Becky really believed that he could fly if they attached a rotor and wings to him, going this fast. She grinned and rode his quick and ground eating strides to past the finish wire and all the way to the turn without noticing that it was time to stop. Becky stood in the irons and eased Kosoku up the best she could. By the time they were heading back he was still flying at a quick gallop.
Becky managed to slow him to a trot as they arrived back to Hailey. She could feel eyes staring at her and her skewbald but she ignored them. Kosoku was gleaming with a sweat that made him look fierce and magnificent enough to send chills down your spine. Hailey was staring at the stopwatch with a blank expression, her mouth wide opened. "Well... He's definitely in check with his speed." She handed the clock to Becky's outstretched hand. Once she read it she pumped a fist in the air and patted Kona's neck, "We beat your record, bud, by nearly a second!" The skewbald tossed his head. He was still full of energy surprisingly.
Hailey chuckled, "Alright, settle down... We need to get down to business. Race strategy." Becky quieted quickly and became serious. Race strategy could mean the difference between winning and loosing. Hailey nodded, "So in gate one, Tears of Blood will break slow. He's well rested since he hasn't been raced since Feburary. He'll be the toughest competitor. He's a strong closer and very competitive. In gate two is Speed Rush. He was raced for the last two weeks in a row, this being his third, so he will probably get tired easily. He'll be fighting for the lead alongside Kosoku. He-" Hailey nodded to the skewbald, "is well rested and will be able to push Speed Rush until he tires out. Kosoku is faster than him. He can outrun him if it comes to a speed duel. Finally, in gate three is Arlequinn. He's a closer but I'm not too worried about him. He's raced for the past three weeks in a row and this will be his fourth. I have a feeling he won't be able to rally because of such heavy racing as a two year old. Sound good?" Becky nodded, "Yes, perfect. So pretty much all of them are shot except for Tears of Blood?" Hailey nodded, "Yup." Becky grinned, "We got this."
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