Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2012 19:19:14 GMT -5
TERROR SMILE
RIDDEN BY AIDEN SMITH
Back during her Year 11 racing season if Smiles ever got a bit thin or flabby, she would shape up quick. Quick as in after a few very short, and quick workouts. This meant she was pretty much never out of shape. Hailey expected her to take a longer time to shape up than usual because she was off for a few months but after being just ponied she had became less thin and weak looking. She really wanted to get back out on the track and Hailey could tell. Since she had ponied her out there, Smiles had become an attention seeker; more than usual. If she was being walked near or around the track she would try and break away from whoever who as holding her. The only time she really ceased from those antics was when Aiden was leading her around. He knew how to calm her down, quickly and efficiently. She would try to ignore the fast paced horses working on the track as much as she could when she was under Aiden's control, but he still could feel her tension.
Today was the day she was going to be ridden for the first time in a months. Hailey had had the vet check her for extra precautionary measures. He had been feeling for any heat in her leg before he said, "She's as cool as she will ever be... Why'd you say she was a bit warm?" Hailey shrugged, "Um... It felt like it." She had to admit that she was a bit nervous about putting her prized mare back on the track. Smiles was loved by not just Hailey, or Aiden, but by the whole public. She had become a crowd favorite for the Breeder's Cup, only to break down. What if she broke down again? Hailey planned to not go for any monthly awards, or awards in general. She was going to spread her races out and not race her more than once in a month; maybe twice.
The grey mare threw her usual behavior when being saddled. She kicked and pulled back, being a complete pain, like she used to be. Hailey couldn't help flashing a little grin at it. She missed saddling the mare, surprisingly. It was always a nice little kick to the start of the day. She wasn't the only one, however. Aiden was right there alongside her, chuckling as she pinned her ears back at him teasingly. He reached up and stroked one of her ears forward, trusting her completely. She threw her head before touching her nose to his stomach in one moment of peace. He barely rubbed her forehead before she jumped forward because Hailey was tightening the cinch. She shook his head and smirked. He had missed his mare.
As they headed to the track, Smiles began to become antsy. She attracted a few eyes who then, of course, recognized her as Terror Smile. Aiden mounted her quickly and Smiles jumped forward wanting to take off. Aiden grinned at her eagerness to run and pulled her back. Hailey glanced up at him, a slight frown on her face, "Remember. I only want a slow half mile, today. Watch for any signs of unsoundness." Aiden nodded, looking around at a group of people pointing towards them. He smiled before looking back to the track.
He could feel Smiles' anticipation as they walked across the main track to the inner turf course. Her eyes were wild and frenzied. She wanted to take the bit and run down every horse that passed. What Hailey had thought as just anticipation to get back on the track, Aiden knew was Smiles' vengeance seeking behavior. She wanted revenge. Aiden knew that she could only be satisfied once she destroyed Sillenia in a race, however. No matter how many other horses she dominated, she wouldn't feel fulfilled until she had beaten Sill. He knew that she could of beaten Sill if she hadn't gotten an injury right before the end of the race. She could of pushed herself harder and won. Instead, she was running on three legs; running herself into the ground. The thought brought chills to his spine.
Hailey gave him quick instruction to stay slow and easy. Only if she was doing good would he be able to let her run out her nerves a bit. Aiden knew that he would have a hard time at holding her back however.
Aiden had Smiles pick up a jog in the center of the track before he had her pick up a breeze. While jogging, Smiles had tried to break away from him at least twenty times. Every time a horse passed she would bolt after them only to pulled back by Aiden in the first stride or two. By the 1/2 pole, Aiden had gotten her situated on the rail at a nice slow breeze. A perfect pace. Now that she was all alone, she knew that she was all good. Aiden only hoped that some horse wouldn't come flying past them. Hopefully they had enough common sense to not do so.
As they came to the first turn, Smiles became impatient once more. Her eyes however were rested upon a horse nearing the 1/4 pole twenty or so lengths in front of her. Aiden saw the hungry look in her eye and how alertly her ears were perked before took the bit. He tried to regain it but Smiles wouldn't slow down. Their shadow became quicker and less refined as Smiles' strides became more long and more swift. She had found a horse to prey on as her first victim to her soon to come spree of domination.
The horse was half way down the stretch when Smiles entered the homestretch herself but that didn't stop her. Smiles leaped forward with an even bigger burst of speed. She didn't want to win, she needed to.
Her long sweeping charge had her flying towards the horse faster and faster. She was catching up quicker than they were running. As she swept past them, instead of slowing down, she kept charging past the wire. Aiden stood and slowed her down with all his might. Smiles flung her head around a bit but after she had ran around the turn, she decided to give in; deciding that she had truly beaten her victim. They headed back to the spot Hailey was standing. Some reporters had gathered around and were getting some words from her. She was trying desperately to ignore them but now that Smiles was heading towards them they all became even more ecstatic. Finally, Hailey was sick of them, and turned around, snapping an insult at them before adding, "I have to run a farm so please let me do so in peace!" They disbanded slowly and after they were all gone, Hailey began speaking. "Well that was better than I was hoping for a first workout back into the season. Very nice." She squinted and crouched down, feeling Smiles' leg. "Sound. Perfectly..." she mumbled to herself. "Well how do you feel we race her in a few weeks?" Aiden nodded, "Very good! She did amazing. Almost as if she never had broken down..." Hailey smiled, "Good. I'm thinking about the Frangipani Stakes." Aiden grinned, "I looked at the field. We can take them." Hailey raised her eyebrow at him but didn't question his interest in the stakes. She figured he had been scouting out a race for her too. "Well, remember, there's Georgie's Girl, Wild Kiss, and Passion Heart. Smiles beat Wild Kiss last year... Passion Heart, shouldn't be too big of a contender... and then there's Georgie's Girl. She's top of the three year old leader board. Smiles has more experience and if she runs with a vengeance on race day it should be a piece of cake but don't count out anyone."
After a few more works and she's ready, Aiden thought before returning to the stable.
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