Post by Cavallo on Oct 14, 2012 21:09:56 GMT -5
After three consecutive second place finishes, Nick and Michael had both agreed that the black bay filly simply needed some rest. The half month break had done well for the filly, she raced along her paddock fence, Seeking Stardom was keeping up nicely with her pasture mate.
Nick and Michael were talking race stats as they came close to the gate. Atropa squealed when she caught sight and scent of Michael and Nick, the two people on earth she absolutely adored. Michael whistled and the black bay filly spun on a dime, with Ice right on her tail, as they raced up to the gate. Nick held a hand out to the older grey filly. At three years old her career hadn't taken off as quickly as he'd hoped, but he knew that the Spotted By a Star daughter was coming into her own. She had lines unlike any horse on GHF or TW and she was going to bring refreshment to the tracks. He rubbed the grey and she tolerated the affection. She wasn't an overly affectionate horse. Michael opened the gate and walked into the paddock clipping a lead line onto the dark filly.
She tossed her head and bucked once before following Michael excitedly out of the paddock. Nick gave Ice a farewell pat and turned to follow Michael and Atropa.
Michael cooed to the filly, she rubbed her head against his arm, itching her head. Michael pushed the filly's head as they finally walked up into the barn. He clipped her into the cross ties, as Nick came walking up behind them into the barn. His eyes roamed over the filly. She had never looked better. The half-month rest had been exactly what the Frontier x Requiem daughter had needed. She stood regally in the aisle, her eyes alert and bright, her legs dancing in place. The high spirited filly knew what was coming and she couldn't have been more ready or excited for it. Michael returned from the tack room with all the gear and grooming supplies. He set about doing a quick groom and then began to tack Atropa up...all of this however wasn't as quick as she desired. She knew the track was waiting and she shifted her weight constantly, from foot to foot.
Easy Atropa...easy...stand still won't ya? Michael chuckled at her eagerness. It was a good sign and he couldn't really blame the filly. Racing was her life...and for half a month she'd been only breezing and racing in her paddock. She was hungry and eager to return to her home...the race track.
She's looking good Michael...I like the light in her eyes. Michael smiled as he finished cinching the saddle. I gotta good feeling about this upcoming race. She's more than ready...competition is fierce, but that will only add to her fire I think.
Nick nodded and watched as Michael fed Atropa her bit. She fussed slightly, but accepted it well enough. Let's run her four furlongs today. Michael nodded as he unclipped the lead and grabbed the reins. She tossed her head slightly, but followed soon thereafter. Nick followed closely and held the filly, when Michael pulled himself up into the saddle.
It's a big race, with six other racers. It's front heavy, with three out of the seven being front runners. Innocent Passion is the only preceder and as of now, But Blue can run there too, Blazzing Kiss the only mid-packer and Nightshade is the only closer. Michael smiled and nodded, as he collected the reins. Atropa danced in place, but Nick held his grip on the filly...he still had instructions to give.
With so many front runners the pace is going to be quick, but Atropa has run much further high paced races, so I'm not too concerned. We will use her leg type to our advantage. She'll have lots of room to calculate and plan in the back. In the front area we have Blue Me Away....this black colt had been killing it on the tracks. He's not used to loosing and will be a huge challenge. Cross Thy Heart is another front runner who's done extremely well, she hasn't placed outside of the top two yet, but isn't as experienced as the rest of the field. Running behind the leaders is the SOPS entry, Innocent Passion. This bay filly hasn't placed outside of the money either. All in all, we have top quality competition. Blazing Kiss has also been entered into the race and she's looking for this win to climb racing grades.
Michael took a deep breath in. These horses they were going up against were some of the top juveniles in the industry and there was still Passion Heart and Flight to Fight to take into consideration.
Blue had taken a break when Atropa had, so he would be just as well rested and eager to win, especially since he'd lost to his arch rival, Abastor, Atropa's cousin. The thought tickled Michael, but then also concerned. This would make the black colt extremely determined to win. Cross Thy Heart was coming off a win from the week before and wouldn't be as fresh as Atropa and Blue. Innocent Passion was also coming off a two week break. This was going to be a close race, but Michael smiled as his filly danced aggressively underneath him. They would welcome the challenge.
Nick let go and stepped back from the pair, a look of admiration in his eyes. Atropa will have the room to do what she's best at. Just make sure she has her eyes on the front and don't let her forget Innocent Passion and Blazing Kiss when she makes her final charge....Make sure that you don't let her go to early or too late...listen to her, she'll let you know when it's time....but wait till in the backstretch. he paused as he watched Michael hold onto the now dancing filly. She was done standing. Atropa's hungry and well rested. Just let her do what she does best. Fight and I'm sure we'll get a show out of her like none before. I think she's done finishing second...she's ready for the win.
Michael smiled and Nick slapped the filly's rump. She took off with a squeal thundering down to the turf track. Nick walked over to the rail as he watched the Requiem daughter inhale the turf as Michael took her on her warmup. Nick's eyes raked over the filly. He watched her motion, each stride exuded confidence and strength. Even from here he could see the flash of fire in the filly. She was rested and eager, eager to run. He could see the filly scoping the track, looking for a rival. Michael took the filly another three furlongs at a canter, his arms felt the strain as he kept the filly in check before their breeze. She'd never felt so right and so determined. The rest had settled well with her, but she was most certainly over it now.
As they passed the marker, Michael let the filly out slightly and she took up the slack with no hesitation. Her stride reached as she began to cruise over the turf. Michael shrunk his frame as he rode with the filly over the track. Her grip was firm and sure as Atropa made short work of the four furlongs. Michael reined the filly in, but she protested mildly with some wild head tossing, but Michael kept her under wraps and Atropa eventually caved as he pointed her back to Nick. The filly shone in the son with the sheen of sweat, she tossed her head continually and attempted to turn back, but Michael pressed her forward.
She felt great....and boy is she fired up. Michael was like a school boy grinning from ear to ear. She has this pizazz about her. I think if I run her like you said than we have a fighting chance. Nick nodded. Don't go into this race cocky. There's lots of amazing horses in this race. Run her smart and like you said...we may have a fighting chance and we can be sure Atropa will fight. He said this as he looked at the flashing eyes of the filly. Go cool her down...she's got a big race ahead of her.
