Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Jan 26, 2014 18:09:49 GMT -5
LIMITED EDITION AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
PALISADES PIRATE AND HENNA TURATH
The six am sun was, to Valencia Andrews, one of the brightest things on the planet. There was something soft and reflective to it, yet harsh as it lit up the world which had only just been cloaked by night. Valencia stood, basking in the rays with a smile on her face. It was a gorgeous thing indeed, but nothing could compare to the beauty of the colt behind her. She turned and met the mischievous eyes of her beloved Limited Edition. He was one hundred percent her own and it showed in the beautiful gleam of his chestnut coat and the sharp alertness in his eyes. He was her partner in all things and they were currently seeking the Triple Crown trail. Valencia smirked as she recalled the glory of their Breeders Cup Juvenile win, then frowned slightly as she remembered the close finish that resulted in a nose win for Supernatural in the Unicorn Horn Dirt. Then they had gone out in the Monarch Stakes against the older Indian Darling and once again placed second in a close finish. Well, it was time for them to win and the Wood Memorial was the place to do it. They were up against Supernatural and the fast rising colt Dreaming of Glory.
A win was absolutely essential.
Focused fire zipped through Valencia's veins, and she felt rather than saw Ed behind her loosen his muscles and prepare for battle. She turned and vaulted onto his back in one fluid motion, and without needing to say a word they were off to the racetrack. Ed knew the racetrack, craved it. The masculine colt strode right out onto it with the authority of a king. He knew this track just like he knew and relished in his own speed, and he would not take defeat sitting down on it. Valencia smiled and once again relished that the Triple Crown would be taking place here this season, right in Ed's domain. He liked the Wire track as well, though, so whatever ended up being thrown at them would be taken in stride. It was early March now. They had two months until the Kentucky Derby. The hopes and dreams of Valencia Andrews had been carried in this colt from the moment she had bought him as a yearling. She knew they could come true if they continued to work hard.
They were met by Palisades Pirate. The Shiver Me Timbers x Palisades Silver colt would be the last to break his maiden in a dead even juvenile string. Regardless, his four performances thus far had been spectacular and Henna Turath found herself falling more in love with the colt every day. He was obedient and easy to handle, lacking the fire of horses like, say, Ed, but within Pyrite roosted a different sort of flame. Pyrite had a darker side that Henna was only just beginning to learn about. He was the horse whom everybody could think innocent but whom could actually be proven guilty. Pyrite's craft was to appear as innocent as he was, and typically he was indeed innocent. But there was more hiding here. The racing world had likely written him off already, but they hadn't seen and felt what Henna had.
Pyrite had been all obedience and professionalism in his first race. He had come second in a tough, tough field. He faced another tough field in the Silver Stride Stakes and came home third. Then, a bad start combined with inexperience landed him fifth in the Fanfreluche Stakes. They had bounced back from that with a third in the New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile, a field bettors had taken them to come last in. They had proved them wrong and made some money for the believers that day. Henna knew that Pyrite was far more adaptable than a normal two year old. His obedience to her and keenness to please led to his adaptations to the racetrack. He was one of the most seasoned juveniles out there right now and his competition would be smart to remember that. They were also about to work out with one of the top three year olds on the dirt, and that would give Pyrite an edge none of his competitors would have.
Henna was all smiles as they met up with Ed. Immediately, she noted the devious calculation in Ed's eyes and the smirk on Valencia's face. They were in fine form. Pyrite's only reaction to Ed's presence was a hard stare. Henna felt as though the colt was showing off some of that innate fire as he measured Ed up. The older chestnut was definitely an impressive looking horse. Pyrite bent his bay neck and puffed his chest out in true coltine fashion, and Henna laughed and pat him on the neck, eyes darkening with love. This was a colt that would easily grow on her. Shiver Me Timbers' foals were gaining a lot of acclaim on the track and Pyrite would only help add to it. She met Valencia's eyes and nodded once. Valencia smirked. Both ladies already knew the plan. Now just to enact it.
The two colts wheeled around in one fluid motion and strode into the canter. Pyrite immediately took the lead, his experience showing through as he cut the turn sharply and rounded into the backstretch in fine form. Ed dogged them and Valencia could already feel her colt beginning to figure them out. That was how Ed ran - from the moment those gates opened, he sat back and worked to pick off his competitors like predators. His favorite activity involved getting under horses' skins and Pyrite was no exception. He sensed straightaway that the young horse was a true lead type and settled just a length off of him, his presence providing constant pressure that Ed knew could make Pyrite crack well before the end of the run. It was definitely a clever play. Henna settled chilly on Pyrite's back and guided the bay down the backstretch, where they accelerated into a gallop once more with Ed right behind them.
Horses and riders galloped in formation down the stretch, clocking off some good fractions. Valencia was thoroughly enjoying the hunt. They had Pyrite exactly where they wanted him and they held all the cards. Henna knew this too. Pyrite did not have the experience of the older horse. Only a perfectly timed move at the top of the stretch would give them the advantage here. She prepared herself, mentally chipping off the furlongs as they pounded to the final turn. They hit it, and Henna felt the whoosh from behind her as Ed unleashed his predatory charge. She smirked, urged Pyrite forward and had him drift slightly to the outside, cutting off Ed's charge. Ed was forced to back off and zoom around them, which gave them exactly what they needed to charge forward and open up a three length lead.
Valencia cursed herself for underestimating Henna. Ed snorted as he was cut off, but his experience and agility showed as he dodged around the bay and used the open lengths as motivation. He straightened out and cut into that lead as they roared around the turn in hot pursuit. There was no stopping them in full flight. Ed was well and truly on the rampage now. Valencia whooped and cheered him on, a fierce fighting look on her face as they chomped away, drew up alongside and then flew right by Pyrite like he was standing still. They had him well beaten by the wire, and as Ed slowed to begin his glory lap around the track Valencia slapped his neck with a smirk of triumph on her face. Henna eased Pyrite up under the wire, feeling pleased despite their defeat. They had had a top Derby contender on his toes this time around and it meant that, more than anything else, they were not to be underestimated. It was time for both Pyrite and Ed to put it together and score that win they both needed. The winners' circle called their names.
