Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on Feb 25, 2014 18:19:59 GMT -5
FLEET MAJESTY AND KYLIE SILVERSTAR
DEMONIC DESIRES AND AMBER BLACK
Amber Black settled into the saddle and felt like she was driving a sports car. Demonic Desires was a fluid, powerful mover with sheer predatory grace in every stride. Just as his bloodlines had professed him to be, Demon was all speed and talent. He had stormed the tracks last season and picked up Best Two Year Old Colt at the award ceremony for Year Thirteen despite being a sprinter because of his exemplary record. And now, Demon had been pursuing a light season so far - only four races over the past four months of racing. He had come off of a two month break looking for blood and just missing it in the Secretariat Stakes before rolling to victory in the Top Speed Stakes immediately afterwards. He was now on another one and a quarter month break. Why all the breaks? For one reason, lack of races that fit him. For another, time for more development. Demon's next start was in the Summer Cup Grade Two Turf Sprint against older horses, and this time Amber was looking to win in the best way possible.
Demon's eyes flared as he stepped foot on the turf Green Horse Fields track. He noted his competition and lifted his head arrogantly, strutting over the turf while still maintaining a powerful motion. It was beautiful, thought Amber, and smiled. Their workout partner for today was a mare who did not hail from any background - Fleet Majesty. Mage loved racing and as a four year old had truly developed some talent. She was beginning to turn heads and nothing made Amber happier. Today, Mage was being ridden by upcoming jockey and the apprentice youngstock manager Kylie Silverstar. At first, Amber had not liked Kylie - Pandora, Amber's dream foal, had ended up rejecting her in favor of the inexperienced girl. Be that as it was, Kylie had developed a lot as a jockey thanks to Henna's tutoring, Krystal's quiet encouragement and Valencia's taunts on the track. And now even Amber had begun to accept the young woman, at least enough to let her ride the most promising turfer in the barn.
Mage was energetic and danced sideways the moment her hooves touched the track. She was vibrant with energy and so beautifully groomed that she stood out starkly from the turf track, turning a couple of heads. Mage had gorgeous conformation, a flowing type of motion and an undeniable love of racing. She relished challenges and that was why Amber loved her. Entrusting her to Kylie for a workout was a bit of a test, but Amber wanted to see how the new apprentice jockey was coming along. Kylie guided Mage with more experienced hands than months past. Riding Pan had taught her a lot, and now Mage settled and got down to her warm ups. Kylie made barely a motion on Mage's back and Amber noted it with quiet pride. Her jockeys had done a great job training Kylie.
Mage's campaign against the big horses had already started up, and Demon had always been a big horse. Both could use a good workout today. Amber leaned forward and Demon accelerated. They cantered past Mage, who immediately responded just as Kylie did by accelerating as well and following them. A classic workout was in the cards for the day. The pair breezed through the mile, Demon dropping back slightly as Mage came up on his outside. Mage was poised for the strike - as a closer, it was one of the things she loved to do. Demon modulated the pace, anticipating the sprint when it came. Mage was enjoying herself and when they hit the quarter mark both horses exploded. Mage was off and even with Demon the sprinter, her closing kick useful in keeping them side by side.
The two blazed through the quarter, Demon's speed a sustainable sprint while Mage's was definitely up from her typically classic themed race pace. They were head to head as they rounded out the quick corner and were slowed, remaining head to head. It had been a quick workout, but a needed one for conditioning and a good tune-up. Both had stiff campaigns coming up and absolutely needed to be ready to go.
