devilish beauty

[*Ripley*]

Workout for Bella Luna, The Devil's Hourglass & Paranormal Hunter

Bella Luna's Prep for the King George XV Stakes at The Wire
The Devil's Hourglass' and Paranormal Hunter's preps
for the Kentucky Open and Debutante Stakes.

It wasn't a common occurrence  for a racing stable to have a Turf Triple Crown winner working out with a Turf Triple Candidate and a Turf Triple Tiara Candidate. In fact, it had never happened before because Witch Creek Stable was the only barn to ever have a Turf Triple Crown winner. Green Horse Fields had not seen the likes of Bella Luna since the end of February and it had indeed been a while since the fantastic gray mare had raced at The Wire. Now she was coming back off of a short layoff to remind everyone that while the likes of Calamity Queen, Fleet Majesty and Ode To Glory were stealing big races, the Queen had not retired just yet. Ripley was eager to get the Sea Struck mare back on track for her final season as a racehorse with Witch Creek. She'd been tearing down the barn back home for weeks. The King George XV Stakes was up first at The Wire. 

Ripley shook out of her stupor just as a fierce shove propelled her forward into the stable wall. Her green eyes flashes with annoyance, but dimmed considerably when she faced her attacker. The Devil's Hourglass stood with her eyes blazing and muscles thrumming beneath her well-conditioned body. The dark bay filly's white star gleamed amid the dark mane upon a head that was raised with belligerence. The stout filly looked every inch the fighter she was, the fighter she was becoming. She hadn't tasted victory since her first start that season and was looking to do some serious damage in the Kentucky Open. Ten furlongs waited with the finish line calling her name. Hourglass was bred in the bone to be something fierce and mighty. She had been the top two year old of any sex and surface; her lack of wins did not discount her talent any. She was as fierce as she was talented, a storm awaiting her opponents.

"Yeah, yeah. I didn't forget you. No one can forget you."

"She says otherwise," Maggie chimed in from aboard Paranormal Hunter. Ripley was loaded with opinionated turf fillies it seemed, even with Prima Donna out for the season. She swept her eyes over Para's big body, shaking her head at the gross weight that the bay carried. The Flash Limits filly had never been pretty, but boy was she one of the best closers in the three year old division. She could run into a fast or slow pace with such a shocking turn of foot for such a big horse. In a matter of yards, the front runner turned from a sure thing into battling for their victories. At least this season, those front runners efforts to stave of Para's kick had been nearly futile. 

Reese watched Maggie and Ripley's exchange with lazy brown eyes. These upstarters had nothing on Bella Luna. The gray mare had filled out in her time off,  time she desperately needed after a heavy three year old campaign. She looked every inch the proud horse she was. She stared beyond Paranormal Hunter and Hourglass, looking at something that was unknown to her rider. Reese knew she was thinking of the track. Most of Bella Luna's greatest victories had come over this track, from the Turf Triple Crown to the Breeders' Cup Mile. It was great to be back home.

Ripley led the way out to the track, smiling at the attitude that Hourglass flashed in the direction of the reporters. Witch Creek was getting plenty of attention simply because of Bella Luna. The gray mare pranced alongside the heavy bay fillies, sleek and elegant and mature. She was showing them up a bit, but once the workout hit, Bella Luna would fade a bit. All attention was focused on The Devil's Hourglass and some on Paranormal Hunter. The Turf Triple Crown, at least until the Kentucky Derby, was the center of the media's attention.

Hourglass broke off like a rocket when she hit the turf track, setting a torrid pace that only she could get away with. The stoutly built filly turned into poetry in motion, tail flying back like a camp, mane whipping like flames. Ripley clung to the reins, squinting even with the goggles, knowing that Hourglass would settle down beyond the first furlong. Seven furlong workout today on tap for these reporters. They would know everything they needed to know about Witch Creek's turfers.

Paranormal Hunter strolled along confidently as Hourglass, followed by Bella Luna, streaked away. She was a slug at the start, a fact that Maggie had long-since gotten used to. The heavy filly needed time to get going and when she got going she just cruised. Maggie leaned into the filly's long mane, a smile touching her lips as the fractions clicked off. Hourglass could go forever and Bella Luna had proven her stamina capabilities last season. Para could run them both down though. 

Bella Luna tracked Hourglass brilliantly on the outside, her long frame spread out over the turf like she was born to it. Reese practically giggled with excitement, thrilling at being back aboard her prized horse. Bella Luna was class to a "T," the best horse hands down that Reese had gotten aboard. She moved confidently down the backstretch, eyes focused on Hourglass. The Touch Up granddaughter had finally calmed down enough to gallop along at her high cruising speed. Reese found it so weird that the bay filly could become a mid-pack runner or closer in a race, but a need the lead type in the morning.

Hourglass set the bar high as she launched into the final turn of the seven furlong workout. Clods of turf flew back behind her, just missing a chasing Bella Luna. The proud bay filly was more than happy to be cheeky to the older gray mare. Ripley crouched aboard her withers, knowing that Bella Luna and Para were gunning for her filly.

Para had long since begun her charge, rumbling up to Bella's side and moving in tandem with the gray mare. Bella pinned her ears, furious to be caught between the younger horses. She rolled right along with Paranormal Hunter not giving the Tiara contender an inch. Hourglass cocked her head to the outside, teeth bared to just miss grasping Bella's headstall. The gray pushed on between the fillies, eyes wild with excitement and eagerness to crush them. 

Ripley threw the reins down on Hourglass' thick neck, thrilled at finding the next couple of gears. The bay reasserted herself, rushing furiously to Bella's side. She was tough as nails and would not go down with a white flag. 

Paranormal Hunter bounded furiously down the center of the track, finding Hourglass to be tough and Bella Luna to be even tougher. She was grinding them down, her big long strides overpowering their shorter ones, but somehow their speed was quicker, their agility more brilliant. She sucked in a giant breath, launching her bid in the final hundred yards.

Three across the wire with only a hair between them. The cameras would ultimately find that Bella Luna had held on with a dead-heat between Para and Hourglass. Whatever the winner, the time for all three had been sizzling. Seven furlongs in 1:21 2/5 was beyond brilliant. The more fascinating part was the fact that all three continued on for a strong gallop out. A warning had been issued by Witch Creek Stable. Whoever would beat them would not have an easy task.