Post by S u N f r O s t ~ on May 3, 2014 21:30:57 GMT -5
LIMITED EDITION AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
PALISADES PIRATE AND HENNA TURATH
ED'S WORKOUT FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Blood and sweat had gone into this, but no tears. Valencia Andrews did not cry. She smiled through whatever emotions she was feeling, living the highs and letting it channel her determination. And here was where her determination had landed her. Limited Edition, the colt she had bought with her meager earnings from riding Mercurial Magic two years ago, now stood before her as a top contender for the Triple Crown. Valencia found that she just could not keep the smile off of her face as she admired the chestnut's perfectly groomed coat, well muscled body and never-ceasing light of trickiness in his eyes. It was Ed's self-proclaimed job to get under the skin of every horse he met, and by God they were going to get under the skin of every horse in the Kentucky Derby - hopefully, by stealing the win.
It had been a rough year for Ed. He had won the Juvenile, but then his rival Supernatural had truly been shining all season. Up and coming colts such as In Front had posted dramatic performances over the track. Ed had seemingly drifted to the sidelines, a shadow of what he could be. But this was not true. Ed had been having a fantastic season and he was peaking at the right time. He had fumbled slightly in the Santa Anita last time out, but had recovered the next week with a strong victory in the Florida Derby. Now, with two weeks of rest under his belt, Ed was teeming with his typical masculine energy. He was ready to get down and dirty against Supernatural, Radiation Therapy, Mourning Passion and In Front. All of them were tough competitors, all of them had the drive - but Valencia really had the drive. She did not take defeat easily, especially with the colt she had practically spent all of her money at the time to acquire, especially with the colt who understood her more sometimes than she understood herself.
She mounted up and Ed shifted, his focus returning to the track. He became even more alert, and Valencia smirked as she rode him down to the dirt. Ed stepped out like he owned the place and warmed up like a pro. He had always been a professional, even as a juvenile. He stayed focused even as he went through the warm up exercises he had gone through so many times before. Valencia was on the lookout and was not disappointed when she spied Henna Turath showing up with Palisades Pirate in tow. This was a colt trying to figure things out, Henna knew. He had flashed some talent but wasn't as solid as, say, stablemate Silent Snap yet. Good things come with time she thought, and nodded towards Valencia. Valencia was smirking and Henna knew exactly why - Ed would be able to handle the young and inexperienced Pyrite with ease. This was a workout clearly geared towards taxing Ed as little as possible.
Amber Black called from the rail Valencia, take him with Pyrite for about six furlongs, then leave him for the last two. Pyrite will gallop out the last two - you guys will pick up a bit. Just a tune-up, nothing serious. This is not an exhibition. We have nothing to prove. Valencia couldn't help but snort at that - she was always trying to prove her colt. But she took Amber's advice and nodded. Pyrite joined them and they began to warm up. Immediately, Ed worked to figure Pyrite out. Pyrite was clearly the blissful SOPS type that enjoyed running - Ed decided to exploit that by being annoying. He crowded the juvenile, shifting him wide on the turn. It was a simple tactic, but with Pyrite's inexperience it worked wonders. The colt nearly balked, but Henna kept him going, and instead Ed was allowed an uncontested lead. But even this was designed to annoy, as Ed slowed purposely and let Pyrite take the lead even though he was galloping slowly. That was the game Ed played - he tortured the prey, and didn't take the lead from them until a later stage in the race.
Valencia smirked and guided Ed off of Pyrite, letting the juvenile draw a bit farther ahead. Behave she whispered, but she was enjoying herself. She loved Ed's antics. Together, the two horses and riders made their way through the six furlongs, and then Ed was sent forward for his acceleration. The chestnut colt exploded now, his legs blurring on command as he barreled away from Pyrite with an easy and impressive turn of foot. He left the juvenile behind and was well in hand. Valencia was still as a stone, not needing to encourage Ed to run - the chestnut just did it all on his own as he stormed under the wire and slowed once more on command, tossing his head once. Valencia was laughing as she patted his chestnut neck, committing to singing some praises when they were back in the barn with nobody around to hear and judge her. And Amber was grinning widely. Now that is a horse ready to go, don't you think? she called out.
Valencia's response was a wide grin, not her typical smirk but an actual wide grin. She was ready for the challenge of the Kentucky Derby. And as Pyrite galloped strongly, finishing up his lap of the track, Henna was smiling too. The future was bright.
