onwards

[S u N f r O s t ~]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
CALL OF THE WILD AND KRYSTAL YHATE

INNIE'S WORKOUT FOR THE COTILLION STAKES
CALL'S WORKOUT FOR THE PREAKNESS CHAMPION STAKES

April week four had come and gone, and with it satisfactory results had been had. In The Spotlight, who had only managed to hit the mile distance and race at it for two months, had done fantastic to place second in the Debutante Stakes. The Cotillion Stakes extended the distance to nine furlongs and increased their chances of winning. Paranormal Hunter had won the Debutante over a preferred eight furlong distance, but the filly hadn't won at over that distance yet. In fact, her only try of the year at over eight furlongs had been in the All Along Stakes at nine point five, and she had lost that race to none other than Innie herself! Innie had long been racing and winning at nine furlongs; this race was going to be an easier one for her than the last. The competition remained stiff, but with more distance came more opportunity. Valencia felt confident in her mount's abilities. Innie was a talented filly and they could just manage to pull off a win in a Turf Tiara leg. Para was on a streak, but there was a target on her back and Valencia intended to hit it.

Call of the Wild had placed third in the Kentucky Open behind Dare To Impress and The Devil's Hourglass. Now the distance extended to eleven furlongs, which also played to his advantage. The more distance Call had, the more speed he could gain by the end of the race. He was also still very well rested and that was a definite advantage in the Turf Triple Crown. Krystal Yhate's face was set with determination as she considered her plans. They would run the race as they always had and hope that luck was on their side. Call was a solid competitor that flashed talent in his races. He was not quite fully developed yet, but that didn't mean he wasn't good enough to win. Krystal desired glory for the colt - he was often underrated among his peers and had never really stood out. Just like Ode To Glory she thought, and resolved that Call would stay healthy and get stronger. Since I seem to be failing on that front with Ode...

Get the sad thoughts out of your head Krystal, we have a workout to do. Krystal looked up at Valencia's commanding tone. Both Innie and Call had been trotting side by side for a little bit, warming up. Innie trumpeted loudly every so often, just a step aside of Call, while Call remained his usual quiet and obedient self, but by no means was he unaware of the presence of Innie at his side. He had grown sharper since the Open, more ready to win. Krystal nodded at Valencia's words and resolved herself once again. Amber wanted a three furlong gallop, three furlong workout. She almost never has us work so short... Krystal trailed off and Valencia waved a hand impatiently. I trust her. It makes sense. They're in the middle of the most elite part of the season, after all. Let's get started.

The pair accelerated to a gallop. Innie immediately took the lead, Call dropping back slightly to let her. Innie's slim chestnut body gleamed like a copper penny in the sunlight. She looked as gorgeous at a gallop as she did standing still. Valencia felt the energy in her mount and smiled. Innie had stamina, loads of it, and it was going to be very useful for the campaign ahead. Right now she had her leader position and was relaxing, maintaining her cruising speed and keeping an eye out for her pursuer. Call was a length behind, eyes trained ahead and calculating the position of his prey. She was going to be a tough one to catch when she got going, especially considering how gradual Call's speed build up was, but they had been working on his kick lately in workouts. It was time to put it to the test.

They hit the three furlong sprint and Krystal asked for it. Call responded immediately, digging deep and hauling his way up the track. The sudden acceleration did not come naturally to the colt at all, but boy did he like the speed of it! He caught up to Innie just as the chestnut filly got rolling, her legs blurring as she plunged ahead of Call with a competitive gleam in her eye. Call tried harder, quickening his stride and keeping the prey within his scope as he tracked her around the turn. Stride for stride, the two three year olds raced together under the wire and through the stretch afterwards, just easing up. They felt light and ready to go, full of energy, and their riders slapped high fives as the workout finished. They were ready to move onwards in their Turf Triple Crown and Turf Triple Tiara campaigns.