The Hunter and The Bear

[Brave]

Predator’s Workout for Summer Dirt Cup
Apollo Bear’s Workout for Summer Turf Cup

Christopher Descartes was, for all intents and purposes, very, very nervous. Ever since Predator’s win in the Il-Du-Prince Derby two weeks ago, he had been the talk of the stable. The positive encouragement had only lasted a few days, and from there quickly turned negative after he had ridden Firefall to a disappointing fourth in his very first prospect race and had seemingly lost the respect of everyone in the barn, and worse the money of the potential investors that the Myers had lined up to watch the yearling’s debut. At the time he had been and still was Blue Cross Estates’ most promising yearling, and as he was the only son of Blue Cross Estates’ newest stud stallion Catching Fire, it had been a first chance for Blue Cross and potential breeders to see the type of horse Catching Fire could produce. Obviously, there had been disappointment all around, the worst being that from his father. It had been crucial for Firefall to do well, crucial for him to live up to his pedigree, and apparently Christopher had failed him. Suddenly, he was walking a thin line, and the only thing that was saving him was Predator.

The mean five year old colt had for some reason taking a bizarre liking to him, and from that point on was barely tolerant enough to cart his exercise rider around. Christopher was the only one he was content to have on his back, and seeing as he had been the only horse to capture a win for Blue Cross, it was unreasonable and overall bad business to just drop Christopher all together. Predator had been his saving grace, his second chance. He wasn’t about to let it fall through his fingers. Sure, in two weeks he would ride Firefall again, but that was far off in the eyes of the jockey. For now, he would focus on Predator, and hopefully capture a win for the fantastic colt, who was expected to steal away the upcoming Summer Dirt Cup he had been entered into. Also needing to do well was Apollo Bear, who his closest friend and fellow jockey Madeline Walker would attempt to ride to a win in the Summer Turf Cup. As she had also seemingly flopped with Fleet Street, Christopher’s nerves over doing well were shared.

The both of them had been scheduled two days ago to work the five year olds, and under the watchful eyes of his father, the head trainer Alexander Descartes, Christopher was doing just that. The Myers were absent this workout, which would have been unusual had they not been attending the birth of their brood mare Winning Touch, pregnant by Catching Fire. The breeding of the two was just another reason Firefall’s fourth place had been so unacceptable. Blue Cross was a new stable in the racing world, if they were to do well they would need a reputable breeding program to base their horses off of. As their only stud was Catching Fire, they needed him to look as good as possible, and that meant producing fantastic offspring. If Christopher continued to fail with Firefall, Predator’s wins would suddenly be worthless in the eyes of the Myers. Christopher wouldn’t allow that to happen. Predator was going to win, and he was going to win big. He was fresh off a win, and he was going to keep up the streak no matter what the cost.

He paced rather anxiously as the horses were unloaded onto the track, well aware that Madeline was watching him uncertainly but too worked up to care. He just wanted to get out there and ride, show his father that he had the stuff inside of him necessary to win. The environment was absent of the usual conversation he would try to carry, especially with Madeline. Instead they stood in dreary silence, the cloudy gray sky above them reflecting their current outlook ironically. Predator was a bit on edge as a result of the weather, giving his groom a harder time as he stood erect and tossed his head before trotting nervous circles around the groom. Christopher took a deep breath. If he was going to control Predator, he would have to be calm.

Eventually they mounted the horses, and his father gave them some pointers on how to run the two front runners together as Christopher sat and fixed his reins. According to his father, it would pretty much be a speed duel the entire time around, with both pushing each other to the edge. The thought caused Christopher to swallow hard as he glanced over at Madeline. He wasn’t so sure about how he felt having her as sudden competition. Usually his father fleshed over which horse he wanted to see come out on top, but now he was simply telling them to go into the blowout and ride to win. Apollo Bear was an excellent horse, and calmer than Predator, as was Madeline. But on the track the horse turned into a beast. Christopher would have to fuel Predator’s fire if they were going to leave them behind in the dirt.

They lined them up together rather slowly, the horses causing no problems as they approached the line, tension filling the air as the horses recognized the start of a race. Underneath him, Predator tensed, his muscles squeezing as he prepared for the initial take off. After one silent moment, Descartes waved them forward, and together the pair shot from the line, leaving nothing but dust trails in their wake.

It was a vicious struggle as predicted for about five furlongs, with both horses pushing each other to a neck breaking pace as they fought for the lead. For a long time it alternated. Apollo Bear would challenge the lead only to have Predator take it from him, and Predator would get a few lengths ahead only to have Apollo Bear come alongside and pull ahead. It was frustrating and infuriating for both jockey and horse, and as they approached the final furlong, something inside Christopher just snapped. It was going to be now or never, Predator was going to pick up or they were going to fade. Without a second thought, Christopher opened him up and let him go. Instantly, Predator lunged forwards, and within a matter of seconds they were neck and neck with Apollo Bear once more, locked in an intense speed duel. As he moved, so did Madeline, asking Apollo Bear for the same reserve of energy. It was going to come down to who wanted it more. For a dreadful moment, Christopher thought he saw Apollo Bear overtake them. Immediately after, Predator pulled himself together and took off. First only by a length, then by half a length, then by three lengths and four until they had crossed the wire and left Apollo Bear behind. As they cooled down the horses, Christopher found himself smiling. They were going to do just fine.