Wild Flower

[Cruisey]

DARK MAIDEN && TALIA SMITH

It was that time of morning again. Firestone was getting some really great results lately, and it was time for the two year old filly Dark Maiden to finally break what she could have before. Talia tacked her up effortlessly and without a fuss. Talia bandaged her bay legs with some white cool wrap so she wouldn’t hit herself while they worked out. Having gotten help to mount up, Talia made her way to the track and Carter went with her.

“Just give her a 4 furlong breeze, she’s a speedy one so watch your speed coming around the turn and then let her go.” Talia nodded in recognition as she let the filly trot along the rail. She could feel the filly’s stride get bigger as they made their way down the backstretch, her toes flicking out with every pace.

After the warm up was complete, the jockey allowed the filly to increase her speed as they rocked into a nice canter. For a few strides, Mai felt stiff but with each step she felt that big stride like in the trot. Talia encouraged her to go faster, trying to keep the stride smooth as possible so she was also comfortable.

Soon Talia saw her starting point, asking the filly to stretch out into a gallop. Mai did without a second thought, like she was born to run. Her mane and tail were waving behind her as her speed picked up. Talia knew what Carter meant when Mai suddenly seemed to spook at something and she shot off like a rocket along the rail. Talia quickly gathered her reins and put them in a bridge when she felt Mai slow down. Two more furlongs left as the filly began to move faster again and began to make her move. The final stretch was here and she gave bay filly her head, and Mai began to respond. The post passed in a blur and Mai showed no signs of stopping.

Talia tried to pull her up into a canter and then into trot as they made their way back to the exit. Talia smiled and patted her neck; she had a feeling she was ready for the competition this time and she felt like she would finally break her maiden.