volcanic

[S u N f r O s t ~]

ETERNAL PHANTOM AND KRYSTAL YHATE
SWEET INFERNO AND VALENCIA ANDREWS

PHANTIE'S WORKOUT FOR KISS YOUR TITLE STAKES

Deadly was the least powerful word that could be used to describe Eternal Phantom's mood at this point in time. Volcanic was more like it, in Krystal's opinion. Phantie was rarely this quiet, this intent, this determined to gut her competition, bring home the win or die trying. Two straight losses and the Queen had had enough. Night Stalker and El Sol Del Mar's daughter was determined to go out with a bang, and that bang meant win after win after win. Including the Breeders Cup Classic, if she had any in it. Krystal Yhate was just as determined as her mare to achieve all of these great things. They had worked too hard to get where they were right now to let it all slip away. This was their final season together on the track, the combination that had brought home the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders Cup Distaff and everything else under the sun that they could win or try to win. There was no doubts as to Phantie's accomplishments. Now they had to defend every single one of them, starting in the Kiss Your Title Stakes.

Their opponent today was none other than Sweet Inferno. The black mare was related to Phantie through her grandsire on the dam's side, Night Stalker. The hot blooded temper of this legendary stallion ran strongly in both of these mares' veins. It showed in Phantie's deadly movements the most today, but for Sweetie it was all in her eyes. An inferno blazed there, an inferno that was not quieted even a little bit as her hooves sank into the dirt track. Valencia Andrews was not even surprised. Typically Sweetie was a hellion off of the track and sweet as her nickname on it, but things had changed. This was a mare who had been disrespected one too many times. No longer did she have the shining acclaim of being a Belmont Stakes and Climax Cup winner hanging around her as she had during her classic season. No, now Sweet Inferno was the mare that showed up to races seemingly to get beaten. Frustration roared in Valencia's mind and anger burned in Sweetie's eyes. They were out for blood in their next race.

Sweetie sized Phantie up just as rapidly as Phantie sized her up. The two mares were quite familiar with each other, having been worked together several times before, but things were different now. New frustrations clung to each of them and gave each of them a new, sharper edge. An edge that made them each deadly competitors. Valencia smirked at Krystal, who gazed steadily back and shrugged. The plan for today was not to work either mare hard. Both had miles of stamina and conditioning built into them from years of being classic distance and router racehorses. No, the only goal for today was to loosen the legs and maybe add some speed right at the end to liven things up. Based on the moods of the two mares, though, it was clear that this workout would not be anything less than fast paced as much as it was supposed to be slower.

Amber Black lingered on the rail and watched as the two black mares strode out over the track. Phantie's measured, powerful strides contrasted with Sweetie's long, loping ones. Sweetie moved like a marathoner, all lean muscle and conservative style even as she blasted out on the front end whenever she raced. Phantie was a bit more measured and careful, the image of a classic dirt mare as she tracked her opponent around the first turn. Amber paid careful attention to the times being run as the two mares swept around the track. Sweetie started out fast and stayed fast, perplexing for a marathoner. Phantie's starting speed adjusted to the field and to her mood. Today, it was blazing fast. Phantie kept pace with Sweetie down the entire length of the backstretch. Neither mare was letting up today even as both of their riders made a motion to hold them in.

Tensions were visibly high as the pair rounded the final turn. Neither one wanted to be held in. Both were dying to get their heads down at the wire first. As they straightened into the stretch, both Valencia and Krystal let the mares out a notch...and were met with stunning bursts of speed. Legs blurring, the two mares challenged each other for dominance of the dirt. Neither one let up, each game to the end, except for the sly lunge of Phantie right at the end. The mare was just a touch quicker right now, a touch more measured in her fury. Sweetie blew past Phantie as they galloped out, unwilling to be behind the other mare for a moment longer. Amber nodded in approval as her riders exchanged smiles. These two mares were inclined to explode and stun their competitors next time out on the racetrack. They were sitting on devastating performances, and if things did not change between now and their respective races things would be tough for their competition on race day.