assertion

[S u N f r O s t ~]

IMPRESSIONABLE AND WANDA BROWN
ETERNAL PHANTOM AND KRSTAL YHATE

EMPRESS'S WORKOUT FOR THE YOUTH CHALLENGE
PHANTIE'S WORKOUT FOR THE DUBAI FILLY CUP

This was a fierce show-down. Wanda Brown couldn't help feeling honored to be part of it. She was not only riding the toughest juvenile filly in the SOPS crop, she was riding against hands-down the best, fastest mare in the barn - Eternal Phantom. Wanda shivered slightly at that, but couldn't help the smile curling around her face. She would give the monster mare something to worry about in this workout. Wanda eyed the beautiful chestnut Impressionable and wondered if anybody truly recognized the caliber of this filly. Bred to be a champion, bred to take down the colts, bred to the best. Toughest of the tough, she had come third in both of the first two legs of the Youth Challenge series. And now...the finale, against more tough competition including Saintly Touch. But Empress would have an advantage in her prep that her competition would not have. That advantage was the caliber of competition that Empress would be training with. Wanda vaulted into the saddle and led Empress out to the dirt. She could now fully feel the power searing through Empress's muscles, feel the talent hiding within. This was a filly who would take the world by storm...

Empress neighed suddenly, going still, eyes flaring and ears pinned. This was...abnormally aggressive for the filly. Wanda looked up and realized why. They were face to face with Eternal Phantom...and boy did the mare look unhappy. Bloodlust, if you could call it that, poured off the black mare in waves. Her eyes gleamed with a demonic light. Krystal was confident as ever in the saddle, but the relaxation was deceptive. It was clear that she was sitting on a ticking time bomb. Wanda would have whistled if such a sound wouldn't have broken the sudden tension. This was going to be a treat for the onlookers. Eternal Phantom eyed Empress as she would a treat before gobbling it down. Her tail swished and she stood abnormally still. Krystal did not dare extend affection to the mare right now. It would not be well received, not now when Phantie had races to win. The Dubai Filly Cup, then the Dubai World Cup, then the Breeders Cup Classic, then the Dubai World Championship...the last four races of the great mare's career. Krystal didn't care what the plans of the competition were. She intended to win them all.

Wanda nodded to Krystal, who smirked back. Phantie turned with a swish of her tail and Empress accelerated sharply to her side. The chestnut juvenile did not want to be left behind. Wanda felt admiration for the filly filling her stomach, joining the tangled nerves. She was not Empress's regular rider - that would be the woman on her left currently handling the Black Beast - so this was a treat, a privilege. She leaned forward as the two horses took off. Empress's acceleration was smooth. They were stride for stride with Eternal Phantom, meaning the pace was probably fast, but it didn't feel like they were going fast. Empress just did it so easily. This was a filly used to battle now, and she settled alongside Phantie for the long haul. She would tough this out, just as she toughened out everything. Determination glinted in the juvenile'e eyes. She would not be denied a victory this time.

Phantie led the way by the barest nose down the backstretch. The black mare was a time bomb. Krystal had never felt her so on form before, so ready to roll. It was as though she knew the end was coming and wanted to go out with a bang. Krystal would be happy to let her. They gradually gained speed with every furlong, until at the end of the stretch they were positively flying. Empress had refused to back off the whole way, stubbornly sticking it out even as the pace reached epic proportions. Krystal was not surprised, but she was still impressed. She knew that the filly was stubborn as hell and never gave in, as she rode Empress all the time...but to witness it from the outside gave her a whole new perspective. Admiration for her charge swarmed her even as she prepared to let Phantie bury the young horse in the stretch. Not many could stick it to Eternal Phantom for so long and so well.

The pair hit the stretch, and Krystal finally gave Phantie free reign. They were gone, bursting down the track in a rolling wave of power and speed. Such strength, such majesty. Few horses could top this mare in full flight. Krystal felt her heart beating faster and faster as Phantie just continued to pour it on. Oh yes. This was a mare willing to win by any lengths possible. Krystal glanced over her shoulder and blinked in surprise. They had a shadow. Empress was only a length behind and not dropping back any farther. She could not overcome Phantie's speed, but she could at least match it even if it did not matter now. Now that was a filly willing to assert herself. Krystal turned back around, grinning, as Phantie swept under the wire in powerful fashion. Wanda was laughing as Empress stuck it to the end before slowing down with what could have been quiet relief. Oh yes, they had done a great job here today with this workout. Empress was ready to rock and roll and Phantie was ready to dominate as she so desired to. Their next races would be lightning quick and searingly impressive.