Worth The Risk

[*Ripley*]

Worth The Risk
featuring: Nocturnal Runaway
mission: Debutante Stakes

Brooks and Malcolm leaned against the rail, watching various fillies and colts work over the turf. They'd just witnessed a strong workout by Take Flight, but it wasn't him they were looking out for. It was the representatives from Stride of Perfection Stable. How much speed would Devil's Flair show in his effort? How much danger did Trinity pose to Nocturnal Runaway? Would Pandora continue her dominating streak over the boys? "Take Flight looked pretty damn good," Brooks said.

"Not the biggest colt. Pandora towers over him, but he sure is fit. He's got good positional speed." Mal secretly held the opinion that Pride was just a little bit more courageous than what he would be facing. He was also supremely talented and that made him dangerous.

"You just hold Spotlight Pride in too high a regard," Brooks quipped.

"Well I raised him to be something other than the nut he started out as. I'm taking full credit for his brilliance," Mal said with a smile. "Now where is our jock and our filly?"

Nocturnal Runaway was dancing beneath David Carter on the backstretch, Today the silver filly decided she didn't want to make her solo journey to the track. The anxious filly had been making the trip alone since she arrived in April Week Two before the Oaks Stakes. All in an effort to get her accommodated to her new digs. Noc had been here the longest of all the Debutante contenders. She needed the extra time to perform at her best. Her Oaks Stakes effort had been just a little bit of what she could do when she was fully comfortable over a track.

"Come on, lady. You've been so good for me. You don't want to make us both look like fools, do you?" Noc tossed her head, letting loose a wild neigh. He gave a long suffering sigh. "Or you do. I suppose that's fine too."

Justin appeared at the filly's head then, eyes glowing. He obviously was enjoying the show at David's expense. "Need some assistance?"

David shrugged, "I'd say so."

Nocturnal Runaway let out a snort, rolling her eyes in typical drama queen response. She was a baby that was for sure. Now that Justin was here, Noc stepped obediently toward the track. Her silver hide glimmered with light sweat, a show of nervousness that always accompanied her royal highness. Noc was not the easiest of fillies to work with, but she was, in David's opinion, the best. She just hadn't had her chance to show it. Some day the Night Stalker daughter would put it all together on the track. It would be a glorious "I Told You So" moment.

David gave the filly's neck a pat. For all her difficulty, he found himself royally charmed by the filly. She was carving a unique path being a Night Stalker daughter who could perform exceptionally over the turf. He hoped she got her due for being out of the box.

The trio stepped through the row of trees, not pausing to take in the breath taking view of the track. Green Horse Fields was a beautiful place, the most prestigious of the active trio. Noc bowed her neck, getting on her toes for what she knew was coming. Justin released her bridle, stepped over to join Brooks and Malcolm at the gap. "She was a little difficult."

Mal chuckled, "Noc? Never."

David guided the filly onto the dirt where she promptly kicked her heels to the sky. He hung on by the skin of his teeth, grabbing mane as she bolted into a rocky canter. The filly had more spirit than anything else. He shook his head, let the filly skip out into her long legged lope. She warmed up nicely, ears pricking as the faster traffic passed her on the inside. David loved how she moved. She was such a graceful horse.

The filly cut through the gap to the turf track, instantly picking up a long reaching gallop. David gradually moved her to the rail, waited for instructions from Brookson Wells.

"Six furlongs. Try for 1:10 3/5. The dogs are set a little wider for this one than Pride's so if she goes 1:11 no big."

Noc skimmed over the turf, tail flying out behind her as David Carter cut her loose. She had such a pretty way of moving, carrying her body level with a stride so effortless. David kept his hands still on the filly as she gradually picked it up through the furlongs. Soon she was flying over the turf, hitting the four furlongs in :48. With impressive speed, the filly flitted through the turn, easily switching her leads and jumping into the bridle.

She rolled in the stretch, each stride a vision of power and strength. Mal let out a low whistle as the filly cut down each furlong with more vigor and speed. Brooks was impressed. He hadn't seen her public workout over the turf a couple weeks ago, but he'd heard rumors that she'd down it very well. This was extraordinary.

David smiled as the filly whipped through the wire, legs well under her. She didn't pull up easily, and got the seven furlong in 1:23 2/5, according to Brooks' watch. Fast enough to be timed and noted as part of the workout.

Mal nodded in approval when the filly broke into her easy lope. "I like our filly better than the others. Told you she was doing well."

Brooks watched the filly throughout her return, noting her relaxed stride and pricked ears. She'd hit the six furlongs in 1:10 1/5, hardly even pushed. Was it the case that this silver daughter of Night Stalker was ready to hit the big time at the right time?