kornephoros

[S u N f r O s t ~]

kornephoros, of the hercules constellation
Breeders Cup Sprint - Ventura & Amber Black
Breeders Cup Juvenile Sprint - Coincidence & Henna Turath

Henna Turath knew exactly what she was in for as she swung into the saddle of her next ride and headed out to the dirt track, but she didn’t care. They were up against a horse that might as well be one in a million, yet she was not nervous. She was crazily excited. Coincidence carried himself in his usual quiet way, but there was no mistaking the spark of intelligence that flared into life as he assessed the black mare waiting impatiently for them once they got there. Ventura, temperamental daughter of Impressario and Rising Fury, assessed the young gray horse gliding towards her and turned her head away in disdain. Amber smirked. Ven had sized up the next dish in her five course meal and found it acceptable for consumption. It was time to head to the track. Henna rolled her eyes and followed the great mare as she led the way and immediately took off in a warm-up. Sinuously smooth, Coney followed, sticking right to the mare’s side like an annoying fly as she took off. Coney had sized up his competition; this was a mare one had to demonstrate oneself to.

Amber Black enjoyed the speed of her mare as they carved a path into the first turn. Her distance-runner-turned-sprinter was one of a kind and the Breeders Cup Sprint would be one of two grand finales. Amber could hardly wait for the race. Ventura had been the back-to-back Filly and Mare Sprint champion and now she would step into the Sprint. It was far from the first time for this mare, stepping out of her gender, and she was more than tough enough to take this race on. Henna knew Ven would be a tough horse to work out with, but her colt could take it. He was in beyond top shape, and his mind only grew sharper with each race. This would be a workout of co-stars, not just one.

Ventura continued with her lead out of disdain even as the canter-gallop was transmuted into a full-throttle run. Coincidence kept pace the whole time, never heading even as Ven gradually pushed it faster and faster. He was going to give a good account of himself here. Henna felt his quiet determination and his brilliant turn of foot waiting in the wings. Coney would try to shut this one down; he was against a confident, older competitor and the best path to victory would be through surprise. He had to act at such a time that Ven would have insufficient time to react and bring the victory back into her hooves. Amber knew Coney’s tactics; she had watched all of the colt’s races, she knew how smart he was. Yet she trusted in her mare. Ven was not an easy mare to take down; a lucky few had managed it, but this was the Breeders Cup. It would take an Everest-sized effort to bring her down, such was her and her rider’s determination.

Coney comfortably accelerated, making it look easy even as the effort grew. Ven had the flashy gallop, the power and speed that attracted eyes; Coney simply stuck even as the eyes drifted, and when the time was right played his cards and won the race through a combination of brain and talent. He had them in even balance. Henna was ready for the speed; she lived for the sprints, could practically taste the speed rush on her tongue. She was ready, so ready, as the duo hit the final turn...and Ven made her move early. She accelerated suddenly, sharply, throwing off Coney in a sudden move reminiscent of a closer rather than the pace pressing style she usually adopted. Henna, briefly shocked, could practically feel the gears in her brain clicking in time with her horse’s. Coney knew what he had to do; chase.

Ven was clear by a length and a half when Amber sensed the presence snaking into being on their outside. It was Coney and Henna; Coney, eyes determined, was coming hard with Henna’s urging, making himself a visible threat in a move unusually overt for the little gray colt. Such tactics were necessary against one such as Ventura. Ven snorted angrily, pinned her ears and went ahead to have her way. Her burst of speed was tremendous, throwing Amber back even a little as the ground opened up and the wind began to sing. It left Coney briefly stunned but focused, snapping into a faster pace even as the wire came to them and it was all over. Ven galloped out arrogantly proud, Coney behind a length and quiet as ever. His determination was as apparent as Ven’s arrogance; one desired to continue tasting of victory and the other was eager to prove himself. The Breeders Cup would be the perfect opportunity to sate both of their desires.