Spring Workouts
Bright
Rough Diamond and Andrew Martin
Did you see that shooting star tonight?
Were you dazzled by the same constellation?
Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me?
I think you and the Moon and Neptune got it right
'Cause now I'm shining bright, so bright
Bright, so bright
Song Link
Were you dazzled by the same constellation?
Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me?
I think you and the Moon and Neptune got it right
'Cause now I'm shining bright, so bright
Bright, so bright
Song Link
Dia’s bright white blaze poked its way out of her stall as Andrew came down the barn aisle. She perked her ears in his direction and let out a squeal of glee, she seemed to bat her eyes at him as well. He smiled at the filly, she really was something else. He’d taken the opportunity this morning to get up early and take her out for a nice work. The sun had yet to show it’s face so the track would likely still be dark and lit by the lights, something that may bug her a bit but Andrew wanted the bay daughter of With A Snap to trust him to navigate her around the track even if it wasn’t in broad daylight.
He ran his hand down her face a few times and Dia nuzzled his shoulder. He laughed, “hey pretty girl, you ready?”
She blew her nose out as he laid his hand on the top of her muzzle. Grabbing the brush bucket he slipped his way into her stall and quickly got to work. He curried over her growing muscles and stopped every once in awhile to whisper words into her ear and she gladly listened to him. Once he’d finished with the curry he went back to grab the stiff brush only to see the brush bucket was missing and he narrowed his eyes at the place where it had been, hoping that his mind was just a bit fuzzy from the early morning but much to his disappointment it wasn’t his brain playing tricks on him. Dia turned her head and Andrew smiled, there it was, Dia held the blue bucket in her mouth and stared at Andrew innocently. He grabbed it from her mouth and put it back in the corner of the stall where she would have to move to grab it. He continued brushing her out, he could only faintly see the dust come off of her short fur as he ran the brush across her back. Dia occasionally turned her head and bumped her nose against Andrew’s side and it wasn’t long before she’d grabbed onto the bucket again.
“Probably should have tied you up in cross ties huh?” He said as he finished putting her last hoof down and looking at the bucket in her mouth. “Thanks,” he said and placed the hoof pick back in the bucket. He then retrieved the bucked from her again and was walking out the tack room. Copper name plates that bore each of Grayson Meadows’ current runners shined brightly when he flicked on the light. He smirked at Lucy’s bridle, which looked like it was nearly ready to break. He grabbed Dia’s pearly white bridle and her black workout saddle, flicking the lights off as he left the small room that held all of Grayson Meadows’ 23 active horses tack.
Dia was patiently waiting for him as he came back with her tack and her eyes lit up with excitement as she realized what this meant. She was going to get to stretch those sleek little legs out. Although she was a rather scrawny horse, she had more muscle than one would think. She reminded him a lot of Crook as a Juvenile, skinny as they come but a lot stronger than one would think.
He entered her stall once again with Dia’s bridle hanging off of his shoulder and her saddle and saddle pad in hand. He wasted no time in getting to work, he placed the saddle on her back in near perfect position and began to tighten her cinch, he would occasionally feel a tug at her bridle and she tried to grab it off of his shoulder but couldn’t because of how he had it on.
“Nice try,” he smiled at her, she had her reins in her mouth and again gave him an innocent look as if she wasn’t just caught red handed with her bridle in her mouth. She then squealed at him and stepped sideways almost impatiently. “I’m sorry am I not going quick enough for you?” He asked and finished up on her cinch and went to her head where he removed her leather halter that had her name engraved on it. He placed his arm around her lowered head and she accepted the bit without an issue. Although she pranced a little after, her hide began to twitch and tremble with excitement.
“You’re alright,” Andrew said as he tightened her throat latch and then walked her out of her stall. She danced around him, and she knew she wasn’t supposed to but she was too excited and couldn’t help herself. He smiled at her again and whispered to her as she danced around him, once he finally got her to stop he tightened her cinch one last time and then hopped onto her back with the assistance of a nearby hay bail. He couldn’t help but laugh slightly at the condition of the barn, every other barn must have been all nice and clean, whereas Grayson Meadows had hay bales placed at each stall and stray hay all over the floor. It looked a lot more like a riding stable than a racing stable.
Dia came to life beneath him, she couldn’t stand still. Her legs jumped sideways and he could feel her tremble with the ache to get out on the track. She was already halfway out the door by the time he finally had everything adjusted, she was rather impatient today but ever since her first race she had a fire to her. A spark, one that seemed like it could never fade.
They trotted their way out onto the new dirt track at Grayson Meadows, Dia would be one of the first to use the new facility. She seemed to be on the tip of her toes, she wanted nothing more than to run. Andrew smirked, wondering if this is what it felt like to be on All That Jazz, the two were somewhat similar, but Dia was far more willing to get close to people around her.
Her tail swished elegantly behind her as he pushed her up to a canter and she broke into the gate immediately and smoothly. If Dia wasn’t a race horse, she’d certainly be one heck of a showhorse. She had this thing about her, a beauty that no one could really find the words to describe. There was just something about Dia that demanded the eyes of everyone around her, she was sleeker than any other thoroughbred anyone had ever laid eyes on. She was in some way, the horse that god built to show the world the beauty of his creations.
She was a very smooth ride, anyone could tell you that by watching her. Dia ducked her head in and allowed it to bob side to side.
Dia never struggled much with the gate, as a matter of fact she’d been the first yearling to accept the gate without issue. He could feel her on her toes, she was ready to fly out of the metal contraption and get her work underway. The gates clanked open and she exploded out of them making sure not to rocket out of them so fast that Andrew fell off.
Dia fell into a nice easy pace and she was perfectly content with how it was going so far. She flicked her tail this way and that occasionally, really for no reason other than that she was trying to flash her beauty and she was really enjoying herself. Andrew continued to hand ride her and she sprawled her legs out and collected them again as if it was the most natural thing she could possibly be doing. The lights danced faintly across her coat as she continued her descent down the backstretch and into the final turn. Her ears flicked this way and that with glee, she was starting to push herself quicker and the anticipation of being able to truly sprint was killing her. She tugged at the reins and Andrew held her back until the stretch opened up and he let as much rein out as possible. She flourished into something even more beautiful, it was like the world couldn’t help but pause for a moment to admire her as she left her shadow in the dust. She dug her heels deeper and deeper into the dirt and her stride somehow got larger and larger. Dia moved like no other racehorse before, and it was truly breath taking. She crossed the wire with her ears perked and eyes shining with determination.
He ran his hand down her face a few times and Dia nuzzled his shoulder. He laughed, “hey pretty girl, you ready?”
She blew her nose out as he laid his hand on the top of her muzzle. Grabbing the brush bucket he slipped his way into her stall and quickly got to work. He curried over her growing muscles and stopped every once in awhile to whisper words into her ear and she gladly listened to him. Once he’d finished with the curry he went back to grab the stiff brush only to see the brush bucket was missing and he narrowed his eyes at the place where it had been, hoping that his mind was just a bit fuzzy from the early morning but much to his disappointment it wasn’t his brain playing tricks on him. Dia turned her head and Andrew smiled, there it was, Dia held the blue bucket in her mouth and stared at Andrew innocently. He grabbed it from her mouth and put it back in the corner of the stall where she would have to move to grab it. He continued brushing her out, he could only faintly see the dust come off of her short fur as he ran the brush across her back. Dia occasionally turned her head and bumped her nose against Andrew’s side and it wasn’t long before she’d grabbed onto the bucket again.
“Probably should have tied you up in cross ties huh?” He said as he finished putting her last hoof down and looking at the bucket in her mouth. “Thanks,” he said and placed the hoof pick back in the bucket. He then retrieved the bucked from her again and was walking out the tack room. Copper name plates that bore each of Grayson Meadows’ current runners shined brightly when he flicked on the light. He smirked at Lucy’s bridle, which looked like it was nearly ready to break. He grabbed Dia’s pearly white bridle and her black workout saddle, flicking the lights off as he left the small room that held all of Grayson Meadows’ 23 active horses tack.
Dia was patiently waiting for him as he came back with her tack and her eyes lit up with excitement as she realized what this meant. She was going to get to stretch those sleek little legs out. Although she was a rather scrawny horse, she had more muscle than one would think. She reminded him a lot of Crook as a Juvenile, skinny as they come but a lot stronger than one would think.
He entered her stall once again with Dia’s bridle hanging off of his shoulder and her saddle and saddle pad in hand. He wasted no time in getting to work, he placed the saddle on her back in near perfect position and began to tighten her cinch, he would occasionally feel a tug at her bridle and she tried to grab it off of his shoulder but couldn’t because of how he had it on.
“Nice try,” he smiled at her, she had her reins in her mouth and again gave him an innocent look as if she wasn’t just caught red handed with her bridle in her mouth. She then squealed at him and stepped sideways almost impatiently. “I’m sorry am I not going quick enough for you?” He asked and finished up on her cinch and went to her head where he removed her leather halter that had her name engraved on it. He placed his arm around her lowered head and she accepted the bit without an issue. Although she pranced a little after, her hide began to twitch and tremble with excitement.
“You’re alright,” Andrew said as he tightened her throat latch and then walked her out of her stall. She danced around him, and she knew she wasn’t supposed to but she was too excited and couldn’t help herself. He smiled at her again and whispered to her as she danced around him, once he finally got her to stop he tightened her cinch one last time and then hopped onto her back with the assistance of a nearby hay bail. He couldn’t help but laugh slightly at the condition of the barn, every other barn must have been all nice and clean, whereas Grayson Meadows had hay bales placed at each stall and stray hay all over the floor. It looked a lot more like a riding stable than a racing stable.
Dia came to life beneath him, she couldn’t stand still. Her legs jumped sideways and he could feel her tremble with the ache to get out on the track. She was already halfway out the door by the time he finally had everything adjusted, she was rather impatient today but ever since her first race she had a fire to her. A spark, one that seemed like it could never fade.
They trotted their way out onto the new dirt track at Grayson Meadows, Dia would be one of the first to use the new facility. She seemed to be on the tip of her toes, she wanted nothing more than to run. Andrew smirked, wondering if this is what it felt like to be on All That Jazz, the two were somewhat similar, but Dia was far more willing to get close to people around her.
Her tail swished elegantly behind her as he pushed her up to a canter and she broke into the gate immediately and smoothly. If Dia wasn’t a race horse, she’d certainly be one heck of a showhorse. She had this thing about her, a beauty that no one could really find the words to describe. There was just something about Dia that demanded the eyes of everyone around her, she was sleeker than any other thoroughbred anyone had ever laid eyes on. She was in some way, the horse that god built to show the world the beauty of his creations.
She was a very smooth ride, anyone could tell you that by watching her. Dia ducked her head in and allowed it to bob side to side.
Dia never struggled much with the gate, as a matter of fact she’d been the first yearling to accept the gate without issue. He could feel her on her toes, she was ready to fly out of the metal contraption and get her work underway. The gates clanked open and she exploded out of them making sure not to rocket out of them so fast that Andrew fell off.
Dia fell into a nice easy pace and she was perfectly content with how it was going so far. She flicked her tail this way and that occasionally, really for no reason other than that she was trying to flash her beauty and she was really enjoying herself. Andrew continued to hand ride her and she sprawled her legs out and collected them again as if it was the most natural thing she could possibly be doing. The lights danced faintly across her coat as she continued her descent down the backstretch and into the final turn. Her ears flicked this way and that with glee, she was starting to push herself quicker and the anticipation of being able to truly sprint was killing her. She tugged at the reins and Andrew held her back until the stretch opened up and he let as much rein out as possible. She flourished into something even more beautiful, it was like the world couldn’t help but pause for a moment to admire her as she left her shadow in the dust. She dug her heels deeper and deeper into the dirt and her stride somehow got larger and larger. Dia moved like no other racehorse before, and it was truly breath taking. She crossed the wire with her ears perked and eyes shining with determination.
Fire and Gold
A True Hero and Hadley Grayson
All That Jazz and Alex Shade
All That Jazz and Alex Shade
When you're stuck in a moment
And your spark has been stolen This is our time to own it So own it Baby, we were born with Fire & gold in our eyes, eyes |
With fire & gold in our eyes, eyes
Got lightning in a bottle Hands on the throttle Even in the dust we shine With fire & gold in our eyes - Bea Miller |
Jazzy snapped at Alex and Hadley giggled at him causing Hero to leap to the side and lul his eyes at her with his tongue stuck out. "Looks like you 'spooked' him," Alex said holding up quotation marks as he said spooked.
"Well doesn't look like she much likes you," Hadley shot back and glanced over at her mount and continued to giggle at Alex.
“What’s so funny?” He growled and dodged another bite from Jazzy.
“I didn’t think any horse couldn’t like you,” Hadley said and scratched Hero between his ears to get him to calm down, which he gratefully accepted and lowered his head.
“I don’t exactly think she likes anyone really,” he said, “She likes to keep her distance, which I suppose is okay with me, I’d take her over Passion Heart any day.” The two peered past their horses at the black mare who seemed to glare at them with a dark aura of anger hovering over her head.
“Poor Andrew, I’m surprised she hasn’t launched him yet,” Hadley said adjusting Hero’s throat latch.
“She’s tried.” Alex said bluntly and then went back to continue wrapping Jazzy’s legs, she perked her ears at him and eyed him, not knowing exactly what to think about the strange new white things going around her legs. “Give it time,” he added and looked up at Jazzy as he finished and stepped to the side when she walked forward to knock him over. She then shoved her muzzle into his shoulder and caught him slightly off balance, but it takes a bit more than that to knock Alex over. He grabbed her bridle and slipped it over her head with little issues, rather unusual for her as normally she’d put up quite the fight given that she seemed to simply enjoy being difficult. However there was just something about her that Alex couldn’t put his finger on. She was something so loveable that she nearly rivaled Daddy’s Overdraft but she had the aura of a champion much like Dare to Impress and Take Flight. Jazzy was just something else and being the only Juvenile at Grayson Meadows to have broken her maiden the expectations where very high for her.
Hero had a rather similar situation, being the son of two hall of famers there was a lot expected of him, but yet looking at him you wouldn’t know it. Hero was clumsy, spooky, and just downright weird. He always was on high alert and if something so much as looked out of place he was off. It had become a actual saying amongst the staff that the imaginary space aliens were chasing Hero again. His odd personality made him that much more likeable though. Everyone babied him and Hadley rather loved playing with his lips, she’d scratch his upper one and he’d lift it so that his yellowing teeth were revealed and he’d leave it that way as long as she would scratch it. He eyed a bucket of water as the breeze ruffled it and Alex chuckled, the horse was scared of water. He could recall the day that Hadley showed up in a brighter blue colored jacket and he gave her the oddest look, not that he was scared of it, but every time she walked past him or around him he’d give her a really weird look. The horse just wasn’t what you would expect looking at his pedigree, and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Alex gave Jazzy one last run down before walking her out of her stall, she arched her neck and added a little bounce to her walk as he did so. It was so elegant in a way that only Jazzy could make it so. Stunning, that’s what it really was. “Alright you show off,” Alex said and pushed off of a nearby hay bale onto her back. She walked forward as he did so but she didn’t get far enough for him to miss. The bay-black filly didn’t exactly like to stand in one place for very long as it would make it look like she was being obedient and heaven forbid that happened.
Hadley walked Hero carefully over to a bale and allowed him to fully inspect his surroundings before hopping on him. His dark chestnut hide twitched and the whites of his eyes stood out against his mocha colored eyes. His ears flicked this way and that wildly, he’d lived at Grayson Meadows for nearly a year and it didn’t matter how long he’d been there, he still acted as if he was walking on eggshells wherever he went. Hadley reached over and ran her gloved hand up and down his neck and he seemed to be at ease slightly. He seemed to be rather attached to Hadley but it didn’t help the whole spooking situation much, there were just somethings about Hero that seemed to never change.
Hadley and Alex adjusted their helmets and stirrups before heading out onto the new training track at Grayson Meadows.
Jazzy was in constant action, ducking her head and her white star bobbed up and down with every step she took. Alex posted her rough trot as the large black filly made her way down the track. She was a powerful animal to look at, something about her made you feel weak when you watched her walk by. Her built-like-a-tank frame was terrifying to someone who got close to her. Her eyes had that natural darkish look to them that one could easily mistake for hatred but was actually a look of desire, passion. In all of Alex’s riding career he’d never been on a horse like this, she set out to improve off of every start, every workout, and every day she lived. She was an animal unlike any other and their fellow stables were about to witness something unlike anything they’d ever seen before. This horse was going to be a stand out no matter where she went and it wasn’t going to be just because of her looks.
Hero on the other hand was a whole different animal. He held his head high and flicked his ears to and fro, scanning for the imaginary space aliens and when he found one he’d leap into the air and try to take off. However Hadley knew him pretty well at this point and she usually had him under control in just a few short strides. She laid her hand on his neck and ran it down it for a short while, and it calmed him. It seemed that all he need was her comforting hand on his neck to let him know she was there.
They pushed their mounts into a canter and then continued their warm up, pointing them in the direction of the gate. As odd as it sounds neither of them really had any big issues with the gate, although there was a time in which Jazzy put up quite a fuss; however, she was referred to the horse that was hell to break and a rocket to ride.
The gates burst open and Hero shot out of them like a bullet fired from a gun. Jazzy followed suit but with her closing tendencies kept her distance and hanged around at Hero’s hip. Alex watched her ears to make sure to avoid any mishaps, and by mishaps I mean Jazzy taking a chomp out of Hero’s rear-end. Hero ran along with Hadley easily, he’d improved off if his last few starts, and the experience was showing. He looked far more relaxed and confident in himself than he had just a month ago. It would surprise everyone if he didn’t break his maiden in his next two starts, he was a rapidly improving colt that certainly had it out for a win. He kept his eye on Jazzy to his right and Hadley caught some of his hair with her fingers every once in awhile to remind him that she was still there and that there was no imaginary space aliens to chase him.
They quickly flew down the backstretch and into the final turn, Jazzy pressed on Hero from the outside, and she did it agonizingly slow. He was just waiting for her to take off so he could follow suit. This wasn’t what Jazzy had in mind at all though, she bombarded him with small bursts of speed and then she would step off the gas. Alex waved the whip to get her attention and she shivered beneath him with the thrill of the run, she wasn’t even tired yet.
The stretch opened up and Jazzy sunk her heels into the dirt pushing off of them with powerful strides that only lengthened with every passing second. Hero didn’t wait long, he was at her side and they were locked in a deadly duel. He’d stick his nose ahead of her, and Jazzy would hound back on him, and shove her head ahead of him. Hero would dig down and claw his way back ahead of her and she’d fly right past him again. This continued all the way to the wire where Jazzy got up to win by a neck. Her eyes glinted with fire, she was beyond excited and triumphant. Hero behind her was gallant in defeat and somehow mustered out a squeal as if to say ‘look what I just did!’. Hadley gave him a pat and they continued into their rundown.
They were the pair on fire, and their time to really shine was coming. They were the pair with fire and gold in their eyes, ready to take on whatever the track threw their way.
"Well doesn't look like she much likes you," Hadley shot back and glanced over at her mount and continued to giggle at Alex.
“What’s so funny?” He growled and dodged another bite from Jazzy.
“I didn’t think any horse couldn’t like you,” Hadley said and scratched Hero between his ears to get him to calm down, which he gratefully accepted and lowered his head.
“I don’t exactly think she likes anyone really,” he said, “She likes to keep her distance, which I suppose is okay with me, I’d take her over Passion Heart any day.” The two peered past their horses at the black mare who seemed to glare at them with a dark aura of anger hovering over her head.
“Poor Andrew, I’m surprised she hasn’t launched him yet,” Hadley said adjusting Hero’s throat latch.
“She’s tried.” Alex said bluntly and then went back to continue wrapping Jazzy’s legs, she perked her ears at him and eyed him, not knowing exactly what to think about the strange new white things going around her legs. “Give it time,” he added and looked up at Jazzy as he finished and stepped to the side when she walked forward to knock him over. She then shoved her muzzle into his shoulder and caught him slightly off balance, but it takes a bit more than that to knock Alex over. He grabbed her bridle and slipped it over her head with little issues, rather unusual for her as normally she’d put up quite the fight given that she seemed to simply enjoy being difficult. However there was just something about her that Alex couldn’t put his finger on. She was something so loveable that she nearly rivaled Daddy’s Overdraft but she had the aura of a champion much like Dare to Impress and Take Flight. Jazzy was just something else and being the only Juvenile at Grayson Meadows to have broken her maiden the expectations where very high for her.
Hero had a rather similar situation, being the son of two hall of famers there was a lot expected of him, but yet looking at him you wouldn’t know it. Hero was clumsy, spooky, and just downright weird. He always was on high alert and if something so much as looked out of place he was off. It had become a actual saying amongst the staff that the imaginary space aliens were chasing Hero again. His odd personality made him that much more likeable though. Everyone babied him and Hadley rather loved playing with his lips, she’d scratch his upper one and he’d lift it so that his yellowing teeth were revealed and he’d leave it that way as long as she would scratch it. He eyed a bucket of water as the breeze ruffled it and Alex chuckled, the horse was scared of water. He could recall the day that Hadley showed up in a brighter blue colored jacket and he gave her the oddest look, not that he was scared of it, but every time she walked past him or around him he’d give her a really weird look. The horse just wasn’t what you would expect looking at his pedigree, and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Alex gave Jazzy one last run down before walking her out of her stall, she arched her neck and added a little bounce to her walk as he did so. It was so elegant in a way that only Jazzy could make it so. Stunning, that’s what it really was. “Alright you show off,” Alex said and pushed off of a nearby hay bale onto her back. She walked forward as he did so but she didn’t get far enough for him to miss. The bay-black filly didn’t exactly like to stand in one place for very long as it would make it look like she was being obedient and heaven forbid that happened.
Hadley walked Hero carefully over to a bale and allowed him to fully inspect his surroundings before hopping on him. His dark chestnut hide twitched and the whites of his eyes stood out against his mocha colored eyes. His ears flicked this way and that wildly, he’d lived at Grayson Meadows for nearly a year and it didn’t matter how long he’d been there, he still acted as if he was walking on eggshells wherever he went. Hadley reached over and ran her gloved hand up and down his neck and he seemed to be at ease slightly. He seemed to be rather attached to Hadley but it didn’t help the whole spooking situation much, there were just somethings about Hero that seemed to never change.
Hadley and Alex adjusted their helmets and stirrups before heading out onto the new training track at Grayson Meadows.
Jazzy was in constant action, ducking her head and her white star bobbed up and down with every step she took. Alex posted her rough trot as the large black filly made her way down the track. She was a powerful animal to look at, something about her made you feel weak when you watched her walk by. Her built-like-a-tank frame was terrifying to someone who got close to her. Her eyes had that natural darkish look to them that one could easily mistake for hatred but was actually a look of desire, passion. In all of Alex’s riding career he’d never been on a horse like this, she set out to improve off of every start, every workout, and every day she lived. She was an animal unlike any other and their fellow stables were about to witness something unlike anything they’d ever seen before. This horse was going to be a stand out no matter where she went and it wasn’t going to be just because of her looks.
Hero on the other hand was a whole different animal. He held his head high and flicked his ears to and fro, scanning for the imaginary space aliens and when he found one he’d leap into the air and try to take off. However Hadley knew him pretty well at this point and she usually had him under control in just a few short strides. She laid her hand on his neck and ran it down it for a short while, and it calmed him. It seemed that all he need was her comforting hand on his neck to let him know she was there.
They pushed their mounts into a canter and then continued their warm up, pointing them in the direction of the gate. As odd as it sounds neither of them really had any big issues with the gate, although there was a time in which Jazzy put up quite a fuss; however, she was referred to the horse that was hell to break and a rocket to ride.
The gates burst open and Hero shot out of them like a bullet fired from a gun. Jazzy followed suit but with her closing tendencies kept her distance and hanged around at Hero’s hip. Alex watched her ears to make sure to avoid any mishaps, and by mishaps I mean Jazzy taking a chomp out of Hero’s rear-end. Hero ran along with Hadley easily, he’d improved off if his last few starts, and the experience was showing. He looked far more relaxed and confident in himself than he had just a month ago. It would surprise everyone if he didn’t break his maiden in his next two starts, he was a rapidly improving colt that certainly had it out for a win. He kept his eye on Jazzy to his right and Hadley caught some of his hair with her fingers every once in awhile to remind him that she was still there and that there was no imaginary space aliens to chase him.
They quickly flew down the backstretch and into the final turn, Jazzy pressed on Hero from the outside, and she did it agonizingly slow. He was just waiting for her to take off so he could follow suit. This wasn’t what Jazzy had in mind at all though, she bombarded him with small bursts of speed and then she would step off the gas. Alex waved the whip to get her attention and she shivered beneath him with the thrill of the run, she wasn’t even tired yet.
The stretch opened up and Jazzy sunk her heels into the dirt pushing off of them with powerful strides that only lengthened with every passing second. Hero didn’t wait long, he was at her side and they were locked in a deadly duel. He’d stick his nose ahead of her, and Jazzy would hound back on him, and shove her head ahead of him. Hero would dig down and claw his way back ahead of her and she’d fly right past him again. This continued all the way to the wire where Jazzy got up to win by a neck. Her eyes glinted with fire, she was beyond excited and triumphant. Hero behind her was gallant in defeat and somehow mustered out a squeal as if to say ‘look what I just did!’. Hadley gave him a pat and they continued into their rundown.
They were the pair on fire, and their time to really shine was coming. They were the pair with fire and gold in their eyes, ready to take on whatever the track threw their way.
Lost Cause
Take Flight and Andrew Martin
Wait, no one said what's lost cannot be found
You are here to make it safe and sound, Oh we, can make it, out alive Fate, hath its way when all that's learned is sin Nothing really matters in the end, |
As long, as you, are with me, friend
Oh, dig my shallow grave It's not me you'll save 'Cause I'm a lost cause I'm a lost cause |
To be completely honest, since the beginning of Y15 racing hadn't been great for Grayson Meadows in any of the weeks. The competition was stiff and it certainly showed. They'd received more out of the money finishes in one month than they did in 6 months last year. It wasn't impressive and quite frankly it would be embarrassing to any stable, but it only encouraged them to try harder, tweak, and move things around. Try to figure out the new formula that would take them to the top again. Something, anything, that would make their horses stand out like they had in the previous year. They didn't win three Breeders' Cup races off of luck, that was for sure.
So today, greeting the regal Fly, Steve was lost in thought. The colt didn't like shorter distances, and he was as inconsistent as they came. After two complete flops in his first two starts of the year they'd debated the the possibility of the colt not going to the Turf Triple Crown as he was showing serious signs of not being ready and it was a short three months away. Which was perfectly fine, if Fly was a late bloomer, he could show up in the Y15 Breeders' Cup Turf and blow away all those three year olds. It was completely up to chance at this point.
The debate on selling the colt came up too, but it wasn't fair to Fly to sell him because he didn't preform in two starts. Quite frankly, he'd been losing and under performing in races he shouldn't have, so the assessment of what to do with him wasn't an easy one. His next upcoming race was the another shorter distance race, and it came against the same exact horses he'd run against before, but being a complete point five furlongs longer than his last race Grayson Meadows wasn't exactly coming into the race with complete confidence that they had the winner of the West Virginia Derby in their barn.
His odd performances were no excuses races and he'd been working stunningly going into all of them, but for some reason he seemed to not quite get there. The choice to run him had been a difficult one but knowing that the next prep race was a nice long 12 furlong race for him to really stretch his legs out over, they figured keeping him on the trail and schedule set out for him was probably the best idea. He'd have to get used to those horses faces as he'd be seeing them a lot come may and early June.
Fly reached out while Steve was lost in thought and grabbed his hat as Sam continued to wrap the lightly bay colored colt's legs. Of course being Steve he didn't even notice Fly had stolen his hat and continued to be lost in thought of how exactly to train the colt effectively and not completely mess him up as he was a rather talented runner and his family lines were phenomenal.
So today, greeting the regal Fly, Steve was lost in thought. The colt didn't like shorter distances, and he was as inconsistent as they came. After two complete flops in his first two starts of the year they'd debated the the possibility of the colt not going to the Turf Triple Crown as he was showing serious signs of not being ready and it was a short three months away. Which was perfectly fine, if Fly was a late bloomer, he could show up in the Y15 Breeders' Cup Turf and blow away all those three year olds. It was completely up to chance at this point.
The debate on selling the colt came up too, but it wasn't fair to Fly to sell him because he didn't preform in two starts. Quite frankly, he'd been losing and under performing in races he shouldn't have, so the assessment of what to do with him wasn't an easy one. His next upcoming race was the another shorter distance race, and it came against the same exact horses he'd run against before, but being a complete point five furlongs longer than his last race Grayson Meadows wasn't exactly coming into the race with complete confidence that they had the winner of the West Virginia Derby in their barn.
His odd performances were no excuses races and he'd been working stunningly going into all of them, but for some reason he seemed to not quite get there. The choice to run him had been a difficult one but knowing that the next prep race was a nice long 12 furlong race for him to really stretch his legs out over, they figured keeping him on the trail and schedule set out for him was probably the best idea. He'd have to get used to those horses faces as he'd be seeing them a lot come may and early June.
Fly reached out while Steve was lost in thought and grabbed his hat as Sam continued to wrap the lightly bay colored colt's legs. Of course being Steve he didn't even notice Fly had stolen his hat and continued to be lost in thought of how exactly to train the colt effectively and not completely mess him up as he was a rather talented runner and his family lines were phenomenal.
All Glory
Dreaming Of Glory and Alex Shade
Glory’s rear end soared up towards the sky. He brought it back down and pranced around, lifting his feet unnecessarily high as he trotted around the track, which made sitting on him nearly unbearable. His growing muscles rippled powerfully underneath his chestnut coat with every step he took. The colt looked great, and Steve had recently been saying that he was growing muscles in his eyebrows. He was nearly unrecognizable from when they’d first purchased him. Everyone was beginning to believe he was going to be a late bloomer.
The white crescents of his eyes showed plain as day against his deep espresso colored eyes and duller chestnut coloring. He made a series of snorting noises and then followed them up with a few loud, and deep whinnies. He was glad to be out on the track, and Alex felt relieved. This new style of training him really seemed to boost his confidence. He held himself in a higher regard with his head always up and tail lifted.
Alex patted him a few times before they loaded into the gate. Glory had taken to the new training track at Grayson Meadows like a champ, he loved it and it showed every time he took the first step onto it. Andrew, Hadley, Tanner and Jessie had been tasked with pushing the chestnut son of Bank On Glory every step of the way with their quarter horses. He’d proved he was very gritty and tough in these battles, he also proved his long lasting ability to last the distance but still carrying his incredible speed.
He loaded into the gate and broke from it very quickly, he was eager to get his work under way and Alex restrained him a little to keep him from sprinting the whole ten furlong work they had planned for him today.
He glided over the dirt, making every stride look easier than the last had been. Andrew started to push his bay into a gallop and Glory speed up to catch up to him. Soon they were locked in a deadly speed duel but Glory didn’t seem to be tiring as his workmate was. Andrew pushed his mount quicker, bombarding Glory with several speed advances which Glory gladly accepted, always keeping a head in front of Andrew and his tiring bay.
Turning onto the back stretch Hadley had her big chestnut already galloping, daring Glory to come at her and that is exactly what he did. Glory was surging ahead of Hadley and the brawny chestnut daring them to catch up to him. Just as Andrew had, Hadley bombarded Glory with her mount, slowing down and then coming back at Glory who again, gladly accepted the challenge. He surged ahead of her, stronger than the last and then caught Tanner and his bay mount and he sped up to meet them.
Tanner had to send his horse earlier to get ahead of Glory who quickly forgot about Hadley and her tiring mount to take on Tanner and his scrawny chestnut. He swiftly pressed onward, the bay and Tanner were only about a length ahead of him and it wasn’t going to be that way for long. Quickly he rounded around Tanner and his mount and instead of being bombarded by Tanner, he played with his mount, testing how fast he could push him. Soon the homestretch was approaching and Tanner and Alex exchanged a glance in which Tanner smiled and nodded at Alex.
Glory flew towards the black horse ahead of him that Jessie piloted to be about two lengths ahead of Glory. It appeared that Glory thought that this simply wouldn’t do and he found another gear, he flew past Jessie and his mount like they were standing still. Alex pulled Glory up after they flew past the wire. There was no doubt that Glory’s determination would outmatch that of his opponents in his races to come. He was ready.
The white crescents of his eyes showed plain as day against his deep espresso colored eyes and duller chestnut coloring. He made a series of snorting noises and then followed them up with a few loud, and deep whinnies. He was glad to be out on the track, and Alex felt relieved. This new style of training him really seemed to boost his confidence. He held himself in a higher regard with his head always up and tail lifted.
Alex patted him a few times before they loaded into the gate. Glory had taken to the new training track at Grayson Meadows like a champ, he loved it and it showed every time he took the first step onto it. Andrew, Hadley, Tanner and Jessie had been tasked with pushing the chestnut son of Bank On Glory every step of the way with their quarter horses. He’d proved he was very gritty and tough in these battles, he also proved his long lasting ability to last the distance but still carrying his incredible speed.
He loaded into the gate and broke from it very quickly, he was eager to get his work under way and Alex restrained him a little to keep him from sprinting the whole ten furlong work they had planned for him today.
He glided over the dirt, making every stride look easier than the last had been. Andrew started to push his bay into a gallop and Glory speed up to catch up to him. Soon they were locked in a deadly speed duel but Glory didn’t seem to be tiring as his workmate was. Andrew pushed his mount quicker, bombarding Glory with several speed advances which Glory gladly accepted, always keeping a head in front of Andrew and his tiring bay.
Turning onto the back stretch Hadley had her big chestnut already galloping, daring Glory to come at her and that is exactly what he did. Glory was surging ahead of Hadley and the brawny chestnut daring them to catch up to him. Just as Andrew had, Hadley bombarded Glory with her mount, slowing down and then coming back at Glory who again, gladly accepted the challenge. He surged ahead of her, stronger than the last and then caught Tanner and his bay mount and he sped up to meet them.
Tanner had to send his horse earlier to get ahead of Glory who quickly forgot about Hadley and her tiring mount to take on Tanner and his scrawny chestnut. He swiftly pressed onward, the bay and Tanner were only about a length ahead of him and it wasn’t going to be that way for long. Quickly he rounded around Tanner and his mount and instead of being bombarded by Tanner, he played with his mount, testing how fast he could push him. Soon the homestretch was approaching and Tanner and Alex exchanged a glance in which Tanner smiled and nodded at Alex.
Glory flew towards the black horse ahead of him that Jessie piloted to be about two lengths ahead of Glory. It appeared that Glory thought that this simply wouldn’t do and he found another gear, he flew past Jessie and his mount like they were standing still. Alex pulled Glory up after they flew past the wire. There was no doubt that Glory’s determination would outmatch that of his opponents in his races to come. He was ready.