he isn't the universe

The gorgeous sixteen hands high chestnut thoroughbred was fully grown now, at four years old. Her legs had reached full length and were sleekly slim and feminine. The fit muscles of an athlete shone as she trotted along the shady path, head held high and eyes brightly alert. Her tail swished occasionally to bat away an insistent fly that had followed us from the barn. A warmth permeated the air around us, as the mare was positively glowing. She had only lost three of her eight races this year, and those losses had been second places. After so many seasons of staying in the shadows and constant encouragement awards, she was now at the top of the food chain.

There were, of course, many fierce competitors in the upcoming Universal Cup. The Universal was one of the biggest races on the calendar, and this year the field was scary. Three of the best fillies in the world would go postward against us. Simply A Flyer, sired by the awesome Merry Bay King, was last year's Filly of the Year award recipient and an amazingly big challenge. Passionate Class, one of my other mounts, had taken her down on numerous occasions, but it required a lot of skill. The True Nut was also entered, and I knew that the four year old mare was on a role this year. Once Upon A Dream, also sired by Merry Bay King, would be running as well. She specialized on the dirt I thought, taking after Ario in that respect. It would be interesting to see how she did on the turf come race day.

Speaking of Impressario, he was racing against us today. Amber had left me know of the arrangements after Onya's entry into the Universal was confirmed. Ario was only one of the best dirt racehorses in history, and was last year's Horse of the Year as well as Breeder's Cup Classic and Triple Crown winner. His switch to the turf had been highly publicized and then criticized, but after he won the Unicorn Horn Turf people shut up and began to see his turf potential. He was Onya's hugest rival. For years she had held a grudge against the black monster. Today, we would see about taking the colt down.

The sleek black form of Ario was already cantering gracefully around the turf track, looking every inch a magnificent beast. He was beautifully groomed, and his sleekness was matched with solid muscle. He moved like a hyper bunny, however, his legs constantly moving. There was a reason indeed why he was a front runner. Onya's immediate reaction was stiffness. The fluidity of her trot disappeared, replaced by stiff hostility. She threw her head up and glared a challenge at the black Merry Bay King son. Ario's reaction was immediate. He, too, threw his head up, but not only that, he strode purposefully, daringly in our direction. Onya lurched forward, keen to rip a piece of the colt's neck out. Without thinking, I seamlessly executed a rollback, and then trotted Onya off in the opposite direction.

Amber called after me Well done! I'll see you at the gates for a mile race. I nodded in acceptance and then let the reins go. Onya had been chomping at the bit at the very first appearance of Ario to be let go. Now she swept into a ground covering canter, her head pushed straight forward as she stared the world down. Fiery determination hinted with rage at her old rival made her stride the cruising pace of a predator, cold grit and amazing power emphasized in each gliding beat. We cantered out for a furlong or so, and then I circled her around and guided her back. The beautiful chestnut's pace increased slightly as she glared at the black form of Impressario. It was really difficult to slow her down, but eventually I did, and grudgingly she lined up alongside.

Amber's countdown was quick. As soon as the word Three! left her lips I leaned forward and released the reins. Onya was more than ready for my cue. With a massive thrust of her hindquarters she was off and running at her hunting stride, already planning out her next move. Ario had broken just as quickly, but he raced into the lead at a sprinter's stride and opened up a couple lengths of daylight before we swept into the turn.

Onya immediately took to the outside and continued to run at a regular pace, while Ario pounded out furious fractions on the firm turf. He was five lengths away and still running farther and farther. I could feel Onya's control wearing thin. If ever the field got too far ahead of her, she would floor it to the wire, and nothing could stop her. Especially since the field ahead of her was her lone biggest rival Impressario. Thinking quickly, I released an inch of rein and let her widen her stride and make up a couple lengths. We came off the turn smoothly only four or three lengths behind the four year old stallion.

The Triple Crown Champion had steadied his pace now, moving at a reasonably fast clip and looking confident of his win. I gritted my teeth at his arrogant behavior, not liking it one bit. I could feel the power thrumming through the veins of my mount, and knew that Ario could be very easily taken down by my powerful mare. She was full grown and beautifully mature, her stride long and steady. Her fury and passion for the win only lent her more strength. If anything, Ario would perish in a pit of fire if she had anything to say about it.

We had reached the middle of the backstretch. The pace quickened slightly as Ario released a new wave of speed, as if instinctively preparing to defend off late runners - like us. Onya, too, increased her pace, maintaining the same distance between us. We were just cruising along easily, but so was Ario. It was unsurprising to me, seeing as he could definitely run much longer than this and still win. But so could Onya, and this was her race. Only she would decide these placings.

Speed and exhilaration broke through her cool facade as we hit the final turn. Onya turned on the speed, and suddenly we were flying forward as if propelled by a jet engine. If the media ever caught a sight of this unearthly speed....I shivered at the thought. It was the final turn, and the gap decreased noticeably. Onya continued to race hard, and suddenly we were side by side with the rapidly accelerating Impressario.

Champion pitted against champion dueled it out; two bobbing heads sprinted down the stretch with everything they possessed. Ario was working hard, his muscles heaving, but he couldn't shake off us! Oh, of course not! Onya grunted, and with one last burst of determination gave the run everything she had. Ario's form slipped to behind us as we raced at absolute top speed to cross the wire in first place, with Ario one length behind.

I pulled up my fiery mount, beaming with pleasure at her success. It was truly well deserved. Good race Amber! I called back a tad smugly. Amber stiffened slightly but then loosened, grinning at us half-heartedly. That was amazing. You guys really proved my boy wasn't the universe today. I grinned at how true that was. I know I murmured softly, and leaned down to hug my mare's neck.