rise to the challenge

[S u N f r O s T ~]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND KYLIE SILVERSTAR
DEMONIC DESIRES AND AMBER BLACK
CALL OF THE WILD AND KRYSTAL YHATE
DEVIL'S FLAIR AND VALENCIA ANDREWS

This workout was at least a bit less insane than the last. Valencia really appreciated that as she rode out on Devil's Flair. She wouldn't have been able to stop Devil from destroying a large group of horses in an all out speed duel. Devil may not have been winning very much along the Turf Triple Crown trail, but whatever race he was entered in was fast, brutally fast. Valencia could at least be proud of that. They would be starting in the Kentucky Open. This workout was ridiculously important for preparation. And they would be facing top caliber competition in order to pull this off.

Krystal Yhate arrived on Call Of The Wild. He had won twice this season and was one win off of grade one. Her horse was perhaps having the best season of his life. Well-behaved but intelligent Call was finally getting some time in the spotlight. He was shadowed by In The Spotlight, ridden by Kylie Silverstar. The young apprentice jockey was getting a lot of exposure and success this year aboard Pandora and Incognito. Riding Innie would teach her how to manage energetic talent over the turf. Innie was still the surprise winner of the Breeders Cup Turf; she was special even by SOPS standards and Kylie felt nervous as she rode her out. But she would have to handle Pandora in the Open next week; she could manage this.

Amber Black was of course the last to arrive aboard Demonic Desires. Now here was a horse who knew how to bring on the speed in his races; Demon was the most dominant turf sprinter in the ranks and perhaps one of the best if not the best currently racing. Amber shrugged. Speed Demon foals were just that good if one could retire only for the next to take over. And she intended to see what the other members of the turf roster could bring to the table. They were going to have to go easy though - the Open next week and other big races coming up meant nobody was getting pushed hard. A mile gallop would suffice.

They began the run after a professional warm-up. Innie grabbed the lead, and Kylie shook her head in shock as she finally gained exposure to the speed yet endless stamina of this amazing horse. Demon shadowed them, with Devil pressing from the outside and Call in the back monitoring the pace. They were moving easily - Innie had developed a way of loping easily on the lead regardless of all outside pressures - and things appeared to be going well. Until Devil made a furious stride forward and snagged the lead from Innie. Then...there would have been a fight had Valencia not taken the bit and held the chestnut horse back, anticipating this course of action. She rode both horses after all. Devil fell back, disappointed, and Innie lessened her speed the moment the pressure eased up. Demon still shadowed the inside, with Call darting up as the mile drew to a close.

They remained close together, one bunched together pack, as they crossed the wire in smooth tandem. The workout had not been tasking, but it had been exactly what was needed in order to keep the horses in tip-top shape and ready to continue climbing the ranks.