FLY TIME

[S u N f r O s T ~]

He was boundless in his energy - it never seemed to run out. I checked the black Royal Red Richard son for the sixth time as he made to canter along the dirt track. He responded with a disgruntled snort and slowed back to the oh-so-slow trot. I muttered to him something about learning patience and then looked up, searching for Amber. She was watching our workout today and evaluating the colt in a mock race from the gates to the wire. I heard she had planned to race another against the colt, and I searched eagerly for our competitor.

He appeared, a dark bay stallion with a sleek coat and iron muscles hidden in his frame. I gasped quietly to myself as Krystal rode the stallion over, a smile framing her face. This is Sweet Sugar Cane. He won the Breeder's Cup Sprint five years ago and is the sire of Deadly Desires explained Amber's right hand. I nodded numbly, wild excitement coursing through me at the thought of the experience my colt would gain from this.

Pegasus Wings picked up on my excitement and lunged forward again, breaking through my hold on his seventh try. I nearly fell off as he began swift canter, right on the verge of a gallop. Quickly I regained the hold and reined him in, shaking my head at his antics. Asus danced around, still full of energy and lusting for a gallop. His black legs made a mess of the loamy dirt, and I shook my head again in amusement. He seriously needed to be let out.

Let them go from the gates for six furlongs. I've already positioned the gate at the top of the backstretch came Amber's voice. We both turned to find her and nodded in synchronization, turning our mounts and beginning a warm up canter for the two furlongs before the gate. Sweet Sugar Cane easily kept pace with my two year old, actually looking as though he was being held beside us. Krystal was posting absentmindedly to his strides, still looking excited from her win in the Breeder's Cup Turf. I wish I could share her excitement, but my first mount here, Silent Wings, hadn't been ready for it. I hoped to run her in the Distaff this year though. Just thinking of the filly made me smile. I was riding her half brother today.

We reached the gates, and I found my colt loose and eager as ever to move off. His canter had become slightly more energetic, which I thought was an impossible feat, and the warm up hadn't done a thing to his energy level. Sweet Sugar Cane moved fluidly and smoothly beside us, looking a bit unnerved at being back at the track after eventing for so long. But he was definitely in shape from the grueling sport, and when he loaded into the gate it was with ease. I waited a couple of seconds as Asus threw a glance at the gates. He went in smoothly, as if he was entering his stall or paddock. I grinned as I realized just how much Amber would owe to me if this colt turned out to be something on the track. I had done all the training, after all, but it was her calling the shots and racing the two year old.

Suddenly, with a BANG, the gates were open and Asus broke like a shot. I nearly fell off as he burst from the gate. We were out and on the inside and leading. Cane had broken slower than us! I moved my hands with his neck as he thunderously galloped along, flying over the dirt track easily. After about a furlong I glanced back and saw Cane three lengths behind us, running at a swift pace but biding his time. He could easily catch up to us. I glanced forward again, judging what to do. Should I let Asus completely loose and hope they wouldn't catch up, or should I rate the colt?

I chose to rate the black thoroughbred, and I checked his speed. Asus obeyed, completely obedient under saddle, and I checked under my arm again to see Cane swiftly gaining on us, looking comfortable with the current speed. We had four furlongs left to go, just four furlongs left to prove ourselves. I kept Asus still, feeling his impatience and sharing it as I waited for exactly the right moment to let him loose. The dark bay older veteran was galloping easily towards us, coasting over the dirt like it was no problem and looking excited at reaching the lead. He was just a length back now, and I knew Asus was feeling the stallion breathing on his tail. He kicked some more dirt up and exploded as I released an inch, as I too couldn't take seeing the stallion so close.

Panting slightly, Asus put another length between before slowing again. We had three furlongs left now. Once again, Cane glided forward confidently, each stride taking two of ours. I could feel Asus tremble with sudden determination, and as we reached the turn and I noticed the bay blur shooting up to us he exploded through my hold and galloped for all he was worth.
The world seemed to stop. He pounded forward, his head thrust forward and his legs flashing back and forth with startling speed. His muscles groaned slightly at the extra exertion he was takingto try to beat the Breeder's Cup Sprint winner. Would we manage this, at just two years old?

It was the final furlong when the dark bay thoroughbred heaved past us and pounded on at top speed, leaving us in the dust. Asus retripled his efforts, struggling, but he couldn't do it. We crossed the wire five lengths behind with Cane struggling to pour on more speed. I slowed my two year old, anxiously assessing his condition. He was covered in a healthy coating of sweat and was panting hard, but he held his head high and proud. He had gone down flying.

I glanced up to see Cane and Krystal trotting towards us. You were amazing she gasped. I can't believe you managed to keep Cane off of you for a furlong. He was really trying! I smiled and accepted her praise with a shrug. You guys still beat us. Amber appeared on the scene, looking thrilled. If there's any sprinter two year old in the country that can beat him then I'm stupid! she said breathlessly. That was amazing! I smiled and thanked her, but it was true. Asus had run impressively for his age and experience.

It was fly time to enter a maiden race.....