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[S u N f r O s T ~]

DASHING IN THE FIRELIGHT AND HENNA TURATH

Today, the beautiful light bay mare seemed unnaturally determined about something. She strode out to the dirt track for her morning workout like a horse on a mission. Henna settled firmly into her beloved mare's saddle and thought happily about the excellent four year old season Fire was having. The mare had ascended to grade three and a majority winner after a nightmare three year old season sidelined by injury. She had come back strong and was considered a force to reckon with in her races, much to Henna's delight. No longer was she overlooked - no, now Fire was admired for her spirit and class. She grew faster and stronger with each passing day. Her muscles gleamed beneath a well groomed coat as Henna asked for a canter from her.

Coasting down the dirt track, Henna considered her goals for the season. She wanted Fire to go for the Winter Cup Grade Three Dirt, then for the Dubai Filly Cup two weeks after that. If they qualified there, they would go for the Dubai World Cup three weeks after that with no races in between, just complete rest. Following that race, they would rest up for the Breeders Cup. But which Breeders Cup race would they enter? Such a thought would be left for later, but she entertained the idea of the Ladies Classic or the actual Classic in her head. Fire could make it that far - Henna knew that she could. But in order to, they would have to get working. Rumor had it that Fire's sister Mona, who they had recently sold, was working hard to beat Fire in their next race. Henna wanted to ensure that her mare was ready for the challenge Mona would present.

Upping the pace how, the duo began to gallop. They would go for a light mile run, nothing too major. Henna wanted her mare sharp for the Winter Cup Grade Three Dirt. Working smoothly, Henna evaluated the mare's pace. It was steady and controlled, with no hint of fatigue. Fire was a distance runner - she didn't race at anything under nine furlongs, one of those rare few. It had been hard to find a maiden race for her to run in during her two year old season because of this, but now Fire was thriving. Henna briefly entertained the idea of throwing her into the Breeders Cup Marathon before focusing back on the workout. Two of the eight furlongs had passed by now, and Fire was not flagging. She continued to stride forward with the lengthy step that could only be hers.

In no time at all, the workout was complete. Henna slowed her mare down to a canter, then a trot, then finally a walk. The work had went well, and they were ready for more.