kingdom of heaven

[S u N f r O s T ~]

<sub>LYNARA'S KINGDOM AND AMBER BLACK
PEGASUS WINGS AND HENNA TURATH

LYNARA'S WORKOUT FOR THE UNICORN HORN JUVENILE DIRT SPRINT
ASUS'S WORKOUT FOR THE UNICORN HORN DIRT SPRINT

Amber paid careful attention to the gray two year old filly she was riding. Just what was her mood today? Was she motivated to run or too lazy? Was she feeling disobedient or would she actually listen to Amber's commands? In all honesty, Lynara's Kingdom was one of the moodiest horses Amber had ever ridden, ever. She required an extremely skilled hand in order to operate. Amber was still trying to figure out how she had ever won the Shortstride Maiden Dirt with the filly. It had been her first start, and Amber had been expecting all hell to break loose. Yet somehow, the filly's competitiveness had shown through, and she had raced extremely strategically. The sprinting genes had shown in her when she darted across the finish line in first place and then grudgingly slowed, almost unwilling to stop running. Amber had learned then of the filly's love of competition; it was almost insatiable. Amber looked forward to racing her again in the Unicorn Horn Juvenile Dirt Sprint. A win there would establish Lynara as one of the top sprinters in her division, and Amber definitely sought the title.

Speaking of top sprinters, they were racing against one today. Pegasus Wings, who had narrowly lost out on being crowned Horse of the Year after racing a nearly perfect season, was being prepped for his first race of the five year old year in the Unicorn Horn Dirt Sprint. After winning the Turf Sprint at the Breeders Cup, Henna had decided to move him back to the dirt for his premier start of the season. It was Asus's last year on the track; this season, Henna was going for the gold. Amber knew that Henna was hoping to get the stallion inducted in the Hall of Fame. With his perfect record over his past three seasons, it was doubtless that he stood a good chance of making it in. And speaking of Asus, there he was! The tiny thoroughbred stallion was making his way onto the track. Henna looked like she was holding in a lot of horse as she half trotted, half cantered towards them. Lynara stiffened in the presence of competition. Her eyes flashed white, and Amber quickly snatched up extra rein as Lynara bolted. Experience from stopping similar attempts in the past meant Amber regained control within seconds, but it was still disconcerting. For a filly, Lynara was definitely powerful.

Henna pulled up alongside them, her eyes shining jovially. She really is full of herself, especially after that win she commented. Yes, she is agreed Amber. I intend for her to dominate sprinting. Just like Asus. Henna's eyes shone at the praise. Well, what were you planning on having us do today? Asus here is fit and ready to start his season with a bang! How about a sprint? Amber smiled at Henna's enthusiasm. Well, your stallion appears to be egging my filly on. Lynara currently wants to race him into a pulp. How about a six furlong race? Henna unhesitatingly accepted. You know, she's only two, and she lacks the experience. She doesn't stand a chance Henna commented. I know replied Amber. But how else to gain experience than by facing better horses? Henna nodded in agreement to the aphorism. Well, let's get cantering. I can't hold Asus back for much longer she joked. Amber laughed, and together the two began to canter.

After a suitable amount of time, the horses were finally ready to race. Amber counted down, and then they were off! Asus, being a seasoned racehorse, picked up speed the fastest. He practically flew into a five length lead on the slower to sprint Lynara. Eventually, though, the gray filly managed to find her stride. Amber waited motionless on the filly's back, curious as to what she would do. To her surprise, the filly only picked up two lengths before settling three lengths off of the black stallion. Her strategy today appeared to be closing from behind. Amber decided to help the gray filly play to the strategy in any way she could. After all, it was difficult to change the filly's mind once she had decided on a way to run. Two furlongs swept on by, and Asus was still leading by three lengths. With a third of the race gone, Henna felt that Asus was running smoothly and could easily maintain this pace for the duration of the race. Lynara was also running smoothly, thought Amber, and grinned. They might actually be able to surprise Asus with a closing charge.

With half the race behind them, Lynara still showed no signs of moving. Amber wondered what was going on in her mind. Was Lynara just waiting until the last possible moment so that she could go up and grab the lead with the element of surprise, or was she just being lazy? Amber puzzled over this until the fourth furlong, when suddenly Lynara's speed instantaneously began to accelerate. They were going around the turn into the stretch, and Lynara was taking it wide, but this did not appear to dissuade her efforts as she pounded towards the lead. Henna did not seem to be aware of Lynara's closing charge. Asus did not seem to know, either, though his stride was naturally quickening as he approached the stretch.

Lynara was merely a length off when Asus and Henna seemed to realize that she was there. Amber barely caught a muffled curse thrown back by the wind before Asus took off like a shot, just at the beginning of the stretch. A smirk stretched up Amber's face. Lynara took off in pursuit, appearing to find the straight her cue to go and take Asus down. Her acceleration was tremendous, and in no time she and Amber were going at top speed. But Asus was faster, as they knew he would be. He crossed the wire three lengths in front and still pouring it on. They crossed gladly after him. They had employed the best strategy possible for facing an experienced racehorse, and though it had failed Amber felt full of confidence for Lynara's racing abilities.

Pulling up alongside Asus, Amber and Henna both exchanged grins. With both their racehorses panting hard, the riders knew they had definitely gained something from the workout, and were therefore ready to go for the Unicorn Horn.</sub>