these wings are natural

[S u N f r O s T ~]

WILDLY NATURAL AND AMBER BLACK
PEGASUS WINGS AND HENNA TURATH

ASUS'S WORKOUT FOR THE BUTTER CUP SPRINT

They were seasoned veterans, the two of them. Five years old, grade ones and at the top of their respective divisions. Wildly Natural was the top turf mare, something she was defending with her fabulous record of 7-5-2-0 this season, her most recent start being a win in the Rising Fury Memorial Stakes. The mare was also only two wins off of thirty. Amber was looking to nominate her for the Hall of Fame, but would need to entirely prove her dominance in order to do so. Pegasus Wings, the surprise workout partner for Tura today, was also being considered for nomination in the Hall of Fame. Out of 42 starts, he had never placed out of the top three, and for the past two seasons he hadn't placed lower than second either. He had won half of his races lifetime, and this was his season to prove that he was undoubtedly one of the top sprinters to ever grace the track. The Butter Cup Sprint was his next start, and Henna had decided to work Asus with Tura.

Elite against elite, the two black thoroughbreds galloped side by side. Fresh from warm up, Asus acted as though he was still full of energy. He was hard to control, dancing side to side, and Henna was hard pressed to keep the energetic stallion orderly. It truly was no surprise that Asus, being the energetic crazy horse he was, was a front runner sprinter who ran the hooves off of those who challenged him. His running style was a popular one among sprinters, but those that had the talent and endurance as well as speed to pull it off were a dying breed. Asus was one of the few that did this effectively, and it was hoped by the stable that any foals from him would inherit this hardiness.

They were being challenged by wishful sprinters in the Butter Cup. They had to prove themselves. Galloping aboard him and with Tura alongside, Henna planned what she would do - the same as they had always done. There was no need to make changes. Asus's style worked for him and had always worked for him. The race should be theirs, it truly should. No inexperienced three year old should be able to beat the grade one five year old. This race was the first of many in which Asus would prove himself. He had nearly won Horse of the Year last year. He had won Best Sprinter. The title was his. Similarly to his personality, his gallop was energetic and bouncy. It never seemed to be full of tiredness. Instead, the horse seemed tireless, though Henna knew that over a long distance Asus suffered in competition. He was small and muscled for the sprints, nothing else.

That filly Beltane, Axia's half sister, had been entered. She had beaten them once. Beginner's luck. Asus had beaten her last time out. She was obviously talented, but in Henna's mind no sprinter could hold a candle to Asus unless they were Speed Demon or Flying Colours, neither of which ran anymore and both of which were Hall of Famers. Henna checked Asus's stride for irregularities and found none. The stallion was fit as could be and on good form. He was on the path to proving himself. And as they reached the last furlong of their short workout, and Amber and Henna let both their mounts fly, Henna found herself carried as though on wings by the burst of speed Asus lent her. They seemed to fly, almost leaving Tura behind on the turf as they bolted under the wire.

They were ready to continue along the road of greatness.