sugardae

[S u N f r O s T ~]

SUGAR JAYDE AND HENNA TURATH
AXIS MUNDAE AND AMBER BLACK

JAYDE'S WORKOUT FOR THE AZALEA CUP FILLIES

She was the top turf sprinter among the current two year olds. It showed. She had won all the major turf sprints for her age group and come away flying. The Prospect of the Year and Best Prospect Filly was living up to the high expectations that had been placed on her. She had won exactly half of her eight races and stood a fantastic chance to do well in the Azalea Cup Fillies. The thing about the Azalea was that it was a top sprint race for the two year olds. The horses that won it went on to become champions. Sugar Jayde was going to be a champion. Henna Turath had placed all of her will and motivation into making the sugar-sweet filly a monster sprinter like her mount Pegasus Wings. In order to ensure this, they were running a workout against Axis Mundae, Amber's turf sprinter three year old. It was Axia's shoes that Jayde would fill next year. What better way to prepare than by running them together?

Axia was the boldest one of the pair. She pulled at the reins impatiently and scarcely took notice of her competition, ignoring the bay two year old as though she wasn't worthy of her attention. Amber looked pleased at Axia's spirit, and was also looking Jayde over critically. Jayde had a fantastic racing attitude. She wasn't put down by losses and had learned from all of her eight starts. She had been fearlessly run against older horses a couple times, and though they had beaten her that fact gave Jayde an edge that her competition lacked. The competition had been kept in the soft juvenile fields. Jayde had been thrown into the stiff ranks of the older turf sprinters, and she'd come away with an edge that the juvenile would have otherwise not attained. It made her a fierce contender as well as a more clever racehorse. Most of all, Jayde loved to sprint. That was why she was near the front in every race she was in. She loved the release that came from just letting it all out on the track. And Henna loved to be along for the ride.

For the Azalea Cup Fillies, three others had been entered. Gate one held Paradise Island of Silver Stride Stables. She was coming in hot off of a win in the Lucky Day Futurity and would be a mimicker of Jayde's own racing style. Gate two had Nochebuena of Paradise Hills. The filly hadn't been a star in races past, but her running style of a mid packer could make her a surprise if the pace was hot in the early stages of the seven furlong race. Gate three was theirs, gate four's entry had been scratched and gate five held Spitting Image of Star Thoroughbreds. An extremely consistent filly, she was bred for the turf and had been doing well in the turf sprints. She had placed second to Jayde in every sprint race they had been entered in together. Henna wanted to keep it that way. Jayde had the experience Spitting Image didn't against the older horses. She had the wins and the talent. Henna knew they could blow the field away.

Today's workout had been discussed previously, so the riders exchanged no words as they warmed up separately. Axia moved at a quick lope, head swinging this way and that, enjoying the familiar surroundings. Jayde was actually slightly restless. She had been well rested for the Azalea, and her most recent start was her win the extremely competitive Kindergarten Stakes. On good form, she had had a little break, and she was eager to get racing again. Henna kept her in hand with practiced ease. When both jockeys were ready, their fillies met mid stride in a canter and were then simultaneously released into full on gallops. This pace they would maintain and love for four straight furlongs. Jayde immediately let it all go and sprinted. She loved the feeling of speed beneath her hooves and loved to go fast. Henna saw the world become a familiar blur and grinned. She was loving it!

Axia hung loosely behind them. The miler filly was a closer, and she was in no hurry to grab the lead. Jayde made no move to widen her lead. She was an exception among two year olds when it came to hotheadedness. She was sensible and smart. She knew running herself out in the beginning stages of the race was a stupid idea. Only idiots would tire themselves out before the true fight began! Amber and Axia attempted to pressure them into going faster as the furlongs blurred by, but Jayde was not fooled. Henna grinned with pride as they completed their half mile run and slowed down to a canter. Amber caught up to them aboard a barely panting Axia, grinning. Jayde really has a cool head. That'll be an advantage on race day. Not many horses do. And the workout fulfilled its intended purpose - challenge Jayde to go faster and see what she does. She listened fully to you and to her own body. It was perfect.

Henna grinned, stroking the bay filly's neck as they slowed fully to a walk. I know. I just hope it'll be enough for the Azalea. God only knows how ready we are to take them all on!