unquestionable

[S u N f r O s T ~]

A ROYAL LEGACY AND AMBER BLACK
DIRTY DIANA AND KRYSTAL YHATE
SWEET INFERNO AND HENNA TURATH

What a sight it was. Three horses with Akita Rose bloodlines, out there, working out together. Sweet Inferno had been acquired through a breeding trade. Amber had arranged, somehow, to breed Akita Rose's Sweet Stalker with Crooked Fire. Out had popped the strangest filly she had ever gotten to know. Hot headed off the track, sweet as sugar on it, but bloody talented. Of course she was, related to as many great horses as she was, with rich bloodlines that stemmed completely from Akita Rose. She was overpowering and strong, and even though she had just finished fourth the Quelfia Derby it had been against a very strong field of older horses and Henna was pleased. Today they'd be working out with the two horses SOPS had picked up from Akita Rose for safekeeping. Dirty Diana, by All For Glory and out of Lusitania, was one of those horses. A Royal Legacy, by Merry Bay King and out of Queen Of Hearts, was the other.

The moment Diana and Legacy had been offered Amber had said yes. She herself had jumped at the chance to ride a son of Merry Bay King again. Krystal had clicked with Diana in the barn and would be riding her as well. Both were entered in races in April Week One. Legacy would be riding in the Magic Millions Colts Dirt on Green Horse Fields while Diana would be taking on the Avril Maiden at the Wire. Both horses had full schedules this month and would surely be grade fives by the end of it, if they worked hard enough with them. Amber had a whole plan set out, and she had been really excited this morning when she revealed the plan for this workout. They'd be going ten furlongs together, racing. Krystal and Amber would be learning their mounts and Sweetie was out for the exercise. She wasn't due to race until next week and needed it.

Henna was the first one to make it to the track. Sweetie had been giving her a tough time that morning but naturally calmed down as she stepped onto the dirt. Her spirit was undaunted even after her loss. She hadn't won in a while, instead placing second impressively time after time, so Henna was looking to win next week. She began trotting the filly in circles, a black goddess on the dirt, every bit as classy as she could be. Eventually a shrill whinny was heard and there was a dark gray filly trotting towards them. Dirty Diana was well known by now for her many tricks and her peculiar desire to get scolded for them. Even now Henna could feel the smugness radiating off of Diana and see the repressed annoyance and laughter of Krystal. It was obvious Krystal was smitten with her tricks and was totally in love. Krystal looked up at Henna and smiled. Henna had had it rough last week, losing to Cruze in the Starry Night. But she had rebounded and now looked perfectly happy aboard Sweetie.

Not two seconds after Krystal reached Henna, a brilliant bay colt was seen swaggering towards the track. Amber looked absolutely blissful. The last son of Merry Bay King she had ridden had been Impressario, and Legacy was just so much like him. Just as arrogant, confident and sure of his abilities. The only difference was that Legacy liked to close, while Ario just stunned as a front runner. Legacy loved the track. He always wanted to be on it. At the sight of the dirt he had broken into a half-walk, half-trot and Amber definitely had her hands full. Not that she minded, as she easily guided him forward and even managed to halt him. How's Diana Krystal? You getting along with her? Krystal grinned. She only just finished playing yet another trick on me. I love it, though. I think she's very intelligent and I personally just want to ride her already. Amber's eyes glittered. Well, you're definitely getting that chance today. They're both racing next week and I want them to break their maidens in style. Let's get riding.

She turned and began to trot her colt. Legacy felt strong and sure beneath her. He trotted as though he'd already won, and carried his head in winning fashion. He felt very at home here, that much was clear. He hadn't even worked over this track yet, but wasn't nervous at all. He decidedly led the other horses throughout the warm up, never once letting them get in front. He didn't like to be treated as though he wasn't royalty, and was always quick to assert his dominance. Sweetie, with her amazing presence, came very close to outdoing his dominance and he couldn't have that. And though the black filly looked sweet as could be, Henna could feel the inner fire building up. She smirked. It was obvious that Sweetie didn't like Legacy's attitude and was gearing up for a race. Her eyes were alight with calculation, and she matched Legacy's stride. Diana had taken position behind the two quietly feuding racehorses. She didn't mind the dirt in her face at all, instead trotting quietly without a care in the world.

The threesome broke into a canter, and even then Diana didn't care about the dirt. She was about as masculine as a filly could get in attitude, aside from the hot blooded dominant streaks many of those males bragged. She could definitely hold her own in a tough race. Krystal was quickly learning how deep the filly's mettle went. She hadn't been impressive at all in her first starts, but something had clicked in Diana's mind and she just knew things were going to get better now. They cantered quietly, maintaining positions. Then it was time to gallop. They slowed their mounts and walked on over to the gate. Valencia was there. She quietly waited as the three loaded in. Legacy strode into the gate as though he owned it. Nothing scared the colt, it seemed. Diana was the next to load. She balked just a little bit, more to play with her rider than anything, then loaded in. Sweetie was essentially a veteran at this. She walked right in as calmly as Legacy had and awaited the break.

It came fast. The gates opened and three horses pounded onto the dirt track. Sweetie overpowered the race instantly. She took the lead and never looked back, intent on snapping off some good early fractions while venting her frustration at Legacy's attitude. Henna carefully kept her in hand just enough, and they flew away from Diana and Legacy. Diana was giving Krystal trouble. The filly had a smooth gallop but an attention getter attitude. She didn't like having the spotlight so swiftly stolen by Sweetie and Krystal could feel it. She was pulling hard, wanting to move up a bit. All past performances showed she was more like a closer who played with her prey. Nevertheless, Krystal let her have more head, and like a hunter Diana set her sights on Sweetie and slowly began the process of reeling her in. Legacy, meanwhile, had actually settled down. He was clay in Amber's hands, ready to be molded. Amber felt him relaxing as the familiar gallop took him. He was only ever this relaxed on the track it seemed. She let him run, and Sweetie snapped off a quarter in twenty three flat.

Now Henna began to pull the black in a little bit, slowing her. She didn't want them to go too fast. Sweetie had plenty of stamina, but she didn't want too much too soon. Diana was four lengths off of them and running easily, her sights still set. Krystal noted that the filly had a very down and dirty gallop. She landed with attitude, and it was this attitude guiding her forward even now. Five lengths behind her and nine lengths off the leader, Legacy was still taking it easy and slow, but Amber could feel the power uncoiling in his stride. He would no doubt have a heck of a closing kick. Diana was rumored to have one as well, but she was more like a hunter who played with her food before eating. Even now as she was purposefully striding forward Krystal could feel her desire and her speed building.

The half and then the three quarters passed. With just four furlongs left to go the pace was definitely quickening. Sweetie had begun to extend her stride again and Henna was sitting chilly on her back. Diana was nearly on them, just two lengths off and beginning to prepare to make her bid. Legacy was definitely beginning to close it in. He was suddenly moving a lot faster than before, and the ground was disappearing behind him. The dirt flew back from his hooves and Amber exhilarated in his power. This was a horse who loved to run and loved the track. This was a horse who had probably run out of ground in past races, leading to those losses and his status as a maiden. No longer would he lose. Of this Amber knew she would make certain of.

The stretch was upon them. Diana shot forward like a comet, and suddenly Sweetie was in for the fight of her life. Behind them Legacy was zooming in with amazing speed. Amber knew the commentator would have been going hoarse trying to describe it. They were joining the party. The two fillies squabbled while the final pursuer came from behind. Diana showed just how deep her mettle was as she dug in and sprinted for home, leaving Sweetie just a bit behind. Sweetie had none of it. She, too, dug in, just as Legacy came up and passed her at a roaring gallop. He was fighting against Diana's power now, and Sweetie had gotten locked up on the rail. Henna knew the race was over for her and just rode Sweetie chilly. They had no room to swing out. Head to head Diana and Legacy grappled, Diana's usual playful attitude replaced by a fiercely determined one mirrored by Legacy's own feelings.

It was too close to call. They roared under the wire and then were unwillingly pulled up by breathless riders. What a workout. The talent of the two new horses, and Sweetie, was unquestionable. The only question was, could they prove themselves next time out?