never back down

[S u N f r O s T ~]

INFINITE WARCRY AND AMBER BLACK

Amber could still see the scene playing out on the backs of her eyelids. The morning of the Belmont Turf Classic. The expectations weighing on her shoulders. The twelve furlong distance Infini loved stretching out in front of them. And then the sudden breakdown of her mind, the tears that had run down her face for no adequate reason she could think of. Just the tiredness creeping through her bones, ending her desire for the race. She couldn't ride in this condition. Not that she hadn't tried. She had been on her way to the jockey room when Krystal had caught sight of her, led her away and scratched Infini from the race. Boy had the crowd been bummed, but they had been enthralled by the powerful performance of Frozen Motion in the last leg of the Turf Triple Crown. Amber had hunkered down with her guilt since then.

Six weeks had passed since Infini's last race. The first week he had been off, but then Amber had thrown herself back into the saddle with renewed passion. She had worked on further increasing Infini's stamina. They had done a mile and a half gallop every day with occasional speed work, all by themselves. Amber had needed the solitude. She had needed the time to apologize to the big black colt she had failed. The Turf Triple Crown had been meant to be theirs. They had just missed in the Open, redeemed in the Preakness Champion and failed out of the Belmont Turf. The shame was not crushing Amber as mightily now. They had new prey to catch. The one thing Amber wanted to give Infini now was experience against the best older turf horses on the surface and the title of grade one. She had entered him in the Taking Momentum Stakes on the Wire turf as a refresher with the Breeders Stakes in one month as their main goal. Infini had won big over the Wire turf once, in the Finish Cup Turf. He could do it again.

They were facing Executioner's Apprentice, Destined For Glory and Alluring Assault. All of which were top older turf horses. Infini would have his work cut out for him, but Amber was resolute. Infini had taken on two great horses in the Finish Cup Turf that had been older than him and won. He had been winning all year, the horse that somehow made up lost ground to take a win. Amber's confidence was not shaken anymore from the Open loss. She felt a strong need to prove Infini's capabilities in the Taking Momentum Stakes. She wanted to see Infini exceed all expectations and demonstrate his full dominance over the track. Amber would not fail him this time. She refused to back down, and so did Infini. He was Infinite Warcry. They were not an infallible pair. She knew that. It was okay to fail sometimes. She just had to come back strong. This competition would bury them if they weren't on their toes.

With long strided motion they began their usual gallop. Today they were doing a distance run, two miles, with a quick tune up at the end. They began their gallop in earnest. As per usual, Infini was in no hurry. His long strides ate up the track effortlessly, but he was probably clocking twenty six or seven second quarters, slow as could be. He was no sprinter. The longer the distance, the better his chances of catching up. His next race was nine furlongs, a bit of a weak distance for him. Amber would have to get him going sooner rather than later. Infini still placed the same trust as always in his rider. He rode forward straight and sure, confident, and Amber rode him with the gentle touch belonging to champions. She did not want to betray the trust she had gained.

His stride unfurled as the furlongs flew by. His pace increased until he was in his closing drive, and each successive furlong was faster than the last. He ate up the turf and Amber held on, now urging him with her hands, imploring him for speed, laughing as the speed became overwhelming. The conditioning was paying off. The three year old colt had never felt so strong, so sure. He was a powerhouse on four legs, a bullet, a black comet surging his way forward. They were under the wire, and Amber was easing him up now, and he slowed easily and calmly as pie. The fire danced in his eyes as he was slowed, and Amber felt the warcry surging from within his being. They were not backing down. They were back.