amber is crazy

[S u N f r O s T ~]

IMPRESSIONABLE AND KRYSTAL YHATE
SILENT SNAP AND AMBER BLACK
ITALIAN ICE AND VALENCIA ANDREWS
BATTLE WINGS AND CHRISTOPHER BLACK
FLEET STREET AND MEREDITH MAHON
ANIMATIA AND HENNA TURATH

Amber had officially lost her mind. Every single person that had glanced at the workout board had done a double-take and read it over again before rushing off to get ready for the big day. For indeed it was a big day. Six horses in one workout? It would be fascinating. Everybody wanted to be first out with their mount just for the honor, for the win later on during the workout would be anybody's game.

Valencia Andrews was the first out on Italian Ice. The regal daughter of Impressario arrived with a twitch of the tail and one sweeping glance over the track. Her rider hummed in satisfaction and set about the important task of warming up. She was not alone for long. Impressionable and Krystal Yhate were next out. The chestnut three year old filly was as tough as a colt, and though she had yet to win this season she had put in nothing but strong performances. They would at least hit the Kentucky Derby, that was for sure. They deserved that much, even if for the rest of dirt classic season they were in the Tiara. Empress coldly drew herself up as she approached Icee. The older mare simply looked down at the filly as though she was beneath her and kept jogging. Her new shadow did not bother her in the least.

Christopher Black was next. The young apprentice jockey was aboard Battle Wings, allowing Krystal to work out Empress during this set. Battle was not an easy horse to ride, and it was a testament to Amber's confidence in her young cousin that he was even on board. Battle did not object to having a different rider. Krystal just knew her best. Christopher just had to make sure she didn't let the horse give her any issues during this workout. Battle would be fine. She was in brilliant form and moved powerfully. The other newbie on the street arrived next. Meredith Mahon came in on Fleet Street, a mysterious smile lighting up her face as she saw Valencia. Fleet Street was the fastest improving horse on the roster. He may not be the highest grade yet, but Meredith was taking him places. She'd like to take a certain other member of the team places too. Shame, really, that she hadn't gotten through yet.

Henna Turath came next. She was riding Animatia, the classic energizer bunny she usually rode...except Tia was actually unmanageable on the track. She was skipping her juvenile season in order to develop more. Tia was just too aggressive on the track. They were working with her actively to overcome this, however. This workout would be a true test - five other horses? Two months ago it would have been like asking for a massacre. But now...Tia actually stood a chance of getting through this workout without killing other horses. Amber Black was the last to arrive. She rode Silent Snap, the brilliant chestnut son of With A Snap and Silent Wings, Battle's half brother and the loser of only one race so far this season. He moved with his usual bully arrogance, all muscle and stocky strength. He was certainly ready to go.

This would be tough to orchestrate. Six horses lapping this track would be difficult. Amber Black summoned everybody with a low whistle that disturbed nobody - all horses were just too intent. We will all go as five - Henna, I just want you to warm up a bit with us and then work Tia separately. Let her do a mile to a mile and a half depending on how she's feeling. The rest of us, we'll hit a mile gallop and then bring it down slow. No crazy racing. Just maintaining conditioning. She got a chorus of nods.

Tia vibrated with aggressive energy even now. Her ears remained pinned as she followed the other five around the track. Henna held her in for barely half a mile before letting her go. The minute she did, the crazy gray juvenile practically bolted, leaving all the horses behind and carving a massive gap before she was shut down at the end of her workout. As per usual, Tia's time was crackling - it was like the young horse didn't know how to run slowly. Henna privately thought the racing world was lucky Tia was off until her classic season. They'd need the time to prepare.

The other five finished a full mile at a canter-gallop before stepping up to the requested gallop. Snapper grabbed the lead, meaningless as it was. Battle was right there with him. Italian Ice shadowed them with Impressionable alongside. Fleet Street brought up the rear, dodging dirt as they rounded the turn wide. It was a good pace, not sizzling but not slow either. Each horse was moving well within themselves. Snapper and Battle both flexed impressive cruising speed on the front end, even drawing off a bit before their riders shut them down. Empress, Icee and Fleet felt like guns waiting to be shot - all their riders needed to do was ask and off they would go.

They were shut down after the easy mile, but it went without saying that this workout improved their abilities to deal with crowd control without blowing a gasket and just taking off. The speed had been comfortable, a leg-turner, and now they were ready to continue preparing to put in the big races that occurred during the coming seasons.