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Post by Cavallo on Jul 23, 2012 20:13:55 GMT -5
Day One
Nick led the bay five year old filly to the cross-ties and set about the grooming process. He had insisted that he be Allure's groom, feed boy, rider...everything. It was very important that the bond between rider and horse was firmly established. He smiled and rubbed the mare's star as he crooned to her. It was still early morning, the morning mist still hung in the air and the sun barely peeked over the tree tops that could be seen in the paddocks through the stable doors.
Nick's eye roamed over the filly. She was finely, built with a deep chest, a slender neck and face and round full hind ends. Allure was a beautiful well-developed girl.He ran a hand down the length of her. Allure curious as ever turned her head as far as the ties would allow and nickered. Nick chuckled as he turned back to face her. There was straw everywhere in her mane and tail. You're a mess. Allure bobbed her head and relaxed under Nick's hands.
Nick hummed an old country tune as his hands moved smoothly and efficiently over the bay. If a horse could purr...Allure would have. Nice way to start the morning huh girl? He ran the curry comb and then picked out her hooves. That's my girl... Nick crooned as Allure became more awake and aware of her surroundings.
What were they doing up so early? Nick could almost see the question written in her eyes. Well, my curious gal...you and I are going for a breeze. Nice and early so we can work uninterrupted. She tossed her head as if she understood and Nick shook his head at her antics. Stay here while I grab your tack.
As soon as Allure laid her eyes on her racing gear, Nick saw the fire light up within her eyes and she let loose a piercing whinny. owww...geese you don't need to wake up the whole barn you knob! He chuckled as he set about tacking her up...Allure tried once again to suck in her gut, a foal like antic, but Nick chuckled and tightened her girth strap to the appropriate notch. Nice try.
Nick slid in the bit and Allure rolled her eyes slightly as she explored the bit within her mouth like it was a new play toy. Geese Allure. You are being such a goof this morning. Nick grinned as he led the filly outside to the mounting block as he climbed aboard. Well, I'm glad someone is a morning person. Chuckling Nick nudged the filly towards the track. Eager and willing, Allure swiftly carried them over.
Nick loved this horse. She was so real and personable and easy to connect with and when the time came, she always gave her heart out. Nothing strenuous today...let's just lap the track at a nice pace...today I just want to chill with you. Nick thought ahead to the upcoming Breeder's Cup. The field would be intense and every horse would be tried to their very core....Nick was going to make sure that they had a strong core...and that came from building upon his relationship with Allure. He slapped the filly's neck affectionately and Allure leaped slightly in her excitement before settling back into their warming pace as they watched the sun rise in the east...
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Post by Cavallo on Jul 23, 2012 20:14:29 GMT -5
It was early morning yet again and as sure as ever Nick was already up and about. Nick finished taking up the FS Waylay Attack daughter and led her outside the barn to use the mounting block to climb aboard....he was getting too old now to just jump ad swing himself. He grimaced...sheesh...getting old. The thought wasn't amusing to him...but for Allure...getting older was a good thing. As the season progressed she showed signs of continually maturity and growth.
Finally getting his seat he took the reins firmly in hand. Okay girl let's git up At the words and a slight nudge they were off!
Nick felt her gate, it was stiff...time to loosen the gal up. He asked a rhythmic canter of Allure and she willingly complied. Nick looked about the track and was suddenly surprised. He was sure that he had been the first person up today at Intrepid, but obviously he was wrong because sure enough there was Kyle and Atalanta breezing on the turf.
Allure instantly caught sight of the black bay filly and was eager to be off after her! She tried to make a grab for her bit, but Nick held her in check. Hey...keep your head in the game Allure...you need to warm-up before you go chasing down a horse like Atalanta. He laughed, but was very pleased with Allure's drive and desire for competition.
They continued their trek around the track and Nick felt the tension seep out of her muscles, her movement becoming more lithe and free-flowing. Allure was a surprisingly smooth ride, That's my girl..one more furlong to warm-up...
Nick heard the thunder of hooves from behind and didn't even have to look to know who it was.
So did Allure...
Nick had yet to have seen a horse that didn't rally to Attie's competitive and provoking manners. She deliberately riled up her competition and smoked them in the finish.
Nick felt Allure gathering herself as if readying to respond to the older filly..he was about to check her when he had a brilliant idea. What better way to prepare for the Breeder's Cup than to run Allure against a proven BC competitor.
Kyle looked to see Nick and Allure and simply expected them to go to the outside so they could sweep by in the middle, but Nick and Allure weren't moving.... Attie's eyes locked onto the bay filly in fron of her and she began to gain in momentum. Kyle smiled as if realizing what Nick was up to..
Come on Attie let's give them a run for their money.
Allure snapped out of her "warm-up" mode and suddenly became acutely aware of Attie gaining...everythiing within her screamed to run faster, but Nick held her in check as Kyle and Attie eased up alongside them on the inside.
Nick looked over to Kyle and smiled and mouthed the word "four".
Four furlongs. This was going to prove to be interesting...naturally both fillies ran as closers and so this final furlong was going to be an intense fight...
Head to head and neck to neck they ran..their pace never slackening...in fact it was gradually quickening. Both horses eyed each other. Atalanta's eyes danced with fire..dangerous fire and Allure's gleamed with determination.
Two furlongs left and incredibly still...the pace was upping and so was the intensity between the horses. Neither was going to give an inch. Last furlong insight both rider's gave their horses their heads and it was like an atomic explosion. Atalanta surged forward with a blinding speed, but Allure instantly re-buffed her move...pinning her ears back and throwing herself forward with a speed that rivaled that of the older filly.
Legs churning...turf flying. This brief workout was one of the most intense that Nick had ever seen. But then again nothing could really be done in moderation when running against another horse a whole grade above you.
Both fillies stared each other down...their eyes fixed on the prize as they sweeped past the finish in perfect unision....no voctor here...but no defeat either. Nick brought in Allure first and watched as Kyle fought hard to bring in the War Admiral x Augusta daughter.
Body glistening with sweat Allure let loose a shrill cry to Attie, who was all to eager to answer the challenge. Kyle struggled to hold her.
Kyle! Take Atalanta off! Cool her off now!!
Nick watched with concern as Kyle and Attie went through a battle of wills...eventually Attie calmed down enough to realize what Kyle was asking of her.
Allure pranced as she kept her eyes on her foe ready to take after her and continue their race should Attie attempt to do so...
Shhh..Allure...Shh. There now girl. That was an amazing run. He rubbed the filly's neck soothingly and quickly asked a trot out of her...a cooling lap.
A time to unwind and think about the whirlwind of activity that had just happened.
The upcoming Filly/Mare turf was right up Alluring Assault's alley. The distance and surface were perfect and well-suited to her closer running style. Nick knew that the level of competition was going to be fierce. He'd looked at the few entries already listed and had grimaced when he realized that Terror Smile was running in their field. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in Allure, but when it came to popularity, everyone wasn't saying her name. Terror Smile was a little bit of a celebrity...
But popularity isn't what won race. She would be entering an invitational race the week before. Allure would be more than rested and Terror Smile's endurance would already be slightly under her normal levels. This was something that Nick knew they could use to their advantage. Allure could run a whole 'nother furlong and still be well able to close strong...and she would be fresh!
Nick wasn't sure of who the other entries would be, but he knew that he and Allure would ride their best. Nick had over 12 years of jockey experience and this wasn't Allure's first BC running. She'd placed second before in the Filly/Mare Turf....now all she needed to do was add a win.
Nick felt the rocking motion of Allure. He chuckled slightly as he watched Kyle wrangle Atalanta off the field towards the hot-walkers
Crazy horse. He chuckled and Allure raised her crown slightly into the wind...there was a sense of bliss as each unwound from their sudden escapade.
This filly had spunk that was for sure and they would need all they could get come race day.
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