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Post by Cavallo on Jul 23, 2012 20:22:47 GMT -5
Nightshade and Michael Landing prepping for Nov. Week 1 Prospect Challenge Cup
Michael led the black bay filly away from the mechanical walker. Nightshade snorted her relief at leaving the metal monster behind. He chuckled. It was funny. Atropa was a dominant filly and was already given to bossing the younger Acantha...who wasn't having any of it, but she was still young and growing accustomed to the mechanical workings of the racing world.
Michael knew that when this filly grew into her own, she would be a fearsome competitor. Michael looked up to see Kyle running his precious Atalanta on the track. The G2 retired mare, was still Kyle's pride and joy. Atropa spotted the older mare and let a shrill cry go, one that Atalanta didn't dignify with a response. Atropa shook her head as if slighted.
Easy..girl. Don't worry, Attie is a snot and one day soon your racing debut will come. We'll show Kyle and Atalanta that they aren't the only stars around Intrepid Racing. At the sound of Michael's soothing voice, the yearling filly quickly relaxed, but still kept her penetrating eyes on the older Attie.
Michael led the filly onto the dirt track towards the starting gates. Atropa eyed the slot, but easily let Mike lead her in. That's my girl. Their behavior training was paying off. In a race, proper behavior could save your horse's energy and shave off time and relentlessly Mike had drilled the young Requiem filly. A track hand shut the gate and Atropa stood solid like a rock. As long as Mike was there, there was little that fazed her. He chuckled to himself. For being such a hard-case, she truly had a soft spot for him...and he was honored.
He wouldn't deny that when Atalanta had been born, he had wanted charge of the Augusta x War Admiral filly, but clearly she had chosen Kyle and anyone else that dared to try and mount her ended up in a short rodeo ride into the dust on their rear-end. But now here was his chance, Atropa's chance...and they had much to prove.
Back in the older days, when Intrepid had been IGS, they had raced champions and owned prime bloodstock, but now they were on new turf here at GHF..Little was known about their stock...their bloodlines and it was up to these current horses to prove the worth of their former glory...and it started here and now...in the starting gates with a growing black bay filly.
Michael rubbed the filly's face and motioned for the hand to open the back part of the slot, easily he backed her up. He had the filly stand and watch as he signaled the track hands to shut and release the gates. It was important that Atropa be accustomed to the loud clang of the gates. The initial ring of metal, made the filly bolt...forward though not backwards and not out of fear. This was a good place to start. Already the filly had associated the clanging with the beginning of a race...
He brought the filly in, but now she was all fired up to run. Alright...alright...but nothing crazy, we'll go five furlongs. Michael grabbed the stirrup that had been tied and pulled it down. He put his weight on the filly and jumped to get enough air to pull himself aboard. Firmly, Nightshade braced the extra weight and snorted while Michael got his seat.
Shall we? He rubbed the filly's neck and she tossed her head, eager to be off and relishing in the attention. To the gates then!
He nudged the filly and eagerly she walked towards the first slot. The track hand quickly shut the gate behind them. Alright girl...break fast...and let's just have some fun... He felt Atropa quiver with excitement..That's my girl.
There was the clash of metal and instantaneously, the young filly leaped forward, daggers scarring the dirt terrain as she flew over the ground like a luxury cruise liner. Michael smiled as he felt the rush of the wind and the thrill of a good run...yes come prospect day, he was sure they would hold their own.
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