Turn It Up.

[Cavallo]

This was the beginning of the busy season....the season that all horse trainers and jockeys looked forward to and it all started now. Sitting on six wins...Nightshade was one win from the elusive grade three climb. Nick was hopeful that the Novizio Derby would be the jewel in her crown. They had fought hard this season to be where they where and the black bay filly had taken a month off in preparation for this one race.

Michael led his filly onto the track, as she pulled her head up excitedly. This was her home and she knew what happened on these tracks...Training...and training meant a race. She pranced in place as Michael waited for a breezer to pass by before mounting. There were some unknown faces on the track here...competition most likely, but Michael didn't pay the crowd or other breezers any mind. He was here for one thing and one thing alone; to prep Nightshade for a glorious return to the tracks.

He mounted as the breezer whisked by. Atropa snorted, but bore his weight gracefully, accustomed to the feel and weight of her jockey. Michael eased her out onto the track as her hooves kissed the dirt. She immediately found her footing as she relished the texture of the hard compacted dirt. Atropa never ceased to amaze him. He let her reach a little as he allowed her a loping gallop. She was completely relaxed...and at home. Like a queen surveying her realm, she looked out over the track, bowing her head as they passed other horses. He rolled his eyes, but didn't mess with the filly. It wasn't worth the fight anyways.

He mentally scrolled through the entries as he let Atropa flex and gallop their mile. This by no means was going to be a fast paced race. There were three closers entered with a sole mid-pack runner. Mizadori would be leading the pace and she usually didn't run in the lead, but then again with horses like Fiery Touch and Nightshade facing off in the back...he sighed. There wasn't going to be anyway to predict this race.

It truly could be anyone's game. Fiery Touch was the oldest horse in the field at three years of age. She had more experience, but her record wasn't as consistent as the less experienced two year olds in this field. Fiery Touch had made an amazing comeback. She had been doing well , having run in the Triple Tiara and formed a rivalry with Atropa's barn mate, Arachne. This filly was as hard as nails and had closing power that rivaled that of Atropa's.

The end of this race was really going to be a nail bitter. Then of course there was GS Super Charged. The bay two year old was a son of IR's own TC Winner, Admiral's Revenge and out of proven mare Sonata. He was racing gold. It had taken a while for the colt to adapt to his new home, but it seemed he'd found his stride with his new jockey. He was getting better as the season progressed and it would only be a matter of time until he became a real race leader. Michael knew better than to write off the colt. He too would be running in the back with Atropa and Fie. Three good horses in the back and a mid-packer leading the charge. He shook his head as he rode Atropa around the track. There was no way to predict this one.

All he could do was make sure they were ready. Whatever punches came their way, he knew his filly would know how to fight and with him to guide her, he was confident. Not in a win, but in them. Nick watched Michael and Atropa from the sideline. Having just missed out on the Twilight Stakes again to Allure's rival Sillenia, he was a bit quiet. He had taken the loss hard. He'd been happy for SOPS, but it didn't make the loss any easier. It seemed like no matter what, IR couldn't get the major wins...they slipped through their fingers at just the last minute. He was feeling a bit depressed and almost thought about scratching the filly entirely, but he knew he was just being moody. Michael and Nightshade looked great.

As the pair finished their gallop, he watched with a critical eye as they broke into their gallop. The black bay filly whipped tightly around the turn and charged down the stretch. It was nearly impossible to tell where the filly ended and Michael began. Their form was tight, speed hot...He was being selfish and mopey. Nightshade deserved this chance...this chance to truly compete and maybe win...who knew.

What he did know was that Michael and Atropa had logged hundreds of hours, had done the leg work...they deserved this chance at the Risorgimento Leg.