fiery star

[Ripley Marsh]

Courtesy of Event of the Year Photos

Ripley Marsh and Maggiletti Reynolds skirted the track rail, blue and green eyes toying with their surroundings. They were here to stake a claim for the Risorgimento Cup at Intrepid Racing. One would have a mount this year and next year so would the other. It was already planned out and hoped for. Ripley noted the horses running over the track, watching their galloping forms and noting the strength and passion that bloomed within them. Intrepid horses were renowned for their passion and raw talent. Witch Creek was known for producing rough and ready mounts every single race they were called upon via the toughest preparation. It was only natural to prepare for next years season while still shedding light on a relatively under-appreciated horse.

Well Fie was not going to be under appreciated anymore. Not with her romping victory in the Novizio Derby. The light bay filly had absolutely rolled in what had been, on paper, a close race. But a class drop recently had propelled her confidence beyond anything that existed before. Her form was spectacular and so was her incredible stamina. Her two week break after the Novizio Derby in preparation for the Hyperactive Stakes and Risorgimento Derby had her fired up and on her toes. The filly's strong start in the Hyperactive had her full of herself. She was coming back to a track she loved, perhaps a track she loved more than Green Horse Fields and The Wire. Ripley was beyond excited for the Touch Up filly's next start as well.

Maggie could feel the energy bursting off of Ripley in waves. She couldn't blame the head trainer and owner for her excitement. Fie had stunned all of the staff at Witch Creek off of her victory in the Novisio. The filly had exuded confidence and class with her front running, game changing battle tactic. Maggie hoped her filly, Wish Upon A Star, advanced in a similar way as her older counterpart. She had a Hall of Fame sire, but was not considered to be top of the class just yet. She was literally the underdog off of performances that would have been respectable and amazing any other year. However, she'd run into a wall within her own barn. Red Herring, GS Royal Crown, Cross My Heart, Mastermind and Bella Luna were all beyond grade five and considered top of the class in their respective divisions. Wish was currently honing in on the dirt division, but plans would be conflicting next year for the classic bay filly. Indian Darling would be back, a distance runner on the dirt. Wish would either face Darla or Lulu and she would have to fight to stand out unless Maggie could pick the lock to her talent.

The woman noted the wet surface of the track, pleased that maintenance was doing their job. A hard surface would not be particularly great for either Fie or Wish. Both fillies appreciated heavy surfaces to run over. Both excelled in mud and both were ready to take on Intrepid's quality race track together. They walked back up the sandy surface to where Brooks and Justin were holding their mounts. Fie was being an absolute witch to Brooks. She was rearing and bucking, threatening with pinned ears and slashing teeth. Her black mane slapped heartily against her shining neck. She looked the part of future champion. Rough, tough and ready to roll. Ripley took the reins from Brooks and rapidly backed the built filly up. Her eyes rolled as she marched backwards. Her white blaze caught the sunlight as her head tossed toward the sun. She stopped, nostrils quivering in excitement and pointedly looked at Ripley. She was ready to go.

With a quick boost from Brooks, Ripley was in the saddle aboard her ready horse. Fie tossed her head and proudly strode away along the rail, garnering some attention. Reporters would be interested to see if Fie would produce as amazing a workout this time as she had before the Novizio. And they also noted her company trailing not too far behind. Wish had no business being on the track, but it was noted that the two year old would be the companion horse for Fiery Touch.

Maggie could feel the scorn floating off of the reporters as their gazes flickered over Wish. Just three weeks ago, those same scornful snickers had been directed at Fiery Touch. Times changed at a moment's notice. Maggie asked Wish to pick up her usual classy jog and settled easily into the familiar positing rhythm. Wish had a pure technique for running, similar to what Fie's had been last year and in the beginning of the year. She would stalk easily in mid-pack and wait for her time to make her move. She was Fie's mirror image. Maggie patted the filly's cherry bay neck, smiling when she bowed it elegantly. She was a real charmer.

The woman and filly joined Ripley and Fie on the turn, becoming level with them. What's your plan Ripley? Ripley turned and eyed Wish for a quick second. Fie was calmer now that she was on the move, but still relatively full of herself. The 16.2 filly launched a buck, causing Ripley's attention to return to her. She doesn't need to flash a particular technique today. We still don't have a clue who is even going to be running against her. IRS seems to be keeping the entries a mystery. All our competition needs to know is that Fie is now deadlier than ever. She can close, stalk, lead, miss the break and still be dangerous. Everyone else has a defined style, but she is the wild card. So... to finally answer your question: we won't be doing much.

Maggie felt a little disappointed. She really had wanted to shut the reporters up with a swift kick from Wish on the race track. Wish had never worked in public before, except for her nonchalant beginning with Silver Stride Stables. She was just as much an X factor. Maggie stroked a hand down the filly's shimmering black mane and asked her for an easy gallop when Ripley signaled. If there was an award for easiest to ride, it would most definitely go to Wish Upon A Star. She was just as smooth as glass, easy going and careful. She had the potential to be a rockstar, but was still putting down the necessary roots in order to do so. The filly relaxed into a kind gallop, mouth light on the reins, keeping in stride with Fie.

Fiery Touch was heavy on the hand today. Ripley kept her hands light on the reins, forcing herself to breathe easy. The light bay filly got stronger with every stride, bowing her neck and then stretching it out for more rein. Ripley gave her the necessary length to keep her big body at ease, but would not go beyond that. If the reporters saw how on the bit Fie was, they might be more impressed with that then a blazing fast workout crushing her two year old counterpart. Ripley crooned to Fie, watching as the filly's black-rimmed ears finally tipped back in acknowledgement. Her stride became more amble and in control as they cruised into the backstretch. She wasn't the competitive sort when running alongside another horse. Neither was Wish.

It made for a good strong gallop amid a flurry of action. Wish mouthed the bit eagerly, testing Maggie who was a little surprised. She was getting a little worried with all of the horses running on the inside and outside. Maybe not worried so much as pumped. The woman guided the Everyday Hero filly in closer to Fie, nodding in contentment when she seemed to settle down. She wasn't one to go flying up on the outside all of the time. It made her anxious. She was the cute race horse everyone loved at the barn.

Fie's long stride appeared going into the far turn. She cut the corner more than Ripley would have liked, but luckily no one had been coming up the rail at that point. Fie lowered her form to the ground, neck stretching out and still mouthing at the bit. Ripley moved her hands lower on the reins, keeping her relaxed. She was settling. The big beautiful three year old had a gorgeous gallop stride. It had been the key point that Ripley had been sold on from the get-go. Her intense nature had caused Ripley to fall in love with her every passing day. Ripley let out a hoot and Fie broke from a gallop into a quick bolt.

Wish pulled heavily on the reins when Fie stormed forward. Maggie let her go, happy to feel eagerness in the otherwise collected filly. Her elegant frame careened after Fie, legs blurring beneath her. She stuck to the Touch Up daughter like glue. It felt impressive. The muscles in the filly were pumped up and eager. She was ready to run and continue running. And it appeared that she loved this track just as much as Fiery Touch seemed to.

Ripley nodded in satisfaction as the fillies marched up the homestretch side by side. Both of them were displaying good energy, rock solid stamina and a need for more speed. Neither of them needed a blitzing sprint in order to keep their energy level high. It appeared as though the early training had done its trick. It would keep them in shape while everyone else grew tired as the season progressed. The riders patted the horses' necks as they once again cranked it into the first turn, the clubhouse turn.

Both of them were relatively hard to pull up and it nearly took three quarters of another circuit to do so. Ripley and Maggie's arms were tired from the effort, but it was obviously plain to anyone still paying attention that the Witch Creek fillies coming off the track weren't even close to the same tiredness. Wish even added an exclamation point to the impressive gallops by throwing in a buck next to a reporter. Maggie secretly grinned. Guess they'd gotten a taste of the kick after all.