dance again

[Sunfrost]

FIRE DANCER AND KRYSTAL YHATE
RISORGIMENTO DERBY WORKOUT

The majestic bay filly had turned on the rocket boosters to win the Consumato Derby in stunning fashion. Krystal Yhate was still breathless as she had turned to examine their odds for the ten furlong Risorgimento Derby. They were here again, the only entrant to have competed in last year's Risorgimento if she was correct, and Fire just loved this track. She had won the Provetto Derby last year, and then won the Consumato this year, with a fourth in the Risorgimento in between. This was a track the filly appeared to love and she was in fine form to run well over it again.

She looked like a flame on four legs as she came forward, glowing in the morning sunlight. Krystal thought she looked like an artistic horse come to life, painted with fine strokes by the greatest master artist alive. She was beautiful in every way. Krystal rubbed a hand down the curve of her flawlessly groomed neck and then grinned. Vaulting herself aboard, she turned and walked the mare towards the dirt track. The sunlight and peace of the Intrepid home grounds greeted her and she grinned. It was peaceful here, almost as peaceful as SOPS. There truly was no place like home for feeling at peace. Had she been an Intrepid rider, the place would have felt even more peaceful. But anyway....

Fire stepped forward at a good clip now as she the dirt ensnared her hooves. She snorted once, tossed her head, and then was sent off into a canter. She naturally made for the rail, settling into her stride as they carved a path around the first turn. Krystal settled her breathing in time with hers and melded into the saddle as they continued to warm up. This was a low stress workout and Krystal was keen on just having fun in the Risorgimento. They definitely wanted the win, but she wasn't going to get her hopes too high up. They were facing quality competition and riders who also desired this win. They would just have to give it their best shot and then some.

She eased out the liquid flame beneath her. Fire stretched out, pliable as always in her hands. From her position Krystal became only aware of the gradual onrush of wind and speed. Fire was an accelerator who went unnoticed. She hung with the pack during her races and then struck out for the win going around the last turn. She had mastered the art of cutting through the pack by endlessly racing. She could now make openings appear that usually would not be there and she could get through them too. She was rarely a go away winner, usually the horse that just got up there just when she needed to.

They began to gradually accelerate at their gallop towards a full out sprint. Krystal grinned and asked for even more as Fire picked it up, loping and then powerfully flying along. There were no obstacles for them. The dirt they kicked behind them and their hoofbeats on the ground were symbols of their coming greatness. Her conditioning showed as she maintained her pace and just kept running with it. Krystal hung on and then slowed the mare down at last. They were done with about two miles of running, just enough to meet the new conditioning regimen standards that they now had to do for the Marathon. Fire felt springy and powerful. They were ready to dance again.