new beginnings

Nature's Dream, Naturally A Flyer, Calamity Queen, Blazing Kiss

It was the beginning of the new year. The first races of the year were just a week away, and the two year olds had been sorted into groups to work out together. Marissa was aboard Nature's Dream, Sarah on Naturally A Flyer, Stella on Calamity Queen and Blaze on Blazing Kiss. Sarah wasn't feeling right, but she kept reassuring everyone she was fine. James frowned as he watched her mount up on Nattie. Her face was pale, her grip on the reins looked weak - she'd been sick a few times this week, and she was furious with herself after losing where she'd been sure she'd win in the Breeder's Cup. At this point, she was refusing to go to the doctors, telling him she had way too much to do to waste her time there. By now, he was considering pulling her off the horse and taking her there by force.

Sarah didn't look at her husband as the group rode off together at a trot. She knew he was worried, and she was fairly sure she knew why she was sick. But she didn't really want to confirm it or come to terms with it yet. She wanted to ride her new two year olds to win in their first races. The bouncing of Nattie's trot nearly made her cover her mouth. She had to ignore her stomach, and get on with working the filly. This workout would decide who would run their first race the coming weekend.

After arguing with Marissa last night, her sister wasn't talking to her, and rode Nature's Dream, Nattie's half brother, at the front of the group. Stella and Blaze rode side by side, discussing their two fillies energetically, both eagerly anticipating riding their first races. Sarah rode at the back, fighting back the waves of nausea. She regretted the two pieces of toast she'd eaten this morning. After trotting a half lap of the turf track, they moved on into canter. It was a slight bit of relief for Sarah - Naturally A Flyer's canter was delightfully smooth.

The pretty bay filly was out of Sarah's prized turf mare, Simply A Flyer, and by The Natural. Nature's Dream was a chestnut colt out of fellow Hall of Fame mare Dare To Dream, and was also by The Natural. Sarah could already sense the sibling rivalry between the two - they raced each other up and down the paddock fence on a daily basis. The other two fillies were Calamity Queen and Blazing Kiss. Calamity Queen was out of Royal Assault, both of whom they had managed to snag from a sale at Akita Rose Stables. Queenie's sire was Touch Up, making her a half sister to The Devil's Touch. Blazing Kiss was out of Stolen Kisses and by Memorial's Blaze. Blaze was her rider, and had fallen in love with the filly at first sight.

At the mile pole, the horses had reached the practice starting gate. They were trained to load into it from a young age, but lack of maturity still made them hesitant. Dream reared slightly, pretending to be scared. When he was worked by himself, the young colt loaded just fine. But with three fine fillies watching him, he had to put on a show. Nattie loaded second, a fine contrast to her brother. She walked into the gate confidently, with no fuss. Kiss also loaded nicely, and then Queenie trotted in, tossing her head.

A few short moments later, and they were off. Calamity Queen and Naturally A Flyer took the lead together, Nature's Dream and Blazing Kiss followed. Each horse had broken well. Two furlongs in to the mile long workout race, Sarah was starting to feel like she could throw up at any moment. She just had to hold on until she was off the horse and out of sight.. But she doubted she could this time. She closed her eyes and took in only shallow breaths. When she opened her eyes, they had just completed the first turn and Calamity Queen and Stella had taken the lead on their own. Now Nattie was in second, with Blazing Kiss and Nature's Dream still behind her.

They quickly approached the final turn and here was where things began to change. The pace quickened, and as the turn ended the horses spread out and made their runs. Sarah urged Nattie on weakly, doing all she could to hold the contents of her stomach inside. The filly didn't need much urging though, and kept up with the others fine. Nature's Dream and Marissa crossed the line first, then Calamity Queen and Stella. Then it was Nattie by a nose to Blazing Kiss and Blaze. Sarah couldn't hold it any longer. She slowed her filly abruptly and leaped off the thoroughbred's back the moment the confused horse stopped. Leaning over the rail, breakfast was regurgitated.

When she was finished, Sarah sank down to the ground, her eyes watering. Uugghh. She groaned. Nattie whinnied loudly after her stablemates, who were turning back after galloping out. Marissa was first to arrive. What's wrong with you?! she demanded, yanking Nattie's reins from Sarah's hands. She didn't answer. Her head was in her hands, her body was shaking. James then arrived, looking concerned and furious at the same time. She'd lied to him. He helped Sarah to her feet. Come on. We're going to the doctors. He said loudly and firmly. No! I just had too much to eat this morning. Sarah protested weakly. He ignored her, speaking instead to Marissa. You ride Impress, Stella rides Dysphoria and Blaze rides Gloria. Same workout but on dirt.

***

Born To Impress, Dypshoria, Stalker's Glory

Everyone was a bit shocked. Sarah was never sick. What if there was something seriously wrong? They dismounted and handed their horses over to the barn staff. She'll need longer to cool out. Marissa said, nodding to Nattie. Blaze was first to collect his horse. He mounted up on Stalker's Glory, looking excited. Stella launched herself aboard Dysphoria, and Marissa was legged up onto Born To Impress. They headed off at a trot.

Impress seemed to be particularly full of himself today. Why did Marissa always get the ones that were so self centered? Not that she didn't already love Impress. It was just that Sarah had been meant to ride this colt. And if she couldn't ride him, she'd be devastated. After a half lap of trotting, they moved on into canter, until the gate. As Dream had, Impress baulked at the gate, pretending he was afraid. Cue the eye roll. Marissa drove him in with her voice and her heels. Dysphoria loaded second, also putting up a bit of fuss. Stalker's Glory was no different when she loaded in the third gate. Ah, two year olds.

A few moments later, she was holding on tightly to Impress's mane as he launched himself out and away from the gate. As he settled into a normal racing gallop, Dysphoria settled in on his flank, with Stalker's Glory running close behind them. Born To Impress certainly had been born to do just that - impress. The colt's bloodlines were awesome. He was Impressario's son, and Born To Soar's half brother. There was no way this colt wouldn't be amazing. Dysphoria was out of Euphoria and by Axel Rhose. She was essentially a cousin or something to Impress, and they shared much of the same blood. Stalker's Glory was by Bank On Glory and out of Silver Stalker, which meant all three two year olds running here today were grand foals of Bank On Silver.

Throughout the next four or five furlongs, their positions didn't change. Then as the final turn ended, Impress allowed the two fillies to begin their run without him. Marissa urged him on as they drew level with him, but it wasn't until they were a half length ahead that he began to cooperate. The colt put on a massive burst of speed and quickly gained back his ground and then some. Marissa could't help but mouth the word 'wow.' He had a really amazing closing kick. He surged over the finish line a full length ahead of Gloria and Dee, who crossed it nose to nose.

Good boy! Marissa exclaimed, grinning. After a few moments though, her grin faded. She slowed the colt down gradually then turned back in unison with the others. She had to call James and find out how Sarah was..