march to war

[Ripley Marsh]

March To War
featuring: Queen's Honesty & Casualty of War

Justin chucked a can of soda into the trash as he walked into the three year old barn, not bothering to hide a yawn. He'd been up way earlier than normal to get aboard The Devil's Hourglass for her morning gallop. The bay mare had woken him up with her ferocious speed and her need to burn the energy off. She was a live wire that Sand Storm mare, stronger than she'd been since before the Turf Marathon, according to Reese. Reese had offered the temperamental creature to Justin because Supernatural's postponed retirement brought her rides up to five. Justin had offered to get on the horse, wanting to get Hourglass back to the winner's circle and bring her glory back. He'd done such a thing with Dazzling Dame and he was more than happy to get on a champion. Hourglass was a champion still, despite a season full of close second place finishes. She was after all the Belmont Turf Classic winner and had made her mark as a three year old in spite of a troubled year.

Justin snapped to a stand still when he finally lifted his gaze up and acknowledged the quartet before him. His eyes passed over the pair of bay horses though, over Laura and settled on Kendall. Kendall Williams had become the bane of his existence for several reasons. One of those reasons was his distinct attraction for the slim girl with the large gray eyes and the soft voice. That was probably the main reason... Definitely the main reason. Her presence irritated him because he could not get rid of the persistent feelings. And here she was, irritating him once again, by grooming his horse.

Casualty of War soaked in the brushing, tolerating Kendall like few others. The large colt dipped his head down and scooted his lips over her pale arm, eyes full of affection. Kendall smiled, delighted with the horse, and petted his thick neck. "No more treats for you Sultan." The colt turned his head sideways at that, wiggling his lips to Kendall's giggles. Justin's nerves grated and he stepped forward, taking the reins from Kendall's hands with a quick snatch.

Laura's eyesbrows shot up into her newly cut bangs, her blue eyes narrowing. She hadn't missed the movement or Kendall's quick flinch. "Why Justin, maybe if you showed up on time, Kendall wouldn't have to tack your horse up. The least you could do is thank her." Justin's brown eyes were filled with heat as he transferred his gaze from Kendall to Laura. Laura was just slightly younger than him, but she'd always had a take charge attitude. "I was just about to."

Kendall didn't give Sultan a pat like she wanted. She didn't give Justin his just desserts. Instead, she shrugged. "Don't worry about it. You wouldn't even have known I tacked him up if you'd been five minutes later." She ignored the hard look from Laura, knew her friend would grill her about this later. Kendall snagged a water bucket and lead rope, careful not to brush Justin as she passed. "I'll be getting Shatter for training if you need me."

The tension crackled as the girl passed through the barn door and vanished. Laura rolled her shoulders, forced herself to let it go and turned to Queen. The bay horse had watched everything with hot-tempered eyes. Like Laura, Queen had a little too much hot air to spare. It was why they got along so well. The muscular filly sidestepped away as Laura pulled her helmet on. Suddenly, she was on edge to get going. She'd been bullish all week in her regular gallops over the synthetic. Laura knew she would appreciate the change of pace, especially when it involved the rolling hills of the turf track.

Justin pat Sultan's neck, climbed the mounting block and swung aboard the towering colt just as Brooks emerged from the office tailed by Ripley. The trainers nodded in approval at the sight of the Man O' War colt. "Boy, he looks terrific," Ripley murmured as she approached. Sultan was their biggest hope for the Canadian Triple Crown in late summer. He had plenty of time to grow up, but he truly was the one horse that could exceed and excel on both dirt and turf. Great hopes rested with this devilish looking animal. Justin didn't feel the burden, but he sure felt the excitement. Sultan was incredible and people were going to start taking notice.

Such expectations did not rest on Queen's soldiers. The daughter of Truth Be Told was virtually under the radar at this point in her career. She'd only run a couple times, winning once and placing a couple times. Races had been hard to plan with the top two year olds at every corner. Now with the three year olds moving on to bigger and better things, Laura fully intended to sweep in with Queen and start racking up some races. The bay filly was just as talented as Flawed Princess and Whipped Cream, more precocious than they had been. And she was bloody quick. The bay filly with the upside down exclamation mark could break like a rocket and not look back. She was the pure front running speed who could go the distance and not take a breather. Tough was what Queen was and she looked only to be getting better.

Brooks gave Laura a leg up, lead Queen out of the barn as Laura adjusted her stirrups. The strong filly snorted, ears pricking in the direction of the running yearlings. Ripley was already in her golf cart by the time Laura was done. She was following the doctor's orders as closely as possible, at least these ones. According to Brooks, she still wasn't taking it easy enough around the horses. This, supposedly, was the compromise. Brooks gave out the orders, "Three furlong work out in the flat. You can go a little quicker climbing the final hill, just make sure you have control at the top. No fliers down that hill."

The horses broke into a jog as they turned toward the hills. Sultan was careful to maintain a proud lead over the stocky filly. The dark bay colt moved with power, shin nearly tucked to his chest and legs extending beautifully. The Man O' War colt truly was the stunner of the three year olds. He had this haughty attitude, this athletic frame. He carried himself with confidence and always appeared float over the ground. The colt pulled Justin out of the saddle, picking up an easy gallop, tail floating high over his hind end. Justin kept an easy grip on the reins, letting the colt stride out, but not giving him too much to do.

Queen's Honesty tracked the large colt with suspicious eyes, her hooves beating quicker over the turf. Laura had her hands in her lap, not allowing the filly to go any faster. She marched up the hill in pursuit of Casualty of War, her breathing coming faster with the excitement. The pair of them crested the hill and spilled over it without a single pause. Sultan maintained an authoritative lead over the smaller filly, his strides purposeful and powerful. Justin had not felt so confident on a horse since Dazzling Dame. The energy within Sultan was unmistakable. Justin patted the colt's neck, letting him quicken through the valley and up the next hill.

Laura gritted her teeth, finding irritation in the fact that Queen could not quite keep up with Sultan. The colt moved with a grace that hadn't existed last year. He moved like a different animal all together. Queen had improved, but not like that. She was quick, but somehow Sultan maintained a confident advantage. The filly launched after him up the final hill, ears pricking as she crested its mass. Sultan did not pause and Laura did not allow Queen to pause either.

Brooks and Ripley kept their eyes locked on the two figures, hands holding binoculars to their faces. Ripley hummed as the horses hit the flat, Sultan maintaining a solid lead under no urging. Queen came under urging by Laura, responded with a new gear to get up to Sultan's barrel. Brooks let out a low whistle, sensing that it was all over for the filly. Ripley shook her head as a similar thought passed through her brain.

With Justin still quiet, Sultan pinned his ears and leveled out into a flat out run. He closed the door on Queen with a shocking turn of foot, putting three lengths between them in a blink of an eye. Queen did not stop though. She ran, nostrils flaring wide and body going nearly parallel to the turf. She flew with all her heart and courage. Sultan simply had more physical talent. Laura did not need to put her filly to urging as Sultan skipped away to a five length lead under the wire. Air whooshed into Justin's lungs in shock as he stood in the saddle and allowed his colt to gallop out.

Ripley's eyes were bright as she turned to Brooks. He had no words, but he smacked his hands together in a single clap.