get to the point

[Ripley Marsh]

Get To The Point
featuring: Wishing For A Heroine and Flashpoint

Laura could not help but appreciate the filly that stood before her. Long, lean, elegant, gorgeous. Four traits that described Wishing For A Heroine to a "T." The Everyday Hero daughter was a stunner, potentially the best looking mare in the older horse string. She was certainly one of the best bred. A four year old now, there was potential for Heroine to become ever closer to reaching that esteemed pedigree. Heroine simply had been unstoppable since her return to Witch Creek in December. She'd knocked off two sensational wins at eight and seven furlongs, proving that her out of the box campaign in both sprints and routes had not affected her. Nor had that break that had only prepared her for her older season. She leaned into the cloth that Laura whipped over her head, eyes gleaming with affection. She'd grown up and now she was less energetic. Her relaxed nature was part of the reason why she was becoming so successful.

Ripley had spotted the potential for success in the full sister to Wish Upon A Star. Heroine had been even more precocious and quick, more impulsive and a quick learner. Heroine simply had a rider that could get along with her in Laura DeComte. It was proving to be a match made in heaven. The red head hummed as she gave the filly a once over, ignoring the sound of manure landing in wheelbarrows and the conversations amid the grooms and stall cleaners. Witch Creek's staff was bigger than it was last year. The barn was becoming large with all of the imported horses. Rumor had it Ripley would be cutting back on imports, but Laura though hell would freeze over first.

Brooks looped the blue wraps around Flashpoint's legs with quick and efficient movements. The Flash Limits colt was finally stepping up to the plate, just in time for his half-sister Paranormal Hunter to retire. That one was headed for the Hall of Fame while Flashpoint likely would never receive that dubious honor. The bay colt had been campaigned like a sprinter at two and three, despite constantly pointing out that his heart was not quite into it. Ripley had made a deft choice in the beginning of January, switching the now stallion from sprints to routes. And wouldn't you know it, Flashpoint was now riding a two race win streak in long distance races. There was the potential for big races now that a whole new world had been opened for his Moose.

Confidence back up, Flashpoint had been doing his best to outshine the horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He could hardly control himself, bouncing around with expressiveness that no one had expected. Moose had become grace itself as an older horse. Two wins from Grade One and Flashpoint was well on his way to a high quality season. Brooks hadn't been this excited about an older stallion in a long time, not since Freeze's final season. Brooks patted Moose's neck, glanced up when Ripley emerged from Divided Notion's stall. The blaze faced horse peeked over the partition, ears pricked in Ripley's direction.

"When are you going to stay away from the horses finally?"

Ripley grunted, patted Moose's neck. "Only when I'm in the hospital giving birth."

Brooks rolled his eyes, but leaned over to give the woman a kiss on the cheek. She sighed and his irritation with her vanished on the breeze. "What's the orders, Captain?"

Ripley patted his shoulder and walked by to take a look at Heroine's legs. The filly had come out of her race with a little bit of a soreness, but had recovered quickly. Her gallops had been strong of recent and her breezes had been solid enough to get this serious training done and enter her. Heroine needed a race. She hadn't been able to comprehend the lack of training or the long days of stall rest. As a result, the mare had been just as bubbly as Moose. Her ego was too big for her own good and it would be great to get the high amount of energy harnessed. Heroine danced away when Laura joined Ripley at the mare's head. Both women shook their head at the flighty creature.

"She'll be fun to ride today," Laura snickered. Ripley hummed in agreement. "Most likely."

She turned to include Brook's in her next statement. "A five furlong workout will be fine. Nothing blazing fast so that they're staggering at the end. I don't expect Moose to run with Heroine the first couple furlongs, but I want to see them head and head down the line. Aim for 1:00, but slightly less than that would be fine."

The riders nodded and mounted up while Ripley headed outside. She tucked her hands neatly into her pockets, gazed down at her belly. She didn't mind not riding, but she could hardly wait to meet her baby. She wanted the clunky pregnancy feeling to be gone. She wanted to be able to walk around and avoid the patronizing gaze in the male eyes and the awe filled look from the women. It was frustrating for a woman so used to personal seclusion to be at the center of attention. Attention was only welcome when she asked for it like the modeling, the media stints for her runners and for the fans. Ripley soaked in the warmth of the sun, lifted her eyes to watch Coveted Faith and Artemis' Glory gallop energetically down the homestretch under Mal's watchful gaze. Next year those would be her primary runners, her big super stars.

Heroine and Flashpoint separated to go around Ripley, each horse eyeing the woman respectfully. Heroine's flightiness had resulted in Ripley knocking some sense into her on more than one occasion. The mare had never quite forgotten the rounds on the lunge line. She daintily stepped down the path, ears flipping around on her head as if she wasn't quite sure where to focus first.

Flashpoint jigged down the path, knees lifting high and shoed feet clipping the ground in a quick-footed rhythm. The Flash Limit's stallion ducked his head as they hit the level point in the path, playing with the bit. Brooks could feel the running high come over the horse. There was no doubt that the horse was getting stronger with every race he ran. No one could keep his head out of the clouds. Brooks stood in the saddle the moment the horse hit the dirt, let him step into a swift jog. He snorted with every stride, nostrils flaring. He tossed his head, his first notice to Brooks that he was irritable.

Heroine loped gracefully alongside Flashpoint's blazing trot. Her head was tipped inward, keeping watch on the fired up stallion. Laura kept her hands at the mare's neck as Flashpoint was finally signaled to move into his canter. He leaped into the bridle, ears pinning and head snaking in Heroine's direction. The Everyday Hero gal pinned hers right back, accepting his challenge and bolted. Laura released the reins a second before they would have choked the dark bay back. In a moment, the thoroughbreds were soaring through the first furlong up the backstretch.

Flashpoint finally conceded the lead to Heroine, dropping back and allowing the leggy mare to take the lead by a length. Brooks let the reins out a tick, guided the stallion just outside of Heroine's haunches. With a great sigh, Moose settled into his long stride, ears pricking up in relaxation. Brooks was sitting in the captain's seat now. Heroine was a moving target that Flashpoint would be more than capable of conquering.

Laura let the reins fly through her fingers, letting the horse run on a loose rein. Heroine was moving like a champ, each stride perfect and effortless. The flighty filly was all grace in her workouts and races. She became a focused runner with a great head on her shoulders. Laura's eyes sharpened when Flashpoint moved up to Heroine's barrel in the third furlong heading for the turn. The bay mare reacted with a slick step up in speed. Her ears fell back, eyes lighting up with competition.

Brooks was only mildly surprised by Heroine's rebuke. He'd changed his opinion on how easy the work would be based on how easy she was moving. Obviously, she wasn't too out of shape from her late December runs. Moose had easily made up the ground, now lingered at her side at the top of the stretch. Brooks tightened his grip and chirped to the stout horse. Flashpoint rushed to run head and head with the tall mare. Heroine glided over the dirt, daring Flashpoint to give her more fight.

Together, the pair rolled through the stretch, tails tangling in the furious wind they created. The riders were still as they cruised through the wire in a handy :59 2/5. Moose still did not get the better of Heroine in the gallop out, signaling how well Heroine had maintained her fitness over her break. The riders praised their horses as they pulled up, smiles spreading over their faces. A perfect workout for the first week of the new month.