emboldened

[Ripley Marsh]

Emboldened
featuring: Casualty of War & Vagabond

It'd been a tough early season for Witch Creek Stable with very few winners compared to the last couple years. The last couple years of domination had been a result of masterful planning and horses that exceeded expectations. It wasn't that Ripley Marsh had lost her talent, the talent was indeed there. It was that the competition had become so fierce that her horses were facing greater obstacles from all corners, from start to finish. Her three year old colts were thriving on the adversity and had really turned the page from last season. Saintly Touch, Vagabond, Spotlight Pride, Casualty Of War had all knocked off impressive victories in Horse Of The Year quality races. Sun King was likely to join them soon after a run in with some older horses in an undercard race. Ripley's position as a trainer going into the Triple Crown and Turf Triple Crown had never looked better. Never had the women possessed such obvious male talent. Before, the barn had simply relied on the fillies to overcome their adversity and run the table.

Ripley sat with a groan on the bench in the main hallway. She placed her hands over her belly which was currently being mauled by her overeager baby. The kicking feet were doing a number today. She could hardly concentrate and had ordered just one single workout for the day. The rest of the runners could get away with galloping sharp 2 minute miles. That was the joy of constantly running horses. Once they got in form, it didn't take much to keep horses racing fit. It was more a matter of keeping them injury free.

Maggie patted Vagabond's neck, doting on her handsome colt as much as always. He'd done so so well in the Spring Cup, an easy two length victory that would prepare him for a run in the April Turf Triple Crown preps. He would finally show the world what kind of stock he was made of. He was not just the background image for the unbelievably fast Sun King, the gritty Saintly Touch, the powerful Casualty of War. Vagabond was cunning and he would take no prisoners going forward. He, like Casualty Of War and Saintly Touch, needed time to grow into his long gangly legs. So far the transformation from two to three had been astonishing. Maggie looked forward to the day Bond came out a knight in shining armor.

The dark colt snorted as Justin tightened the girth, tail switching irritably over his muscular haunches. Sultan's head betrayed his irritation with the young man. He pinned his ears, bared his teeth, but could not reach the pest who groomed him. Sultan forgot that in a race he appreciated Justin's guiding hands. Or maybe he made the distinction between race day and every other day of his life. Or Sultan simply didn't like Justin on the ground. Whatever the case, the horse was honest in his dislike and because of his honesty, his butt got tied. Justin moved quickly to finish off the job, stepped back to take in the hotblooded animal. Malcolm liked to say the two best looking horses he'd ever laid eyes on were Casualty of War and Coveted Faith. On both counts Justin agreed.

"Time to get to work," Ripley called down the row, her voice fainter than normal due to her position on the bench. It didn't matter for a minute later both Maggiletti and Justin stepped from the stalls with their charges in tow. Casualty of War bared his teeth at Vagabond, who looked right through the colt as if he weren't even there. Today would be an interesting workout. Both horses had strong personalities that only were enhanced in a workout. Vagabond would have to work hard to keep in touch with Sultan as he was a natural closer and didn't like to expend too much energy from start to finish.

Casualty of War, naturally fast and naturally long-winded, enjoyed running from the moment the gates broken. He was an amenable front runner though and definitely could let someone else dictate the pace if they were hungry enough. Brooks stepped out from the office to give both riders a boost into the saddle. Ripley watched the horses stride from the barn, finding no hitch or lameness. The pair jogged off down the path toward the turf course, their movements confident and strong. Ripley flipped an OK sign at Brooks who called through the headset. "Mile gallop, let them do four furlongs starting in the flat. Last furlong will be up the hill climb after the flat."

Sultan was quick to assume command, bolting into a gallop the moment Justin gave the animal is head. His huge strides covered the turf with effortless ease. With ears pricked after the initial burst, Sultan made it known that Vagabond would have his hooves full. Justin sat still in saddle, his arms aching slightly from holding the horse back. Sultan would relent eventually. Til then, Justin was left to rein in the mass of powerful muscle.

Vagabond loped easily over the course, tail floating out behind him like a cape. He could fool anyone into thinking that he was moving slower than he was. While Casualty of War powered through fast fractions, Vagabond's upright motions made him look like he was always moving slower than his harder trying opposition. Riding Vagabond was like sitting in a rocking chair, nice and relaxing. The colt gently mouthed the bit, letting Maggie know he was awake and watching his competition. She leaned close to his neck, her eyes glued to Casualty of War as that colt flipped through the first six furlongs of the gallop easy peasy.

The colts launched up the final hillside with verve, hooves churning up the grass. Casualty of War maintained a solid two and a half length lead at the top of the hill, skimmed down the side of it, eyes sharpening as the goal came into view. Justin kept his hands at the colt's withers as he charged into the flat, ears pinned. He was picture of invincible distance speed. Justin leaned close, listening more than looking for Vagabond. Was the colt finally coming into his own as Maggie had stated after the Spring Cup?

Maggie tapped the colt on the shoulder with her crop, smiled at the response. He increased his speed in a matter of strides, reeling in the Man O' War colt with ease. It would have looked impossible if Maggie had a different horse beneath her. The colt switched leads upon asking and swallowed the ground between himself and Sultan. The darker horse would have turned his head to savage Bond if not for the quick hands of Justin.

The blinkered bay colt and the unwieldy dragon were locked in gridlock through the final furlong. Neither could get the better of the other, a testament to the similar talent. Both colts had grown up and it was time to flash some of that growth. Few could blame the riders, Ripley or Brooks if they were caught grinning after the sensational workout.