infamous speed

[Ripley Marsh]

Infamous Speed
featuring: Notorious & Awestruck

The pair of horses in the next set weren't the most well known at Witch Creek. Yet. Notorious had stirred up some ruckus when he had taken down the regally bred World Dominion, a horse that was quickly becoming his arch-nemesis at the track, in the Intrepid Racing Handicap. David Carter was becoming something of a media darling thanks to his recent race record. Ripley warned the kid constantly not to get too involved, too in over his head. Press was good, but not to the point where it became a distraction from racing. Sure David was riding impressively, but he needed a reality check. Ripley kept a close watch on the jock, eyes narrowed as he tightened the girth up and clipped the breast plate to Note's saddle. He had bags under his eyes like he hadn't slept.

In contrast, Reese was the picture of a morning glory. Her skin glowed and her eyes were brighter than bright. She hadn't slept better in a while. She was not under any pressure anymore to keep Bella Luna perfect. She had six horses under her tutelage, the most she'd ever ridden and all of them were flourishing. Another colt had been added to her work roster and his workout would be a test that she couldn't wait to pass. Not even Awestruck's attitude could diminish the light energy that filled her up.

True was truly the most wretched horse to take up. She had an attitude about everything: being tacked up, being groomed, being touched, being looked at. Awestruck pinned her ears at Reese as she hooked the reins beneath the stirrup, attached a lead rope to her head. The Touch Up daughter sure wasn't a friendly girl. Like Note, she made up for it in her performances on the track. She ranked right up there with Enrapture, Uno and Notorious. "Good thing no one has met you, you'd scare your fans away with that bad attitude." The filly switched her tail, glanced away, but Reese wasn't fooled. The powerful bay horse was watching her out of the corner of her eye and her ear was locked on Reese. Sneaky was not a good word for True. She'd come at you all out or not at all.

But Reese wasn't going to test her luck.

David was mounted on Notorious' back by the time Reese and Awestruck appeared from the end stall. Note's small ears pinned to his head at the sight of the bay. The Like A Cheetah colt had stirred up more interest with his incredible last to first maneuver to win at 11 furlongs. Notorious was out to prove that his sire could throw versatility, depending on his match. Acantha, his older half-sister, was the same way: versatile to a T. The lean colt wasn't as well loved just yet, but he was starting to attract admirers with his consistent gameness. David patted the colt's neck in approval as he turned him to the entrance. Ears pricking for the first time, Notorious prowled right on by Ripley Marsh, ignoring her searching eyes.

Ripley hummed in approval. He fit right in with Witch Creek. She could hardly wait to get him back to the track in the Magic Millions Juvenile Turf and beyond. She turned deliberately to focus on the strong filly who marched toward her. Awestruck was a quietly striking horse. She was the largest of the fillies and perfectly tinged with cobalt. Beautiful was what she was. A little wild, but that wildness only enhanced her primitive appearance. Ripley took the lead rope as Justin appeared to boost Reese into the saddle. The woman let her legs hang down the filly's side, worked on keeping herself relaxed. Awestruck had a way of feeling like a ticking time bomb. Unfortunately, no time clock was attached.

True strode after Note, pushing on the bit, but obliging the hands on the two lead ropes. She snorted and tossed her head as Notorious moved from a walk to a light jog. He moved delicately over the course, ears pricked and relaxed. David loved his colt immensely. There was something special about Note. He just looked like a champ. He felt like a champ. Despite his miserable attitude, Notorious came alive when he hit the turf.

Ripley and Justin released Awestruck at the edge of the turf track. Reese wrapped her hands in the flying black mane. True packed a powerful punch with her immediate burst. She was a heavy filly, but her agility was incredible. She could skip over the heels of horses and punch her way through the most minuscule holes. A warrior was what True was. Now that she was rested, Reese was expecting a brilliant middle campaign. The filly was rapping at the door and the media would celebrate her when she truly made her commanding claim for fame.

Awestruck quickly reached Notorious, barging by him and moving into a canter before Reese could even say a word. Notorious snorted irritably, breaking into his canter. He loped over the course, ears flicking back and forth over his head. He was a gradual closer by nature and to accost Awestruck immediately would steal him from his comfort zone. The reins were slack in David's hands as the colt skipped over the course. "Give me the signal captain," he murmured.

Reese did not bother to peek back to keep tabs on Notorious as True made her way through the mile gallop up. She took it easy on herself, not really pounding the ground. Her great strides enveloped the course with a relaxed ease. This was the most confident the filly had felt since she began her racing career. Reese eased down the filly's neck, eyes forward, hands relaxed on the reins. Awestruck's ears fluttered in reaction, but she hardly increased her pace. Reese concentrated on her breathing as the filly glided through the final valley before the hill. The three furlong flat awaited them on the other side.

David could see how easy Awestruck was moving, how still Reese was aboard her. With a chirp, David allowed Note to take off in pursuit. The filly's turn of foot would be devastating against his gradual closer. Up the hill, Note lengthened his stride, pushing impressively off his back end to close within three lengths of True. The colt steadied at the crest, took a deep breath before pushing off down the descent.

True felt the sudden pressure of the colt and hit the flat running. Reese narrowed her eyes, glad for her goggles. The bay simply moved too fast for any adjustments. Reese kept close, impressed by the filly's innate speed. She was such a confident horse and when she got on the lead, she grew bold. It was terrific to find that perhaps True didn't need something to chase. Reese could hear Notorious revving up, knew her filly was up to the challenge of staving him off.

It was going to be a huge challenge. Notorious leveled out over the turf, his giant racing stride swallowing the earth. He David felt the instant quickening, saw the ground fall away beneath the dark bay's hooves. Three lengths had disappeared in the blink of an eye and they were still two furlongs away from the finish.

Ripley's eyes were glued to the binoculars as she followed the duo's powerful run through the valley. Justin held his breath as he watched the filly drop from collected to her immense stride. It was as though she'd dropped a foot in height when Note barged up to her. Her black tinged ears fell into her mane and she became the epitome of an aerodynamic machine.

Justin hit the stopwatch for Ripley, kept his eyes on the pair as they streaked through the final furlong neck and neck. He knew from Ripley's excited look that she was pleased. He glanced down at his watch when the horses flicked through the wire and out of sight up the gallop out hill. "Not too shabby. 10 3/5 for the last furlong. I'd say they're pretty sharp."

"I'll say," Ripley said. "I'm not trading places with anything. That's for damn sure."