laugh away [open]

[flatcreek]

Austin Smith & Rocket Away, Josh Passit & Laugh It Off

Austin made his daily walk to the broodmare barn to see his favorite horse, Laugh. To his surprise, he saw Josh and John standing by her stall, tacking in hand. Upon hearing his footsteps, Laugh pricked her ears and nickered, while John turned, saying, "Get Jenna and wait outside the barn. I'll be there in a few minutes." Austin, puzzled, turned and walked to the main barn, where Laugh's two year old daughter, Jenna was. The black filly stuck her white head out of the stall when she saw him. "Hey, sweetheart. Ready to go run?"

Austin pulled her out of her stall and soon had the filly tacked up and ready to go. Her groom, Adam, gave Austin a leg up and he walked the black outside to where he was supposed to wait. Josh soon appeared on Laugh in her racing tack. The mare was acting like she had before a race when she had been in her prime. She wasn't in the best of shape, but she was still lightening fast, racing with London in the pasture every day. John cleared his throat, bringing Austin's attention away from Laugh to the trainer. "Go a half mile, all out." He said, then walked away. Josh and Austin looked at each other, then walked the mother and daughter to the track.

At the sight of the track, both horses started to jump around. It had been years since Laugh had last set foot on a track and she was excited at the sight of it. Jenna herself was excited, plus feeding off of her dam. The two riders cued their horses to gallop once they were on the turf, horses springing forward instantly. Laugh settled into her long, steady strides, her daughter's much longer legs carrying her alongside her dam.

In the distance, Austin saw a horse, which was unusual, since it was very early for works. He called over to Josh, nodding at the other horse. "Who's that, do you know? I can't see from here." Josh frowned, looking at the horse. "I can't either, from this distance."