time to grow up [open]

[symphony]

Selena Hassen and Spirit Line

There was quite a good-sized crowd gathered by the time Lina's race rolled around, all of them fresh and eager to pick the next winner from the crowd. Plenty of people milled about the saddling yards as well, thankfully all being careful to stay out of the way of the busy stable staffers going about their business and leading horses to and fro. Plenty of punters had already passed by the spot where twenty or so King's Park horses stood in cross-ties, some dozing, others alert and friendly to the passing crowds, reaching noses out for a pat. Sonya was in charge of keeping an eye on the crowd today, making sure no one snuck Pioneer any unhealthy treats or tried to cause any of her charges any harm. So far, they had all been quite friendly, some even stopping to chat about one horse or the other.

Lina was being her usual self, of course, only accepting pats from people who stopped to pat Pioneer next to her. It was a little ridiculous - if you didn't pet the slobbery grey colt, you had no hope of touching the pretty little palomino appaloosa next to him - but that was how Spirit Line worked. No one had been able to connect with the filly, other than Pioneer, and so it was a little touch and go as to how she ran.

"Alright Sonya, lets get this filly saddled," Tally called, hurrying over with Lina's featherweight saddle in her hands. The appaloosa was carrying the middle weight in the field today, after a nice performance in her first start to come second. The trainer and groom were an effective team, and before long Sonya was clipping a lead to the filly's bridle and leading her out of the yards towards the parade area. Plenty of eyes turned to take in the shining little filly, her muscles rippling effortlessly under a sleek gold and white coat as she glided effortlessly along beside Sonya. As always, Lina was more than relaxed as they made their way through the crowd, head down level with Sonya's hands, one ear pointed towards her handler just in case and the other flopping sideways. She was cute as a button and hard to look away from, her coat almost glowing pure gold in the morning sun, and Sonya knew her odds would go down just because of her looks.

Even when Selena got on, Lina stayed relaxed, standing quietly and looking around with very little interest as Tally gave her jockey some last minute instructions. There wasn't much to them; Lina didn't care enough to run any particular style, and would respond to most anything Selena asked of her. The jockey felt quite confident up there on the back of a palomino daughter of Spiritway, in the green and gold of King's Park once again. The filly moved effortlessly as the field moved out onto the track and Selena asked her first for a trot, then a canter, turning her down the track towards the gates. Her strides were abnormally long for her height, more like a rocking horse than any other horse Selena had ever ridden, and quite easy to move to. By the time they reached the gates, the filly was well warmed up and more than ready to race; her jockey was feeling pretty confident that they could win this.


RACE DETAILS
Juvenile Handicap; GIII; 2YO ONLY; 1 mile 2 furlongs; Turf

[flatcreek]

Freddy ran his hand over the hindquarters of The Wild Life. The mare would be going out to race later, but for now he was in charge of watching all the horses when everyone was busy with the horses on the track. It was a fairly busy day at the track, many on lookers hanging around the saddling yards. He had just finished talking to a fan of the roan colt, Honored Bravery, who had been asking which race he was in. Freddy had answered the question just as the next race, the first of the Juvenile Handicaps, headed to the gates. 

Stewart tossed his head, tired of all the waiting and was just ready to run. The son of Looking Glass and Sails Abroad hadn't won a race yet, but he was steadily improving. His lat work had been amazing, a half in 47.48, which had been one of the fastest works of the day. Next to the foot was Heartfelt, a daughter of Coursette and Jimmi. The filly was also improving, but she had had a slight bruise after her last race and had missed a work. It would remain to be seen how she would do today. 

Before long, John walked in with the black filly, Everybody Says, following him. She had run well, finishing second to the Ferndale filly Tia Dalma, from what Freddy had heard over the loudspeaker. "Come on, Freddy, lets get these two saddled and out there." Freddy retrieved the two lightweight saddles, handing one to John for Stewart while Freddy saddled Heart. The gray fully simply stood as her stable mate started to freak, until he realized what was going on. Soon enough, the two youngsters were saddled and ready to go. John gave Sarah a leg up into Stewart, then following the suit with Austin on Heart. Sarah was wearing the normal Flat Creek colors, maroon with two white hoops and a whit cap, while Austin had a maroon hat on to tell the two apart. 

The two year olds and their riders were led towards the track, John giving last minute instructions, even though they had been over this race several times already. Once on the turf, they unclipped the leads and stepped back as Sarah and Sam cued their horses into an easy gallop to warm up. 

Gladly Abroad took off in a smooth canter, leading his stablemate down the track. The colt was ready to go, filled with energy as they turned around and cantered to the gates. The green and gold silks were on a horse just in front of them, a palomino appaloosa filly. She looked in good shape, ready to run. Stewart snorted, pricking his ears and looking at the metal contraption that was parked in front of him. 

Sarah smiled, feeling confident in her colt. Gladly Abroad was ready to run today, to show the world what he was all about.