PEOPLE: Claire Juliette, Melanie Mackenzie, Kirsten Jade & Aaron Phillips
PLACE: Green Horse Fields Track
Posted on July 17 2009
Cause This is a Thriller
thriller night.
Melanie dashed to the stable row at the GHF backside. Kirsten had ordered a night workout series again but this time with all of their racing string and in preparation for the Breeder's Cup. Apparently she wanted to do the workouts in private and the track has been really crowded the past month and getting worse with every morning. It was due to the fact that there were so many huge races going on and everyone wants a look at their competition. The last thing they needed was an accident to happen.
Besides, the Breeder's Cup was two days away and Kirsten wanted each horse to have the days off other then some jogging in the paddock area and lots of hand walking. Each horse would have to work really hard if they wanted to pull off a win in the most prestigious racing series ever.
Melanie hated to work horses at night because she was terrified of an accident but Kirsten was convinced otherwise. She loves to run them at night because she thinks it gets them more alert and more focused on their job. Melanie sighed and made her way to the first horse she would be exercising.
It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark
Under the moonlight, you see a sight that almost stops your heart
Just as she was leaving the stable row with Sugar she spotted Claire holding the reins of Spitfire near the gap. Melanie groaned. She still hated the young bug and did not want to run against her or talk to her. She was inexperienced on the track and it showed. She also had somehow got on Kirsten's good side and had been given some good mounts at Akita Rose Stables when she wasn't even able to pull off any wins. It was pathetic.
Sugar danced at the end of her lead anxious to get running. She had not been worked as much as they would have liked or ran in many races this year and that was partly because there hadn't been much races that fit her distances and level. The filly had a lot of talent and fury just waiting to be released and it will yet. Melanie had a feeling that Sugar was going to dominate in her four year old season.
Claire held the reins of the handsome son of Spitz, a grade one racehorse. Spitfire was the sweetest little colt ever and Claire simply adored him but yet she adored all her mounts she has had since she started working at Akita Rose Stables but yet they all end up for sale. First it was Freedom Calls and next it's Spitfire. She has just not had much luck at the stable by causing some deaths to the horses she loved. That had been the hardest thing ever. It was hard emotionally being a jockey and Claire just wasn't sure if she could handle it.
Melanie reached Claire now and both girls looked away without a word. There was obvious tension between them but they were here to do their jobs and nothing more. After what seemed like ten minutes (but was only probably two) Kirsten showed up at the track with her clipboard in hand.
"Okay you two we better get started. You'll be doing a 4 furlong speed duel, whoever comes out on top does. Be safe though." From the corner of Claire's eye she saw Melanie look at her with raised eyebrows. The woman obviously thought that Claire wouldn't be able to handle the small mock race.
Claire threw her hands up in frustration scaring her mount. "I can't handle this! Melanie whatever your problem is I want to know. I'm just trying to do my job here!" With that she burst into tears. Kirsten frowned and looked at Claire with impatience. "Either get in the saddle and ride or walk out of here and go pack your stuff because I don't have time for this right now. You're messing with your mount with all your emotion." Claire saw Melanie smirk at her from Kirsten's side.
Kirsten was right, her emotion was what was getting in the way of a great horse winning. She was a terrible jockey. She lowered her head and gave Spitfire's reins to Kirsten. "I quit. I'm sorry..." Then she walked away into the night to an unknown future.
Kirsten's eyes could have pierced a hole through Melanie at this moment but Melanie looked back at her a shrugged with her eyes doing the most innocent expression she could master. Kirsten shook her head. "Now what are we going to do? I guess I could ride him..."
Suddenly a dark figure loomed out from the shadows. "Or I could..." Kirsten's face shot up in surprise and Melanie could do nothing other than drop her mouth. It was the same guy that had helped her the other day when she almost fell off Lusitania. Kirsten stared at the guy in confusion. "Who are you?" Before he even got a chance to answer Melanie put her hands on her hips. "Are you stalking me?" The dark stranger burst out laughing. "Should I be?" Then he winked at her. "Probably couldn't hurt." Melanie shut her mouth and frowned. She had no idea what to say.
Kirsten watched the interaction and was even more confused then ever before. He still didn't answer her question. "Who are you?" Kirsten could feel Spitfire shift and she figured he must be getting impatient, which was understandable considering she was pretty impatient herself at this moment. The man cleared his throat and approached Kirsten. When he reached her she was able to tell he was a really good looking man probably in his early twenties. "I'm Aaron Phillips and I've been a jockey for three years now running on tracks in Europe. I've relocated out here and have been scouting out the stables to see which one I would like to work for and I'm afriad you've made the cut." Kirsten crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "I have huh? What makes you think I'd hire you?" Aaron smirked and gestured towards the track. "Because I'm good, I'm strong and I'll never stop bugging you until I've got the job. Even ask young Melanie there, you won't be able to get rid of me." Kirsten looked at Melanie to see that her sister was just staring at the man with an open mouth.
Kirsten sighed. She didn't really have much of a choice and this man could be a lot of help right now. "Fine, consider this your test run tonight and we'll see after that whether you'll be good or not." She handed the reins to Aaron and gave him her hard hat to use.
After repeating the instructions one last time and giving each rider a leg up she took her spot at the rail. Clipboard in hand she studied Aaron's riding style and the way he responded to his horse. He was actually a fantastic rider and Kirsten could see his years of experience in the saddle.
The horses were making their way to the starting point now after a good ten minutes of warm ups. Melanie tried to focus on the horse beneath her but it was difficult with Aaron on the track next to her. She couldn't help looking at him and she knew that Sugar could sense her distraction and almost got away with running off this evening. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. This is why she did not date or get bothered with men.
Aaron sat light in the saddle and tried to get a feel for the horse beneath him. He could tell that Spitfire was a calm and easy horse that most have gotten babied with his last rider. Well that is over now, being babied obviously didn't work so now Aaron was going to do what it takes to get the colt fired up. He was a two year old after all, show some spunk!
And they were off in running now with Melanie and Sugar in the lead. Spitfire ran calmly and comfortably behind them. Aaron bit his lip and shook his head. The horse was obeying his every command, not asking for anything more. Suddenly Aaron tightened the reins and caused Spitfire's head to push against his chest. He was slowing way down and shaking his head to try and free it. Aaron kept it nice and tight. Once Spitfire would be angry enough he would fight harder.
Finally Spitfire had had enough. He yanked his head free. Suddenly realizing the competition that had gained much ground he took off in pursuit. Now Aaron could feel the colt's need for speed and the need to win. Come Breeder's Cup day the colt will be ready.
Cause This is a Thriller
thriller night.
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes
You're paralyzed
While the two cooled their horses down Kirsten ran to get the next horse to get worked. It was one of her mounts and a good one at that. She saddled the gray miler and thought about the man who just rode for her. Would he be a good addition to their crew? Probably. He seemed to know what he was doing on the track and he rode well. He actually seemed to bring out the best in the horse he had to ride. Kirsten had never seen Spitfire fight to run like he did towards the end of his workout.
She could work out the details later but she was pretty sure Aaron would be coming to work at Akita Rose Stables. Right now she had a horse to take of and to work. Like A Cheetah was a four year old veteran. He has ran in some pretty prestigious races, winning the 2008 Kentucky Derby and the Breeder's Cup Sprint last year.
As she made her way to the track she thought of who Cheetah would be running against in the Breeder's Cup Mile. There was Once Upon A Dream, an excellent filly racer that ran in the triple crown against Secret Miracle and did very well in it. There was Gorgeous George, a turf star from Green Horse Stables. And finally, Point Away from Riverwood Acres... another horse that ran in the triple crown this year. All were very good competitors and Kirsten had a feeling that Cheetah would have to work especially hard to win this race. There was one thing for certain = this race was run on Cheetah's favorite distance and surface so he should be very strong in this race.
Once at the track she mounted the stallion before the gap and made her way towards the turf track. Cheetah was acting very jumpy and spooky tonight but that had been expected. He did not like night, he did not like shadows and he did not like the silence that was sending a chill up Kirsten's spine.
Suddenly Cheetah stopped in his tracks and stared with fright at some shadows moving off to the distance. Kirsten followed his gaze and shook her head. "It's just Melanie silly!" And Aaron... Kirsten pulled the reins to move the stallion to face the track so he can start his workout but he didn't even budge. It was as though he was paralyzed in fright.
After ten minutes of coaxing Cheetah finally responded by twitching his ear towards her. Kirsten was almost ready to panic, she had felt like her cute little Cheetah had been turned to stone. Eventually piece by piece Cheetah began to regain composure. Kirsten urged him into his warm up routine again just to make sure that he would be able to run fine.
Once he was good and limber and more relaxed she let Cheetah move towards the rail and set him loose. He responded immediately and set off as though he was breaking from the gate. It was fear that pushed him, fear that made him full of power. The stallion was ready to fearfully take on the competition for the Breeder's Cup Mile.
Cause This is a Thriller
thriller night.
You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight
Melanie stood at the rail holding the reins of Lusitania and watched Kirsten work with Like A Cheetah. The workout had been extremely long and Melanie and Lusitania were getting anxious to get up on the track. It didn't help the case that Aaron was leaning against the rail watching her. He was just so cute! "Do you need me to hold you on her this time? Like how many times am I going to have to save your butt?" Melanie narrowed her eyes at Aaron. He may be cute but he's full of himself. She had no response for him though and cringed as he burst into laughter.
Melanie slammed the helmet on her head and moved towards the rail. She wouldn't even bother to ask Aaron for a leg up on the beautiful chestnut mare. She hated to be humiliated. In no time at all she was on the track and making her way into her warm up routine. She tried to block out Aaron from her mind and concentrated instead on the tough race that Luci was going to have to run in a few days. She would be running once again against her twin sister, Euphoria. She would also be running against Admirable, an experienced mare from Kingfisher Stud and Santana a three year old that ran in the triple crown this year. All three mares will be tough to beat and any one of the four could win the Breeder's Cup Distaff.
Lusitania has been running really well though and Melanie was hoping that the mare would be able to pull off the win. She had just won the Everyday Hero Memorial Stakes and reached a grade two level. Melanie was proud of her racing mare and was hoping for many more wins to come their way. She could pull this off, she just had to pull this off.
Melanie moved Luci towards the inside rail and let her into a slow gallop. Kirsten had ordered only a light workout today and Melanie was very disappointed. She would have loved to run through the night on her favorite mount at a high speed. Lusitania was a seasoned veteran of a racehorse and Melanie didn't see why she couldn't run a little faster. She would be able to with stain the pace, wouldn't she? Just as Melanie was about to let Lusitania loose she remembered what had happened last time she disobeyed orders for a light exercise, Crooked Fire had lost the triple crown.
She shook her head. She couldn't do it. She had to obey this time, she would not let her selfishness ruin her chances at winning a big race ever again. She only loosened the reins a little more to let Luci pick it up to a smooth ground eating gallop. The air was still as they made their way twice around the track. They were going to win the Distaff even if it kills them.
Cause This is a Thriller
thriller night.
They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side
As Melanie worked Lusitania at a slow gallop on the inside of the track Kirsten worked on getting Speed Demon warmed up and ready to run. The fiery colt was anxious for a real challenge. Anxious for a difficult win. The Breeder's Cup Sprint might just be the ticket to the award that Kirsten and Demon have been seeking for the past two years, Best Sprinter. Each year the title has been snatched from Demon's nose by his ultimate rival, Flying Colours. This year was thought to be easy but it had not been. Younger sprinters have risen and pressed Demon for a win.
The colt normally had a fiery racing personality that any owner/rider would love. He just was entirely determined to win. He would be needing that determination more than he knows. He will be running against two great sprinters, With A Snap and DT Jupiter. Snapple was a five year old stallion from Stride of Perfection Stables and has been winning many sprints this year and it has made Demon very furious. Demon was supposed to be winning all these sprints and lately he had been beaten by an old horse and a young filly. What were the odds?
Lusitania moved off the track and Kirsten moved Demon in. He would be doing a quick two furlong sprint to keep his sprinting speed exercised and to give him a little edge going into the race. She loosened the rein and allowed him to etch forward into a solid gallop.
As they reached the fifth marker Kirsten prepared herself for the speed that was about to come in just one furlong. Kirsten always loved to ride Speed Demon because she loved the speed that sprinters always gave from the beginning of a race right until the very end.
It was time to let go and Kirsten urged the three year old colt into a full racing gallop. Her hair flew from her helmet as the colt air made her eyes water. The two furlongs were up way too soon and Kirsten had to stand and attempt to stop the fiery chestnut colt.
Demon tossed his mane and stuck his nose forward as though to beg to race some more but it was time to stop the workout. The good news was that Demon was ready to run and win the Breeder's Cup for the first time in his career. If he wins this race the title of Best Sprinter for year seven was almost guaranteed to be his. A title he deserved year after year.
Cause This is a Thriller
thriller night.
Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour was close at hand
When Kirsten dismounted she passed the reins of Speed Demon over to Aaron and switched him for the reins of Fleet Goddess. Kirsten ran her hands over the saddle and checked the girth. "What you don't trust I can saddle a horse?" Kirsten glared at him rudely. She did not like attitude from her staff. Aaron threw up his hands and started back towards the stable row.
She led Goddess over to the mounting block and saw Melanie watch her from the back of Jazzman. Kirsten shook her head and sighed. It was getting really late, almost midnight and they still had these two horses to ride. There were supposed to be three more but Kirsten is too exhausted to bring them out, besides all three of them could use the night off.
She started moving Goddess through her warm ups all the while thinking about her competition for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies. The field was a big one and full of amazing fillies. There was Smarty's Dream, Cute Italian, Fatal Attraction. Sophie Might and a Night Stalker baby, Silver Stalker. Kirsten was hoping that Goddess would be able to pull off a huge upset and win over the field. It's not that Goddess was a long shot it was just that the other horses were talked about so much more.
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller...
Melanie moved with Jazzman's gait, happy that he was her last ride of the night. He was acting a little bit calmer than normal and Melanie was extremely surprised because the colt was normally really high strung. Melanie did not relax completely though because she knew that if she did she would most likely be sitting on the track in pain from being thrown off his back.
Jazzman would have to be real sharp to win the Breeder's Cup Juvenile. the Juvenile races were usually always tough and this year was no exception. He would be running against top two year old Bank on Glory from Green Horse Stables. He would also be running against Confianza, No Snow Angel, Radiance and Contessa's only foal, Kenzington from Kingfisher Stud.
Just then Kirsten rode over on Goddess. "Changing the plans, let's have them run against each other. It's been a long night." Melanie nodded in agreement and followed the juvenile filly towards the inside rail. "So four furlong breeze?" Kirsten grinned and nodded towards Melanie. "Sounds good."
She urged the filly into a gallop, without waiting for Melanie and enjoyed the feeling of practicing at night. Both juveniles were going to do great. They had the talent and the attitudes of true champions. Goddess tossed her mane and kept an eye on the competition beside her. It was as though she was showing off in a way to say "you will never pass me!"
Melanie felt Jazzman start to tense up and she held the reins firmly in hand to keep him from bolting. He did not like the idea of a filly in front of him. They were reaching the starting pole and Melanie let the colt run for the glory. He was ready for any competition to come his way.