Training for the Triple Crown

Fox getting some training in for The Kentucky Derby
Horse: AS Foxfire
Featuring: bc WhyAskWhy

Story: 

Fox was being entered in the Triple Crown and Antrium was sparing nothing to prepare him. What had possessed Amalie to enter him so early in his career her guardian didn’t know; what could have happened to the shy, insecure little girl who was overly cautious and would never have dreamed of aiming so high? It seemed the Givens boy was good enough for her after all, if he truly was the one who found and nurtured this confident young woman who was willing to take such risks and take on such stress just for one horse.

Churchill Downs was not a place Sou liked visiting and thus she waved her hand in a dismissive manner and sent Freya off to act as secondary trainer and overseer for Antrium’s little rising star. The boys weren’t the happiest that they weren’t allowed to go but the girls were more than happy to enjoy the time together.

Amalie valued having Freya there, not only as a friend that was an expert on unwinding but as a second pair of eyes. Sure, Amalie knew her colt intimately, recognised every rhythm he had, memorised the feel of his strides but it didn’t mean she could see how he looked from anywhere other than the saddle. Freya would come in here, phone in hand, recording them as they passed.

They were joined in their training workout by bc WhyAskWhy, a chestnut colt owned by Birdcatcher Stables. The colt had been described as bull-headed and spirited and Amalie was pleased to have the chance to sneak peak him. He was a handsome looking thing and his strides, although a little lengthy and thus looking slightly odd, certainly carried him well. Normally she’d be intimidated but for some reason she wasn’t. She didn’t watch him carefully, didn’t take notes on his style and most importantly didn’t stress, she simply allowed Fox to run alongside the red horse as Freya stood at the sidelines recording their workout.

Once they’d finished and Amalie hopped off, giving Fox a pat before being joined with her friend.

“How’s he looking from your angle?”

“Still good, though he looks like he’s playing up a bit.”

“He feels a little nervous, he keeps getting distracted too. Then again, I haven’t been training him with the hood on, my bad; I couldn’t be bothered to fish it out this morning.” Amalie shrugged, averting her eyes from the recording as it ended. “There’s a buzz in the air from the impending races. The energy might be effecting him.”

“But not you.”

“What?”

“You’re normally the skitty one, the one to panic and stress. This time it’s our little white colt who’s trotting like he’s walking over hot coals. You sure you’re not hiding your nerves?”

“Not at the moment. I’m sure I’ll be near ill on the day but, for now, I’m alright. Bit... distracted, maybe, but not nervous. Guess I’m just slow in the mornings.”

“Slow enough that you didn’t even comment on bc’s WhyAskWhy running along beside you?” Freya asked with her eyebrow raised skeptically. “Or is that why you were distracted?”

“Um...?” Amalie looked genuinely confused as she finished putting Fox back in his stall. “Have I missed something? Sure, he’s a nice looking colt and if he’s in the Triple Crown he’s clearly a horse worth knowing but I didn’t think there was anything special about him?”

“Really? You’re joking right?”

“No...? Never heard of him, didn’t think he was anyone big.” Amalie confessed. Freya looked at her with a highly unimpressed expression.

“Is there no bottom to your ignorance?”

“Excuse me?”

“He’s from Birdcatcher Stables, that’s more than enough to draw interest! How could you not have heard of them?”

“Oh, I’ve heard of Birdcatcher Stables - I’m dating Harley for heavens sake of have you forgotten that he seems to have made it his personal mission to hoard the lines from that stable? - but I haven’t had any dealings with them nor have I really heard much from their lot since I hit the scene. The first time I’d ever even heard of them was through Harley and that was before we were dating. Sure, they were obviously once quite a big name but now they’re not a stable I’m scared of.”

“‘Once’ a big name, she says, as though they’re still not legends with horses like Lara Croft and  Agent Seely Booth, may he rest in peace.”

“Should I be scared of him?” Amalie asked, getting slightly frustrated.

“No, just don’t underestimate them.”

“He’s in the Triple Crown, everyone here can kick some serious ass on the track. If I were to use your logic then I’m bloody terrified of them all. As it stands, he’s a nice looking horse and I’m eager to note how he does but I don’t feel much interest besides that. Forgive me for showing more attention to my colt.” She jested, lightly shoving Freya by her shoulder.