Faith In Shadows; When all else fails

[Melissa]

#1 BC Distaff workout for Faith In Shadows.

When all else fails
and you don't know where to turn
believe in the shadows
for faith may appear
when you least expect it

The darkness enveloped the racetrack like a thick curtain that swirled around the lamps that stood stiffly around the track. Bugs buzzed monotously around the light, the occasional one getting too close and dying due to the intense heat but none of that bothered the stock-still Thoroughbred filly. At 16 hands already and only three years old Faith In Shadows was classy despite the insults thrown at her by the reporters. "Oh she'll never be any good, she's got the odds against her. Why is an establishment like WB putting their efforts into an filly who won't do anything? So what if she is related through her sire to Breeders' Cup Champion GS Gallant Prince that doesn't say anything about what she's capable of or what she can do, pedigree doesn't necessarily mean she'll do anything amazing on the track." Those were the questions and statements I'd heard many times over the course of Faith's racing days.

I pulled out the earphones to my Ipod from my ears and Faith shifted to eye me with slight disdainfulness in her cool gaze at my movements. "Don't give me that look you sassy cutie. It's playing your favorite song." I said teasingly with a bright smile to the beautiful filly, the last few strands of "Party Like A Rockstar" floating out on the silent breeze before the Ipod switched back to the menu. It was a very cool night and seemed more like winter than fall. With each breath me or Faith took it wavered on the breeze before vanishing into nothingless. With a huff of impatientness the bay filly shoved me firmly in the arm and I looked over at the tall filly who studied me critically. "You ready girl?" I whispered softly to the young Determination filly who pricked her ears forward to catch my words.

It was no secret that Faith needed a bunch of work to get into fit shape for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Thank god Moody was sending Tessa to the Classic and not the Distaff, without Tessa I had slightly less to worry about even though Faith being worked was still an top priority on my list of things to do. Moving swiftly to the bay filly's side when she jerked again at the reins. "okay, okay I'm coming." I said softly pulling down the stirrups and vaulting onto Faith's back, collecting the reins snugly as I got settled into the saddle, double checking everything. With a gentle cluck Faith moved out, ears pricked alertly forward.

She felt good and loose underneath me which signalled positive things as she had days where she just wouldn't listen but today's early work looked to be a good one. As we made our way gently along the track rail I let Faith out on a nice long rein as I took in the scenary. There were no newspeople around as I had expected there to be judging of the early time I had brought Faith out. It was just three fifteen in the morning, about an hour before Faith's usual time of being worked over the track course. With Breeders' Cup day fast approaching Faith needed works with no distractions so I'd taken up bumping her workout times in the early morning or in the still of night.

After one circle of the track I brought Faith off of the rail and over a few lanes from the inside gap. Shifting slightly on the balls of my feet in the short stirrups I felt Faith mouth the bit slightly and her tail flicked, muscles tensing in anticipation for my cue to give speed as she continued forward at a walk for a few steps. Half-halting her for just an second, with an snort she tossed her head and jittered sideways in a prance. Whistling softly once and then touching her sides with my heels Faith burst forward. Her muzzle bumping against her chest occasionally as she powered forward. Resting one gloved hand against her shoulder I felt her muscles working quickly beneath my glove. Her dark-tipped ears were flicked back and her tail bounced with each stride she took.

Coming around the far turn I turned her head towards the inside and loosened the hold I had on her reins. Faith stretched out, racing along low and lean with head slightly raised. The wind whistled furiously in my ears as Faith's speed increased as she breezed alongside the inside rail. Flying past the finish wire I brought Faith back down to a canter and then a jog. The bay filly showed some resistance to being slowed down but she soon came down to a gentle jog.