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Post by Melissa on Dec 8, 2009 15:21:40 GMT -5
The air had a icey touch to it, and a light dust of snow was covering the grounds. The tractor hadn't been able to do much good on the track so everybody had a day off of being worked. Right now, the sounds of the yearlings romping in the snow were what I was able to hear. Mai's nuzzle was already covered with some snow, and Andorra was galloping freely through it, her tail lifted slightly. Bellefire and Kasimira were standing side by side closer to the fence. A picturesque moment but they weren't who I was looking for just yet, and then I spotted her. Santana. The chestnut mare was still sharing a paddock with Folksong over here near the training barn, even though the bay had retired a few weeks back and was due to be in the court of FS Mockingbird shortly after the new year.
Ana shifted just as the wind did and it blew my scent across the paddock. With a shrill whinny, the pretty mare pricked her ears in my direction. I stepped forward eagerly heading toward her paddock, shoving my hands in the pockets of my heavy barn coat to keep them warm. Song nickered happily as I reached the fence a half second after the two talented racemares. Song's record paled in contrast to the illustrious career the chestnut standing beside her had, but she had given the track her best shot. The bay full sister to the champion Classic winner GS Gallant Prince with wins in her last two starts in addition to being a grade three racer. In her, I had always seen the potential, and she'd proven it.
"They really love you." A voice behind me said and I turned around to see Gabrielle walking toward the fence, her hands deep in her pockets. "Yeah, you could say that." I shrugged, and rubbed Santana's muzzle. "She is going to be a amazing broodmare." Gabs said, gently stroking Folksong's neck. I looked over and said, "Of course Song will, she's going to be bred to some top racing stallions." I answered confidently, fluffing up the mare's forelock before fishing a carrot out of my pocket. Ana stepped forward, her eyes bright, "There's enough for both of you." I teased as Song's ears went back a fraction at her lifelong companion. Snapping it in four bite size pieces I handed two to Gabs who offered them to Ana while Song crunched on the pieces I gave her.
Gabrielle stared hard at the chestnut mare happily munching on the carrot pieces she'd just been fed. The chestnut Xenophon was nearly a legend, both for her personality and career on the track. "It's so hard to believe I'm actually feeding carrots to one of the top racemares." She said in awe and Mel chuckled in amusement, brown eyes dancing even in the winter's chilly air. "She had an exceptional career, that's for sure but at least now I'll be able to stop worrying about her when she's at the track and I'm not." and Gabby nodded thoughtfully. "Hey, want to head out on the trails later with me? We can take Abby and Storm."
"Sure." |
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