“That filly looks like she would cut a bitch the first chance she gets,” Carter smiled and turned his head towards his wife, who stood along the white railing of the track with her clipboard and pen in a gloved hand. Evelyn was busy writing workout notes on each of the horses and only looked up when the bright-red filly stepped onto the track with purpose.  

“Don’t let those eyes fool you, sweetheart. She can be a real suck when she wants to be.” Carter couldn’t be more right in his words.  

Crimson Rush was oh-so-intimidating, until you presented her with a carrot or a peppermint, or really any food for that matter. Rush was almost a dead ringer for her sire; she was just missing the little white star that Red Herring sported. Carter was impressed the way the stallion stamped his foals, even the traits possessed by her half-brothers Bold Trick and Red Hot Secret. James got the ride on Rush, and the filly instantly took to him the moment he showed up with an apple in hand. She really seemed to enjoy the jockey’s style and Carter couldn’t picture a better match for the chestnut filly. She was quiet and responsive when James asked her to trot, easily moving into a nice, lofty gait for their warmup. James had a loose grip on the reins, not anticipating anything would happen until Rush suddenly perked up. Raising her tail, she let out an ear-piercing squeal that even made James wince at the noise.  

Crimson helped indicate the arrival of last Catching Fire progeny to race under Firestone silks, whose black coat gleamed in the early morning sunlight. His groom had done a fantastic job getting him ready; it wasn’t easy keeping a winter coat so meticulous. Raging Fire bounced his way across the track, a very obvious pep to his step and he looked like he was having a blast doing so. The colt was pretty much a giant toddler that had an endless expanse of energy that never seemed to burn out. There was a point in time where the staff didn’t think he would survive like his twin, who seemed to flourish and grow a lot faster than Blitz did. Carter was constantly trailering in and out of the hospital for procedures, re-checks and fluid therapy just to make sure the colt would survive. It was a long 6 months but as soon as Blitz was cleared to go home permanently, that’s when Carter and his wife knew he would be something special. Devon was doing a good job of controlling Blitz’s excitement; the colt saw the open track ahead and just wanted to make a run for it. Blitz seemed to settle down once he was beside Rush.  

Namaste was trotting not far behind to complete the last trio of juvenile workouts. Yogi wasn’t anything like Rush, not by a long shot. She honestly wasn’t like any other chestnut mare Carter has dealt with, either. Yogi was very much like a lost dog that would not let you go more than ten feet away from her and if you did, she was sure to make sure you came back immediately. Sammie looked right at home on the easy-going filly, stroking her neck when the filly sped up to try and catch her stablemates. Getting to know Yogi growing up was quite easy; as long as you don’t force her to do something, she will give you her life. Sammie was a no-brainer for Carter to ask to ride the filly; there was something about her style that got along with horses like Yogi.  

The two chestnuts were now side by side but looked drastically different; Rush was a deep red with no white and Yogi was more of an orange sporting a bright white blaze down the middle of her face. Blitz had the most markings of the three, and the lovely splashes of white contrasted against his dark coat with a bright and healthy shine. They all trotted across the track in sync, but it was Blitz that broke out into a lively canter first. He had the stride of a horse that was two hands taller than him, rather than looking choppy it flowed so naturally for the colt. Rush and Yogi weren’t slow to follow, Rush not wanting to let Blitz ahead of her even from the get-go. She pinned her ears as a warning to him, while Yogi ignored her fellow redhead’s words by transitioning into a relaxed canter, ears forward with excitement.  

It was a quick transition into the gallop for the trio; each pair looking like more seasoned horses as they surged forwards in just a few strides. Yogi pressed for the lead early and was easily given it, Sammie guiding her tightly against the rail. The experienced jockey knew exactly where she knew the filly would be more comfortable. Beside her, James had no troubles urging his filly forwards. Rush was elastic in her strides, comfortably taking up the running position beside her stablemate. Blitz trailed the girls, but he really didn’t mind. That was where the colt was the most comfortable and in his element. Within a few seconds, it felt like the colt had kicked into another gear and easily started to catch up until all three horses were galloping in sync.   

There was nothing better than watching horses work together, competitively or not, while looking like they were having the time of their lives. Carter couldn’t help but smile as he watched the trio come down to a walk once their training was complete. It was definitely going to be a wicked year and he sure hoped that his horses truly lived up to their hype.