PHANTOM FIGURES | JUVENILE WORKOUT FOR COVENTRY & NECROMANCER

The harsh January morning air was freezing, the air biting at those who dared to brave it. Not only was it bone chilling cold, but even more uninviting was the track laid before them, thick with a heavy fog - those that did dare grace the track on this early winter morning could barely be seen through the thick grey void. Only two phantom figures could be made out heading towards the track. Necromancer was nearly invisible - a grey ghost among the fog. His workmate, Coventry was slightly more visible - his flashy golden bay coat fighting to make light of the gloomy morning scene. His bright coat wasn't the only one trying to compete with the gloom, as Coven was lightening the mood with his usual cheeky antics. Necromancer's usual deadly demeanor on the other hand, was keeping everyone on edge.

Necromancer downright towered over his short and stocky stablemate. If his mere size wasn't enough to make you weary, his devilish and utterly unpredictable attitude was. Obviously taking after both of his hot tempered parents, Nero was not one to be trifled with. Sired by Breeder's Cup champion and top producer, Tempered Passion, Nero was perhaps his most hot headed and brutish son yet. Perhaps the most hot headed and brutish son of Tempered Passion, he luckily took after him in more than one way, inheriting his sire's sheer talent as well as his ferocious competitive nature. Tempered Passion had already sired multiple graded stakes champions including grade one Passionate God, grade one Foxy Passion, and Kentucky Derby winner, Mourning Passion. Not only was his sire a Breeder's Cup champion and outstanding in the breeding shed but Nero was also out of the grade one mare Supernatural. A force to be reckoned with on the track, Supernatural was one of the top dirt racehorses of her time, winning over thirteen graded stakes. While Necromancer would be only the second of her foals to hit the track, hopes were high that she would continue to prove herself as a broodmare.

The big grey time bomb wasn't the only one with a stacked pedigree however. His smaller, more rambunctious trickster of a workmate, Coventry had an impressive lineage to boot as well. Sired by powerhouse sire, Gallant Knight, who had already proven himself as quite the stud in the breeding shed, Coven siblings included champions such as Bellona, Gala Royale, and Kentucky Derby winner, Gallantry. Every single foal by Gallant Knight had won a graded stakes race in their career with most foals winning numerous. Out of Cry Out Chaos, Coventry is also related to the likes of grade one super mare, Reflected In Water and graded stakes winners Chaotic Limitations, Running Through Fire, and Wraith. Coventry is bred through and through for the dirt and his impressive pedigree even finds him related to greats such as Hall of Fame inductee, Flashy Wings. He definitely has the lineage for greatness. We have extremely high hopes for this young colt - while he may be on the smaller side, he makes up for it in heart and sheer courage, not to mention his ginormous personality.

Sean Courtney braved the dangerous task of riding Necromancer in today's work - he was always the most talented with the young ones but Nero was a bit of a different story. This brute was in his own category of crazy. He could go off at any time, a ticking time bomb ready to explode on a moment's notice. You never quite knew when he was going to blow a gasket - the only constant with him was the pounding of his booming chest as his heart seemed to always be continually escalating, his lungs taking in gallons of air every moment. He was always ready to move whether he was asked to or not. Keeping the giant grey still wasn't really a possibility. You more just had to learn to deal with the fact that his hooves would always be pounding the ground whether in a pawing gesture or in running at full stride. His ears and eyes were wide with the prospect of the workout to come. Not that he could really see anything in this thick of fog.. He more sensed what was to come.

Alexandria on the other hand rode along on her playful young bay. He was tossing his head playfully, chomping at the bit, his ears flopping about. She couldn't help but smile despite the grim expression worn by her assistant trainer. She could tell he was freezing and not exactly enjoying the fact that he was the one that had to manage the grey beast. She would have offered but truth be told, Nero worked better for Sean. Lexi had ridden him once before but that had ended up with him nearly falling on top of her after he reared so tall he nearly flipped over backwards. She had narrowly slid out of that one while Sean had ridden him multiple times with little to no incidents. It's almost as if Nero liked him, if Nero could like anyone. She reached down and pat her stocky little powerhouse. Coven's ears flopped back and then perked forward again - he had taken a real liking to Lexi. Her and all of the other female staff members at Winchester Racing. He was a typical colt, all over the girls and a real character in the barn. While he was always managing to get into trouble, he sure was a fun horse to have in the barn, bringing a lightness to any mood. Lexi couldn't help but adore him.

Beginning their work at the half mile pole, the pair were to complete a quick breeze and then return to the barn to cool down. Coventry and Necromancer had become the quite the workmates. While Coventry couldn't be less serious, Nero ran as if he had a license to kill. Every workout was a race and a challenge to be the best while Coven wasn't all that motivated in his morning workouts. If anything, he was still half asleep and ready for his post breakfast nap - his favorite of the naptimes. The fog was beginning to lessen but they still were just two ghostly apparitions from the grandstand. At the prospect of beginning their run, Nero's senses tuned into high alert and Sean tightened his grip a few inches. Sean had quickly learned that this devil had a hell of a stride and was like a catapult at the beginning of a workout, just like he was out of the gates. He took the lead with little to no demand, charging forward as they began their work. At the sight of his workmate taking off without him, Coven perked up and lengthened his stride, picking up just enough speed to join him. One thing Coven didn't like was being left behind. While he was comfortable following or sitting in the pack, he did not want to be too far behind - kind of a "I wanna play too - wait for me!" type of attitude.

The rounded the far turn and Sean was beginning to struggle with his hold on Nero - the big grey wanted more room to go. Lexi shook the reins to get Coven refocused on the task at hand. He definitely had a habit of getting distracted or not taking his workouts seriously but Lexi had picked up on this early on. She had a technique down to keep him attentive when she needed him to be and that was the main thing they had been working on in their works. Nero charged forward, attempting to leave Coven in his wake. That's when Lexi waved the whip and shook the reins one more time - Coven's cue to go. The flashy bay's ears perked up and jumped forward into a quick and effortless lead change before extending his short quick strides. He began to gain on his workmate and Nero sensed it. Sean's hands by this point were almost useless, his grip tiring from the big colt's pulling at the bit. He lengthened his stride even more if that was even possible and they flew past the wire just before Coven and Lexi could catch the grueling duo. Sean relaxed his grip and Nero flew even faster, even past the wire. Lexi let out the slightest half smile before pulling her own mount up and patting his shoulder. Coven tossed his head appreciatively in a way that almost asked, Is it naptime yet? Sean returned with Nero and the colt still looked as if he could go another mile, his chest puffed and his hooves dancing off the ground. Coven flashed him an almost questioning side glance as he approached before Lexi greeted Sean, "That was impressive - still have your hands? I saw how hard he was pulling" Sean's lips pressed tightly together, his brow ever so slightly furrowed, "I managed. He's definitely something, I'll give him that." Lexi smiled playfully, yeah, definitely something alright.