Blue Jean Boy
Devilishly Charming
Serengeti

It was a day for sweaters, hot cocoa, and snuggly blankets. Instead of those comforts however, icy damp mist, foggy breath, and frozen toes were had by all. Not normally an early riser, Isabelle was up anyway, ambling along on a heavily pregnant with twins Dynasty. The barn favorite was now showing her age, and Isabelle had a new gelding in training to be her runaround pony. Legs around the very wide barrel, Isabelle curled her fingers in the soft, warm mane of the mare. Nodding to Bryce who was sitting on the track fence, her former jockey was determined to make a success of his first full crop of juveniles. Snuffing into her scarf, Isabelle smelled the rich aroma of coffee as a mixture of NDM employees gathered here and there to watch the first true, full workout of the sprinters.

With high knees, a plucky bay colt half trotted and half scampered from the barns. Dynasty let out a nicker at seeing her son, Blue Jean Boy. He whickered back, and very nearly snatched a cup of coffee from a groom who wasn’t paying close enough attention. Ears straight up and alert, the cheeky colt slowed down just a touch when his rider, new jockey intern Benjamin Pitt, spoke softly to him. Isabelle knew, as she could see his mouth moving, but not hear his words. She was still evaluating the young man, so far he seemed to have such a gentle way with horses it was hard sometimes to really see if he was actually riding, or just going along with the horse. The results were clear though, his mounts were performing well.

A loud snort and a flash of black tore Isabelle’s eyes to the track. Cantering almost silently in the still mostly dark morning towards the group was Devilishly Charming. The huge colt snorted again, his reins held tightly by Evander Thorne. Isabelle was very pleased and content to watch this one from far, far away. Devi was a little devil, and had been around the track already in a light warm up. He didn’t seem at all as if it did anything for his energy level, as Evander had to keep him moving at all times. There were a lot of expectations holding on this boy – only time would tell if he’d live up to him. So far speed was not his problem, it was staying under control.

The two colts were moved towards the gate, as Londyn Graham quickly caught up on Serengeti. The pretty filly was the first of both parents to race with NDM, and was a bit of an unknown for expectations. Her tongue was lolling out, which gave everybody a laugh as Londyn worked hard to keep the filly moving in a straight line. She generally did much better when racing, but had proven to be quite an awkward, gawky thing out in the pasture. She tripped on who knew what, but recovered nicely. Londyn gave Sera a small circle to collect her up while the two boys were being loaded. BJ happily took into his chute, where Devi required four grounds helpers to shove him in. Luckily this day nobody got kicked. Sera scooted in, bumping her nose on the front bar of the chute. Her jockey got her back a step so her neck didn’t squish up.

Along for the ride today was the palomino track pony Fantasia to help round out the group. As an older mare, she still could push forward some early speed with the sprinters. Holding her breath, Isabelle sat up straight, prompting Dyna to prick her ears. Everyone’s attention was on the gate, Bryce had his timers ready, and with a crack the bell pealed. Tasia and Devi both took off in the first snap of the doors. From the outside Tasia took the lead, travelling over towards the rail but set out one horse wide. Devi came up fast behind, scooting his nose in at the rail pushing up on the hole Tasia’s jockey had left. BJ was racing in third, but briefly looked to his mom as he passed her. Sera took up the back, her legs all working together for once.

The short six furlongs would go by fast, and Isabelle eyed the pack with her binoculars. Tasia’s speed burned out, and as expected she slowed up, letting the three true racehorses take over their race. It had worked out just as Isabelle had hoped, she gave the three newbies a good pace and got them going. The jockeys began to move up their rides, Devi eating up the ground with enormous strides as he happily took the lead. BJ and Sera bunched up closer together, sitting behind the black colt. Benjamin kept BJ alert to his job, the fellow looking very happy to be running. Devi on the other hand looked sour and determined, Isabelle wouldn’t want to be near his teeth if he lost this one. A rush of goosebumps went through her as the trio blew down towards the last furlong, the anticipation of who would win rising.