Crisp Autumn Air

Annie (Alesana) ridden by Jake
Heroine (Heroica) ridden by Sandra
Wonder (No Wonder) ridden by Sam

The crisp, morning autumn air nipped at the Thoroughbred's warm skin, only exciting them more. The two chestnut fillies trotted side by side. One, a leggy two year old with a white strip down her face called Wonder, pranced sideways, pulling on the bit as she looked around the track with an eager expression.

The taller chestnut filly beside her, seemed utterly content. Annie trotted along with good manners, looking eager but contained. Her jockey seemed almost bored as he posted to her stride.

A little farther behind, a tall gray filly followed called Heroine. At 17.2 hands high, she was a force to be reckoned with just standing near her. Her stride was enormous, and it didn't appear as if she was actually trying. Her small ears were pinned against her neck and she looked in utter disdain at the two chestnuts that accompanied her.

Minutes passed and the trio met up at the ten furlong marker. Each filly snorted- one with excitement, the other with discontent that the others were so close, and the last one snorted just to fit in- and bustled slightly. Each pulled slightly at the bit, eyes bright- though Heroine glared at the two chestnuts on either side of her.

On three, called Sam from aboard Wonder's back.

One.

Wonder snorted and threw her head, trying to gallop through Sam's hand but thought better of it before she got a stride in and only succeeded in bouncing slightly on her hind legs.

Two.

Heroine eyed the other two while her blond jockey reached down to grab mane. At once, Heroine's ears flew back and she bulked up a bit, backing and threatening to rear.
Quickly, Sandra let go of the filly's mane, muttering under her breathe as he pushed the filly back up to stand with the others.

Three!

Heroine and Wonder dashed off at once, both trying to seize the lead and causing a quick pace as they duked it out. They raced neck and neck down the back stretch, both desperate for the lead but neither jockey wanted to run them before the finish line was even in sight.

Behind them trailed Annie and Jake, who was late to break but was perfectly content behind the battling fillies. She tried to keep pace with the two fillies, but found it difficult at such a fast pace.

Eventually, Heroine's large stride won out and Wonder gave lead just as she began to enter the turn to home. The pace held, making Annie struggle to catch up and Wonder angry for giving the lead. Heroine seemed fine with the pace though, her long legs ate up the ground with, what appeared to be little effort. However, carrying her large body around was having it's toll.

Around the corner they flew. Wonder was at Heroine's flank and Annie was at Wonder's heels, finally catching up and starting to sprint to pass the two.

Though all three fillies were tired from the fast pace, they all flew for home. Their legs flying and blurring as Wonder caught stride with Heroine and was racing neck and neck with her. Neither filly seemed willing to back down as they flew for the wire, their noses dipping ahead every stride.

Annie flew from behind, dashing around Wonder's flank and slowly creeping up to pass them. Her strides were fast and long for her small stature. Jake urged her on, grinning slightly.

They flew under the wire, their heads choosing the winner.