Back On The Track

[Deleted]

Kodak Moment & Alexia Harshing
Seattle Sun & Jacob Donovan

It was a wonderful day. Since early that morning a steady sun had beamed down, warming the earth. It seemed a perfect afternoon and certainly it was. Following discussion, the three staff of Silver Stride Stables had reached a decision. They would take there wo older horses and put them against each other. The hope was that they would be able to ready them for there return to the track and get their competitive edges ready. After all, time out could be both good and bad.

In Alexia's eyes, Kodi was a fine example of that. During her second year she had been skittish and immature, she had barely been raced in her third year and now, having found a new home, she would make a return to the track. The thing was that Kodi had changed a lot. She remembered watching the chestnut on the track in the past. She had been skittish, excitable, almost nervous. Now she was calmer, ready to face anything, and didn't even kick up a fuss in the gates like she used to. It was if that one year had caused a great change, though it was surely only that she had matured.

The chestnut mare now walked well beside the blonde-haired jockey, not knowing what would face her on this day. Of course, the mare was aware that they were headed toward the track where she trained but beyond that there was no true clue as to their destination. She tossed her head slightly, allowing air to pull through her red mane, and whinnied out as she saw another heading toward the track also.

That other was the colt, Seattle Sun. A year younger, he had not had the time out that Kodi had. In fact, Sam had been raced this year and had won himself a race. Mostly, his ten-race record consisted of seconds and thirds, but it was hoped that in his new home that would bgin to change. His jockey, red-haired Jacob Donovan, walked beside him cheerfully. He loved the colt greatly, his calm nature rubbed off and it was rare that they had an issue.

As they reached the track both jockeys grinned at each other as they mounted, the best of friends off the track they both had a great competitive streak within them and they didn't go easy even when it was a friend who they were to ride against. This was a competition, and nothing would stop them trying there best on the nine furlong turf stretch which they had decided to race on. It was a distance both horses could deal with, even though it meant that Seattle would be pushing the very upper end of his limits. Pushing him would do him good, and they really wanted to see the colt improve.

First, though, the horses had to be gaited. Matthias Lanning had come down to see the two horses workout and so decied to offer a hand. First was Sam. The colt half-shied from the gate but responded well to encouragement offered by Jacob and entered. Matthias quickly shut the gate behind the bay colt and moved on to Kodi. Unlike Sam, Kodi had no issues with the gate and walked in. As the gates closed she seemed a little impatient, however did not kick up a fuss as she waited. Matt smiled to himself and walked into the stands where he took a seat.

As the gates opened both horses were quick to break, although Sam was slightly faster. Kodi settled just behind him and to his right. The pair of them kept up a pretty steady pace although am started to move away from Kodi during the body of the race. As they rounded the corner both jockeys urged their horses onwards. Kodi quickly caught up with Sam but on this ocuring his spirit spurred him on. The two stayed neck and neck for a while before Kodi broke out ahead, winning by a neck.