Post by Cavallo on Sept 17, 2012 20:57:04 GMT -5
No one knew this chestnut colt better than Nick Landing...minus Melissa, but Whitebrook had mysteriously disappeared and the G2 champion fell under Oddside's contract. Nick had picked the chestnut four year old up two weeks ago and he had settled in wonderfully.
The chestnut was rearing to go and he did a little crow hop as Nick pushed the giant chestnut. Jay was the same age as his half-brother, Firebird, but lurked a grade above his brother. Nick could already see the competition flaring up between the two chestnuts. He smiled...maybe this in-house rivalry was what both would need to keep them sharp this season.
By far, Jay was the most experienced horse in the field with major wins to his name. He'd won the Wire Finish Cup Dirt and placed in the Breeder's Cup Classic. The distance of his upcoming was marvelous and the field gentle enough for his first re-entry race for the year. The field was made up so far of Lusitania's Solider and Lucky Silver, both horses being run under the Star Thoroughbred silks...though if Nick had heard correctly, Lucky Silver was simply on lease from Dreamvalley.
In a field of three, Jay was the only front runner and the other two were closing. Nick smiled at the thought as he clicked to the chestnut, encouraging him into a canter as they continued their warm-up around the track. Jay was in fine form. His pure corded muscles rippled in a display of strength and power. His mouth chaffed at the bit, as saliva flew through the air, his excitement mounting with each yard that passed.
They would need to run this race tastefully. With two closers in the back they'd have to watch their back in the finish...but at least there was no way for Jay to boxed in...he could run the way he liked to...in front and free to set the pace. Nick's arms bulged at the amount of strength that he was having to use to keep the stallion in check. This was a powerhouse kind of horse. Jay tossed his crown slightly mid-stride. He was hungry for more and fought for his head, but Nick refused to surrender to the horse and eventually they continued their warm-up in a state of respect for each other.
These warm-ups were crucial to the bond they had established and Nick wasn't about to undo the respect he'd earned from the stallion by giving in to his every whim. Satisfied that they were on respectable terms, Nick eased the rein a bit and the chestnut willingly responded. His lead changed as he flew into his unadulterated run, auds pricked in bliss and attentiveness to his rider.
The dirt flew in a fine spray, but Jay wasn't minding in the least. Nick thought carefully. The very fact that this was Jay's first race this season might put them as the underdogs, but Nick was rather hoping that the competition would overlook them. Let them think Jay an unproven four year old...That would only be to their advantage.
With blinding speed Nick fed the chestnut more rein and let the colt fully extend, his body rippling in the flow of motion. To Jay, running was as natural as breathing and he was more than pleased to be doing what he knew how to do best....run the competition off their feet and prove to them all that he was still as edgy as a cut diamond...and diamonds never lost their edge...they had stood the test of time and Jay was living proof of that.
