Post by creativecause on Aug 1, 2015 12:41:41 GMT -5
Finishing Strong
Andrew Martin and Chatoyant
So, some confidence had taken some serious hits in the past weeks. Tayo's less than stellar performance in the Red Wine Sprint hindered the whole staff of Grayson Meadows quite a bit. But nonetheless they were finishing what they started. Although there had been thoughts of pulling Tayo from the Triple Sprinting Crown, everyone had decided against it after one very long and rather inspiring speech performed by Tanner Grayson the morning after the disappointing run. Every run was experience for Tayo and he was far better equipped to handle Sun King and Silent Snap now than he was a few weeks ago. It wasn't a matter of he wasn't fit enough or fast enough to catch them, he was but it was more that Aaron Evertt was a bit skeptical of throwing him into races where a single misstep, or a single mistake could destroy Tayo.
However, after some very quick works and high energy she was slowly convinced that Tayo wanted to run. He wanted to win, it was just a matter of getting him there. He had a drive deeper than that of his competators, everyone knew he could beat them because he'd done it before. The distance was longer, it would hinder Silent Snap but strengthen Sun King. Tayo preformed rather well in the longer sprinting distances so it would help him as well.
"Don't kill him Andrew, take him easy and then let him go around two furlongs." Aaron called to Andrew and he gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up before warming the colt up.
Tayo kept his excitement down and pranced a little, not in a bad way of course. He had always had such a great self control about him that made him such a nice ride. He could be scared censoredless but he wouldn't buck you off, he was always taking care of his rider. A rather admirable trait in trail horses, perhaps when he was done on the track he could become a trail horse alongside his stud career.
Andrew cut his princly colt loose, allowing him to have some of his head as he flew down the track with nothing but the wind in their faces, the sound of Tayo's hooves and their joint breathing. They worked as one, rather than just rider and horse. They were a team, a rather lethal one at that too. Andrew pushed Tayo faster as each furlong ticked by and soon they were flying into the stretch. Andrew was marveled at the colt's sudden change in attitude and ability. He was hitting his stride again, and the sheer power the colt had after sprinting a full three furlongs was rather impressive.
Rounding the final turn and into the stretch, Tayo caught sight of Hadley upon Frost and tugged at the reins. Andrew held him steady until they hit the stretch and let him fly after Hadley on Frost.
The earth trembled in the mere presence of Tayo, and the drive down the stretch was a impressive one. He hit his passing gear and fired down the lane to catch Frost, which he did in just a matter of strides. The stallion was more than happy to leave the older quarter horse in the dust, which is exactly what he did. Tayo began to open up, two, four, five lengths on the wire and still gaining.