Post by Cavallo on Oct 16, 2012 22:32:01 GMT -5
[/B] The two had been unmerciful in the jabs, but Nick just simply couldn't resist the black three year old.
Nick...this colt creeps me out. Kyle watched the sedate black three year old being led from the barn out past the new track. Kyle attempted to keep a firm hand on FS Mockingbird. The four year old chestnut eyed the younger black colt. His competitive side was on overdrive, but oddly enough he was keeping some distance between himself and the leading black.
Nick turned to look at Admiral. The three year old was a rare War Admiral x Flight of Fancy son, pure IR bloodlines....pure gold...if he ran the way his siblings did. The colt walked next to Nick, his thorns plastered against his skull, but his motion was compliant and yet...his eyes were dangerously cold. Like two black obsidian stones, his eyes flashed something, dark and foreboding...mystical.
Nick wasn't having a single issue leading the black, but there was that restless sense in him that had his guard up...though Admiral hadn't done a single thing. He'd groomed and tacked without a bite, nip or hassle. It was just eerie. To have such a calm, Admiral son...and yet...not.
The horses never challenged or bothered Admiral. He didn't fight with the other colts...didn't need too. His presence was enough. Nick nodded to Kyle...
Yeah...Admiral is ... um...different. He said warily, but his eyes spoke of love for the colt. He couldn't help, but admire the sleek flowing muscle, the well-toned legs and packed haunches. This was a colt that would catch anyone's eyes. This wasn't even mentioning the colt's commanding presence and he didn't ask for attention...quite the opposite actually. Admiral was a colt that liked his privacy and the only reason he ever seemed to willingly come when called or tacked up was because he knew it meant running.
Nick had been breezing the colt and the pair had bonded quite nicely. Michael and Kyle had ribbed Nick for taking up jockeying another horse. So much for retirement and just training!!!
The colt had been reclaimed two months ago and Nick had been working him getting him in shape and forming a 'bond' with the colt. PFFFFT. A bond....if that's what they wanted to call the relationship they had. He was almost 100% convinced that the black colt could race with a sack of potatoes on his back and it wouldn't make a lick of difference to the colt....but then again...the colt was that good. He was cold, calculating and never carried away in the heat of a moment. He knew which leg to race to ensure his best chances of success.
Success. Was one thing that Admiral loved. He loved racing and he loved claiming the brief attention he was due after winning a breeze or race. He relished his 5 minutes of focused attention and pats and then like a door slammed shut...he was once again a social hermit. Nick had been puzzled at first by the colt and then he just had to accept that that was simply the way Admiral was. Unique. In every aspect.
The pair approached the gap of the old Wire track. It was like ghosts still lingered and Kyle shivered. He eyed Nick's mount with a wary eye, as though any moment the black might turn around with red glowing eyes and attempt to trample him to pieces. Jay picked up on Kyle's anxiousness and cried lightly, dancing sideways and then balking until there was more distance between him and the black. Nick turned and shook his head.
Hey...no breaks! We haven't even started yet! He chuckled as he pulled down the foot irons and hoisted himself into the saddle. Admiral stood like a living statue, waiting quietly for Nick to situate himself. Kyle shook his head and mounted, muttering to Jay in the process, Yeah...he creeps me out too. He shook his head and pushed the chestnut out onto the dirt track. Jay loved the dirt and as Kyle pushed the stallion, he sensed some of the tension and anxiousness leaving his mount. Running was something that was straightforward and he knew his job. He'd just claimed a 2nd place on GHF and was looking sharper as the season progressed. Nick was hoping for some G1 wins soon for the Oddside son.
Nick watched as Jay and Kyle set about warming up and he clucked to the black. Obediently and confidently Admiral put his long legs into motion. Towering at 17 hands high, the black colt had the appearance of a black dominating shadow wraith. Nick settled the colt into a rhythmic canter and then he felt that flash of fire from the colt. Running is what Admiral lived for and it was the one place where you could see the passionate light flare into reality from the depths of his eyes.
Nick smiled as he took the colt for three furlongs, he felt the colt's stride becoming like fluid fire; He was a dream to ride - a silky smooth stride that fired in rapid succession. This colt knew his business and he was disturbingly good at it.
Admiral locked onto Jay up ahead and Nick gave him more rein. Like silk he smoothly eased his way up upon the older horse and soon settled beside the Graded Winner stallion. Nick looked over to Kyle and nodded. They'd take them like they'd discussed before hand...4 more furlongs, all in.
Kyle nodded and let Jay out. The chestnut shot out like a flame shooter, glad to be away from the eerie natured rival. A front runner through and through, Jay was completely at home in the lead. Kyle peeked to see how Top Admiral had responded to Jay's blinding get away...He peeked and...nothing. Shocked he turned to his right and sure enough right on Jay's haunches was Admiral.
The black colt had instantly matched stride with the four year old and was tactfully cruising a neck behind Jay on the right. Kyle couldn't believe his eyes. How was it possible that this maiden horse was keeping pace with his seasoned G2 mount?! The implications were nerve wracking. The two furlongs progressed with no change, but Jay was growing frustrated. He wanted the black colt gone...now.
Kyle eased his hand up on Jay and the chestnut was all to willing...finding another gear, he kicked forward with a punch, eyes set on the finish....the win...and distance from this nuisance creepy colt.
Nick smiled and gave Admiral his head, like a rolling tidal wave, the colt plunged ahead, his silky hot stride only growing faster and faster as the wave of motion came crashing down on the chestnut....and then rolled past.
Nick stood in the stirrups and reined back the colt. Admiral arched his neck in a powerful display, as Jay came trilling and bucking down behind them. Kyle had his hands full, but brought the stallion down eventually...only to see the statue of a colt glaring at them.. His dark cold eyes had a fading fire to them as he took in his diminished foe.
Jay's auds laid flat locking onto Admiral and Kyle felt the stallion gathering himself for an attack! Quickly, he pushed the chestnut on and they went to take a cooling lap. Nick chuckled and slapped the colt's damp neck. He'd done better than anyone could have hoped for and had just schooled one of his top racers.
He thought quickly about the maiden Admiral had coming up. In the field was going to be some experienced and talented horses. It looked as though from the field that Admiral would be taking the lead. Nick wasn't too concerned, Admiral was fully matured and developed and this wasn't his first time on a track with horses. The past three years...his entire life he'd been prepping for this. Barely Legal was the most experienced horse in the field with nine starts. She ran as a closer. Beyond Perfection ran as a front/preceder and was the second most experienced horse with four starts and then there was Akumabelle who ran as a preceder with three starts.
They were all more experienced, but that didn't mean they were more talented. In his favor Top Admiral was more mature and the freshest horse. At three years of age, Admiral was in his prime, fully developed and determination embodied.
It was going to take work, but Nick just felt something about the black colt....he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he had a guess that this colt had greatness lurking within his dark glinting depths.
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