Post by Cavallo on Sept 24, 2012 22:20:02 GMT -5
Coming in fourth behind higher grade horses couldn't be a situtation for Nick to be upset about...but that didn't change the fact that he wasn't amused in the least Apollo Bear's performance. Leased from ARS, he felt a responsibility to their affiliate to work the colt well. Olio's twin, Arachne, had just won her third race and was on the brink of breaking into G4. So he knew talent wasn't the reason the colt wasn't performing.
Nick stared at the black colt, while he watched Kyle tack him up. The colt needed a confidence booster and so today they would work him with none other than his twin...Arachne. Ara knew how to push her brother's buttons and Olio never failed to respond with a raging determination and it was this determination that they needed to develop.
Olio nickered to Kyle. The two had seemed to hit it off really well. Nick was glad that Kyle was back up on an Augusta daughter...he heard nothing, but grief when he'd assigned Arachne to the new jockey in the barn Jeff Saunders. Speaking of which, Nick looked at his watch and poked his head out the barn doors....sure enough the black bay filly and Jeff were doing their warmups on the track.
Come on Kyle...finish him up. Jeff's waiting and warming up Ara already. He walked over and helped his little cousin with the final touches. Go ahead, mount up...I'll lead him. Kyle nodded and mounted the black.
Nick led the colt and willingly he followed. As his eyes laid upon the track, the black colt grew eager and more aggressive with the lead, but Nick kept a firm hold on. The turf waited, but before Nick released the colt, he turned to Kyle to give instructions.
Ok Kyle, warm him up first. Don't let him go after Ara yet. After you finish your warmup, Jeff and Ara will come alongside and then take them both for three furlongs. I've instructed Jeff to make sure Olio wins. He needs the boost and we can always use an aggressive Ara... Nick teased about the filly and Kyle couldn't hold in his chuckle either.
Releasing the lead from the halter, Nick slapped the black's rump and the duo shot off in fine fashion. The turf was fine and springy beneath the black colt's irons. Kyle felt his mount and gauged his emotional state. He felt the tension in the reins, the tight coiling action of the colt's contraction and expansion. He was hungry, eager and ready to fight. He'd caught wind of his sister and knew a show down was about to take place. In the race upcoming, Olio would be the sole front-runner with Mizadori running Mid-field and A Royal Legacy and Carabella running in the back...this would mean they would have the whole field to run as they pleased with little pressure. A good thing. So when the closers came they would be ready.
A Royal Legacy was the youngest horse in the field, but he would be confident coming off of a win from Week Two. The colt was definitely one to be aware of though in the final furlongs...along with Carabella, though Nick was certain that the filly hadn't been out as much and was still getting back into the swing of racing. She had two thirds and would be looking for something more, but Kyle knew that they wouldn't just hand her over the win and lead.
No they would all have to fight with Olio's fierce nature and determination and refusal to be dominated...yes they needed to make sure Olio was bringing his A-game...
Kyle felt the tension and tightness of the colt begin to flow more rhythmically and he knew...their warmup was soon at an end. As if on cue there was the thunder of hooves as Ara pulled alongside her twin brother, her eyes dancing in mischievous remembrance. This was the little brother she'd been pushing around since they had been born. She eyed him with an overlooking eye, as though suddenly bored.
Olio thoroughly offended snorted and veered slightly, bumping his sister's shoulder slightly, jolting the filly from her cocky reverie. Ivories bared she attempted to take a nip at his neck, but Kyle simply kicked Olio and the black colt shot off , leaving Ara to bite air. Enraged, she tore after her brother. Jeff just smiled and let Ara run her race as she closed the gap swiftly and ran with determination against her brother. Olio glared, but maintained his speed. He wasn't about to let his sister push him around.
For two furlongs they ran and the pace just kept getting faster and faster, but neither horse was willing to break. The final furlong close at hand, Kyle looked to Jeff and Jeff caught the look. With two yards left, Jeff pulled Ara slightly, enraged at his interferenace she tossed her head loose and pressed forward with a defiant surge.
Feeling the sudden charge and bid from his sister, Kyle felt Olio found another gear and counteracted his sister's charge to sweep the win. Kyle heard a blood-curdling scream as he turned Olio to face his sister, brining him down with a struggle, but nowhere near as bad as Ara and Jeff. Kyle slapped Olio's nape as they watched Jeff and Ara take off at another canter, a cooling lap for the murderous filly.
Nick leaned against the rail and motioned for Kyle to head over. clucking to his mount they proceeded to approach. You two ran a good work. How's he feeling? He rubbed the black's sweaty forehead. Kyle beamed. If we run in the front and set the pace. He'll have more than enough stamina to fend off the closers or surprisers. Nick nodded as he looked at his stop-watch. He and Ara ran at a blistering pace too....I think with his new confidence stirred and your guidance....he may very well break out of his funk this race... He pondered his own words and then looked to Kyle with a smile.
Go rub him down and cool him off. Need him fresh for the race this week.
