Post by Cavallo on Oct 20, 2012 0:54:55 GMT -5
Arachne & Jeff Saunders
FS Mockingbird & Nick Landing
The chestnut stallion was consistently being denied the win. He was one win from climbing into Grade one....Grade one..one more win. Nick knew the stallion had it in him. Jay tossed his head as Nick cantered him down the track. Two furlongs behind Jeff cantered the black bay Arachne. She was feisty and well rested since her last leg of the Triple Tiara. Nick had decided to withhold the Determination x Augusta filly from the final leg. It was clear that she wouldn't be up to the level yet of competition, but he felt that she had a good chance in the upcoming Stylisha Derby. It was going to be 10 furlongs over the pristine dirt track here at The Wire. Nick peeked back at Jeff and Ara, he chuckled. Jeff was sure getting a workout.
Jay had a big race upcoming and yet they were still unsure who was all going to be in the field, but Nick was going to make sure the chestnut stallion was ready. The pair breezed around the track, passing other horses and people on the track. Jay seemed to get a thrill out of each horse he passed, as the time progressed the chestnut was becoming more and more exuberant.
Ara was running cool and smooth as her stride became more and more confident. She fought for her head, but Jeff was keeping the hot-head under wraps. Nick turned and waved up Jeff. Jeff let the filly up her pace as she quickly closed the gap between herself and the flaming chestnut. Jay heard the filly's approach and almost bolted out from underneath Nick, but he held the stallion, an effort in and of itself.
Nick turned to Jeff. Let's take them both four furlongs. Jeff nodded and grinned. They made a compelling picture, two fired horses of excellent pedigree and talent. This was going to be a great breeze indeed.
Nick and Jeff smiled and drew closer to their mounts. The air was electrifying. Ara locked eyes with the older graded horse and Jay was quick to return the gaze. Nick fed Jay more of his head. The chestnut took off like a shot. Arachane was one win away from making Grade 4. She had been denied her wins and she was hungry. She was not about to be denied by this chestnut. Jeff let Ara take off after Jay and soon they were running as two parallel tangents. Jay snorted his frustration at the filly's reappearance. She was unshakeable and she wasn't about to be deterred.
The two carried over the track and neither could be shaken....two furlongs was like a blink. One second they were there, the next the pair was entering into the third and there was a steely look in Ara's eyes. Jay rallied though and slowly began inching his nose in front of the younger filly. A look of rage filled her senses. Nick and Jay began to inch their lead, with one furlong left, Nick held the chestnut's charge in check and waited...for the kick. Ara was not about to let the chestnut leave her in the dust. Her determination reached a fever pitch as she fought again rallying. Her dark legs flashed like fire. Jeff smiled as the pair sweeped the fourth furlong, a fine tie.
Nick was laughing as he brought the stallion up. He tossed his head and turned to face his rival. Arachane was hot, she wasn't satisfied with the result and both horses looked like they were hungering for more.
They both look real good for their perspective races. Both are dissatisfied and will be looking to fully establish themselves. Jeff smiled and agree, but was careful to keep Ara distanced from the chestnut. Both horses looked ready to go at each other, but both of the expert jockeys were able to keep their mounts under control.
