Post by creativecause on May 21, 2014 9:45:54 GMT -5
Show em' all
Chatoyant and Andrew Martin
Pleasant. The word Andrew would often use to describe the differently colored gray colt. Tayo was a very intelligent colt, with eyes that would swallow up his surroundings like a sponge. Andrew knew he liked something about the colt from the first time he rode him a few days after Grayson Meadows purchased the colt. The colt was mystifying, with a darker pigment on his face than that of the rest of his coat, he wasn't roan though. He really was a horse of different color, that is, by every standard that Andrew could think of. Steve had placed him on Tayo with hopes that the colt would respond well to him, the pair seemed to hit it off pretty well from the start. However Tayo seemed like one of those horses that any jockey could pop on and figure him out, and if they didn't know how to ride him, he would tell him.
Being by a grade 1 sprinter, a lot had been expected of the colt. Having raced 3 times in his career, he finished in the money in two of the efforts. The other was a 4th place finish in his very first start against tougher competition. Andrew was hoping that the two month layoff wouldn't affect the colt too terribly, he seemed to be doing fine though.
gHe had his work cut out for him, but there was on reason why he couldn't beat her. The filly was a front runner, and a fast one. All Andrew would have to do to guide the colt was push him a little faster to make the filly exert herself and they would be golden. It was a somewhat risky way to ride, but Tayo would be up for it, Andrew seemed to be able to make him do pretty much anything he asked.
The plush dirt cushioned every step the 16 hand colt took as the pair made their way to the gate in the early morning haze at the wire. Andrew had been instructed to arrive early by Steve, so they had the fog covered track all to themselves.
Tayo loaded easily into the gate, the colt never put up a fuss about anything, it made Andrew like him that much more. The gates flew open, Tayo didn't shoot out like a rocket, no he got off to a more average start. However, the colt was soon running comfortably with Andrew piloting him in the irons.
The track was literally silent, apart from Andrew and Tayo's breaths, and Tayo's hooves striking the ground. Not a bird was heard. Wisps of vapor rose from their nostrils, more from Tayo's obviously.
Nearing the far turn, Andrew let a little rein out to give the colt more of his head to run with. Acceleration happened just moments after he had released some tension, still allowing Tayo to run against the bit. About half way around the far turn Andrew released another notch, and Tayo lengthened his stride, ready for the stretch run.
The home stretch came quickly, and Andrew pushed Tayo to go faster. A tap to the rump and the horse took off like a rocket. Dirt flew in his wake, staying in the air for several seconds before, falling back to the earth due to gravity.
The gray flew past the wire, allowing Andrew to ease him. Two months may seem like a long time, but the colt was ready to put on a show.
“Show em' all Tayo, show em' all,” Andrew patted the colt's neck.
