Power Play

Power Play
816 words

“Jonny Carboni steps up onto the awaiting scale, combs his hair and places his cap on his head, 97.4 lbs yells out the race official. That is perfect weight for an in the prime jockey whose mount is named Power Play! Number 7 the famed horse that won the Triple Crown in 2008, now 2009 and his season has just begun. I might add that Power Play is the favorite to win. Number 5 Heterodyne, where did he get a name like that, I don't know fans ,but he is the main contender for Power Play. They are mounting up and handlers have got control of the horses, during this time. The jockeys ready them selves. ”

That's right Dick, the jockeys are readying themselves on the mounts , last minute adjustments to their tack, and their positions on their rides. Jonny Carboni has the most points coming into this race. It is still too early in the season to tell who will win overall Jockey of the Year. Jonny and Power Play are so used to each other that he must feel like a feather to that horse. And another thing... “

The announcers voices lulled Jonny into a trance. “I had been here so many times with many different steeds. I feel only raw muscle and sinew beneath me. I know what this prime steed can do.  We both have been practicing for this moment all our lives. It is second nature to us.” After the affirmations, Jonny drifts further in his mind back to the dream! The recurring dream that haunts him day and night.  Where he is no longer kicking the can, No three cans, and then someone is shuffling the cans Power Play was there too!  That damn horse is kicking me in my can all over the place because I couldn't ride him. Wasn't the favored Jockey yet. So I drink and drink and drink but to no avail, the cans are all empty. When I awaken, I am wet with sweat and breathing heavily. The dream explains why, when I awoke from a drunken stupor in Vegas last year, I had a fresh tattoo on my chest.  A tattoo of Power Play! I thought I could own him, or give him a ride, whatever the thought pattern was, I ended up with a perfect picture of the finest horse in the World emblazoned on my chest. A testament to sheer will. I will ride Power Play the entire season and my tattoo will be my rallying flag.  Power Play rears up, jerking the handler and sending me half way off the saddle. “Whoah Power”,  He calms within seconds as the handler  and I get a hold of him.

“Fiesty Boy, this Power Play of yours today Jonny, how you gonna handle him”

“With kid gloves and tight reins just enough to tell him who is in charge ahahahahah!”, Yeah right, the horse could throw me and demolish my chances of ever getting the Triple Crown this year.

“Phil, the handlers are leading all steeds and riders into the awaiting gates looks like Heterodyne and rider, Joey Steel are having some trouble. Joey is in second place overall with points closely behind Jonny Carboni, who rides Power Play today.”
“Thats right Dick and we have all but Heterodyne, Dyne for short, gated as the handler is having trouble getting the horse to calm down. As he gets the gate shut behind him and moves off the field. We ready ourselves ladies and gentlemen the starter should, CRACK, go at any moment, seeee. And They are OFF! inside the group leads Power play around the first turn, dyne is second, and thermal reaction 3rd. Rounding the cornerPowerplay lives up to his name as he accelerates out into the straightaway, Folks the raw power this horse delivers is amazing to see.  In the Straight away the pack is hard pressed to catch up with the two horses who are walking away from them. The lead lengthens by the beginning of the final turn in to the homestretch. How exciting folks there seems to be no way to stop him that Power Play Dyne is right on his tail through th final turn and takes the inside coming out of it. HERE THEY COME, in the Final stretch its Power Play, followed, wait , dyne has caught up and in a rapid burst of speed has overtakenPowerPlay on the inside. its neck and neck as Power Play and Dyne head down the stretch. Its Power, no its Dyne, Power, Dyne. Almost at the line, this ones gonna be close friends, and its , its,... Dyne? Hetrodyne wins the Cup? What happened toPowerPlay? Folks its astonishing the favorite to win has lost and the new reigning champ is Heterodyne.  This has been Dick Powers and Phil Kollins signing off.”