The Race
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I was paraded in front of the grand stand. People clapped and cheered, I started to prance and toss my head excited by attention. “Settle Nevie, they aren’t clapping for you. You’re the long shot at 80 to 1. You can’t win this, Windswept Thunder has you beat by a mile before you get out of the gate.” My Jockey said.
Previously I had heard people in the barn talking and scoffing about how I had even made it to this race. They all thought I wasn’t able to hold my own with the big boys when I could barely beat the training runners.
But there was one. One who had the confidence that I could do it. Her blond hair bounced when she came every day before my run to groom me and make sure I had everything I needed. Her blue eyes would sparkle as she would whisper to me about winning all the major races and who I had to beat in this race or that one. I was never able to, the jockeys pushed me hard at the beginning using all my speed early and I could never catch up. I shivered off the morose thoughts as a handler grabbed my lead. “Easy fella,” he said tugging me gently by the rein.
I was known to act up and take a long time in loading into the gate. I jumped forward excitedly hurrying into the gate. “Never Look Back approached and entered the #7 gate without the customary rough housing” the announcer boomed out. I relaxed a little as other horses loaded into the gate. I heard a snort beside me and I twisted my head slightly to look. It was Windswept Thunder, the 2-1 favorite.
“Windswept Thunder enters the #6 gate without a fuss. The horses are in...and they’re off!! Ohh and Never Look Back breaks slow from the gate dropping far behind the pack. Windswept Thunder holding steady in 5th” the announcer roared.
“Come on dumb horse, I don’t get paid if I don’t win.” My jockey hollered out. He laid into me with the whip. I ignored the pain and closed in on the back of the pack at my own pace.
“Coming into the end of the backstretch Windswept Thunder is making his move to first, and Never Look Back running with the pack and starting to make a move. Swinging wide in the turn Never Look Back is closing in on the leaders. Windswept Thunder is pulling away, 1 length, 2 lengths” called the announcer.
My lungs burned, my sides heaved, but I was still running. My head low, neck stretched, belly nearly skimming the ground. “Windswept Thunder is pulling away 5, no 6 lengths, but Never Look Back is running his heart out and still coming on strong” the announcer called. I had to beat him. My eyes fixated on his tail; my legs ran in cadence with my breath. Reaching forward I closed the gap with each stride. “Nearing the wire Never Look Back is running one length behind Windswept Thunder and keeping up. Windswept Thunder is tiring at this fast pace” The announcer hollered.
I couldn’t believe I’m still running. I couldn't feel the weight of my jockey on my back. I didn’t feel the sting of his whip urging me to go faster even though I was already going. I surged with the depths of my strength leaping next to the unbeaten favorite. “Never Look Back and Windswept Thunder are neck and neck approaching the wire” anouncer bellowed out excitedly. I pushed myself harder and faster than I ever have. I could tell Windswept Thunder was having trouble keeping up, but we were still neck and neck. I made a huge lunge as we came to the wire.
“It’s a PHOTO FINISH! A PHOTO FINISH by the 2-1 FAVORITE and the LONG SHOT! I can’t believe it! A PHOTO FINISH!” the announcer screeched out.
I felt a solid tug in my mouth; I slowed to slow canter and circled back towards the grand stands.
“The official winner is Never Look Back owned by 18 year old Jennifer O’Patrick and trained by Tim Torry. Congratulations on your first win!” the announcer called out with astonishment. She met me at the entrance to the winners circle. I lowered my head and nickered. She wiped the foam from my mouth as she whispered “See Nevie, I told you you could”. |
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Jan 13, 2011
• 2,550 views
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Equestri
I enjoyed reading it :)
I enjoyed reading it :)
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Jan 13, 2011
• 2,557 views
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Jan 13, 2011
• 2,546 views
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Jan 14, 2011
• 2,525 views
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Crz4Horses
GREAT! will there be another?
GREAT! will there be another?
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Jan 14, 2011
• 2,544 views
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Jan 14, 2011
• 2,531 views
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EventingToffee
Great story is there another part to it ??? :D
Great story is there another part to it ??? :D
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Jan 17, 2011
• 2,574 views
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Milly
This is such a lovely little story. Is there more too it?
This is such a lovely little story. Is there more too it?
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Jan 30, 2011
• 2,551 views
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T W I
What a refreshingly well written story!
What a refreshingly well written story!
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60 days ago
• 2,527 views
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58 days ago
• 2,526 views
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T E M P E S T
Love the story and great name for the horse!
Love the story and great name for the horse!
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8 days ago
• 2,580 views
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May 9, 2011
• 2,562 views
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