All Her Own

Next Stop->Home

~John~
The next day, I went over to Taylor's barn, even though I knew she wouldn't want me to work Theworldisahead today.
"Hey Taylor."
"Johnny V, hi! Umm...I don't want you to work her today."
"I know. I just came by to ask you if you were planning on running Theworldisahead in the Preakness, because if you aren't, I need to find another mount."
"If I said yes, would you ride her."
"I'm not an idiot. Of course I would!"
"Then the answer is yes...But you can't tell anyone. I don't like the media swarming around her. If anyone asks, you're working Joey."
"Sure, by the way, when is he running again?"
"The Pimlico Special on the night before the Preakness."
"Perfect timing. Guess I better get my butt to Pimlico, then."
"You bet."
After patting Theworldisahead and rubbing her nose like she liked it, I left. I didn't feed any horses, because I didn't want anyone to ever get suspicious and think I was increasing or decreasing a horse's chances of winning. Not that I did.

~Taylor~
Although I had been indecisive about the Preakness for Theworldisahead, after assuring Johnny V she was going, I made up my mind for good.

Theworldisahead was shipped to Pimlico the day later that day. I wanted to work her and loosen her up as soon as I could, and I saw no reason to train at Churchill any longer.

The day after her arrival, Theworldisahead went 6 furlongs in 1:11, just where I wanted her. She loved this track, and both Tag and I knew it. It was good to see Joey, too, after being away for more than a month.

As the week went by, I could feel the clock ticking. 3 days before the Preakness, the day the post positions were picked and the field finalized, was my filly's last hard work before the race, meant to keep her on her toes and prancing (that's exactly what she did). I had her gallop LIGHTLY the next day. I also picked up the DRF that morning. There was an article on Theworldisahead...

"Is the World Really Ahead For the Daughter of Animal Kingdom?

After her longshot wins in both the Gr1 Blue Grass and Gr1 Kentucky Derby, Theworldisahead, the rising star filly, has returned to her home base of Pimlico and has been entered in the Preakness. While proving she had no fluke with her Derby win, there is still doubt among many horsemen as to whether she can actually win the Preakness. Her sire, Animal Kingdom, won the Derby and lost the Preakness.

There is also much debate as to her trainer/owner's experience, or lack thereof. Taylor Reinhold is a very sweet young woman who wants nothing more than to have a positive influence on the industry, but she seems to be overworking Theworldisahead. However, her assistant trainer Tag Bailey, trainer of Belmont winner Halfmast (Stormy Atlantic), has let her run the show and doesn't seem to be intervening much, so she probably knows what she's doing.

Although this filly seems to have lots of potential, the field for the Preakness has been set, and it's stacked. Who knows what kind of race we'll get Saturday at Pimlico."

Grrrrr, I couldn't believe it! At least Blood-Horse never said anything offending like that. I took a look at the author and made a mental note to never let that writer near me or anyone affiliated with my stable in any way. I thought I escaped the press, but I guess they're like little kids. The more you try to get them to go away, the more they press in on you and annoy you. The DRF was right about one thing, though; who knew what kind of a race this would be.