Young Blood

Chapter Ten: Regression

For a while, that was the seamless fix. Morning running with a partner helped her focus and the antics went away for a few weeks. Up until the first weekend in May, we worked Morning alongside Alfie and managed to fit in two quality breezes that Yuri himself clocked. The veteran trainer seemed very pleased by our rapid progress, mumbling about potentially starting Morning by the end of the month.

Yuri left the first week of May to join Imp in Kentucky. Things at the stable were relaxed in his absence, and I remained until Friday afternoon. Yuri had extended the invitation for my stay in Kentucky since I had participated so heavily in Imp's training up until now. That would mean Adam would be on his own with Morning that weekend, but we were hopeful that Morning could cooperate without me for two days.

Churchill Downs on Derby Day was whimsical. The track was packed early in the morning, and it carried a carnival-feel with it. I had dressed up in a nice black floral print sundress, thankful that the weather in Kentucky was in the low seventies and catered to such attire. Yuri and I watched some of the early race card before returning to the backside to start tending to Imp and all the pre-race rituals.

"You nervous, Yuri?" I asked with a manic grin at some point in the afternoon.

The grizzled trainer smirked, shaking his head. "I'd never tell you even if I was."

Shortly after 6pm, twenty horses were packed in the walking ring across the track. Twenty splendid athletes were about to take the stage in perhaps one of the most important races in their career. Down two stalls, the California-invader, Stellar Ambience, looked calm and collected as if this was a typical day for him. Walking around the ring, the rags-to-riches story, Dog Days, was working up a lathery sweat.

Meanwhile, Imp walked alongside Juan. The colt's muscles rippled underneath a sleek chestnut coat, his neck arched forward to better flex his shoulders. He was a showy horse in the walking ring, and his arrogance made me love him even more. Imp had already determined his capability to win this race. It was good as his.

Once the call for riders up was given and Yuri sent Imp on his way, we made our way for the grandstands. My hands were already shaking as we travelled up a flight of stairs, pushing our way to Yuri's box. Yuri's wife was among the group of people there, all gazing out over the track as the horses made their grand entrance.

The crowd was raucous as the first horse, a colt named Brawn Over Brains, stepped out. The little colt danced alongside his decorated lead pony, nearly unseating his jockey. The cords of "My Old Kentucky Home" began to play. This place was crazy.

My mind could only make out half the lyrics of the song as I kept my eyes on the parade line of horses walking onto the track. Finally I could see the number seven, our Checkered Imp. I could tell the noise was a bit vexing for him, but Imp kept his cool for the most part. Javier Lopez kept Imp calm, and I could see him stroking the colt's neck.

Good, good, I kept repeating in my mind. Stay calm, big boy.

I kept rubbing the palms of my hands together through the pre-race parade. When the horses finally took a warm-up jog and filed behind the gates, I could feel my stomach begin to churn. I hadn't been so anxious since I had gotten into Imp's saddle last autumn for the Juvenile. I was an absolute basket case, and I was sitting in the grandstands.

Yuri reached over at one point, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and giving me a reassuring squeeze. I'm sure he noticed the paleness in my face and my fidgeting. He, too, must've been nervous. He just didn't display it as openly.

Imp went into the gate, no problem. Other horses walked complacently in. Dog Days showed a bit of resistance, but eventually all twenty contenders were in their chutes.