Alessandra

Chapter 5

How y'all doin! Today's Breeder's Cup day part 1! Tomorrow's going to be crazy. This chapter man, the struggle was soo real! It's a lil short but I wanted to celebrate Breeder's Cup. Black Hatchet on the picture and listen to Run Boy Rub by Woodkid! Comment and vote! I wanna know your opinions!

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The sun shone brightly high above the sky as the colors of autumn became prominent. It has been 2 weeks since we named the fillies and a week since I had submitted the name form to the Jockey Club. My family and I are currently in New York, Elmont to be exact. It's Super Saturday here at Belmont as the crowd start piling up awaiting the main race of the program. Black Hatchet is slated to run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup amongst many other Grade 1 races in the undercard. He's currently the second choice behind Mapping who was the favorite. This is the second time they're facing each other and I guess people were impressed with his Whitney run. Looking at the race catalog, the race wasn't too big but it isn't small either:

P#   PP            Horse                Jockey        Weight     Trainer          M/L

1      1      Camelot Crown     Bo Rod        123            John Lee      5/1

2       2     Alexandria            Will Groux    124             Dan Kneel     13/1

3       3     Black Hatchet      Mike Dixon  124             Shawn Ruth 4/1

4       4     Wild One                Ryan Gill       124            Bill Lutz          15/1

5       5     Mapping                Dale Shaw    126           Drew Smith    12/1

6       6      Spartan                Steve Love    123            Bobby Nix       6/1

7       7      Winterset             Vincent Mac  124            Axel Rios         20/1

8       8      Monoceros             Ron Blue     124             Nick Moore    9/1

The race was fairly even, Black Hatchet's main competition comes from Mapping with the addition of the Derby winner Camelot Crown and Spartan the Belmont winner both facing their elders the first time. I would be lying if I sad that I wasn't a little bit nervous. I approach my sisters who are currently walking Black Hatchet around the paddock.

"How's he doing?" I ask examining Hatchet's movements.

"He's a little sweaty but he's calming down." Leah Informs as I notice his coat glistening with sweat.

"He's just not used to the crowd that yet, remember, he practically jumped into graded stakes races a little while ago. It takes time to get used to." Sarah adds in.

"He's a little washed out for sure. Keep walking him around to control that extra amount of energy, he's gonna need it later." I was answered with a nod.

Glancing around me, I notice my parents currently talking to Shawn Ruth, an upcoming rising trainer. He currently trains Black Hatchet for us. They seem more on the nonchalant side in comparison to my nerves who says otherwise. I quickly approach them.

"Good afternoon Mr. Ruth." Giving him a warm smile.

"Dude, I'm only 7 years older than you, no need to call me sir. Just call me Shawn." He laughs.

"Alright Shawn." nodding his way, while smiling at my parents.

"So your parents told me that you went nuts over this filly at the Keeneland sale?" He looks at me with his left brow raising up in question.