Nova

choices

Alexandra

" Alexandra take Nova out for five furlongs" Willifred barks at me. I notice Mr. Piperson standing by Willifred. I urge Nova into a gallop and let Nova soar to the far outside. Nova he's large by any standards for a horse especially for a two year old colt which while it gives him a larger stride, his body isn't fully muture so he's more likely to injury at his age. Nova's stride is smooth as butter entering the turn but he's still freash and doesn't have the experience to handle his size on the turns. Nova starts tossing his head and I tighten the reins as we struggle though the turn. Just as quickly as it started the workout is over. I stop Nova and wait for a few horses to pass before turning Nova around and jogging Nova back to Willifred and Mr. Piperson. I don't catch what there talking about but I hear " at that distance he would have been soundly beaten" from Willifred. " you know what to do" Willifred tells me.

" don't worry Nova, you just need some practice on those turns" I tell the juvenile colt. as I turn him out in his private paddock before heading off to find my cousin. I find her tending to Piperson's king aka Bloodless Day a grade I winner at two, three, four, five and six making him one of the richest racehorses ever born and the only Kentucky derby champion to win at six. While BD may not be the biggest stallion he's certainly the most dangerous one and even after two years I'm wary of the stallion. " Willifred doesn't think Nova can win as a two year old " I tell Anna keeping my distance from her charge. " I'm assuming you overheard them ?" Anna asks me still grooming BD to perfection. " yeah, it's because he's so large isn't it ?" I ask but it's more of a statement. " Alexandra, it's just not natural to have a two year old colt at 17 hands that's still growing. Most thoroughbreds aren't even that tall yet Nova's nearing 18 hands rapidly. It may mean his stride is longer but can his body really handle the weight that comes with his size ? Or will his size be his downfall ?" Anna tells me. " I agree Nova's a giant by anyone's standards but we both know he's as sound as a rock. Willifred doesn't think Nova can win as a two year old because he loses his stride during turns. All he needs is some practice right?" I ask Anna. " in theory but it'll take months for him to gain enough experience with turns and not all horses learn at the same rate" Anna tells me. " one of the key requirements for working with horses is patience. We're working with half ton animals capable of killing us with a single kick. I'm not asking Nova to become a ace at turns overnight but Willifred won't let him even try to gain the experience he needs" I tell Anna. " I'll talk to Willifred but don't get your hopes up. Besides we've both seen the most promising horses fail and less promising rise to become champions" Anna tells me. " Nova, he's young but we both agree his maturity is more like a thirty year old mare then a two year old colt. He doesn't mess around on the track, whenever he's out there he's all work and no play. Nova's like his parents but his potential is superior to his parents. He's a future legend" I tell Anna speaking from my heart. Nova he was saddle trained quicker then his age mates and it only took him a few weeks to get his gate card. He's flawed but becoming flawless. A mortal on the verge of becoming immortal, a nobody close to becoming a hero. He's greatness at work.

Honestly I'm no longer picking winners in horse racing since I always seem to hit the mark.