Nova

The Withers

I watch as Shamrock's Memory, loads into the blue starting gate at aquaduct for the grade II Withers. The 2019 American champion two year colt is aiming to extend his undefeated record to nine wins from nine starts but he's running on a muddy track for the first time so everyone's a bit nervous to see how he'll perform on mud and I recall the conversation I had with Anna, before they left for aquaduct "He's always risen up to challenges no matter how great. He's never had a easy win and the horses he's beaten all ran a winning race just he's so fierce he'll keep going at them". I find it hard to believe the gentle chestnut could ever be called fierce but with his blinkers on he's a completely different colt then the colt he is back here. Without blinkers he was good but unfocused, with blinkers he's completely focused on the race ahead. I watch as the colt in the next post throws a fit as the gate closes behind him. It goes unsaid that a horse trapped in a starting gate can be dangerous for everyone and I watch in terror as the gate crew scramble to get the colt out before he injures or kills someone in his blind panic. Shamrock's Memory, is surprisingly calm despite the wild colt in the gate next to him while the colt on his other side starts to panic leaving the golden chestnut wedged between two panicked colts. Horses can be like wildfire sometimes and it's only a matter of time before the wildfire spreads to another colt. It's a dangerous situation for anyone involved period but it's even more dangerous when your dealing with high strung three year old colts bred and trained to run before their bodies are fully mature. Both colts are scratched reducing it to a field of three and I watch as the remaining three runners are reloaded into the gate. This time theirs no problems and the race quickly starts with He's A Wild One, and Pioneer Prophecy, going head to head for the early lead while Shamrock's Memory, settles in near the rail behind them. He's A Wild One, and Pioneer Prophecy, are turning in suicidal fractions with Shamrock's Memory, falling further and further behind to the point he's out of the race before they reach the halfway mark. It's clear that Shamrock's Memory, is both uncomfortable and unhappy with the mud and is struggling to pull it together. Even if he can pull it together by some mircle he's too far back and won't be able to catch up soon enough. With just over three furlongs to go a mircle does happen and he gets himself together and starts giving chase to the leaders. He's all heart that much you can't deny but there's too much ground to make up in too little time. Shamrock's Memory, can beat any other colt but even he can't beat time. Some races are lost before they even began and this is today's case but that isn't stopping the brave chestnut from trying. Slowly he makes up ground but for every length he makes up another second ticks away. "Unbelievable Shamrock's Memory, might still be in this" the announcer literally shouts as the brave chestnut makes one final charge with less then a furlong to go. He's ran a winning race and nobody would think lesser of him if he didn't win after the race he's ran but Shamrock's Memory, is going to fight to the finish. Shamrock's Memory, pulls away from He's A Wild One, and Pioneer Prophecy, slowly but surely opening up a five length lead at the wire. "Unbelievable Shamrock's Memory, extends his unbeaten record to nine wins" the announcer shouts barley audible over the cheers that have erupted in the room. Four years ago Pipperson farms, had its first taste of triple crown glory when Bloodless Day, took the derby and Belmont. Now they have another chance with a colt that might in some ways be superior to a horse that smashed world records with ease. "Think he has a chance ?" Ned, the groom from Ireland, asks a Jack, former jockey who's wheelchair bound for life. Apparently Jack, was on Dancer's Lucky Shamrock, when she broke down and he shattered his leg. Maybe if Jack, had listened to his doctors he'd still be a jockey but he risked everything for a unruly colt. "He's as fierce as BD, but he has Shamrock's heart. He'll run though anything for his rider. As long as he's kept happy and healthy he'll make the farm proud" Jack, speaks with a sad look in his eyes. "Who's BD ?" I ask cutting in as I turn off the ancient tv in the lounge. "Bloodless Day" Jack, tells me.

Rushed chapter might redo later but for now enjoy