Nova

Memory's Derby

I put a hand on Memory's, copper neck as we start the famed walkover for the world famous Kentucky derby. Only eight undefeated colts have won the Kentucky derby before and hopefully Memory, will be the ninth but the twenty horse field is considered to be one of the best in the races history if not the best. Each colt in this field was bred specifically for the run for the roses all but Memory. He's a colt with a below modest pedigree who was bred more for sprints then running a mile and quarter yet he's proven he himself time and time again. Powerful muscles send ripples across his copper coat as he walks with confidence down the track. "Calm down everything is going to be fine" Anna, tells me as she lays a hand on my shoulder. I want to believe her I really believe here I really do but everything is far from fine. Still I do my best to follow her advice as I keep my focus on Memory, and not the million things that could go wrong today. He's easily one of the most sensitive horses I've ever encountered and he'll start to stress out if I don't get control of myself and my emotions. The most important race of his life is less then a hour away and it's critical that we keep him calm and relexed. He'll be running in front of a record breaking crowd and some of his competitors have already begun to wash out. He's A Wild One, is known for rushing the gate and setting the pace so George, will have to keep a close eye on him, Lookin At Leo, is another undefeated colt eyeing the roses today and he's best known for stalking the leaders and ending with a final powerful surge so he's another one George, should keep an eye on, Medallion, who's also undefeated will probably stalk the field with Memory, but he has less experience then Memory, so he's a wildcard, Nile Rile, is the fourth and final undefeated colt running the roses and is the colt to beat. Besides He's A Wild One, and Nile Rile, there's one other three year old who possess enough early speed to be a threat but I'm not entirely convinced December Declaration, has the determination to hold his own in the final stages of the race. As we reach the saddling paddock I glance around at the nineteen competitors who are willing to take a go at a colt with many experts believe was one of the best two year olds in recent history. "Walk him around for a minute then bring him over so I can saddle him" Willifred, barks at me and I nod before taking Memory, around for another lap in front of the TV cameras and reporters who are more then edger to snap pictures of the derby favorite. Memory, takes it all in his calm manner unfazed by the flashing lights. After our third lap I bring Memory, over to the stall so Willifred, can saddle him while I pull a piece of straw our of his forelock with one hand and smooth the wrinkles out of my uniform with the other. Uniform is a bite of a stretch since it's just a green jersey with the number eight printed on the front and back. The last derby winner to start from the eight post was Bloodless Day, four years ago and hopefully it's a sign of good luck that Memory, was assigned the same post as Pipperson's farms, only previous derby winner. "Walk him around till they call riders up" Willifred, barks at me and I nod before leading a race ready Memory, back out to the saddling paddock where the smooth graceful chestnut champion shows off his fluid movements in front of the crowd. Keeping one hand firmly on his reins I unwrap a stick of gum and put it in my mouth. We only stop when they play the national anthem just before the call for riders up goes out. Those two words spoken sharply and clearly seem to almost echo around the paddock as Willifred, gives George, a final few instructions before giving the veteran jockey a leg up. We walk through the tunnel and just before I release Memory, onto the track I put my spare hand on George's, boot "Just bring him back alive" I tell the jockey before letting go of Memory. I quickly find my spot against the rail and watch as twenty of the top three year olds in the nation make their way towards the starting gate while my old Kentucky home plays though the speakers. One by one their loaded into the starting gate and time seems to hold its breath before the bell goes off and twenty three year olds are scrambling out of the starting gate. Like I predicted He's A Wild One, Nile Rile, and December Declaration, set the early pace for the 2020 Kentucky derby with majority of the field settles in behind them leaving Memory, and Medallion, stalking the field. Memory, has the speed to set the pace but he's more comfortable with horses in front of him and it's important to make the horse feel as comfortable as possible. "And it's Nile Rile, who takes the early lead as the field heads into the first turn with He's A Wild One, running a close second and December Declaration, in third" the announcer speaks though the speakers giving a play by play of the race. The race is predictable with December Declaration, failing to deliver and is falling back as they head into the second turn while Memory, starts to move up on the leaders but there's eighteen runners between him and the lead. Strangely George, decides to make his move unusual early at the three quarters pole when there's still a half mile remaining. Responding almost immediately Memory, surges forward over taking the entire field in a single turn. How a horse handles turns can win or lose a race and Memory, handles this turn flawlessly. "Shamrock's Memory, moves to the outside and takes the turn without error as he works his way to the leaders" the announcer speaks though the speakers but I drowned him out as I focus on Memory. "Shamrock's Memory, and Nile Rile, are going at it as they race to the final turn" the announcer shouts as I watch the golden brown blur that is Memory, join Nile Rile. Both colts are famous for their steel like determination and this isn't just a contest of speed and stamina but a battle of their minds to see who has the most determination. Has Memory, finally met his superior or will he pull though his greatest test ? I hold my breath as the dualing colts reach the top of the stretch with Memory, on the outside and Nile Rile, on the inside hugging the rail. Memory, falters for a moment and I relize this is the one race Memory, can't win as Nile Rile, pulls away but Memory, is a fighter as much as anything and he slows for a heartbeat for he starts surging down the track. He flies past Nile Rile, and romps towards the wire with George, leaning over his neck not doing anything, not offering any encouragement to his mount. "Unbelievable Shamrock's Memory, has a thirteen length lead at the wire" the announcer shouts as my chestnut charge gallops past me with George, standing high in the stirrups. Maybe Memory, does have a shot at the triple crown if today