The Black and Sugar

CH19: The Invitational

Henry had gotten permission to put the two horses back to back in the paddock to saddle. The Black pranced endlessly, chomping on his bit while his girth was being pulled. Sugar on the other hand sat peacefully in his open stall, a hoof hocked and his black tipped ears facing sideways.

The call came quicker than I thought it would, the commissioner calling, "Riders up!" I readjusted my dark silks one final time, nervously stepping out of the jockey's room into the bright sunlight. Alec jogged up next to me, grasping my hand with his firm grip. Automatically, my nerves settled.

His dark helmet covered his bright red hair, but his auburn eyes shone brightly, full of excitement. Together, we stepped out through the crowd of curious onlookers to the paddock with our mounts.

Henry hugged me when we got there, and nodded abruptly to Alec. "First and second, men," he said, winking at me casually.

He legged Alec up first, the Black rearing high before making the walk to the track. He threw me onto Sugar's back easily, the grey just walking out onto the track easily, prancing only a couple steps. He tossed his head once, chomping on the bit anxiously.

The crowd in the stands was wild, the never before seen sight was new, and exhillerating for me. The rest of the jocks casually ignored the roaring noise, but me, a rank rookie, looked through the unruly stands with bright eyes.

The post parade seemed to last forever, but suddenly, before I even knew it, the whole pack of talented horses were at the gate, waiting to load.

Sugar loaded into the small stall first of the group, being the most level headed. The horse next to us was a nervous wreck, and loaded late. The Black entered last, finishing out the talented field.

You could feel the mounting tension in the field as we awaited departure from the gate. My hands grasped the reins, beginning to sweat in the humid Florida air. I took a single deep breath, and listened carefully for the sound of the opening gate.

The bell rang out with a shrill whistle, and thirteen head of the best horses in the country launched forward in a single surge. The big sorrel gelding, Amendment Maid got out in front, surging out, thinking he could go the distance at the fiery pace. He couldn't, but to the front he went anyways.

Alec and the Black came from the inside rail, settling in behind the sorrel about a length back. The pack was settling into formation, and I went across the front of the pack, settling in near the inside rail. I settled behind Alec, boxing a bay horse in behind the Black. He was faltering already, and would fall back soon enough, opening the rail for me.

Henry had mentioned to get to the rail as soon as possible. Sugar was still young, which made this race an abnormally long one for him. Getting to the rail faster would make it just that much shorter. Sure enough, the bay fell back soon enough, and I surged Sugar into the previously occupied slot on the rail.

Sugar's ears flickered back as a couple horses behind him began to move forward, beginning to make their bid for the lead. The sorrel horse in front of the Black began slowing down, laboring against the fresh momentum of the upcoming horses.

Henry has also mentioned that I needed to wait for Alec to make his move before I did. To follow him, and move to the lead with him. Soon, the Black began to cover the distance a little faster, speeding up in his own shot at taking the lead. He quickly caught up to the sprinters, and began overtaking them, Sugar and I close on his heels. The race was down to half a mile, right where Henry had said to make a move.

I moved off the inside rail to the outside of the Black in a small hole between him and an outside horse. Sugar lurched forward easily, admiring the empty track in front of him. They were in front but not quite out of the woods just yet with the outside sprinters still holding strong.

The Black and Sugar were running neck and neck, slowly surging faster and faster, leaving most of the horses behind, with the exception of two others who were challenging one another for the lead. To my dismay, I noticed one was Jerry's big bay. It would only be a matter of time before they had no shot at beating us.

Sugar shook his head, asking for his head as I lurched back as the white runner beside us slammed into our side. I had to steady myself before sending him again, this time loosening my grip on the taut reins, sending the stallion running hard. His ears pinned back and he ate away at the ground, closing the gap that we'd lost getting bumped. I could see Alec was about to send the Black when we caught him.

He did, and together the two horses began an unstoppable run, flying across the track at blinding speeds. Never before had I ever gone this fast on Sugar before, he'd never worked this hard in his life for something. Neither Alec or I were asking anything of the two horses, for they were giving everything they had just for the passion of the game.

We crossed the wire, but neither of us could actually tell who was in front. I got Sugar stopped easily, waiting on Alec as he and the Black got stopped and turned around. Leaning across our horses, we shared an embrace, Alec telling me quietly, "You did good, rookie."

Together we walked back to the front of the grandstands, where the announcement of who actually won would be made. Sugar's sides heaved heavily as he took deep, even breaths, nearly the same rhythm as the Black was. They'd both ran their hearts out in an attempt to beat the equal individual.

Henry met us, but we weren't allowed to dismount just yet, as the results had not become official. But when the grandstands erupted in loud cheers, we knew they were up.

Half a nose, they said, the Black was out in front. Maybe two inches, if that, split the two horses, who had both not only broken the track record, but the world record at the distance.

But I wasn't even disappointed. My horse was just as good as the Black, which was surely an extraordinary thought. We dismounted, and brought both the stallions into the winner's circle for the trophy presentation. The Black was also covered in a sleek rose blanket. Hundreds of enthused people gathered around to see the two horses in person after the big win.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we were excused to return to our barn. We were never alone though, crowds of people moved along with us through every step of the way. Eyes darted towards us, and a few brave souls even worded their congratulations. Sugar relished in the abundant attention, but the Black could care less.

We untacked, washed, and fed the two, neither Alec, Henry or myself leaving our simple perch on cloud 9 the whole time.