Keeping Tomorrow's Promises

Training Track

Sara sat in the grandstands leaned back in a chair in her father's box. She poured over the program and scanning each and every horse marking up the pages ready to place bets. She reached Race 6 of the 8 that were running and leaned forward setting the book down and studying the names. It was the feature race of the day, a Grade 1 stakes race. Horse number 4 was Goodman's Defense.

"So,"she looked around the grandstands, "the Stringlands are back in town."

She knew the horse would be the favorite so she marked another horse to run behind him. Sara looked up at the big screen in the middle of the infield and saw that there was 15 minutes till race 1. She got up and headed to the betting windows to place her bets so she could enjoy the rest of the day. When she returned to her seat, she found that she wasn't alone anymore.

"What could you possibly want Mr. George Hartman?" She slowly strode up to the box.

"Sara what a pleasure," he turned to face her.

"You're in my father's box and if he catches you in here he's not going to be happy," she stood just outside the box.

"Tell your father," he stood up and faced her, "I'll be visiting the barn later, see you around Sara."

Sara scooted out of the way as he left the box. Her heart was racing as she sat back down in her seat. She tried to steady her breathing as she watched him disappear from view. She reached down for her bag and started digging around for her phone. That's when a voice startled her.

"Hey Sara," she flew up and turned to the voice.

Her father now stood in the opening to the box.

"Dad!" She flew up and wrapped her arms around him.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Mr. Hartman was here and he said he was going to stop by the barn later and I don't know what he wants or what he's going to do," she sat back down and leaned back in her seat.

"I'll take care of it Sara don't worry," Mark sat down next to his daughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kenneth Valdez sat in his box as the horses came out onto the track for the feature race. He scanned his program and made some last minute notes before heading to the betting windows. He walked to the betting windows, made his bets, and was just about to leave when he's stopped by George Hartman. Kenneth gritted his teeth upon seeing the man but put a pleasant look on his face.

"Just the man I was looking for," the man approached Kenneth.

"Mr. Hartman," he greeted him, "what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need a trainer and I've heard a lot of good things about you," he answered.

"Good to know," Kenneth nodded, "what horse do you have?"

"Oh Kenneth I don't have a horse for you yet but if you pull me a favor I can have one for you this afternoon," the man grinned.

"What are you implying?" Kenneth asked.

"I want the three horse in the eighth race," George held out the program page, "nice young three year old, and I think with the right touch, he can make it big."

Kenneth took the program and looked at the horse. It was a colt named Express Line. Kenneth recognized the horse's sire as the Stringland's top stallion Get in Line and his dam as a successful racing mare named Missed the Train. Kenneth was interested alone in the breeding. The horse was one for five on his racing record for wins with two thirds mixed in there as well. It wasn't until he saw the horses current trainer that he got cold feet. The horse was currently in Mark Destin's barn. Kenneth handed the program back putting on a fake pleasant smile.