Through The Dirt and Fame (major revisions)

Chapter One

"Mr. Halten, Emmy is foaling her First War foal. I know you're out of town, but do you want us to call you after the foaling?" My foaling manager had said, it was about 12 in the afternoon here in New York, maybe 10 in the morning in Washington.

"Yes, I want to know a lot about the foal as soon as possible. I have to go now, races are starting and I have to saddle horses, thanks for calling Martin." I was walking to the track with one of my horses, Spherical.

"No problem, good luck today at Belmont! I'll call you soon, bye." I said bye and hung up.

 I looked at Spherical, promising two year old starting for the first time in his career. The good looking bay was by Global out of Silver Heart.

"You're gonna do good Sphere," I pat his muscular neck and he turned his head towards me and I pet his soft nose. "you're in a fabulous mood mister, gives me some hope."

We reach the paddock and I walked Sphere around the stalls to calm him a bit and then start to saddle him.

"You're breaking from the 4 stall boy, the favorite is the 8, Rose For Me. Show them what you're made of." I put the yellow saddle cloth on him then the small racing saddle for the jockey. He has no special tack like blinkers, shadow rolls or bandages, I'll know what he needs after the race today.

"Let's go to meet the jockey." I mumbled to myself, and went to the middle of the paddock as Jacob took Spherical's lead.

"He's looking good." The jockey was Joel Rosario. 

"He knows he does," I looked to Joel. "Here's your instructions Joel, take Sphere to the lead, slow the pace down so the closers don't have a lot of kick in the end, but if someone wants to quicken and is going faster than you just let them pass and make your move at the 3 furlong pole, and drive through the stretch if he doesn't respond whip him." Joel nodded.

"Got it miss, I'll get the best out of him today." He smiled and then the paddock judge called for riders up and I gave Joel a leg up and then all the horses headed for the track.

-Joel's POV-

Spherical was a big bay, muscular, and trained good, I'm sitting on a lot of horse.

"How you feeling Joel?" The rider of the lead horse asked I smiled.

"Oh great, I have a good feeling about this one, he might win big today." I pat Sphere's neck.

"Good luck!" I smiled at him and started slowing galloping Sphere to the gates, I would have to be the first to load since he was calm in the gate.

"C'mon, steady, boy, steady." One of the guys of the gate crew said as he lead Sphere into the gate and we waited for the others.

"Hey hey hey!" "Not yet!" "Whoa!" The yelling of the gate crew was all I heard as I waited for the bell to ring and the gates to open. I pet Spherical's neck as I waited, it was probably calming for both of us, the last horse was in and we waited for the start.

Ring

The gates shot open and we ran right to the front. I quickly pulled on the reins to slow down the pace. From there, we set a steady pace for the field, I felt the nice steady rhythm Spherical gave me. But I had to look back at the field and the closest horse was about a length back, the 6 horse, Rapid Hero. Putting my attention back between the colts brown ears, we where heading into the far turn, so I lightly let the reins slip through my hands to give Spherical some power. Most of the field was already starting to move up, but I took my time I could feel the amount of power this colt was keeping in.

Moments later I saw the 8 horse, Rose For Me, coming on the outside of us and quickly I started chirping and pushing Spherical, and he instantly responded with a powerful kick as we entered the top of the stretch and I asked him for more and he hit another gear. I looked back and saw Rose For Me about 6 lengths back in second, I smiled as we stormed down the stretch, widening our margin. Not once did I use the whip on Spherical. As we came up to the final furlong, I just sat in the saddle and let the horse do what he wanted. Crossing the finish line, I pat Spherical's neck and looked back and the field, and we were maybe 12 lengths ahead of everyone else, maybe more since we are already slowing up.

"Haha, you're something big boy!"

-Emily's POV-

"Yes! That's my boy!" I screamed as Spherical crossed the wire some 13 lengths in front of the favorite, I rushed down to the winners circle to meet Joel and Sphere on the track.

"You did fantastic Joel!" I high fived him and gave Spherical a pat on the neck, Jacob followed excitedly, oh he loves this horse. He grabbed his bridle, leading him into the Winners' Circle and posing the horse for the photo. Just after a few shots were taken, Joel hopped off and I unsaddled Sphere, and Jacob started leading him back to the stabling area.

"Hey call me when he runs again, I'd love to ride him again." Joel said as he watched the colt walk off.

"Yeah, I'll do that, see you Joel." I waved good-bye and followed Jacob and Spherical back to the stable area.

The walk back was long, but very delightful, I saw children and older men alike against the rail to see the big colt - who barely broke a sweat - make his victory walk. Sphere pranced on his toes all the way back to the barn, sometimes he would even toss his head. Honestly, he probably could have run a full lap around the big oval.

"He did amazing, great way to start his career." I said to Jacob as he hooked him up to the hot walker.

"He's something, always known that." He said.

"You love that horse, he's always been special to you, but he is special. I hope he can make it to the Derby." Jacob nodded and then suddenly my phone started ringing. 

Quickly I answered it, "Hello?"

"Hello Ms. Halten, Emmy's Love foaled a big filly, big bay Ms. Halten. Emmy and the foal are fine, they'll probably be in the one acre pasture when you get back. But the little girl is gorgeous!" I was having a great day, first Spherical wins impressively and now Emmys foal is here!

"Sounds great, seems like we got a good one," I laughed. "I'll fly out in two days I have to make plans for Spherical race wise, and all that. But I'll talk to you later, bye." I hung up the phone and looked at Jacob walking with Spherical. "Perfect day." 

"Perfect horse." He said as he walked past me.

"Got that right."