Through The Dirt and Fame (major revisions)

Chapter Seven

-Santa Anita, Landaluce Day 15 minutes to post-

"Six two year old fillies running in the Landaluce, the favorite is second time starter Emily The First. Who is coming in from Saratoga after a 15 length win and breaking the track record."

Nicole was standing next to Jack getting instructions, so I walked up to hear.

"Just run it like the last race, let her have control and she'll go right to the lead." Nicole nodded.

"Riders up!" Jack gave Nicole a leg up on Emily.

"Good luck ladies." I said and pat Emily's neck.

Jack and I went up to the owners box and waited for the race.

"She looks good Nathan, she's got this." I looked at him and smiled, and saw Baffert sitting in the seat next to us. He nodded his head to me, I nodded back and leaned back in my seat.

"It's post parade time. The one, Wedding Planner has won 5 out of 8 starts here at Santa Anita is at 4-1, the two Tri Na Run unbeaten in 3 starts between 5 and 6 furlongs 2-1, the three is Sound and Light 12 starts and 10 wins 8-1, the four Emily The First has 1 start and 1 win 5-8, she won by 15 lengths last out and broke the track record at Saratoga, the five is Family Doll has won 2 times in 6 starts and is at 10-1 and the six is Rose Town who has had 2 starts unbeaten is at 3-1."

Emily was prancing in the parade, and I saw some people just line up against the rail when she walked by. She didn't use a lead pony, she hated it and refused to move, it was so hard for her to work with a company horse and lead her to the track.

I looked at Bob one more time, I don't know how the offer went down between him and Jack. I hope Jack didn't take a million when Emily could possibly earn more than that.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?" Jack was watching the the horses.

"How'd the offer go between you and Bob?"

"I'll tell you after the race." I groaned and he laughed at me when I did. So I just listened to what the commentators said about the race I guess.

"The four horse, Emily The First, has only one official work out for this race, but it was going 3 furlongs and she ran it in 24 seconds. That is amazing my friend. She is something."

I smiled at their comment on Emily.

"It's post time!"

The fillies at the gates and loading, Emily was going to be the last to load because of her temper.

"She's looking good, I have a good feeling about this race." Jack leaned forward in his seat, I looked to Bob. He was smiling and talking to the person next to him. I looked to the fillies and Family Doll was being loaded and Emily was next.

"Where just waiting on Emily The First."

-Nicole's POV-

Emily was uneasy, she pulled back when the gate handler grabbed her bridle.

"Easy girl, easy." I pet Emily's neck.

The handler grabbed Emily's bridle again and she reared. "Woah girl." the handler lead Emily into the gates and we were all ready. I leaned forward and waited for the start.

The gates shot and the bell rang and Emily jumped away from the gate and started sprinting home. I gave her full control and sat for the ride.

Emily was picking up speed with every stride, I looked back and the closest horse was Sound and Light, who was about 6 lengths behind. I looked forward and saw it was about 4 furlongs to go. I slightly slid my hands up Emily's neck, and she picked up more speed. I smiled and thought, defiantly something.

3 furlongs.

I slid my hands higher, and started chirping to her. I distantly heard the other horses trying to catch Emily but my filly was picking up continuous speed and flying practically. The Santa Anita crowd was cheering and in shock. They could see her long, fast stride, her muscles ripple when every hoof hit the ground, and the sound of her hooves being the only sound as she runs past them. I felt and heard everything from Emily, she had her ears pricked forward and ran for the cameras. I didn't want to look back to see how far everyone was, I just moved with Emily. I heard the call as we ran towards the finish.

"Emily The First in an absolute runaway! This is a future super filly! Emily The First and only in our presence today! She flys past the finish 22 lengths in front...her finishing time was 1:05.50! She demolished the great Landaluce's record!"

I slowed Emily to a canter and turned her towards the stands who were cheering for us as we cantered back.

-Nathan's POV-

"Oh my god! She's a monster! She broke Landaluce's record in time and in margin!"

"Haha, Nate she did it! She flew the whole way home!"

I hugged Jack and we started for the winners circle, and I saw Bob on the way down.

"Congratulations, you have a nice filly on your hands." I breathed with relief now and shook Bob's hand.

"Your filly took second, what more could you ask of her? Congrats." He smiled.

"I wish I could ask her to beat your filly but I'm afraid that would be too much to ask and impossible." I laughed.

"Hope to see you soon Bob." I started after Jack and waved to Bob as I left.

I ran after Jack and towards the winners circle. Honestly I wanted to see Emily more than Jack.

I got many "congratulations" from owners and handicappers on my way down. I was probably one of the happiest men right now.

I got to the winners circle, and Nicole had Emily trotting towards us, and I ran up to them.

"That was amazing, you two were amazing!" I pet Emily and lead her to the Winners Circle, Michael came up and got her and hugged the filly.

"Honestly it was all her, I was just there for the ride." She smiled.

We stood still for the photo and Nicole jumped off and hugged Emily before taking off her saddle turning to Jack and I.

"What's next?" she asked, I looked to Jack waiting for an answer.

"I was thinking the Adirondack back at Saratoga, 6 and a half furlongs, she should get the distance." I smiled at him.

"Home it is team."