Through The Dirt and Fame (major revisions)

Chapter Nineteen

-3 weeks later-

We got Emily from the hospital and gave her an extra week off. But today was the day to see if she still had the spirit she beholds. She was going to run 6 furlongs, against, Black Widow and one of our top colts, Key Of Courage. Emily had had come use to the blinkers since her Breeders Cup win, they were normal white. She worked with bandages too. I looked to her, she was as excited as ever, she was all tacked up and ready to go. Michael came around the corner with Martin and Corey behind him, they were riding Black Widow and Key Of Courage. We thought about letting Nicole ride one of them, but quickly decided against it. She loves the filly and won't ride any other horse against her.

"So we all ready to see if she's back?" I said, and they all nodded smiling. I gave them all a leg up and followed the to the track and found Jack along the rail.

"She looks excited." Jack said. 

I looked to Emily who was prancing around in front of everyone, I smiled. There were no reporters to see Emily's first workout of the year because they simply didn't expect to see the filly back yet. 

"I have a good feeling about this." I said and the horses cantered past us and headed for the 6 furlong mark. I did have a good feeling, this is Emily's first time against at least a male. 

We've ran Black Widow against Key Of Courage in a race before, she always places a distant second place behind him. Key Of Courage was going to try for the Derby, he's in fifth in the points system for the Derby so far. He's already practically secured his spot.

"Here they come." I quickly got my watch ready and waited patiently for the horses to get to 6 furlongs. "And they're off." I clicked the 'start' and watched them go.

Emily quickly settled behind Key Of Courage and Black Widow, who were stride for stride now. She has full control, why won't she go to the front? I looked to Jack slightly concerned by her action. 

"Why isn't she going to the lead?" I asked.

"Well, seems to me, that Emily's gotten quite comfortable with passing everyone instead of leading everyone." Jack said slightly chuckling.

They were approaching the 3 furlongs and you could see Emily pick up speed and quickly close on Key Of Courage. As soon as Emily came up to him, Key Of Courage picked up speed and slightly stayed in front of Emily but, Emily seemed to hate that idea of his and her stride became longer, faster and stronger and she shot right past him like a rock being flown from a slingshot halfway down the stretch and past the wire. I pressed the stop button as soon as she did, I looked down.

"1:06.89." I looked to Jack, who had been timing Key Of Courage.

"Courage got 1:09.64, Black Widow was 1:12.25." A big smile spread across our faces and we couldn't help but celebrate with a simple hug. "Our girl is back and better than ever!"