Keeping Tomorrow's Promises

Fifth Start

"Come on Sandego," Connie walked the horse out of Kenneth's barn and out onto the main track.

They begin the workout routine by jogging backwards along the outside rail of the track. She watched other horses as they made their way around the track whether it was jogging the rail, galloping, or working out. She was happy to be out on the track as the sun started to peak over the horizon giving the morning a golden glow.

Each time Sandego let out a breath the cool morning air would turn white. One thing Connie loved about the colt was how much of a gentlemen he was. He went down to business never giving her any grief, and in the barn, he always welcomed attention, never offering to bite unless it was in play with Kenneth. She turned him around halfway down the back stretch and let him stand so they could watch the beginning of some of the workouts.

Sandego pinned his ears and stamped a foot as another horse came walking up to them. Connie snapped her outside rein before looking over to see who it was. Leo rode up, stopping his horse a few feet away from Connie's.

"Morning Markus," he called.

"Morning Leo," she answered, "who are you on this morning?"

"This is Mark's Breeder's Cup hopeful Bueno Tiempo," he replied.

She looked at the big chestnut colt next to her bay mount. He was a tall horse, mostly leg with a slim body, he was muscled and fit, a perfect specimen. His head was up watching the track, ears forward with curious watchful eyes. One could tell he was an old soul of a horse, a two year old with a ten year old mind.

"He's beautiful," she commented.

"He's fast too," Leo gave her a playful grin.

"He's working today?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am," he answered.

"How far?"

"Five furlongs. You?"

"May the best horse clock," she laughed as she urged Sandego onto the rail.

The colt galloped down the track at a steady pace before his rider urged him into a working pace. The colt strode down the track as the white rail whipped by. Connie sat quiet letting the colt work at his own rate. He had a good cruising speed moving as they worked down the track. Kenneth had told her not to run him too hard. This was just a final prep work for his next race, a good chance to blow him out and open his lungs.

The duo passed under the wire and Connie stood up in her stirrups letting Sandego slow himself down. He got halfway around the turn as Connie started to angle him out to the outside rail. Sandego suddenly jumped forward throwing her off balance. He dropped his head and started bucking.

"Easy SD!" She cried out.

He gave one good buck and jumped to the side launching Connie over his head. She hit the ground hard feeling a hard pop in her shoulder. She rolled onto her back clutching her shoulder as the pain started to grow. The sound of the siren entered her ears as Sandego tore down the track riderless heading back for the barn.

"Connie!" She heard Leo cry out.

"You ok?" Amelia stepped off her pony kneeling down next to the fallen rider.

"My shoulder hurts!" Connie felt tears making their way to her eyes.

"Here comes the ambulance," Leo informed them.

"What happened?" She asked.

"A green colt came running up behind him and he just got spooked that's all," Amelia informed her, "he wasn't being mean or nothing."