Through The Dirt and Fame (major revisions)

Chapter Fourty

-2 months later, Midway, Kentucky-

We let Emily stay at the now named First Winter Farm, where Caitlyn moved some of her horses who are breaking in over the Winter. The first start for Emily would be the Santa Anita Handicap to face defending champion, Hollywood Classic. She was going to be spending most of her career at Santa Anita this year, due to Breeders Cup going to Santa Anita again.

I leaned against the fence and watched Emily run around the paddock with Alex and Diane. Old Time Telly our champion Gelding was in the paddock next to the young fillies grazing.

Emily was officially four now. She was now a Older Female, Jack was thinking if she does good as a four year old we could run her back as a five year old mare. Which would me likely since Emily was getting annoyed with the long break from the track.

Michael came up next to me and leaned on the fence and watched the fillies.

"She's eager to get back to racin'." He said, I looked at Michael and smiled.

"She sure is, maybe we should send her to Jones next week. He's in California at the moment." Jones and Jack would be working as co-trainers for First Winter Stables. Caitlyn didn't like how Jack didn't see the minor things like Jones. I remembered the day Caitlyn told him that.

"You want Jones to work with Emily?" Michael asked, I heard concern in his voice. Jack wouldn't be thrilled but he's busy with buying and selling horses this year.

"I just want to see if she could possibly be better with a different trainer." I said, Michael nodded.

"So it's an experiment for now?" He laughed and I smiled.

"For now yes, there's a 50/50 chance she could move to Jones' side of the barn. He's worked great with Duchess." Emily trotted up to the fence to say hi to her favorite groom and exercise rider.

"Hi Emily. You having fun?" Emily snorted as to say 'no, I want to race again!' and I smiled at the interaction. "Well do what you have to Nathan. If you think a change is what's best for her them do it." He went silent and then jerked his head back as if he forgot to say something. "But as long as I stay as her groom and morning rider!" He said and laughed and kissed Emily's soft nose and she took Michaels Claiborne hat and ran off with it. "Hey! That's my hat Emily!" Michael jumped over the fence and ran after her.

These two are inseparable.

"Hey miss can I have my hat back please?" He said running after her.

Emily slightly reared, turned and galloped down the field with Michael far behind her.

"That's not fair! You can run up to 45 miles and hour! I can't even run 10!" I laughed as Emily turned and ran past him still holding his hat in her mouth.

She handles the grass like a champ. But I can't randomly switch surfaces on her. She thrives on the dirt.

Emily whinnied and cantered past me.

She is ready to race.