Through The Dirt and Fame (major revisions)

Chapter Fourty-Three

The next day, I went back to Saratoga to see Emily. She had come out of the race rough, she had pulled a muscle, we weren't going to retire her but let her have a break. The vet said it was because of how Emily started and how she was coming down the stretch. She would not return until the Woodward in August, hopefully she will perform in the Woodward and we can run in the Classic against Unwanted. Who had already been a shining star this year.

I approached her stall and her head popped out and he flicked her ears forward at the sight of me.

"Hey girl," I said petting between her ears. "you'll be back soon." She lifted her head at me as of to say 'how soon?'. "Okay about 6 months." She shook her head and turned back into her stall.

I had called Jack right after the vet told us what happen.

-Yesterday-

"She has pulled a muscle." Dr. Calientte said as she came out of Emily's stall. Worry spread through my body at the news.

"Can she still race?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, but not for a while. Lots of horses pull a muscle and come back to racing." she looked back at Emily. "Don't worry Nathaniel. This isn't going to affect her performance in any way. But it will if you race her in that condition." I nodded, I want ever going to run Emily in pain.

"Got it." I said and she smiled.

"Goodbye Nathaniel, call me if anything comes up with her." She said and walked away. I quickly pulled out my phone and called Jack.

"Hello?" He said tiredly. It must be late there. "If this is about if I saw Emily return I did." He said.

"No, Emily has a pulled muscle. She's out for probably 6 months. Until then, where's a good start for her?" I asked, obviously my choice in her races was bad so I wanted Jack to pick.

"The Woodward? I don't know." He groanded.

The Woodward. Seems like a good idea, facing older males again. That's it.

"Great, thanks Jack." Before I could hang up Jack started talking again.

"Nathan. I'll be back for the race. Until then." He stopped for a moment. "Train her good. Bye buddy." He said and hung up.

-Today-

Nothing had come up with Emily, she was completely fine. Besides having pulled a muscle.

"Hey Emily. I forgot to tell you." Emily flicked her ears back, but didn't turn around to see me. "Jack is coming back for your next race." She raised her head and turned it to me then looked away and went back to what she was doing. "Don't worry. He'll be here for you princess." I said and turned and took a walk around the stable with the hanging thought of Emily in my mind.

-5 months later-

Today was Emily's first work out since the Santa Anita Handicap, she was prancing around on the track with Michael aboard.

I had told Michael to not push her too hard today, I just want to see how she feels coming out of it today. I was joined by Dr. Calientte to get an experts opinion on her.

"How's she look to you?" I asked her.

"She looks good, happy to be back from what I see." She said never taking her eyes off Emily.

I turned my attention back to Emily and she closed on 4 furlongs. There Michael pushed her into a gallop. Emily flew around the bend and into a stretch, Michael had never asked her for her best work out but she flew across the line where I clicked stop on my watch and looked down at her time.

"44.06." I said and looked at Dr. Calientte, and she looked at me

"She's good to run Nathaniel. I've got to say, she's something else." She stuck her hand out to me and I shook it. "I'll be seeing you Woodward day sir." She said and walked away.

I looked back at Emily who was pulling on the bit to run more. I could barely hear Michael trying to calm her by talking to her as they approached me.

"What'd the doc say Nate?" Michael asked as he stopped Emily in front of me.

"We're going to the Woodward."