Stealing the Night

Chapter 6|Holy Bull|

~Gulfstream Park West-January 27, 2018~

Post:

1.Got Gold 30-1

2. BamBamPow 8-5

3. Key To The West 2-1

4. Sorrynotsorry 3-1

5. Deal With It 7-2

6.King Alexander 2/3

7. KayKayKay 9-1

8. Chicken Won't Lie 10-1

-Madison-

We breezed Got Gold early morning of the Holy Bull which was race 7.

Got Gold looked ready to run today. He was restless in his stall the last time I saw him which was when he got back from his workout. His biggest competition was King Alexander who was by Animal Kingdom and out of Rachel Alexandra. King Alexander had already won the Jerome and the Champagne with a record time of 1:29.36, and he was coincidentally trained by Cam. King Alexander's jockey was Tommy's close friend Joel Rosario.

I sit in the jockey's room playing with my whip. Tommy was across from me putting on his boots. He would be riding Key To The West who was the second favorite. I was tired of losing to him. I have to win this race.

I walk out of the jockey's room and into the paddock. 

"Hey, Madison!" Mr. Katey says. 

Cameron looks at me and walks away to King Alexander. 

I ignore his move and stand next to Will.

"Ignore him. Just focus on the race." Will says.

I just nod my head because I didn't feel like talking. 

A few minutes later I look over to see Tommy walking over to Key To The West. I turn my focus back on Got Gold who was looking very impressive. His mane was beautifully braided and stopped just before his withers, and he pranced in the paddock like a king. I knew he was going to win today. 

"He is the least favorite in this race, but to me he is the best." Cam says.

"What about King Alexander?" I say.

Cam turns his head to me slowly, "He isn't ready, but his owner insisted on him racing today. If Alexander loses he still goes to the Derby. Got Gold here can't afford to lose. 

"Riders Up!" 

Cam went over and gave Joel a leg up, and Will gave me a leg up. 

I loved being so high up on such a powerful animal. I reach back and secure one of my bobby pins which held my bun before John lead Got Gold and I to the track.

"Good luck today." John says as he unclasps the lead from Gold's bridle. I take a deep breath, and a track pony walks over to lead Mud Pie. Mud Pie began to trot.

"Easy boy, easy. You don't want to waste all of your energy." I say patting his neck which was becoming sweaty. 

We were loaded into the starting gate. Mud Pie was loaded in second. We waited until everyone else was loaded in, and Mud Pie started counting. I take deep breaths.

Ring

Got Gold stumbled coming out of the gate but quickly recovered. We were at the back of the pack. Maybe about 9 lengths from the lead. Key To The West was the pace setter and was about two lengths in front. I held Mud Pie back just as Cam instructed me too. As we entered the back stretch I allowed Mud Pie to advance into the pocket. It was a good secure place for us. Entering the final turn BamBamPow opened up a way for Mud Pie to go through. I sent Mud Pie between the space BamBamPow made which was between KayKayKay and Sorrynotsorry. Key To The West and King Alexander were battling for first, but they both started to fade. Key To The West started to fade quicker than King Alexander. Entering the home stretch, I switch Mud Pie's lead and passed Key To The West. King Alexander found an extra boost of energy when Mud Pie started to challenge his lead. Mud Pie started to break away from King Alexander. Soo, Mud Pie was two lengths in the lead and crosses the wire. I give the colt a big pat on the neck.

"Got Gold wins the 2018 Holy Bull! We have a new Kentucky Derby contender!" 

"We did it! Amazing run, boy!" I say standing in my stirrups and patting the big colt on the neck.

Joel came up next to me, "Wow, that was an amazing run, Madison! Be strong and never let a lose bring you down, and you'll be one of the greatest!" 

I smile ear-to-ear, "I'm guessing you heard about how I act when I lose, especially when Tommy beats me."

"You have no idea!" He says and slows to where he is behind me. 

I trot Mud Pie to the winners circle.

"Amazing run, Madison!" John says running up to us. 

"Thank you!" I say with a big smile. 

John clasps the lead to Mud Pie's bridle and leads us into the Winner's Circle. After the pictures and interviews, I weigh myself and walk to the jockey's room.