Wildcard - July Split Top Handicap

Wildcard is making his debut

Entering HA-Racing-Database Split Top Handicap | F/M | (3+) | 10F | Dirt | Churchill Downs | Louisville, KY, USA | $832,000 (July 2016)
---> PD Dudes Gotta Gun (Appaloosa) | Ridden by Mario Ortiz | Trained by Howard D. Brown | Owned by Painted Desert Ranch

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Continued from... Going Spotty... (some introduction of new people that have never really appeared in my story line before, sooo that's the starting point haha)

Howard nodded to Mario and his brother Omar as they were grabbing their stuff from the back of the cab. The brothers didn't have all that much money, despite being brilliant jockeys. He'd been waiting for their arrival before he entered the colt he'd chosen. Omar seemed to have more talent with the Thoroughbreds, and enjoyed the real long distance stuff. He liked a more aggressive horse, one that was bold and ready to make any move. But Mario, Mario knew how to read a horse. He was a great rider at all breeds alike, knew how to read positions and the horse. He could keep a horse that was too aggressive horse and make them reserve their energy till they needed it, or put an extra push to a horse that was trying to give up. And that was why Mario was the perfect choice for the spotted colt...

Mario came into Howard's office and sat down, with a grin already on his face. Howard welcomed him and they got reacquainted. Then, Howard broke the news that Mario would be jockeying a fresh colt in a big race. Surely, no one could expect the Appaloosa colt to be a distance runner. But Howard insisted. The colt was out of a stallion the was named "This Dudes a Wildcat". The stallion didn't have all that amazing of a record, but he could hold his own and then some at a distance race. The colt's dam wasn't anything special in the race world, actually the opposite. She was bred to be a reiner. But that just seemed to make the colt more fluid and agile. The colt was nicknamed "Wildcard", and a wildcard he was. Wildcard couldn't hear much, he was half deaf. Typically, speaking to him he wouldn't hear, but loud bangs and whistles, could easily get through. AnnaLynn and Howard had been breezing the colt out on the track, letting him get the feel for his stride. When it came time to give it everything, AnnaLynn would lay her hands on the colts neck, pushing forward with his strides. But when they were to pull up, she'd simple sit and take the reins up. Then of course, the colt would use his reining roots and practically slide stop from a dead run. He was an interesting one, but if he was able to do anything, it was everything. He was a people pleaser. Loved to get out and enjoy the spotlight. When he would get to be too much to handle, they'd simple scratch his neck and chest, to which he'd forget all about everything and get into the rubbing.

Fast forward to race day, and Howard sat with his daughter Jackie as they got the colt ready. He was his typical self, and calmly watching the hustle and bustle from in the race stall. They brushed him down, gave him a last chance at water, and then waited. They'd thrown the colt in the trailer a few days before, making the trip from California to the infamous Churchill Downs. Mario had flown in last night, in order to get a good rest before the big day. It was a risk to take a brand new colt out with such high stakes, but Howard knew the colt had it in him. It'd just be a matter of getting him in the right position in the large field of horses. Today would pick the hopeless from the champions. They only could hope that they turned out on top. A Champion. Here goes nothing.

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Horse Name: PD Dudes Gotta Gun
Link to Horse's Reference: link 3yo Appaloosa Gelding
Jockey: Mario Ortiz
Trainer: Howard D. Brown
Horse's Stable: Painted Desert Ranch
Class Entered: Split Top Handicap
Entry: (you are here)

Reference: Racehorse by sim-stock (Traced)