Free to be the Greatest

Horse: SS Blow Us All Away
Race: 2017 TJC Breeders Cup Classic www.deviantart.com/journal/201…
Results: not yet posted

Horses featured: WBS Release the Panic, CP Stryker, Dewitt, AS Golden Romance, and HTS Tapping Into Love's tail

Extra images:
1-wickedlyfrosted.deviantart.com…
2-wickedlyfrosted.deviantart.com…
3- wickedlyfrosted.deviantart.com…

Story:

Word Count: 1133

It was finally the day.

It had begun not unlike any other day, the horses were watered and fed as usual, and a select few made it out onto the track that morning for their respective workouts. Sophie had watched from the rail, chatting with fellow trainers and commenting on her own horses’ works. Many commented on how strong Democracy was working, some even said that Sophie should put her on the Oaks trail. Others commented on Penny a Pound, and how she was finally growing into her giant frame. The trainer smiled and nodded to all comments, though you could see in her eyes that her mind was elsewhere. It was back at the barn beside a certain stall which housed a certain grey mare.

All these other horses would have their day in the spotlight, but today was not that day. Today was Windy’s day.

It was the second day of the Breeder’s Cup. Many prestigious races would be run that day, including the Juvenile, from which Young Scrappy and Hungry had been a last minute scratch due to fever. That left one final Breeders Cup Contender, Blow Us All Away in the Classic, breaking from stall 1. Sophie got butterflies just thinking about it. Sure, stall 1 was a disadvantage for her slow breaking filly, but as the old saying goes, “A great horse can make use of a bad stall.” The trainer grinned and pushed dirty blond hair from her face. Today, they would find out if the Whitney winner was good, or truly great.


The day had gone by so quickly. Scrappy had been scratched from the Juvenile early that morning due to a fever, which was disappointing, but he was only 2. He had his whole career ahead of him. Now, Sophie sat on a bucket beside Windy’s stall, anxiously tapping her foot on the ground. She wore a green collar shirt and dress pants, making her seem out of place in a stable setting. Occasionally Sophie would have to bat the head of the curious Windy away from her sleeve. She knew that the filly couldn't help it, it was in her nature to be playful. Outside her small stable at Del Mar, grooms leading horses raced back and forth, and golf carts holding trainers or owners drove back and forth. Sophie watched many horses walk past for their respective races, including Mustard Blue. She smiled, and stood up to go wish the connections good luck. The colt was full of untapped talent, she could feel it. It would take everything Scrappy had to beat him when they met again.

The sky had begun to turn from blue to orange when the Classic contenders were finally called to the stakes barn. Windy was jogged up and down the shedrow in front of a vet before heading over there. The vet found nothing wrong with the grey mare, she was perfectly sound. A satisfied smile settled on Sophie’s face. Windy was going to run the race of her life today, she could feel it. As the field walked to the paddock, Sophie, who was leading her filly, began to feel her nerves set in. Sure, she had been nervous before, but now it had really hit her. Her filly who she treated practically like her own child was running in the Breeders Cup, and not in just any Breeders Cup race. The Classic. The feature race, the one with the 6 million dollar purse. Never had Sophie entered a horse in such a high class event, and she had entered Windy in the Whitney. As the horses led by Windy (she was post position 1) entered the paddock, they were met by the screaming of fans and the flash of cameras. Windy strode confidently through the paddock, tossing her head at her rival, Release the Panic, as he passed. It was almost as if she was challenging him, though Sophie knew that couldn't be it. Horses, though smart, couldn't be capable of such a complex thought, right? Smooth muscle rippled underneath her shiny grey coat, which seemed almost to be a size too small. Sophie allowed herself to smile. Windy was a picture, she had never looked better.

As Sophie was sliding the red saddle cloth and saddle onto her filly, she heard the familiar click of boots coming up behind her. She turned and grinned at her jockey, Skylar Akers, who looked nervous for practically the first time in her life. Sophie clapped her on the back, grinning. “This filly is ready to run her heart out, Sky.” She said, using her nickname for Skylar. “Get her out of the gate quick, don't let her get boxed in. It doesn't help that she drew post position 1, but we can work around it. Keep her mid pack until around the far turn. When Panic hits the front, you know its time to let her loose. She’ll do the rest.” Skylar smiled, still nervous, and nodded. “I've never ridden in the Breeders Cup before…” She said. “I've never trained a Breeders Cup horse before, yet here we are with a horse that has a real shot to win. Just ride your race, and I know you won't let me down.” As she said this, she gave the small jockey a leg up onto her horse. Skylar waved to her, and the post parade headed out to the track.

Sophie turned to head to her seat and to find Elphaba, Silver Skye’s owner in this mass of people, but she was stopped by a reporter followed by a video camera. “I’m reporting for NBC,” he said, “would you mind if I ask you a few questions?” “Sure.” Sophie said, smiling at him. “Just make it quick please, I don't want to miss the race.” The reporter chuckled. “Of course.” He said. The cameraman counted down, and soon they were on air.

Later, Sophie climbed the stairs to her seats that she shared with the owner of Silver Skye, Elphaba. There were 5 minutes to post, Sophie had made it from the interview with time to spare. “Big day, Elphaba.” She said grinning, to the woman as she approached. The tall dark haired woman turned around. “Yes! Big day!” She said. “You've done a fantastic job with her, she looks wonderful down there…”. Sophie blushed. “Thank you for sending me such a talented filly to train.” The pair chatted some more, and soon it was time for the gates to be loaded. Windy was loaded first, and as the last horse in the field of six moved into place, a quiet came over the crowd. After a long day, it was finally time for the race.

The bell rang and gates crashed open. They were off in the Classic.