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Description
*
Derby day dawned fresh, clear and sunny. The track was perfect, harrowed to perfection and everyone on the backside was in good spirits. Whispers of favorites, long shots and sure bets filled the air with unscrupulous intentions. Nevertheless all 20 Derby hopefuls lay peaceful in their stalls, unknowing about future fame that could lie ahead for one of them.
Crystal Rainsford, an accomplished female jockey of about 26 years, sat in a chair outside Ian Mcmahon’s barn at Churchill Downs. Dressed to the nines for the upcoming festivities she looked rather benign sitting in that blue folding chair. One would think that with her horse George’s Gift going into the Kentucky Derby she would be more upbeat than this. The reason lay in the fact that she had failed to garner a Derby mount. Or any mount on the card that day. She would have rather been sitting in the saddle than in the stands.
Her Derby horse, Mambo Italiano, hadn’t made the Derby field due to the lack of graded earnings. After Crystal realized that her riding in the Derby this year was in jeopardy she went to her go to trainer Billie Campbell. He had three horses going into this year’s Derby, all under Meadowlark Acres silks. Crystal was a contract rider for Meadowlark Acres but unfortunately Mr. Meadows wanted the jockeys that had been riding the three horses all year to ride them in Derby. Being slapped in the face by her own contract stable she went to other Derby stables hoping for a breakthrough. She didn’t get one and now she found herself grounded on Derby day.
“That’s one fancy dress you got there.” Ian said emerging from the stable with his customary toothpick in mouth. Ian was George’s Gift’s trainer, a medium sized 37 year old man with burnt reddish hair. Most of the time Ian was quite reserved, happy to be alone with his horses or having a quiet night at home with his wife Maria but, with owners he was different.
“Thanks Ian.” Crystal replied lifting her head up and giving him a slight smile. “How’s George?”
“How the heck should I know? You’re the one dating him....Oh wait you mean the horse? He’s fine. You don’t need to worry a bit.” Ian said his eyes concealed by large black sunglasses.
“That’s good.” Crystal said returning her gaze to the twin spires off in the distance. “Boy what I wouldn’t give to be in the Derby this year.”
“Well you aren’t so get over it.” Ian said crushing his toothpick with his teeth. “You’ve ridden in it more times than any other female rider. You should be counting your blessings.”
Crystal nodded stoically reliving her past four derbies. The first one in 2016, winning aboard Shining Star the filly, 2017 finishing 8th on Classic Champion, 2018 only managing 19th on the longshot, and last year 2019 finishing a well beaten 2nd aboard Attitude Adjustment.
“Well let’s make this year a winner.” Crystal grinned.

The day went by slowly, race by race passed, some rain came down early but the track dried out fast by the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, the last race before the Derby. George’s Gift had napped in his stall for a good two hours alongside his cohort in the stall next to him Meanager. Meanager, registered name Attitude Adjustment, had been in the Derby last year. Ridden by Crystal Rainsford he had only managed 2nd as his former stablemate, Moneigh had carried off the roses. If a horse could be sour about a loss, Meanager was the one. He took out his frustration the next day on two metal water buckets. But now his little buddy George had a chance at the roses.
Last summer George and Meanager had grown as close as two colts could.
Meanager had been an older brother to George last summer when he had first arrived at Saratoga. Used as an encouraging workhorse to George the two hit it off. They could be seen grooming each other’s withers during the cool of a summer’s evening. George however, sometimes took advantage of this friendship and would gladly steal hanging hay right from Meanager mouth. This would usually warrant a nip or two but George seemed to think it worthwhile.
The two would also work wholeheartedly together, bringing each other to do their best in important works. George was rarely seen without Meanager and vice versa. They were each other’s mental crutch.
Finally, the time for the famed Derby walkover. All 19 colts and one filly were draped in light cooling sheets as to quickly evaporate any sweat that might develop on the walk over. Grooms, some freshly shaven, stood at attention beside their charges, some cooing to calm frayed nerves. A light hand settled on the shoulder for a brief moment to remind them of their presence.
The precession was greeted by the roar of the Churchill Down’s crowd. Every spectator was straining for a glimpse of one of the Derby hopefuls. As the horses entered in viewing paddock their connections took their place in the grass oval in the center. They talk amiably, occasionally congratulating other connections for their shot at the roses yet, secretly hoping they fail. It isn’t long before all horses are saddled and ready for the greatest two minutes in sports.
“Riders up!” yells the paddock judge and all 20 jockeys are lifted aboard, along with their hopes, and adrenaline level.
“Good luck.” Crystal says softly to George Rodriguez as he mounts her horse George’s Gift. He looks over to her and with the utmost certainty in his voice says
“I don’t need luck. I have you.”
“Please rise while My Old Kentucky Home is played by.....”
Rachel Grunwald wrings her program in her hands nervously. Her favorite horse in the field, The White Ghost was in post #20. A horrible post for a horse that is such a bad starter as he is. But he was still the even money favorite after his win over George’s Gift in the Wood Memorial. She watched the infield television through the absolute crush of people in the track apron. It was a good thing she was rather tall otherwise she might not have seen the nerve calming image of Ghostie jogging easily over the Churchill Down’s surface.
“You can do it boy.” she whispered.
“For my Old Kentucky home far away.....”
It was almost time. Time for that most anxiously awaited two minutes in sports. Ever since each one of these colts was born, they were pointed to this one race. One race to define them forever and write their name in the history books, or that one race that would label them as an “also-ran” in the country’s biggest race. Now was the time.
All 19 colts and one filly lined up at the start, their destiny awaiting them like a grim reaper that awaits his next victims. The loading went without a hitch and soon, with baited breath, waited thousands of mouths for the start of the Kentucky Derby. Silence......then...
“And they’re off in the Kentucky Derby!” cried the announcer.
The raucous roar of the crowd met the horses as they jumped out of the gate. As expected The White Ghost was off a beat slow and was lost behind the crowded pushing and shoving of 19 other three year olds. George’s Gift however had broken as sharp as a tack and found himself sitting in a pretty place out of the major traffic in the two path on the rail. Taj Mahal and Finereservewine had also broke well, now battling out suicidal fractions on the front end. Fourth of July and Afleetnmomentntime found themselves trapped in a sea of horses, the filly was being bounced around like a ping pong ball on the rail as Dance for Bravo shoved into the slight filly. Afleetnmomentntime however, pinned her ears and shoved valiantly back at the chestnut colt. Meanwhile Pain in the Brass, Nardini and Tizakinga had somehow found stalking positions behind Taj Mahal and Finereservewine. The rest of the field filled the spaces between.
As the field swung into the backstretch the leaders began to slow a bit, the fast fractions already beginning to dim them. The stalkers stayed glued firm in their positions as did most of the rest of the field. The White Ghost by now had been shoved into the far back of the pack, toiling to make up lost ground. George’s Gift was sitting chilly however getting the perfect trip.
The crowd broke into hysterics as the field rounded the far turn. All of the horses had been let out and now it was time to see who had the stamina to stay on. Finereservewine and Dance for Bravo wilted with three furlongs to go. Taj Mahal was battling Nardini on his outside and Nardini was battling Tizakinga. As the rest of the field dropped back, a lithe gray flash caught Taj Mahal’s jockey by surprise. It was none other than George’s Gift. With George pumping his hands on the gray’s neck, George burst from the pack like they were standing still. Pulling away with a furlong left no one got anywhere close to threatening him.
As George raised his fist into the air across the finish line he blew a kiss to that one brown haired jockey sitting in the stands somewhere remembering his last words to her.
“I don’t need luck. I have you....”*

Yays! George wins the Derby!

Kentucky Derby results

1. George's Gift
2. Taj Mahal
3. Nardini
4. Twisted Addiction
5. Sultan of Azkaban
6. Pain in the Brass
7. Fourth of July
8. Cool Ticket
9. The White Ghost
10. Afleetnmomentntime
11. Gossamer
12. Finereservewine
13. Sabiano
14. Dance for Bravo
15. Kangaroo Escape
16. Tizakinga
17. Sultry Suances
18. Snazzy Duke
19. Foxy Gentleman
20. Free from Joe

© to afleetalex

Description
*
Derby day dawned fresh, clear and sunny. The track was perfect, harrowed to perfection and everyone on the backside was in good spirits. Whispers of favorites, long shots and sure bets filled the air with unscrupulous intentions. Nevertheless all 20 Derby hopefuls lay peaceful in their stalls, unknowing about future fame that could lie ahead for one of them.
Crystal Rainsford, an accomplished female jockey of about 26 years, sat in a chair outside Ian Mcmahon’s barn at Churchill Downs. Dressed to the nines for the upcoming festivities she looked rather benign sitting in that blue folding chair. One would think that with her horse George’s Gift going into the Kentucky Derby she would be more upbeat than this. The reason lay in the fact that she had failed to garner a Derby mount. Or any mount on the card that day. She would have rather been sitting in the saddle than in the stands.
Her Derby horse, Mambo Italiano, hadn’t made the Derby field due to the lack of graded earnings. After Crystal realized that her riding in the Derby this year was in jeopardy she went to her go to trainer Billie Campbell. He had three horses going into this year’s Derby, all under Meadowlark Acres silks. Crystal was a contract rider for Meadowlark Acres but unfortunately Mr. Meadows wanted the jockeys that had been riding the three horses all year to ride them in Derby. Being slapped in the face by her own contract stable she went to other Derby stables hoping for a breakthrough. She didn’t get one and now she found herself grounded on Derby day.
“That’s one fancy dress you got there.” Ian said emerging from the stable with his customary toothpick in mouth. Ian was George’s Gift’s trainer, a medium sized 37 year old man with burnt reddish hair. Most of the time Ian was quite reserved, happy to be alone with his horses or having a quiet night at home with his wife Maria but, with owners he was different.
“Thanks Ian.” Crystal replied lifting her head up and giving him a slight smile. “How’s George?”
“How the heck should I know? You’re the one dating him....Oh wait you mean the horse? He’s fine. You don’t need to worry a bit.” Ian said his eyes concealed by large black sunglasses.
“That’s good.” Crystal said returning her gaze to the twin spires off in the distance. “Boy what I wouldn’t give to be in the Derby this year.”
“Well you aren’t so get over it.” Ian said crushing his toothpick with his teeth. “You’ve ridden in it more times than any other female rider. You should be counting your blessings.”
Crystal nodded stoically reliving her past four derbies. The first one in 2016, winning aboard Shining Star the filly, 2017 finishing 8th on Classic Champion, 2018 only managing 19th on the longshot, and last year 2019 finishing a well beaten 2nd aboard Attitude Adjustment.
“Well let’s make this year a winner.” Crystal grinned.

The day went by slowly, race by race passed, some rain came down early but the track dried out fast by the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, the last race before the Derby. George’s Gift had napped in his stall for a good two hours alongside his cohort in the stall next to him Meanager. Meanager, registered name Attitude Adjustment, had been in the Derby last year. Ridden by Crystal Rainsford he had only managed 2nd as his former stablemate, Moneigh had carried off the roses. If a horse could be sour about a loss, Meanager was the one. He took out his frustration the next day on two metal water buckets. But now his little buddy George had a chance at the roses.
Last summer George and Meanager had grown as close as two colts could.
Meanager had been an older brother to George last summer when he had first arrived at Saratoga. Used as an encouraging workhorse to George the two hit it off. They could be seen grooming each other’s withers during the cool of a summer’s evening. George however, sometimes took advantage of this friendship and would gladly steal hanging hay right from Meanager mouth. This would usually warrant a nip or two but George seemed to think it worthwhile.
The two would also work wholeheartedly together, bringing each other to do their best in important works. George was rarely seen without Meanager and vice versa. They were each other’s mental crutch.
Finally, the time for the famed Derby walkover. All 19 colts and one filly were draped in light cooling sheets as to quickly evaporate any sweat that might develop on the walk over. Grooms, some freshly shaven, stood at attention beside their charges, some cooing to calm frayed nerves. A light hand settled on the shoulder for a brief moment to remind them of their presence.
The precession was greeted by the roar of the Churchill Down’s crowd. Every spectator was straining for a glimpse of one of the Derby hopefuls. As the horses entered in viewing paddock their connections took their place in the grass oval in the center. They talk amiably, occasionally congratulating other connections for their shot at the roses yet, secretly hoping they fail. It isn’t long before all horses are saddled and ready for the greatest two minutes in sports.
“Riders up!” yells the paddock judge and all 20 jockeys are lifted aboard, along with their hopes, and adrenaline level.
“Good luck.” Crystal says softly to George Rodriguez as he mounts her horse George’s Gift. He looks over to her and with the utmost certainty in his voice says
“I don’t need luck. I have you.”
“Please rise while My Old Kentucky Home is played by.....”
Rachel Grunwald wrings her program in her hands nervously. Her favorite horse in the field, The White Ghost was in post #20. A horrible post for a horse that is such a bad starter as he is. But he was still the even money favorite after his win over George’s Gift in the Wood Memorial. She watched the infield television through the absolute crush of people in the track apron. It was a good thing she was rather tall otherwise she might not have seen the nerve calming image of Ghostie jogging easily over the Churchill Down’s surface.
“You can do it boy.” she whispered.
“For my Old Kentucky home far away.....”
It was almost time. Time for that most anxiously awaited two minutes in sports. Ever since each one of these colts was born, they were pointed to this one race. One race to define them forever and write their name in the history books, or that one race that would label them as an “also-ran” in the country’s biggest race. Now was the time.
All 19 colts and one filly lined up at the start, their destiny awaiting them like a grim reaper that awaits his next victims. The loading went without a hitch and soon, with baited breath, waited thousands of mouths for the start of the Kentucky Derby. Silence......then...
“And they’re off in the Kentucky Derby!” cried the announcer.
The raucous roar of the crowd met the horses as they jumped out of the gate. As expected The White Ghost was off a beat slow and was lost behind the crowded pushing and shoving of 19 other three year olds. George’s Gift however had broken as sharp as a tack and found himself sitting in a pretty place out of the major traffic in the two path on the rail. Taj Mahal and Finereservewine had also broke well, now battling out suicidal fractions on the front end. Fourth of July and Afleetnmomentntime found themselves trapped in a sea of horses, the filly was being bounced around like a ping pong ball on the rail as Dance for Bravo shoved into the slight filly. Afleetnmomentntime however, pinned her ears and shoved valiantly back at the chestnut colt. Meanwhile Pain in the Brass, Nardini and Tizakinga had somehow found stalking positions behind Taj Mahal and Finereservewine. The rest of the field filled the spaces between.
As the field swung into the backstretch the leaders began to slow a bit, the fast fractions already beginning to dim them. The stalkers stayed glued firm in their positions as did most of the rest of the field. The White Ghost by now had been shoved into the far back of the pack, toiling to make up lost ground. George’s Gift was sitting chilly however getting the perfect trip.
The crowd broke into hysterics as the field rounded the far turn. All of the horses had been let out and now it was time to see who had the stamina to stay on. Finereservewine and Dance for Bravo wilted with three furlongs to go. Taj Mahal was battling Nardini on his outside and Nardini was battling Tizakinga. As the rest of the field dropped back, a lithe gray flash caught Taj Mahal’s jockey by surprise. It was none other than George’s Gift. With George pumping his hands on the gray’s neck, George burst from the pack like they were standing still. Pulling away with a furlong left no one got anywhere close to threatening him.
As George raised his fist into the air across the finish line he blew a kiss to that one brown haired jockey sitting in the stands somewhere remembering his last words to her.
“I don’t need luck. I have you....”*

Yays! George wins the Derby!

Kentucky Derby results

1. George's Gift
2. Taj Mahal
3. Nardini
4. Twisted Addiction
5. Sultan of Azkaban
6. Pain in the Brass
7. Fourth of July
8. Cool Ticket
9. The White Ghost
10. Afleetnmomentntime
11. Gossamer
12. Finereservewine
13. Sabiano
14. Dance for Bravo
15. Kangaroo Escape
16. Tizakinga
17. Sultry Suances
18. Snazzy Duke
19. Foxy Gentleman
20. Free from Joe

© to afleetalex