by Candace Beane
I love horses! My Grandpa grew up around them. One of our customary entertainments was to watch horse racing on TV. I do not condone, nor do I take part in horse racing; but this story is a humorous mix of my memories with my Grandpa.
Aubrey laid a comforting hand against Mabel’s Asset’s trembling neck. She felt her mounts trepidation because she experienced the same. The odds were against them with a slim chance for success, but she had no other choice, her desired to win was strong, and they had trained for too long. The last female jockey to win the Breeders Cup was in 1981, and only three fillies had ever won the Kentucky Derby, they had to prove they could do this! Mabel, at the command of her master, began to side-step toward the starting gate. She wanted to run back to her comfortable and familiar stall, but now there was no turning back. Crammed roughly into the tiny starting gate, Mabel saw the husky stallions on either side of her, she reared at the opposing threats! Aubrey reached out to stroke Mabel’s neck once more, as she whispered, “You’re ready for this Mabel, I know you are! Remember your training.” With those words, Mabel refocused, set her eyes on the track ahead, and determined nothing less than victory.
As the announcer rattled off the racer’s names and their mounts, Aubrey and Mabel readied themselves. BRRRRING! As the dozen muscular bodies propelled themselves out of the gate and on to the track, they fought for a position at the rail. Mabel settled into the middle content to wait until the last bend, yet many others wasted energy squabbling over the lead. As they flew by poles and markers, Aubrey reflected on the grand successes that had brought her and Mabel’s Asset this far. And she remembered what opposing probabilities they had fought and conquered. The air of another rider rocketing past brought Aubrey back to the race - the last bend was approaching! Now was the time for action. Aubrey elevated herself in her saddle to signal Mabel that it was time. Mabel responded with a burst of speed. As Mabel elongated her stride, she passed the two Thoroughbreds in front of her. But she still had the two aggressive leaders to overcome. With every thundering beat, Mabel closed the gap between her and her rivals until she was directly behind the second-place stallion. With only ten lengths left Mabel pulled from the rail once more to pass her remaining obstacles. Aubrey no longer had to ask of Mabel; this was her breeding and training - this was Mabel’s race! Her nostrils flared with greed to feed her hungry lungs, and her heart beat out the demand for more speed! She pulled up alongside the leading stallion, with a single length remaining. Aubrey leaned in close, and Mabel stretched out her neck as they crossed the finish line. Exhausted, Aubrey and Mabel’s Asset waited with fearful anticipation for the results.
The announcer’s voice boomed the success of Mabel’s Assetacrossthe track! “Ladies and gentlemen, it has been since 1915 that a filly has won the Kentucky Derby!”
Aubrey and Mabel bounced toward the winner’s circle. Aubrey came within sight of her trophy and Mabel’s flowered swag. She could imagine the smell of the flowers, but her mount halted and refused to move. Aubrey, looking up and with a cry of complaint exclaimed, “Grandpa, don’t stop now! I was nearly there!”
Grudgingly, the elderly man switched her to his other knee.