Excerpt
A few minutes after ten oclock the next morning, Molly, now dressed in a red blouse and jeans but her trim body still captivating, arrived with Dr. William Brown, Veterinarian. Dr. Brown immediately started examining Flying Denarius, wasting no time on small talk.
Hogan, lead him away from me, and then turn and walk him directly to me, he commanded.
After Id done this several times, he had me do the same routine at a trot, and then as fast as I could run. He picked up a hoof and tested it with a special metal hoof tester.
Come over here, Hogan, he said. I want to show you were its sore.
I handed the lead rope to Molly, and walked to the side of the horse where Dr. Brown was standing. He picked up the foot again. When I press right here, he demonstrated, see, he winces. Not much, but when hes running with a thousand pounds landing on that hoof its going to hurt. There isnt much that can be done for this kind of an injury. Its like a bruise on your heel, one day it hurts, the next it doesnt unless you hit it directly, and then you forget you ever had a sore heel. Give your horse a few days and hell be fine.
Thats great, Doc, but hes suppose to run at Saratoga, and thats only two weeks away.
It might be possible for him to run then, but in my opinion, unwise. I know youre here with a stakes horse and want to win the big races, but whats the sense in winning one and then not being able to enter others because you have a sore horse? Its tough, but thats the way the ball bounces,
The bruise is that serious?
Not in itself, but New York allows no pain killers, and without a pain killer hed probably favor that leg. That could throw him off stride, straining other muscles, maybe causing a domino effect. You never know.
I understand your concern, Doc, but before I scratch him I want to sleep on it. What did this lovely reporter do to persuade you to come to my stall?
She wouldnt let me say no, twisted my arm pretty hard. Id love to have someone that attractive looking after my welfare. Well, good-bye.
He took a stride, then stopped and turned around. Its okay to give him a pain killer while youre training, just stop so its out of his system before you enter a race. If I were you Id pony him without a rider to keep him in condition for the big races, maybe for the Woodward Stake? He turned back with a wave of a hand.
I moved to Molly who was still holding the horse. Here, Ill put him in his stall.
Never mind, she answered, avoiding my grasp for the rope. I certainly can lead a horse into a stall and unsnap a lead. Sit down, you have a big decision to make.
I watched her pen Flying D, close the bottom door, and hook the chains on top. Satisfied she knew what she was doing, I sat down on a hay bale close to the stall.
Move over, she said as she returned. I slid several inches to one side, and she sank beside me, our hips touching. Leaning forward she placed her hand on my knee, fanning a flame that was already too warm. Youre not seriously thinking of running Flying Denarius at Saratoga, and jeopardizing his chances in the other big races, are you?
I looked sidewise, right into her eyes. She was so close, the sensation so strong, that for a terrifying moment I had an overwhelming desire to pull her to me. I fought it the only way I knew, abruptly standing to break the contact between us.
I could see my action surprised her, but I pretended I was deep in thought about the Saratoga race. That decision doesnt have to be made right now, Molly, I said, hoping my voice was calm and steady. Thats a major race, but I scheduled it for reasons besides the $300,000 purse. After his lay off Flying D needs to tackle tough, tough competitors to regain his mental aggressiveness before taking on the top horses here at Belmont Park. Anyway, nothing can be gained by making it final at this time. Im ninety-nine percent certain he wont run, but I might have egg on my face if his trouble suddenly cures itself, and hes back in training tomorrow.
I hoped I sounded believable, but inside my gut was churning. I didnt want to sound wishy washy to this girl, but would gladly settle for that. If she only knew, I thought.
Molly stood to face me. None of my inner conflict seemed to have spilled over to her. Tomorrow youll decide on Flying D?
Yes. As soon as Im positive one way or the other Ill phone you at your office so you can break the news. Do you have connections with the Daily Racing Form?
Not directly, but I have a friend there and we often trade information. But you wont need to call, Ive decided to hang around the barns for a few days to get a better feel, a better background on the subjects I write about.
The calico cat jumped onto the bale where we had been sitting, and Molly scooped her up and cuddled her.
Which barns?
Not really barns, around a horseyours.
Flying D?
Yeah, All morning Ive been trying to decide what excuses I should give to explain why I need to be around you, but theres no hiding the real one. After years of wondering if Im going to really fall in love, I have. If this had happened at the office, or with someone Im working with, circumstances would have thrown us together giving me a logical reason to be around the guy. I wouldnt need the finagling Id have to do out here to make my motive seem innocent. What can I do? I cant pretend it just happens Im there when you take a break, or need a cup of coffee? If the idea Im pursuing you bothers you, just say Im in love with your horse, and want to be around him.
|