Longshot: A New York Times Bestseller

by Mike Rogers

  A look of utter pain came across his face, "Fine. If that's what you want…" When I didn't rebuke him, he turned and walked away. At that moment, I felt my Longshot break.

  Putting my troubling morning behind me, I prepared for my first Breeder's Cup race. Analyzing the racing form, I closely studied the competition. In each of the races there was no one horse that could be ignored. I guess that's the way it should be!

  In the middle of my thoughts came the call to the paddock. Surveying the two-year-old fillies in the paddock, I spotted Noelle and Grace. Even with the large crowd milling and shouting, nothing disturbed her composure.

  She stood quietly in the saddling stall. Her bay ears were cocked in the forward position and her eyes looked about her surroundings. Her posture was impeccable. She chewed contentedly on the bit with her neck stretched out in a relaxed manner. One back foot rested with just the tip touching the ground.

  With the saddling finished, her groom tugged on the shank and took her to circle around the paddock. Noelle and I observed her progress.

  "She looks good, Noelle," I stated. All she was able to do was nod.

  Just then, a reporter came over to talk to Noelle.

  "This is Noelle Gardner, the trainer of the 5-1 second choice on the board, Graceful Minuette. How is your filly coming into this race?"

  "She's giving me all indications that she is going to run a big one."

  "So, how did you acquire Sarah Randall as her jockey?"

  "Sarah and I have been friends for years. I asked and she said yes."

  "Have you seen the segment we just showed on Sarah Randall?"

  Noelle's face became stony, "No, I chose not to view it. I did hear about it though. Did you ever think to get the whole story?"

  Quickly getting off that topic, the reporter concluded, "Well, thank you for your time. There you have it. It's a very confident camp down here.

  Smiling sarcastically, I said, "How surprising, they decided not to talk to me…"

  As Noelle boosted me up, she returned, "There just afraid to admit they made a mistake. Go get 'em girl!"

  Grace warmed up jus the way she needed to. Staying calm, she didn't allow the other fillies to affect her behavior. At t eh gate, she was the calmest of all. She quietly loaded into stall five. It wasn't the best post. Noelle would have preferred to be more toward the outside.

  Soon, all the fillies were loaded. Finally, there was a tense second before the gates burst open. Breeder's Cup day had officially started.

  Grace nimbly broke away from the gate. The two surrounding fillies broke away from us, creating a nice large avenue of clear track. Striding up, she placed herself in a perfect stalking position two off from the rail. Then, we just sat, waiting for the long backstretch to end and the far turn to come.

  Halfway down the backside, I glanced back and shifted Grace to the outside. The pace was fairly moderate. There were no crazy speedsters in the bunch. Nearing the far turn, I surveyed the competition again. The favorite, Nodoubtaboutit, was sitting snugly in second. Her jockey was riding comfortably. Also, a couple of fillies from the back of the pack had inched up into contention.

  Hitting the far turn, I gave Grace some rein. Eagerly taking it, she accelerated slowly gaining on the leaders. I continued to sit chilly because I knew how patient a jockey had to be riding this mile and one-half oval.

  At the three-eighths pole, everything began heating up. I could hear and see three fillies breathing down my throat. The favorite had just overtaken the pacesetter.

  Pumping Grace, I shook the reins and tapped her lightly on the shoulder. The change occurred in a split second. Suddenly, she exploded. Within two strides, she was neck and neck with the favorite. Two strides later, she was ahead by daylight.

  Grace was exceptional. She wasn't ahead because everyone was fading because the rest of the field was running on. Grace was that much faster! Giving her another light tap to keep her mind on business, I glanced back again. Grace had increased her lead to five lengths. No one was going to catch her that day. Wrapping up on her we cruised to an easy four length victory. Across the finish line, I did a little fist pump for the crowd.

  And did the women cheer!

  Eventually, Grace and I made it to the winner's circle. The filly knew she had turned in the race of her life. Her bay coat shone with sweat and her nostrils flared from the effort. She danced around the enclosure, unable to stand still from the adrenaline rushing through her system.

  I scanned the crowd, looking for Noelle. She should be here, jumping up and down, screaming at the top of her lungs.

  Then, I spotted her. She watched Grace and me from ten feet away. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Catching her eye, I smiled and gave her a thumb up. Finding her voice and strength, she then screamed, ran towards me, and flailed her arms.

  First, she hugged the squirming Grace. Typical! She hugged the horse first! Then, she grabbed my hand in hers, and again unable to find her voice, mouthed a thank you. Finally, my own tears fell.

  Noelle and I never stopped crying through the presentation. The reporter joked that women shouldn't win these races because they cried too much.

  You know what I said?

  "Get used to it! This is only the beginning!"

  I was on such a high heading into the paddock for the Juvenile. The fact that I had just won my first Breeder's Cup race hadn't quite set in yet. I couldn't stop smiling.

  Lucero was all business, except for a small smile and congratulatory pat on the back. Then, he moved to race strategy.

  "There is tons of speed in this race. I'd like to see you sitting sixth or seventh down the backstretch, then making a run around the far turn. I'm pretty sure Cage Fighter can make a strong three furlong run. I'm fairly confident we can get a piece of the money as long as you keep him out of trouble."

  I nodded, saying, "All right." Then, I glanced at the colt himself.

  Cage Fighter was very easy to spot. His gleaming black coat and size easily separated him from his peers. He walked alertly with his head up and ears pricked. Every once in a while, Cage Fighter would throw his head and break into a jog. On that day, Cage Fighter had finally graduated into the ranks of the mostly sane.

  No longer did it take five handlers just to keep all four feet on the ground. Now, only his regular groom led the colt around the ring. What a glorious sight!

  As Cage Fighter approached, the call for riders up echoed around the paddock. Coming up behind me, Lucero gripped my left leg in his hands and lithely propelled me into the saddle. I gave Lucero a thumb up as Cage Fighter and I were led away.

  Milling around behind the gate brought me to a revelation. Cage Fighter was huge! He towered over the other colts. If the race were on looks along, Cage Fighter would leave them in the dust.

  The betters obviously agreed. They made Cage Fighter the even money favorite. What were these people thinking? No one in their right mind would make any juvenile in any race the even money favorite! They're just too darned unpredictable!

  Cage Fighter loaded great, but this one colt took forever to get in. still, I felt pity for the poor thing. He looked totally washed out and scared. The crowd and activity was proving too much for his young mind. He finally loaded, but everyone knew that was it for him.

  The rest of the field went in smoothly. Cage Fighter tossed his head and fidgeted in impatience. I quickly soothed him and prepared him for the start.

  "Ding! Ding! Ding!"

  Breaking in stride, Cage Fighter leaped out of the gate. Right away, we fell back a half-length as the two speedsters around us sprinted away. Collecting Cage Fighter, I maneuvered him toward the rail and a ground saving trip.

  A massive speed duel formulated in front of us. Sometimes, there is no holding these youngsters back. Anyone within five lengths of the leaders would be cooked by the far turn.

  Cage Fighter and I were back in ninth, twelve lengths from the leaders. He was very relaxed and striding out comfortably. With his ears pr
icked forward, he appeared almost playful in manner; like he was just going out for a romp in the field.

  By the middle of the backstretch, the speed duel's first victims began dropping back. I swung Cage Fighter to the outside to avoid their retreat. I was about that time that Cage Fighter began to pick up horses on his own. By the far turn, we had cruised our way into fifth, now just five lengths from the leaders.

  Three wide around the far turn positioned us behind a wall of three horses. I either had to swing wide or wait for a hole that may never develop. Just as it came to that critical "now or never" moment, the inside colt floated the other to the outside leaving a large, inviting, and clear run through to the inside against the rail.

  Giving Cage Fighter the signal to fly, I pulled him sharply to the rail. Seeing the hole, he dove for it with aggression. Suddenly, my left leg jerked and elongated as my left stirrup gave out. If I had been on the straightaway, and not making a turn on a turn, I might have been able to save myself. This time I never even got a chance to think.

  Off balance, I floundered for a stride, and then toppled off to the left smacking the ground; I instinctively rolled into a ball, my momentum smacking me into the inner rail. Twice more, I felt hard smacks against my back before all was silent.

  Slowly uncurling myself, I moved gingerly. There was only a bit of soreness, and no sharp pains from broken bones. I hadn't really hit my head, but my back had taken some punches from horses' hooves. Thank goodness for vests.

  Sitting up, I looked around from the broken stirrup. It was there two feet away. The tear didn't look jagged, indicating weakening leather from years of use, but clean, like someone had cut partway through. Someone hadn't wanted me to win.

  There was no more time to ponder that thought. The ambulance crew arrived, followed thirty seconds later by Lucero who spared no time, engulfing me in his arms.

  "Sarah, Sarah, "he murmured. Then, pushing me away slightly, he removed my helmet and kissed me full on the lips.

  Taken by surprise, I could do nothing but respond. It felt so right to be kissing him. Little tingles ran up and down my body as he deepened the kiss. Much too soon, Lucero slowly pulled away.

  "Sarah, I'm so sorry. You have to let me explain everything." Lucero's face was full of anguish.

  Before either of us could say any more, "You're supposed to be dead!"

  Lucero and I turned to the voice to see Kay fuming three feet away. Then, lunging forward, she wrapped her hands around my neck. Gasping for breath, I tried to wretch her hands away. Thank goodness Lucero quickly ripped her off me.

  Immediately, she started screaming, "I had you taken care of before. I knew Bobby had fallen for you, you stupid little innocent!" Laughing hysterically, she shouted, "I planted thoughts in his mind! I had him believing you were a little whore! He was so Longshotbroken. He came begging my forgiveness! Begging me to help him get rid of you. Mine was a foolproof plan!

  "And he still divorced me! It's all your fault I'm not married. Then you came back! All innocent and unchanged! You created doubt in his mind about what I had told him. I saw his resolve lessening. I saw you two in the shed row! Practically kissing, you were!

  "He fired me and it's all your fault! Cutting the stirrup leather was the perfect solution." Her eyes took on a faraway look. "You would be gone forever and Bobby would be truly mine…"

  Kay somehow managed to say all this before track security arrived. I found that all I could do was star at her with wide eyes. Once she was taken into custody, Lucero returned to where I sat and beseechingly gripped my hand.

  "Sarah," he begged, "I didn't know what else to do. I found myself so horribly in love with you, but I was married. Kay threatened to slip rumors to the media and I was to darn selfish to see my name run through the dirt. Afterwards, I felt so guilty that I divorced her anyway. I wanted to see you again, but was so afraid you wouldn't forgive me!"

  As I listened to his confession, I felt tears begin to run down my cheeks.

  At my show of tears, he talked faster, "I know that you saw Kay and me together. Whenever you came around, she found a way to push me in a corner. I didn't fight her because many times I couldn't bear to talk to you. Your rejections were eating at my soul!

  "Sarah, the minute you stepped back into my life I knew I was a goner. I'm so in live with you it hurts! I thought I was going to die when you came off today. Every time you ride, I almost die!" In a softer tone, he added, "Every time you look at me I think I'm going to die."

  All I could do was stare at him. Then, this uncontrollable shaking seized my limbs. Opening my mouth, I managed to stammer out, "I—I love you, too. I think I have for a long time but never realized it."

  Without waiting for any more, Lucero seized me and gave me a very intense kiss. Reluctantly pulling away, he just held me close to his body.

  Then, we were rudely interrupted.

  "Here's the latest in our breaking story, folks…"

  Well, to say the least, Lucero and I did make it to the paddock for the next race. There was just enough time for me to get on the horse, go to the track, and win the race. I'll skip the explanation about the winner's circle celebration. You can guess at what occurred…

  Sadly, we didn't win any of the other races before the Classic. The turf was a very close miss though. Mons Caprica closed like a freight train to just miss. A stride after the wire, she surged ahead.

  But the important race was still to be run. In the Classic, Lucero saddled three, Countdown, Gambit, and Longshot. As of saddling time, Longshot was the favorite, with The Countdown second choice, and Gambit third. Bettors thought that with is light schedule, Gambit might come up short in such tough competition.

  I knew Gambit was the horse to watch. In the paddock, he looked just as good as Longshot. He was strutting around like he had already won the race. As I walked toward Longshot, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Arthur.

  "Hey! Congratulations!" he said smiling.

  "What? Already conceding defeat?" I smirked.

  "No, I'm congratulating you on your engagement to Lucero."

  Letting out a shocked laugh, I said, "We're not engaged!"

  "I know," Arthur said, before walking away. Then turning back, "Today determines who wins the war!"

  Approaching Lucero who stood near Longshot's stall, I smiled. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed the top of my head. Laughing, I pulled away, "Don't you have things to take care of?"

  "No, just you," he murmured. Then, he detached himself from me and talked to his other jockeys. Shortly later, he returned to me saying, "You should win this, Sarah. Ride your race and get back safe." Boosting me up, he gave me and intense stare before moving on to the others.

  This Classic was the most competitive in years. European champions, American champions, and Triple Crown race winners made up half the field. Still, all admitted that Longshot, Gambit, and The Countdown were the horses to beat.

  Longshot was assigned to post three, Gambit in four, and The Countdown hung out in post thirteen. It would be better for Longshot to be closer to the outside, but he was talented enough to overcome practically anything.

  The warm up proceeded smoothly. Hear remained calm but alert. Observing the other horses, I noticed they handled the situation like the professionals they were.

  As we approached the gate, I reflected on everything. My thoughts flitted from Lucero, to Longshot, Chrissy, Kay, Arthur, etc. I so wanted to win this race. Not just for myself, but for the Luceros, Arthur, the barn, but especially for Longshot and Lucero. Beautiful Longshot. He was truly one of the greats. Nowhere else could such talent, determination, and Longshot be found. If he went out a winner that day, he would forever be immortalized. I could just feel it.

  Lucero. Frank. Finally, for the first time in out tumultuous relationship all was out in the open. I no longer cared about the past. I just wanted to forget and start over, spending every spare minute with him…

  I was jerked back to reality by the clanging s
hut of the gate. Longshot had been just locked in. looking to my right, Gambit with Arthur on top slipped in. locking eyes, I nodded. He returned the favor.

  Turning, I looked between the bars in front of me. Even now, I can remember how they looked. Nice and newly painted. There was no creaking. All the joints had been oiled to make them most efficient. The dirt track beckoned, calling me to conquer its challenges.

  When the last gate slammed, everything quieted. All I registered with the shifting of hooves and excited huffed breaths. Time seemed to slow as we waited for the magnetic locks on the gates to be released.

  "Ding! Ding! Ding!" the long awaited bell tolled. The Breeders Cup Classic was on.

  Launching out of the gate, Longshot broke flush with Gambit. Allowing Longshot to run on, I sought for a position right behind the leaders and in the clear. Nearing the first turn, I secured that position three-wide. Suddenly Gambit's presence left my side. Glancing back, I saw Arthur deftly drop back, and then slip in right behind me, slightly to the inside. He was going to track me all the way around.