Chasing the Carnations - Part 1
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I clipped the lead rope to the leather halter of the brown Thoroughbred. The big colt turned his head and nudged my shoulder. I rubbed his soft muzzle and assured him, "We're home now, old man. You get to sleep in your stall for the rest of the day."
I guided Sultan down the ramp of the horse trailer and stopped to take in the sight of the beautiful farm I lived on. There was the blue-green grass, the red barns, the Tutor style house and the gorgeous horses that I loved so much.
Sultan took the opportunity to announce his return, trumpeting in my ear. "Ow!" I quickly clapped a hand over my right ear and winced.
Matt, who was nearby, unloading luggage, burst out laughing.
"So not funny," I told him, leading Sultan into the red barn past him.
I released the horse into his stall and watched him sniff around in each corner, the hay net, and the water bucket. Sultan finally wandered back over to the stall door I leaned on and draped his head over my shoulder.
I reached up and gave him a scratch behind the ears. "It's good to be home, huh, old man?" I stayed there with the colt for a few more minutes, content.
I finally dragged myself up to the main house and spent an hour unpacking. By the time I was done, it was time to talk about the next three weeks with Greg and Martha. After almost tripping going down the stairs, I calmly settled down at the table.
Martha pushed aside the stack of papers in front of her and folded her hands. "We need to make absolutely sure that you're ok with missing your high school graduation," she started. The topic had come up before. The Belmont was the day after the ceremony. Attending the evening program and then flying to New York to ride in the third leg of the Triple Crown was possible, but not ideal.
I nodded. "Sultan deserves my best. You guys deserve my best out there. I deserve to do my best. My place is in New York for the Belmont. If I don't march, I'll live." I pushed aside the twinge I felt over not attending the ceremony with my classmates. I'd known this was a possible outcome when we entered Sultan at the Triple Crown races. I had to learn to live with my decisions. One couldn't have everything they wanted in life.
"I thought you were going to say that. I called your principal today and talked to him about the situation. He's disappointed you’re missing the ceremony."
"I'm sure he is but what about my school work? I'm missing finals. You didn't happen to discuss this with Mr. Aramis did you, Martha?"
She laughed. "He said he would talk to your teachers. Tomorrow you need to talk to him and arrange to take your tests before you leave. It shouldn't be that much of a problem, should it?"
I shook my head, already thinking of how busy I was going to be for the next two weeks with homework alone.
Greg spoke up. "We've discussed flying you and Sultan to New York the Wednesday before the race. That should give you both plenty of time to recover and get used to the track."
"Sounds good," I agreed. I was only missing two days of school and my graduation. I could live with that.
"Ash, there is one other thing we would like to talk to you about," Martha sounded a bit unsure of herself, like she didn't want to be broaching whatever subject she was bringing up.
"OK. What is it?" I replied.
Greg didn't say anything. He just looked at his wife.
Martha sighed. She'd clearly been hoping Greg would take over and explain. "Ash, we would like for you to do an interview with the TV news magazine 24/7. We know you're probably not going to be comfortable going before a camera in this type of setting but you're going to have to do it eventually. The experience will be good for you."
All I could think was, 'No way! Not happening!'
Greg seemed to read my mind. "Ash, they're not going to be like Sandy Kessler. These people are professionals."
I still wasn't convinced.
"Ash, you can't avoid the press forever," Martha pointed out. "You gave interviews after the Preakness. This won't be much different, just a different setting. Besides it will be good for the farm and good for you."
I sighed. She had a good point. "OK. I'll do it."
"Great. They'll be here a week from Saturday to start filming some shots of the farm. It should take the whole weekend. Then they'll do a sit down interview with you at their studio in New York the Thursday before the Belmont. The segment will air the next day," Greg sounded relieved.
Oh I was not looking forward to this.
"Ash, don't stress out about the interview. Just focus on school and Sultan," Martha advised.
Right. Don't stress. Easy for her to say. I braced myself for a crazy three weeks. |
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Apr 24, 2011
• 2,160 views
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Candy99
I love this so far. Definetly reading the rest! =)
I love this so far. Definetly reading the rest! =)
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Apr 24, 2011
• 2,136 views
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sassy3
I love these stories good job No walkin
I love these stories good job No walkin
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Apr 24, 2011
• 2,199 views
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weezapony
I love this story! I'm so glad it's being continued. ^^
I did notice on mistake, wouldn't it be "Tudor" style house?
I love this story! I'm so glad it's being continued. ^^
I did notice on mistake, wouldn't it be "Tudor" style house?
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Apr 24, 2011
• 2,124 views
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Weber98
Great story! Keep writing!
Great story! Keep writing!
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Apr 25, 2011
• 2,146 views
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Stay Untamed
Can't wait to read more :)
Can't wait to read more :)
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Apr 25, 2011
• 2,157 views
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Untamed Heart
I cant wait for more! Great start!
I cant wait for more! Great start!
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Apr 27, 2011
• 2,142 views
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Artista
Aww this is cute! And I love the name Sultan. *swoon*
Aww this is cute! And I love the name Sultan. *swoon*
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Apr 28, 2011
• 2,149 views
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Simplicity
This is reallyy good!
This is reallyy good!
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Apr 30, 2011
• 2,121 views
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Clair L
loved it alot(:
loved it alot(:
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May 9, 2011
• 2,253 views
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LimeLemonade
This is a good start!!!:)
This is a good start!!!:)
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May 19, 2011
• 2,141 views
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Seven Sins
great story cant wait to res the rest of them
great story cant wait to res the rest of them
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Jun 3, 2011
• 2,148 views
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More News by No Walkin Farms9
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He turned to go down to the track, Martha still holding his hand, the camera’s still following him, when a gasp rose from the crowd. Greg stopped, rotated, and saw what the crowd was reacting to.
Sultan’s jockey, Ashley was slo ...
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I pulled back on the reins as Sultan's stride got even choppier. He was more than happy to comply. Fighting panic, I guided him to the outside rail and away from most of the traffic.
I leapt off Sultan and rushed to steady him ...
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Behind us John and Solo were making their move also. Sultan and I passed Dueling With Deceit, Common Criminal and Pomatia quickly. Solo couldn't keep up and dropped back behind John and me.
Everlasting Endearment hadn't gotten ...
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After the 24/7 interview, Greg and I went back to Belmont Racetrack and met with the camera crew that would be doing some filming for the pre-race show on Saturday.
Apparently they wanted some in-depth stuff so they were spendi ...
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A Production Assistant rushed up and fussed with the microphone attached to my shirt. One of the producers had wanted me to wear my jockey silks but I'd refused. Thankfully Tanner Scott, the reporter doing the interview, had sided ...
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The weekend with the camera crew was passably ok. Gerry Stone, the director, had such a manner where he was in charge and everyone else was there to do his bidding. I didn't really like him all that much. He tried making pointers ...
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He led us to a paddock with a group of yearlings. He whistled and the four horses trotted over to us. Each had sleek Thoroughbred lines and showed good breeding. If John was purchasing one of these horses, I could forget about the ...
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I dashed to my locker, grabbed my books and hustled to homeroom, arriving just in time. The lunch period arrived, it seemed, in a blur. I was sitting at my usual table with Beth and a few other friends when Tiffany approached.
...
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