second c h a n c e s abound

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The great reporter William Nack once said: "She was built like a watch... A study in balance... A big, tall, full-bodied filly... With a head and neck so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci." Almost everyone around him that day had to agree, for they were about to see history be made. The jet black Thoroughbred filly appeared out of the Belmont Park tunnel, to the roar of the Belmont Stakes crowd. In the grandstand, there was not an open seat in the house, everything being sold out. Everyone was on their feet, cheering and screaming out the filly's name, praying that she would make history that day. And she didn't disappoint, running her rivals off their feet and galloping into the history books, winning the Belmont Stakes by more than thirty lengths and grabbing Secretariat's time record, running it into the ground. The final time for the race was 2:22 1/5. An amazing time, even for a filly running all out in a mile-and-a-half race. When she returned to the winner's circle for her victory picture, there was not a dry eye in the stands, everyone jumping and hollering and screaming, hugging each other as they had just witnessed greatness. After she won the Belmont - and the Triple Crown - she was given a month off, being sent to WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, to learn how to be a horse again.

After arriving in California in good order, Ruffian settled down in trainer John Smith's barn. Once there, she was training superbly, until she got a hoof bruise. For a couple weeks after that, she was backed off the training, allowing her hoof to heal well. However, just weeks before the race, her training was cranked back up, trying to get the filly in racing shape. She was sent to New Jersey the week before the race. On the eve of the race, they sent Ruffian in a bullet seven furlong work, blistering the top off the racetrack as it seemed she burned a hole through time and space. The final time as she jogged back to the group by the entrance to the track was 1:10 and 2/5 seconds with a gallop-out for a mile being 1:25 1/5 seconds. The filly was cranked up to her highest.

The morning of the race at Monmouth Park for the 43rd Izod Haskell Invitational, Ruffian was excited and on edge. It was clearly evident in the paddock that the connections had done something to key the filly up. Normally, she was listless, as if she didn't care what she was about to do. Not this day. As I was boosted in the saddle, the filly reared up skyward, dumping me and neighing loudly as she came back to the earth, dancing around her handler and myself, seeming to taunt the pathetic humans that could barely control her. Finally, we had gotten her settled down enough for me to climb back into the saddle. With the handler clinging onto the lead rope for dear life, we made our way to the track, everyone studying the filly intently, knowing that she was the horse to beat, and others knowing she couldn't get beat. Shaking my head no at the outrider, I wanted to get the filly settled down the best she could. Already, there was lather rubbing on Ruffian's neck, where the reins rested. Urging my mount into a canter, the two of us headed for the backstretch, away from the other horses. I cooed softly to the filly, hoping that she would calm down on the hot day. Ruffian snorted, throwing her head around as she made her way back towards the gate, picking up a canter as she spotted her main rival, Lookin' at Lucky, who had almost defeated her in the Preakness Stakes barely three months before. The black filly slowed to a walk as she neared the gates, the white number 2 saddle cloth shimmering against the pitch black color of her pelt. Refusing to go into the gate, the crew was forced to put the blindfold on the filly, while I hopped off, watching intently and fearfully as the filly went into the stall number two.

Stepping onto the back of the starting gate, I settled into the filly's saddle, putting my feet into the stirrups as two of us waited for the rest of the field to be loaded in. It was to be an exciting race. After the rest of the field was moved into line, the black filly thrashed about in the gates, throwing her head into the air, half-rearing as she waited for the gates to snap open. As soon as she landed, they were set free, the filly falling to her knees. Once she stood up, she was the last horse in a field of eight. Normally, she'd be right up on the pace, but today, she was so on key that she hadn't paid attention and had gotten a bad start.

Up in front, it was First Dude, Our Dark Knight, Super Saver, Lookin' At Lucky, then Trappe Shot, followed by Afleet Again, Ice Box, and then Ruffian. The black filly hated the feeling of dirt in her face and she charged up along the outside, going more than five wide on the clubhouse turn to challenge Our Dark Knight and First Dude for the lead. The filly led through 1/4 in 23 2/5 seconds, the half going in 47 4/5 seconds. The pace was a sensible one, not really draining anything out of the filly so far. Three-quarters went in 1:12 and 2/5, with the mile going in 1:37 and 1/5, the final time being 1:49 and 4/5. The filly galloped out easily and confidently, happy she did what she was bred and loved to do.

Her next two races were won in wire-to-wire fashion, though the first one was absolutely scary to witness. Ruffian nearly got beat, just barely getting her nose down on the wire first. The two colts who challenged her returned to the barn, deflated and discouraged. Ruffian acted like a champion, and she was. In her last race of her three-year-old season, she was forced into blistering fractions, but she drew off in the homestretch to win going away, her ears pricked. I was absolutely ecstatic that my filly finished her season undefeated, but I didn't know if Ruffian would be retired or not.

My question would be answered just a week later, when it was announced Ruffian would indeed return for a four-year-old season. However, just two months later, after the filly had a break to recover from her busy season, Ruffian and I were working out at Belmont Park in preparation for a race at her home track when she took a bad step, her right foreleg giving way. Her sesamoid bones in the foreleg snapped in two, a bone slicing through her fragile skin. Slowly, I was able to pull my filly up, tears and devastation all over my face. With help from the filly's crew, we were both able to get her loaded into an equine ambulance and they departed to the clinic just across the street. She was in surgery all night, having to be revived twice. Once out of surgery, the nurses there didn't listen and instead, put the champion on the tiled floor for her to wake up. For Ruffian, her last memory was out there on the track and so when she started awakening, she started thrashing, knocking over everything in the room, despite being held down by everyone that was available. In the end, Ruffian ended up having her cast slide off, undoing all the progress that the surgeon accomplished and fractured her left elbow.

Put on heavy pain medication after the vets determined the filly wasn't strong enough to go back under the knife, so she was kept in ICU for a week before she could finally be put back under the knife. This time, the surgery was successful, Ruffian being put into the warm pool water. As she woke up, the filly thrashed about, water splashing everyone around her. They raised her up out of the water once she calmed down and the filly limped back to her stall in the ICU.

It took several months, and a lot of surgeries and money, but the filly was finally ready to be sold again, Lane's End putting everything together for her to be sold. But almost no one raised a hand when the bidding started at fifty thousand. The filly was in danger of being taken away from me and be sold to a breeding farm in Japan, since that was what the highest bid was. I knew that, sometimes after not really succeeding in the gene pool, some horses were "disposed of" and it literally made me sick. I couldn't stand around any longer to watch my filly get sold off to some Japan buyer.

Exiting the sales pavilion, I found myself a bench to listen to other sales, trying to distract myself from Ruffian's impending doom. I had hoped someone would miraculously just come out of nowhere and buy the filly. Ruffian's vets said that she wasn't to continue racing, even when that leg got stronger. Well, you heard what happened to Seabiscuit, and then Mariah's Storm, right? Well, they made it back to the track when everyone else gave up on them, and this could be one of those comebacks that everyone's begging to see.

As the filly stood in the sales ring, with the Keeneland pavilion lights shimmering down on her dark pelt, the white bandage around her right foreleg sticking out like a sore thumb. Indeed, the leg was throbbing again and it was all the filly could do to not lay down. Whinnying loudly as she saw the one true person that loved her leave, Ruffian freaked out, bucking and rearing up, showing how spirited she really was. Whinnying loudly again, she pinned her ears, kicking her hindlegs into the auctioneers stand, making the people in the first row scatter to the open seats in the very back. Stumbling down to her knees from the weight being pressed on her foreleg, she snorted loudly, scrambling back up, glaring at the Japanese buyer, ears pinning.

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i was wearing dark blue, nearly black jeans, and a faded panel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. i was wearing motorcycle boots that tapped against the bricked ground as my dark blue eyes glanced about the sale pavilion. i've been told that when i'm in deep thought their a stormy gray. my boss wanted me to get a horse. a good horse. and he told me that my job depended on my selection, so i was being very picky about what i bought. the good thing is, he didn't give me a price limit, but told me ideally he would rather me not spend over 125,000. he didn't tell me not to though.

i was about to leave, thinking that this place was a bust when i saw a startling black filly rear into the air, and cause a commotion near the front of one of the rooms. i turned on my heel, and peered behind my brown fringe at the room. people scattered away in fear, but i was intrigued. what was ruffian, a racing queen doing here up for auction with the highest bidder being some japan breeding farm? my face twisted into disgust as my path changed, and i moved toward the filly with a new found purpose. as i walked through the doorway i noticed a female who was leaving rather upset, and i glanced over my shoulder to see her walking toward a sales bench. huh. that was weird. i didn't really get a good look at her. i wasn't here to look females, no matter how lovely they were.

i strolled straight down the middle of the rows, and stood near the front, just as the auctioneer was about to declare the filly sold. "not so fast! 100,000 dollars." i called out, knowing that my eyes flashed that stormy blue color. i glanced toward ruffian, and tried to reassure myself that everything would be alright. i still couldn't shake the feeling of the female who had walked away from this area looking upset.

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The filly was led in circles around the sales ring, her black pelt shimmering beneath the shining lights that hung from above. Once her handler managed to calm her down, she was handed off to someone else so that her handler could remove her leg bandage. The leg looked good, great even. It was fully healed, yet the bandage was kept there to keep her from injuring it again, or from it getting roughed up when she was rolling in her stall. At least her former owners did that for her. They couldn't handle the filly anymore, not that she was injured. They only wanted her if she was 100% sound, if she didn't have a single injury. It didn't surprise her rider, but to say it didn't hurt would be a lie. The filly snorted softly, tossing her head as she looked out at the puny humans she scared off from the first row. Her audits pinned against her crown and her forelock fell against her forehead, covering the tiny star.

I had nearly run into someone as I left the pavilion, my voice cracking. "S-sorry. I-I'm sorry." I didn't even look Jake in the eyes as I apologized. Rather, I kept my gaze on the floor as I walked to a bench. This sale was breaking my heart, and I didn't know how much more I could take. This filly was my life, and I had never connected with a horse the way I did with her. Ruffian was my sun when I was experiencing my darkest and cloudiest days. She was a breath of fresh air in my lungs when I couldn't breathe. This filly... I gave her my everything, and in return, she gave me her everything. I knew that I'd give my life to save her, and she'd do the same for me. There was no doubt in my mind.

I heard someone scream out a price they wanted to pay for her, and I picked my head up, my dark locks falling down my back as I stood, curious as to what was going on. I stepped back into the pavilion, my heels clicking against the tile floor beneath me, my gaze locked on the man who had just bought my filly, the people around him sparsely clapping for him. They all thought he was insane, taking a chance on an injured filly. Hell, even I thought he was crazy. But one glance at Ruffian, who nickered to me when she saw me, chased away that thought and instilled faith and hope into my heart.

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my stormy blue eyes stared down the japanese party as i waited for them to counter. not even they were crazy enough to spend that much of a filly who's racing days could be over. i breathed in a sigh of relief as the auctioneer announced that i was the lucky - or unlucky - buyer of the filly. the people around me began to applause, but my eyes were solely on the filly that i had just bought. my keen gaze zeroed in on her movements, and specifically on her injured leg. she didn't seem to walk with a limp, but if i had to guess putting to much weight on it still for long periods of time still hurt. she would need a lot of work, and time, and money.

money i was sure that my boss would be willing to pay for a priceless mare like ruffian. it was sad to see that her previous owners were allow her to be sold to a different country to be bred like some brood mare. she was a racing machine, and only to be turned into a brood mare if she could not be brought back to the racing world. the mare nickered, and caught my attention from my deep thought. i looked up at her, and then followed her gaze to the girl that had exited the sale rather quickly. the corner of my mouth quirked up into a smile. i knew who she was. the filly's prior jockey.

"rosemary jane o'rourke, i thought i had recognized you earlier." i paused for a moment, and then stuck my hand out for her. "my name is jake McCallister. i'm a trainer for the zayats. i thought ruffian deserved a second chance. i'm sure my boss would agree." i hoped.

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Ruffian stared at Jake as he stood there, staring down the Japanese bidders, daring them to bid once more on the filly. The champion stood there, equal weight on all four legs. With an injury like what she experienced... The major concern for her vets and her crew was blood flow to her ankle and hoof. Thankfully, with her injury, the blood flow hadn't been compromised all that much, so the vets were able to save her limb and life. But, as of now, Ruffian was sound, healthy, and happy. The filly could go on and relax now, but instead, she stood in the sales ring, refusing to budge, despite her handler tugging on her halter and ring bit. She shook her head, going in a circle around the human, her bare hooves beating against the concrete beneath her. She was feeling fiery, spunky again. She was back to her normal self. Well, except for the injury.

The filly, once she saw Rosie, came to a statue-esque standstill, her audits perked to their fullest, and weight once again on all four legs. I grinned brightly at my former girl, my emerald-gray eyes studying her, looking over her form. She looked a little skinny, like she hadn't been eating, like she'd been too upset to do it. Jake turned around and spotted me, but I didn't look at him until he was right in front of me. I tore my gaze away from Ruffian with difficulty, especially as she was led back into the barns, to await Jake's trailer.

He started talking to me, and I blushed lightly, a smile on my lips. "Hello, Mr. McCallister. Oh, you train for the Zayats? How wonderful. Now they have two Triple Crown winners to run in their colors. So, what made you buy the filly?" I wasn't being rude; in fact, I was soft, gentle, curious.

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that blush was adorable. i grinned at her, my stormy blue eyes crinkling at the corner as she smiled. she seemed so innocent. so sweet. i'd seen her race though. that was something that we were going to need for ruffian to make a full comeback. she asked why i had bought ruffian, and i answered without a moment's hesitation. "they wanted me to find talent. when i came up here, most of the horses had good bloodlines, but nothing significant. ruffian is a one of a kind horse," i spoke, turning to gaze where the filly had just been.

"when i saw her throwing a tantrum after you had left the sale pavilion, i saw a fire in her eyes. she's not ready to quit yet." i chuckled, sure that she already knew all this. however, i wanted her to know some one else knew it as well. i crossed my arms loosely against my chest. "i do hope that you'll come with her. you two have a connection...something that i have not seen in a long, long while. you'd be an essential part of the team." i murmured. hiring some one else to the team was not in my authority, but i was sure that they wouldn't object. i mean, this is ruffian's jockey for heaven's sake. for this to work out, rosie had to come.

i wouldn't take no for an answer.

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Ah, that blush got me in trouble often. He grinned at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners, his eyes swirling like a hurricane in the middle of the Atlantic. I was suddenly swooning. I was sweet off the track, away from the other riders and competition. But, I'm always competitive, no matter what I'm doing. It's just the way I'm wired. He immediately answered my question about why he bought the champion filly, and I couldn't help but smile warmly, his explanation warming my heart. "That's what I wanted to hear. She's going to fit in well with the Zayats. She's got sprinter's speed, stamina to run all day, and versatility to run on any kind of surface. She is perfect for Mr. Zayat." The owner actually cared about his horses, and would do whatever he could to protect them and make sure they're okay.

"Ah, yes. She gets kind of antsy when she doesn't get to say goodbye to me. We've formed a special bond these last three seasons, and she gets a little worried when I don't show up for a while. You guys will get the hang of her." That's when he offered me the position to be part of the team. I blushed brightly, not expecting that at all. I could feel my jaw drop open and I stammered a bit before finally regaining my composure and nodding, eyes shining. "Y-yes, absolutely! I'd love to!" I hoped he wasn't kidding and just jerking my leg about this. I'd do anything to work with the filly again.

I'd give my life for her to be mine again.

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i listened politely as she spoke, but waited for it to sink in that i wanted her to come with me. i was prepared to give a long speech as to why she should, and what benefits would be for ruffian, and her but there was nothing else i had to say. rosie's jaw fell open, and stammered words fell from her lips as she realized i was giving her a chance to work with ruffian once again. her eyes were shining, and i felt like i had just made some one's day. "great. i'll sort things out with the boss, and if you're all finished here we can go to the truck where ruffian is, and make sure she's travel ready."

i already began walking toward the stable area with a purposeful stride in my step as my boots thudded dully against the dirt. my eyes pinned on the truck, and trailer that the zayats had given me to conduct work in. just outside the trailer was the filly. i had requested that the handler keep her outside of the trailer so that i could check her over to make sure that she wasn't stressed out. "rosie, if you would so please hold her head for me?" i murmured, and unrolled her bandage to feel her leg where the break was.

i applied gentle pressure as to not hurt her, and grinned to myself when i felt no heat. "i'm going to wrap bandages on all for legs for traveling safety. one i'm done here we can get her some hay, and throw it in the hay net, and we can be off." i took the roll of bandage, and began to carefully wrap it around each of her legs with deft diligence. nothing could happen to this filly, not in my care. when my handiwork was finished i stood to my feet, and wiped my palms against my dark jeans. "there. is there anything you need to pick up before we leave?" i asked, turning my stormy gaze to her.

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I had never been so excited for a plan before in my life. Of course I'd go with them. In a heartbeat, I would. Ruffian would never leave my gaze again. She was too important to me. I still feel guilty about what the pair of us had gone through on that dark day all those months ago, but I always managed to brush them away, to keep them at bay so they wouldn't haunt my subconscious and dreams. Ruffian was my princess, my little girl, and I'd been with her from day one that her career began. I still remember that dizzying feeling she gave me as bolted for the lead, never relinquishing it as she won the race by fifteen lengths. My knees nearly gave out as I dismounted from her in the winner's circle, her race was that amazing. He started talking again, and I smiled brightly. "thank you, Jake. This means a lot to me. She deserves this second chance."

I followed Jake toward the barn area and I watched as Ruffian stood calmly by the trailer, swaying lightly, her teeth locked onto her leather lead, playing a game of tug of war with a groom. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight and had to cover my mouth from laughing too loud and scaring her. She heard my laughter and dropped the lead line, her audits perking as her eyes locked onto mine, her nostrils flared. Oh, she looked amazing right now. She was the definition of perfection, and if we could get her back to racing soundness... Hell, she was going to scare everyone away. I nodded at Jake's question, and I took the lead line from the groom, and pressed my lips against Ruffian's muzzle, her warmth enveloping me, the scent of her filling my nostrils. I was in bliss, in pure happiness. If anything was bothering me, I could go and visit her and know that she'd cheer me up, no matter the mood she was in.

As Jake pressed his hands against her leg, Ruffian shifted her weight from that leg onto the others, a soft snort coming from her nostrils as she turned her crown to look at Jake. She lipped at his hair, nickering and pawing at the ground as he tried to wrap her legs up with shipping bandages. I laughed at her, trying to hide the joy from Jake. I looked at Ruffian, shaking the lead line. "Hey, little miss. You better behave for him. After all, he did save you." The filly turned her crown to look at me, and she lifted her upper lip, showing off her tattoo and upper teeth, a whinny coming from her. Laughing at her as I looked at Jake, I shook my head, unable to answer as I kept laughing. I couldn't remember anything that I needed to pick up. Finally, I was able to stop laughing, and I looked at Jake again. "Do you have everything for her? Her Jolly Ball, her feed, her grooming tools, and her stuffed monkey?" Ruffian got whatever it took to keep her happy. Even if it meant being the laughingstock of the track.

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i didn't even mind that ruffian was giving me some trouble by lifting her legs, and lipping at my hair. I chuckled at her free spirt, and thought to myself that I did a good thing by saving her. Not just for myself, but every one involved. I stood up, and grinned at Rosie as she laughed. It made me feel good that I could brighten some one else's day. When she asked me if I had gotten everything ruffian required I nodded. "Down to her favorite hay, and treats. But is there anything you need, Rosie? Ruffian is taken care of. Tell me what you need."

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Ruffian always had the ability to make me laugh, no matter what mood either of us were in. Our hearts were molded together, as if we were one and the same. She belonged to me in a way, and I totally and completely belonged to her. I wanted nothing but the best for her, just as if she was my child. I pressed a hand against her warm neck and whispered softly to her, watching as the filly's ears perked forward, a soft nicker coming from her maw. I turned my head to look at Jake as he stood, and Ruffian placed her head on my shoulder, her eyes closing in content. I moved my hand up and down her neck, searching Jake's face. "I need you to promise me she'll be safe and loved. When I can't get in to see her, I need you to promise me she'll be safe. She's my life, and she's the first horse I ever truly loved. Promise me that, and I swear I'll be the Zayats' main rider." I just wanted Ruffian to be safe and happy. I didn't care if she ever ran again; i just wanted her to be loved and safe.

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ruffian lay her crown on rosie's shoulder, and her eyes slid shut in content. that made me grin slightly. the filly deserved to be comfortable for once in a long time. rosie looked into my face, and i returned her gaze. she told me that she needed ruffian to be safe. as she spoke, i noticed some hay in her hair near her cheek. gingerly i reached out, and plucked it from her dark locks, and then brushed the hair away from her face absent mindedly. i turned my storm blue gaze back to rosie, and flashed her my signature grin. "i give you my dying word that as long as i breath, ruffian will be safe and sound. and training so long as her body can handle it." i then tilted my head toward the trailer.

"i guess if you're all ready to be go, we can load her up, and get on the road." i glanced at my watch, and made a face. "we have an...15 hour trip ahead of us. it'll take us around two days, if i had to guess to get back to the stables. that's if we don't continuously drive. i don't think that would be good for ruffian." i murmured, and then turned to disappear around the corner of the trailer, and hop into the trailer. my hand fished into my pockets to retrieve keys, and place into the ignition.

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As Ruffian laid her crown upon my shoulder and closed her eyes in relaxation and content, I turned my head and placed several soft kisses upon her cheek, my eyes filling with happy tears. In all my life, I never imagined a horse could so totally steal my heart the way the black filly did. I never imagined my soulmate would be a horse. I looked at Jake and blushed brightly as he pulled a piece of hay out of my hair. He then pushed my hair back off my face and tucked it behind my ear and I blushed even redder, a soft and embarrassed smile crossing my face. I didn't expect him to make such a sweet move toward me, given the fact that we had just been formally introduced. His eyes turned toward me and his grin flashed across his face as he gave me his sworn promise. I nodded and moved Ruffian's head reluctantly, smooching to her to back up. "Thank you so much, Jake. She will give you everything she has and more." I made no promises about me because I knew I was going to give him everything I ever had.

"Alright, I'll go ahead and get her loaded up and settled in." I knew it was going to be a long drive back, and I honestly wasn't sure if my filly could handle the long road trip. I looked at her as the groom tightened the last shipping boot on her right foreleg, and the filly priced her ears, staring at the horizon, the 'look of eagles' crossing over her face. I smiled softly and clucked to her, leading her up the ramp and into the trailer, securing her into the crossties. Shutting the gate in front of her, I clipped the hay bag on the hook just to the left of her head, and I rubbed her star once more as I looked into her eyes. "Hey pretty girl, we're on our way back. You ready to get rolling again?" The filly nickered softly, her muzzle bumping into my chest. At the movement, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer, and I shakily laughed, tears rolling down my cheeks. Pressing one last kiss to her muzzle, I departed the trailer, slid the door closed, and joined Jake in the truck, wiping the tears off my cheeks as I buckled in.

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she didn't keep me waiting long. the truck had only just began warming up, and she hopped into the cab with me. she was wiping at her eyes, and i glanced at her with my brow furrowed. i leaned over, and rummaged through the glove box for the tissue that i knew was there. i offered her some, and then gave her a small smile. "cheer up, it's all better now. ruffian has a bright future ahead of her." i told her, and then shifted the truck into gear, and pulled out away from the barn.

i took it easy because i knew we were hauling precious cargo. i probably pissed off a lot of people on the highway because i refused to increase our speed above 60. after about an hour of silence between us, i turned toward her slightly, and said "so you have nothing you need to pick up? no clothes, no belongings?" i genuinely wanted to know. did she have anything left after her last race with ruffian where things went so horribly wrong? i needed to know if the farm needed to buy her a new wardrobe.

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I didn't have much to do in the trailer. Load Ruffian, lock her in, hang up her hay bag, make sure she had plenty of water, and make sure she was comfortable. I knew I looked a mess, and maybe even slightly silly, but the fact that Ruffian was getting another chance to do what people thought she couldn't do anymore... It was an emotional thing for me. I shakily laughed again and took a couple tissues, dabbing at my eyes. I looked over at Jake and shook my head, taking a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm not worried about her getting a happy ending because I know she will, even if she doesn't make it to the track. I'm crying because I'm ecstatic that she's getting a second chance at happiness, at doing what she loves. She deserves this." As we pulled out of the barn area at Keeneland, I watched the track disappear in the side mirror, smiling softly. It was the track where I got my start, where I had been discovered.

I was happy that Jake was going the speed we were cruising at. Before the injury, the people who had shipped her to the tracks that she didn't need to be flown to went much faster. I knew it because I had followed her from Belmont to Saratoga in New York, and watched with horror as the truck driver sped up to over eighty miles an hour. We had never used that transport company again. Ruffian was much too valuable. The silence was comfortable between us, the soft music filling the cab with comfort. I was leaning against the passenger door, the sun shining down on me as Jake began talking to me, asking me questions. "Ah, no. Don't worry about it. I have things littered around the country. Some in California, some in New York, some here in Lexington, and some down in Florida. But, when we get to the farm, I can go get whatever I need. It's fine." I smiled warmly over at Jake, reaching behind me to grab a book from my bag. "I never travel without some kind of horse book. And this time, I got stuck with The Black Stallion." It was a book I'd read hundreds of times before. But, I loved it each and every time I finished it.