Below and Above

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WHATCHAMACALLIT && AIDEN M. SMITH
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Aiden Smith wasn't usually the one to be riding in the morning workouts, but Mr. Sanderson, the second head trainer, recommended that he ride Mama before he jockeyed her in her debut. Aiden found this as a good opportunity to get to know Whatchamacallit. He'd always liked the young filly ever since she arrived at the farm, but he never thought he'd be the one to ride her in her maiden. He hardly ever rode horses in their maidens for he was a young, inexperienced jockey, unlike others. He was happy that he had received this chance though and he was looking to impress.

Aiden arrived at the track at 5:30 AM to find Mama already saddled and ready to go. Becky, who would usually be riding for she was the exercise jockey, was standing at her head beside Mr. Sanderson. The air was cold, but crisp and with each breath he could smell the warm bodies of horses; a smell he loved. As he approached he noticed that Mama was content, but wide-awake and ready for a workout. She stood with her head held high and her soft eyes on the track which loomed in the distance. Aiden reached out and stroked the filly's pale neck. She responded with a soft neigh and a flick of her ear.

The young jockey strapped his helmet on and tightened the protective vest to his chest. Mr. Sanderson stood by, his face grim as always with his arms crossed and hard eyes trained on Aiden. The jockey was boosted up by the old trainer and Becky led Mama towards the track. A chestnut pony stood at the rail in western tack. Ralph Sanderson mounted as they reached the opening onto the track and Becky unclipped the lead shank from Mama. The trainer took hold of Mama's bridle and led her off towards the inside of the dirt racetrack. He spoke in a rough voice, "I want ya' to blow her out for 8 furlongs." Aiden's face was taunt and his eyes were wide with nervousness. He wanted so much to impress his trainer. Ralph saw his uneasiness and grinned, "Hey, maybe you'll actually show your worth something," he said teasingly, although his voice was still very rough.

They broke into a slow canter together as the old trainer muttered a few more words, "Just make sure you get the best outa' her," he released Mama's bridle and pulled back on the reins as he spoke once more, "Ms. Levine will be watchin'." Aiden was in shock as he broke away. The owner and head trainer of Triple Krown Racing would be watching. It also eased him a little bit because if this turned out to be a total disaster, Hailey Levine would go easy on him. She seemed to have a soft spot for Aiden. She was also the one who hired him so she had to have some faith in him. He was lost in his thoughts when he crossed the wire, which was the starting point of the eight furlongs.

Suddenly, Aiden was rocking in his saddle trying to get Mama to settle down in a fast pace as he counted down the seconds in his head. He stopped urging her as they entered the first turn. Mama drifted a little out but Aiden managed to keep her on the inside. 21. 22. 23. He counted coming onto the backstretch. Mama did not bother asking for more rein. She kept pounding down the backstretch at the same speed as when she started. It was a fast pace but not nearly as fast as Aiden had seen her go before. He asked for more speed and Mama responded slightly. 43.44.45. The seconds passed as they swept past the half mile pole. Aiden leaned to the left as the entered the far turn. He let her have a little bit more rein and used his hands to urge her forward. Mama didn't respond alot but she did respond a little more than before. 1:08. The time flashed through his mind as they entered the homestretch in the last quarter of the mile. Aiden rocked and let Mama have all the rein he had left and used his hands to keep her straight. "Come on, Mama," He urged her forth with all he had left and she responded with greater speeds. They charged forth as a blur, Mama asking for more rein but Aiden having no more to give. They swept beneath the wire with a time around 1:34. Aiden stood in the irons and pulled back on Mama's mouth, patting her neck and praising her.

When they turned around and arrived back to the opening in the track, Aiden spotted Ms. Levine sitting in the grandstand with a timer in her hands. He was nervous but he was also confident, for he thought he had done well. The owner of Triple Krown Racing made her way towards the track, trailed by Ralph Sanderson. Becky was the first one to meet up with Aiden and the grey filly for she was standing next to the railing the whole time. She welcomed Mama with praise and love as Aiden dismounted. He stroked her head before turning to face Hailey Levine and Mr. Sanderson. They could both mask their emotions too well sometimes. Ms. Levine stared at the timer in her hands as if she had to keep checking it over and over to make sure it was right. She then parted her lips to speak, "Aiden..." she looked at him for a moment before her lips pulled into a smile, "You exceeded my expectations completely," she shook her head in disbelief, "Your final time was 1:33.22 and you rode amazingly well for an apprentice." Aiden was in disbelief himself. "Well, I can't take all the credit. Mama is a pretty amazing horse," he shrugged and just as he did so, Mr. Sanderson commented, "Don't get cocky now. But I must admit..." he shrugged, "You might actually turn out to be a good jockey."

With that, Aiden walked with Becky and Mama back to the stable where he helped wash her and untack her. He helped rub her legs and wrap them. Aiden couldn't wait for this upcoming race where he'd hopefully ride Mama to her best ability. He could only hope nothing would go wrong.


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WORKOUT FOR DEBUT RACE.
words; 1052
horse; Whatchamacallit
jockey; Aiden M. Smith