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There was excitement in the spring air, lending an even more urgent feel to the competition. Jo watched with increasing dismay as the pack rounded another bend of the track, Another Round still lagging at the back.
“And there’s about a quarter to go here, and Royal Jade still leads the pack.” The announcer’s voice continued to drone over the stadium speakers. “Mercy Angel is holding on to a close second and Praying Marksman third.”
Jo closed her eyes, a familiar sinking feeling settling in her gut as she envisioned the finish line drawing closer and closer and Another Round lagging farther and farther behind.
Brooks would be disappointed with yet another loss; his confidence in Another Round might very well be shattered after this. He’d scour the listings again as soon as the race ended, begin strategizing new opportunities to race over the next month, planning to enter races with the highest points, spending every spare moment he had stressing over a new approach, which might very well include replacing Another Round with a different, more dependable—if not faster—horse that could—
“And out of nowhere, there goes Another Round, blasting up the outside, weaving his way in and out of the pack!”
Jo’s eyes sprang open at the announcer’s voice, shocked and electrified, blaring overhead.
“Another Round’s kicking it into high gear now, picking the others off, one by one. He’s past Praying Marksman, now Mercy Angel, and now Royal Jade! He’s overtaken Royal Jade and he’s not stopping! He’s not stopping, folks!”
“Go, boy!” Jo sprang up and down, throwing her arms in the air and cheering as Another Round passed the pack and tore down the track, leaving the other horses behind, and thundering past the finish line.
“He’s done it!” the announcer shouted. “Another Round has just bagged the Jeff Ruby with a time of one forty-four and three!”
Screaming with joy, Jo took off, weaving her way through the crowd, making her way toward the Winner’s Circle and craning her neck for any sign of Brooks headed in that direction as well. But before she could get very far, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, spinning her around and lifting her up against a hard, broad chest.
“He did it, Jo! He did it!” Brooks’s deep voice vibrated against her chest as he shouted above the crowd, hugging her tight. “We’re in!”
Jo stumbled back as he released her, but he shot out a hand, steadying her on her feet, then grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the Winner’s Circle, weaving in and out of the milling crowd.
Their time in the Winner’s Circle flew by, the flashes of cameras, shouts of onlookers, and enthusiastic handshakes from well-wishers rolling over Jo in a harried frenzy. She stood there by Brooks’s side as he introduced her and, after Lee had joined them with Another Round, praised Lee for his riding and praised Another Round as well. They were presented with the trophy, then posed for more pictures, engulfed in compliments, optimistic predictions for future wins, and admiration for Another Round—the surprising underdog who’d bolted out of nowhere and overtaken all his competitors in a flash at the last moment.
“It’s what I’ve suspected all along,” Brooks said happily to a reporter. “Another Round is a closer. He’s the winner I hoped he was. He just needed the right training and a great rider.” He motioned toward Jo and Lee, beaming proudly. “This is the winning team that made Another Round’s win today possible. They’re all winners.” He reached out and tugged Jo close, tucking her into his side and wrapping his arm tight around her as he lifted his chin proudly toward the onlookers. “We hope to see you at the Derby, folks.”
Brooks’s praise and joy at the prospect of Another Round having the opportunity to race at Churchill Downs should have lifted Jo’s spirits even higher. Instead, she found herself sagging against him, her mood plummeting into a downward spiral at the thought of undertaking yet another race, of yet again leaving Lone Oaks Crossing behind.
CHAPTER 13
A little more than one month later, on the first Saturday in May, over one hundred and fifty thousand spectators filled the grounds of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The stands were packed with the crowd, bright colorful hats of every style peppering the stands surrounding the racetrack. Mint juleps—a mixture of bourbon, sugar, mint, and water poured over crushed ice—were passed around, moving from hand to hand, then sipped under the warm spring sun.
The spectacular grounds of Churchill Downs displayed lush green grass and miles of white fencing. Everyone was dressed to the nines and looking their best, including the twenty thoroughbreds waiting to hit the track.
For the past two weeks, ever since Another Round had arrived at Churchill Downs, he’d been treated like royalty despite the fact that he still remained the underdog with eighty to one odds. Another Round’s daily schedule didn’t vary much from the one he enjoyed at Lone Oaks Crossing, though the stable at Churchill Downs was much more luxurious and prestigious.
Several times over the past few days, Another Round had been escorted to the starting gate on the track and had practiced standing in his place at the starting gate. All twenty thoroughbreds followed the same routine, which allowed them to become familiar with and better accustomed to the starting gate as well as waiting in their positions for all the other contenders to take their places. Jo hoped this would help dispel some of Another Round’s performance anxiety.
The colt had continued training while staying at the track, preparing for the big race, and after each workout, he was cooled down and bathed with aromatic soap that left him clean, polished, and looking spectacular.
Another Round, however, wasn’t the only one looking spectacular on race day.
Jo, standing outside the backstretch barns, glanced over at Cheyenne, who stood with Another Round, gazing up at him adoringly. “You look beautiful, Cheyenne.”
Cheyenne glanced over at her and smiled, sweeping her arm toward her long white skirt, then tapping her fancy pink hat. “I hate wearing dresses,” she said. “But I like this outfit.”
As well she should, Jo thought, smiling.
After Another Round’s win at the Jeff Ruby stakes over a month ago, she, Brooks, and Lee had joined Cheyenne, Frankie, and Earl to celebrate their win. Nancy, too, had become a part of the team, having taken a liking to Another Round and offering to help Cheyenne with the thoroughbred’s daily grooming. Brooks and Jo had accepted her offer eagerly as they needed all the help they could get preparing for the Derby.
The one hundred points Another Round had won with his first-place position in the Jeff Ruby Stakes had secured his place as one of the twenty thoroughbreds that would compete in the Kentucky Derby. After learning this, Cheyenne had been over the moon and eager to begin planning their trip to Churchill Downs. Brooks had been just as ecstatic, explaining to Cheyenne the ins and outs of the race as well as the festivities—some of which lasted an entire month leading up to the race—that Cheyenne could look forward to enjoying.
The first priority on the agenda had been finding a dress and a hat worthy of such a fancy occasion.
Jo and Frankie had taken Cheyenne shopping. At first, Cheyenne hadn’t seemed too excited about the idea, but once she had visited a couple of boutiques and had seen the vast array of choices at her disposal, she’d found a hat she’d fallen in love with on the spot and a skirt to match. Since then, the attire she’d chosen for the race had been prominently displayed in her closet in eager anticipation of the big day.
“Have you seen Nancy’s hat?” Cheyenne asked, grinning. “It’s baby blue and gorgeous.”
