The Jockey Gold Cup just days away, it didn't look good for Legacy he was still tired after the long Triple Crown Campaign, Jon was contemplating scratching him from the race. 
        "Quinn, I don't think he will make it if you run him. He is not himself, not running up to his normal speck. I want to scratch him. What's your opinion." Jon said watching Greg take him out for a easy gallop down the track. 
        "How bad do you think he will fare if we did run him?" Quinn asked skeptically. 
        "No better than fourth I am up to think." Jon said, "Why do you think if he misses this race his horse of the year honors are gone?"
        "Yes, exactly what I am thinking. What would be the next race to enter him in for a hopeful win?"
        "The Haskell Invitational would be next, if he is invited to run that is." Jon said. Then Quinn gathered up Legacy and went back to the barn. After getting him settled Quinn went in and saddled up Angel. She was anxious to get out and hit the trails. Quinn watched Girly on their way out to the trails. She was moderately heavy but still liking her days out in the pasture. 
        "What do you think Angel? Should we scratch him and let him rest some more? Would you help build him back up out running in the pasture? Oh I know you would love to help, but I got to do something with you. Maybe I can start eventing again and just follow them during racing season. I think scratching him is the best thing we can do for him right now." Quinn rode in silence the rest of his ride.

        The day of the race came, many people disappointed at Legacy being scratched, instead betted on a sure mud-lover, Townsend Vincent. Fleetman looked really good. Ashleigh was still stuck riding but Jilly was getting better and fast. Ash had raced Casual and had rode to an outstanding win for the second Jewel of the Tiara. After this race She would help prepare for the last tiara jewel. Vincent going in as favorite and Fleetman near the bottom, not quite long shot range, was rearing to go. They loaded and were off.

        Fleetman took the race easily. Not knowing why he was being such a power horse now, Ashleigh was invited to the Haskell with Fleetman, Quinn so found out. So had Legacy. Legacy was now more in shape for the race and would do good, Quinn hoped. Greg was back and riding Legacy, but Ashleigh was still stuck riding Fleetman. 
        "And there off!" The announcer cried. Coming down the homestretch Fleetman took the lead and never let go. Legacy finished a decent second place.
        "What a shame for the almost triple crown colt. We'll see them in the Classic." The announcer said.
        As they were heading to the backside Quinn also heard a female voice, "They'll see us in the winners circle in the Classic, that colt we sold, Wonder's Legacy won't make it, it is not in his breeding."
        "His dame made it though," a male voice shot in, "But his sire didn't and he is a lot like his sire." Quinn felt worse then he had in years over hearing the comments.

        The weeks flew by on preparation for the classic. The last week before the classic Legacy was back into top form and running good. Quinn decided on riding him in this race. Greg was going to go and ride Casual for the mare and filly race, since she lost the last jewel of the tiara to a western long-shot. Ashleigh was still riding Fleetman. The race was supposed to be a rerun, almost of the Derby and the other triple crown races. Vincent, Legacy, Fleetman and Blueberry Pie were all in it together. The Mare and Filly had went to Mistress with Casual just a head bob behind her. Hopeful planning of the race would be Legacys only chance. If he finished even halfway decent Quinn was going to retire him. At a young age he would have many good stud seasons to come.
        It was post time. Quinn was all nerves again. He knew it was going to happen sooner or later. They loaded and were off so fast Quinn didn't remember it all. In the middle of the pack back somewhere near fifth Legacy finally got his grip and dug in. Running neck and neck with Fleetman right behind Vincent they stayed. Then coming down the homestretch all three went to make their moves. Vincent bumped Taking it Home and the two fell right in front of Quinn and Ash. Taking both horses down with them, the four horse crash was a disaster. Quinn opened his eyes just in time to see Legacy falling on top of him, then he blacked out. Waking up just long enough to hear the announcer say that Fleetman had run on a broken limb to finish the Classic in first. Then all he heard was the sirens. He got up and brushed himself off, amazed that he must have rolled out of Legacy's way and had not gotten hurt. Vincent was hobbling on three legs and Taking it Home was euthinized on the track. Legacy was trying his best to get up also on three legs. After rushing them all to the hospital, checked and some released with only minor injuries others more severe and had to stay. Quinn was a lucky one only escaped with some minor scrapes and bruises, not to mention soreness, he immediately went to check on Legacy. Legacy faired with only a broken cannon bone. Apparently, Ashleigh had been with him the whole time. 
        "Ash, how is he?" Quinn asked. Noticing Ash sitting in the stall shavings, cradling his head.
        "Oh, your okay," Ash said looking back up to him, "He's been better. Same thing happened to his half sister Townsend Princess but under different circumstances. What are you going to do with him now Quinn?"
        "Retire him, if he makes it through the surgery alright. He can be my first standing stud at the farm. Just I would like your help setting stud fee's for him. I would also like to give you something for all the help you have given me with him, through the thick and thin." Quinn paused, not knowing if he should ask about Fleetman or not, "How did Fleetman turn out."
        "The only thing I could humanely do was to put him down, after his running on the broken leg only made it worse then he fought his cast, so I had to . ." Ashleigh stopped letting a tear run down her check, "I had to put him down as well. He is the first foal of Fleet Goddess that I have had to put down. The first one to make it to the track with out problems and get through the triple crown races and to the breeders cup with out injury. Unlike his brothers and sisters before him that were side-lined with small injuries." Ashleigh finally broke down and started crying just thinking about Fleetman. Quinn stepped back, letting Ashleigh have her privacy with Legacy. He knew she still loved him dearly. Quinn overheard her saying to Legacy "Your friend, Fleetman will always remember you Legacy, even if you can't run in the same fields, I know you understand me. You will enjoy your retirement. Just get better. Okay?" Quinn sat outside the stall for what seemed hours then the two left and went home. Quinn was to tired to go up to the house so he fell asleep in Angel's stall. The white mare watched over him like a mother. 
        "Angelic Blessing, please protect Fleetman until we can see him again" Quinn cried, he had felt the same pain Ashleigh had, but with his old ex-mare Angelic Blessing, The white mare was Angels dame and Quinn first horse, that had died of colic many years ago.

        When Legacy was home again and it was coming of October he resided in his comfy stall. He still missed the excitement of the track, but was enjoying the relaxation of all the pasture time. Stud season opened soon and Legacy was listed. He reserved a spot so that Ashleigh could free bred to him this year for all the help she had given him. When looking though the book, he saw not many mares he recognized. He was letting his new breeding manager handle the book though. Andy was a young guy but very good with book keeping. Jon selected the mares from all the calls to be put in and handled all that. With no horses in immediate training Quinn invited Ash over to the park for a ride. He brought the horses. Earl and Angel. He figure it was now or never to payback Ashleigh for all her help.