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After the Freak accident Quinn did not care to much for the Triple Crown. No winner yet. Quinn put his focus on the Breeder's Cup Juveniles. With the Juveniles just two weeks away, Quinn got nervous. 'What if they both do badly. What if they get injured or worse, get killed?' Quinn watched the horses warm up and exercise with a hawk eye.
Quinn knew that he wasn't suffering that badly for the purses. They were just major prep races to get the two in shape for the Crown and Tiara races next year. Quinn was hoping the two were Crown and Tiara material.
The morning of the races, Quinn read through the listing of horses. In the fillies race Townsend Mistress was in the race. "She is the one to beat this time. According to the breeze results her and Casual are the fastest two in the field. There is the mudder, Tisha Boutique, the French bred horse. The filly's race was about to go off so Quinn finally left to go and sit and watch the race.
All the time that Quinn and Jon had put into the filly had paid off. She loaded like an angel and stood still until the last horse loaded, she had drawn the fourth gate. Her jockey, Greg Anderson, Aunt Mari's regular jockey, was riding. He had not as much experience has many of the Derby riders. Finally the bell rung and the gates flew open. Quinn stood so he could see Casual. She broke half a stride off the pace. That was okay she was a late closer. When Casual had settled into a good place, Quinn finally realized why, the filly's and colts were run separate. They were setting really slow fractions for the colts. Casual was sitting in a close fourth place, right behind Townsend Mistress. Both fillies went for the lead at the same time. Casual had been mock racing with Legacy so Quinn knew she was the faster horse. Mistress and Casual were pulling away from the rest of the pack as they neared the wire. Greg went for his whip, so had Mistress' jockey! Casual dug harder, bobbed her head in front of Mistress' right as the crossed the wire! Casual won it, but not by much.
Quinn was jumping with happiness. "and Casual Time wins the Breeder's Cup Juveniles for fillies, with Townsend Mistress not far behind. These are two fast fillies, watch them for next year. . . ." the announcer went on with the placing. Quinn and Jon headed for the winners circle.
When they got there, Greg had a huge smile on his face. "I have never seen her, with so much determination. She never had this kind of pull at you track Quinn." They posed for the pictures. Then Quinn walked back to meet up with the groom and get Legacy ready. He heard Jon talking to Greg. "Watch out for Fleetman. He is a known good runner. He is from Whitebrook. Townsend Vincent I don't think will be a problem, he likes the mud, but don't put him out yet."
Thinking. Quinn handed Legacy over to his groom and went over to Whitebrook's shedrow. Seeing Ashleigh Quinn stopped.
"Hi Mr Pereguin McLaign. I hear you own a wonder horse." Ashleigh said turning her attention to Quinn.
"Uh, Yeah." Quinn responded. "Yeah, I was just wanting to take a look at Fleet man."
"Oh sure, but only if I can see the filly, Casual Time. Winner of the Juvenile Filly race, and Wonder's Legacy." Ashleigh said. "I would love to buy back Legacy. If you are interested."
"No I am not interested in selling him just yet. But I will let you know when and if I do."
"Okay, here is Fleetman. He is by Jazzman, out of Fleet Goddess, by Battlecry." The almost black colt seemed to like the attention. He stuck his nose over the door and sniffed Ashleigh's pockets for treats. "No silly not until after the race."
"What race is he entered in Ms Griffen?"
"Just call me Ash, or Ashleigh. He is in the Juveniles race for colts. Against Legacy. May the best horse win, . . ."
"Call me Quinn," Quinn said interrupting Ash. "Let's go and see Legacy and Casual so I can get Legacy ready to run."
So Ash and Quinn went over and saw Legacy. Ashleigh talked to him and petted him. Then said that it was time to get to the saddling barn. Jon normally took care of things like that for Quinn. But this time Quinn brought him to the saddling barn. Greg was a little surprised to see Quinn there but acknowledged him politely. Ashleigh had Jilly Gordon riding, she came out talking to Greg. In the post parade the announcer was focusing in on Legacy, Townsend Vincent and Fleetman. They are the three power horses. "The track is running moderately so Vincent should not have many problems. Here Ye All, is an up and coming horse shipped over from England and he is the top two year old over there." Then announcer kept going. Legacy was jogging nicely and not being a brat as he usually was. Fleetman seemed to not like the half soft, half packed track and was being lightly cantered. All to soon they were loaded into the gate. Legacy was in between Fleetman and Vincent. The bell rang and off they were.
"And it's Take Them Alive out in front with Fleetman in fourth. Wonder's Legacy is back in fifth biding his time . . . Townsend Vincent is in seventh also biding his time." The announcer cried. Legacy made his move. He came up along side Fleetman. The jockeys' must have seen each other then Vincent was on Fleet's flank. The trio pulled into the lead area. "and it's Fleetman by a head, Wonder's Legacy back in second, with Townsend Vincent back by a flank off the lead. Their in the home stretch let's see who can pull the speed out." Legacy inched up to be along side Fleetman and Vincent was being pulled up. Quinn wondered why he was being pulled up. Vincent drifted towards the outside rail and fell back into a slow canter, he was obviously limping. "Townsend Vincent has been pulled up and Wonder's Legacy wins by a nose over Fleetman." Now Quinn was super happy. Both Juvenile races.
"Mr. McLaign, How does it feel to win both Juvenile races?" One reporter cried out.
"What are your plans now for the filly and colt.?" Another reporter cried.
"He is pleased with their progress and you will see them next year for the Derby" Jon yelled out and pulled Quinn towards the photo circle. After photo's Quinn begged Jon to let him take care of Legacy. As Quinn walked Legacy back to the barn a well dressed man and a women approached him.
"Ah just the person I need to talk to. I was wondering what had become of my colt." The person said
"Your? Colt? Excuse me but he is my colt." Quinn said. He had kept walking hopefully the man would go away.
"Yes my colt. Half interest belongs to Townsend acres, since Whitebrook traded their half interest for a stupid mare."
"Stupid Mare!" Ashleigh cried. She was just walking Fleetman back. "I bought Townsend Acres half interest in him and I gave him to my daughter. She choose to trade him. No if you would excuse us we both have horses to care for, Brad." Ashleigh almost had Fleet step on his toes but Brad backed off. "Besides" Ashleigh said, "You own no part of Wonder or her offspring, your father does."
"Now let's think of it this way," Brad continued. Quinn had stopped to listen. Fleetman and Legacy touched noses, Fleetman backed up a little. "When my father is away Townsend Acres is mine, and I never agreed to any of it."
"Yeah but I set it with Clay not you Brad!" Ashleigh said turning Fleetman around and heading towards her barn. Quinn followed, Turning once again Ashleigh called out to Brad, "Beside don't you have a horse to check?" Brad and the women had left. Leaving Ashleigh and Quinn walking side by side. The two horses just walked calmly.
"He is a good runner, Fleetman is really." Quinn finally said.
"Yeah, he is. Fleet is out of my first racehorse, that was fully mine." Ashleigh said turning to admire Fleetman.
"How is his sire, Jazzman?" Quinn questioned. Maybe he could breed Girly to him next year.
"Oh he was a good racehorse. He was also one of Mikes first horses. Blues King was his other."
"Oh I had thought's of breeding my mare to Jazzman next year, what are the stud prices?" Quinn asked interested.
"Uh, usually around $25,000 per live foal."
Doesn't sound so bad, Quinn thought. With that the two separated heading towards their perspective shed rows.
Next time we meet will be at the prep races for Derby, Quinn thought uneasily. Another match up between Fleetman and Legacy.
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