The Black Stallion's Filly by Walter Farley

Author:Walter Farley [Farley, Walter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-80483-9
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2011-08-16T16:00:00+00:00

THE GATE

13

During the following week there was no doubt that the Kentucky Derby was close at hand. One couldn’t read the newspapers or magazines without being told in glowing terms of “America’s greatest sports event in which the noble Kings and Queens of the Turf will race for fame and fortune. Out of this whirlwind mass of thunder and speed will emerge one thoroughbred whose name will be added to the long list of Derby champions which includes the great names of American racing—Exterminator, Zev, Reigh Count, Gallant Fox, Twenty Grand, Cavalcade, Omaha, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Shut Out, Count Fleet, Citation and Assault, to mention only a few.”

But Alec didn’t need to be reminded that the Derby was less than three weeks away, for Henry began ordering longer and faster works for Black Minx.

“Show me you’re a Derby horse and you’ll go—only then will you go!” became Henry’s attitude. Not that he said it in so many words. But Alec knew that was what he meant. They had been friends too long for Alec not to know.

There were other things too that gave evidence of how close they were to the Derby. No longer did Henry display the slightest optimism concerning the filly’s chances in the approaching classic. And Henry was a man of three distinct moods when it came to training.

In November, when he had brought the filly home, he had said, “I’ve got a Derby horse, Alec!” That had been mood number one, the mood of lofty optimism. It was understandable because Henry never took any horse unless he was enthusiastic over his prospects of developing a champion.

Since then, months of training had passed. Henry’s face had become more settled, more grim, and his remarks more cautious. Number two mood had set in. “I think she’ll be ready,” he’d said.

Now the Derby was upon them, and Henry entered his last mood. He was silent and unsmiling. He demanded of the filly and Alec rather than asked. He would send Black Minx up to a mile in her speed works; then he would have her galloped out for another half. And all during the last half mile he would shout to Alec not to let her gallop “so slowly!” Yet he knew as well as Alec how the filly would act as soon as the bit was taken from her. Henry was now the strict taskmaster, more trainer than friend. Yet it made him what he was, as good a man as there was around in getting a horse ready to win the first time out.

Understanding this, Alec ignored Henry’s long periods of silence as well as his occasional tirades at the track during a work. He knew that Henry would not permit the filly to be raced in the Kentucky Derby or the Kentucky Oaks or anywhere else unless she was ready. Nothing was certain for her or for them at this time.

Nevertheless, Alec continued to keep track of all new developments in the Derby picture. He knew that Wintertime and Lady Lee had left New York to go to Keeneland, Kentucky.

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