Chapter 103
The Veterinarian’s Office
End of April 1935
About mid-morning Tilly got into her car and drove directly to the office of Warren Packman, an equine specialist. Parking her car out of view, she turned off the ignition, tucked her blond hair securely into her cowboy hat, and removed her keys. Looking down at her chest she quickly buttoned her shirt up to the collar. Tilting her rearview mirror in her car, she checked her appearance. She looked different, maybe even unrecognizable. Wearing no makeup made her appear common, unnoticeable, unmemorable. Satisfied that this errand would go well, she opened her car door and walked into the vet’s office.
“Is Warren here? I need to see him.”
An assistant behind the counter answered, “No, Dr. Packman is in the field tending to his appointments. May I help you?”
“My name is Gretchen Sykes. I called him last night requesting a few vials of sodium pentobarbital and a few syringes. Surely he left word with you.”
“Why no, I haven’t seen him. He’s been spending his days tending horses at Churchill Downs.”
“My horse is suffering. I can’t bear to shoot him. My dear horse is like a member of our family.”
“I understand, but…”
“I talked with Warren at length yesterday. He wouldn’t care if you gave the stuff to me.”
“What’s wrong with the horse?”
“Twisted intestine or blockage. He’s distended, in awful pain.”
“Oh dear, is he lying down?”
“Oh yes.”
“I really don’t know if I should do this. The obstruction could clear. But a twisted colon is another story.”
“Warren was quite sure it was a twist. The horse is too old for surgery,” Tilly said, her shoulders tense. “Please.”
The vet’s assistant hesitated, not sure what to do. She walked to a closet behind her desk full of equine pharmaceuticals, and reluctantly retrieved the sodium pentobarbital.
Returning to the counter with vials and syringes in hand, she said, “I’m very uncomfortable with this. Highly irregular, but I guess he forgot to tell me. He even called in this morning and didn’t mention anything about this. Are you a new client? I don’t recognize your name.”
“I’m a neighbor, actually. He just comes when we need him, on his own. That’s why you never heard of me. He told me to wait until morning in case things improve. Please, I need the sedative.”
The assistant placed the pharmaceuticals in a muslin bag and pulled the drawstring closure. “Are you sure he said for you to come get the sedative and do it yourself? Have you done this before?”
“A few times. He seemed quite confident my daddy and me could put him down. We just need the medicine.”
The assistant looked down at the bag and tapped her fingernails on the counter while biting her lip. “Um… I just can’t do this without clearance of some sort. Wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
Tilly looked up in a panic as the phone rang in the back hall.
“Oh, that is probably him now. Let me answer it and see.” The woman walked behind a wall and Tilly heard her pick up the phone and say hello. Grabbing the muslin bag, Tilly walked quickly and quietly out the office door. No one saw her drive away, not even the vet’s assistant.
Chapter 104
The Confrontation
On Friday morning, Hank, the driver, delivered James, Mary, and Maizie, who had arrived by train the night before, to Churchill Downs for the early-morning workout. The day was overcast and thunderstorms were predicted for race day. This was not good news. A muddy track could put some horses out of the running. On the other hand, some horses do well in the mud. There was consideration that Glory Be might be shod in mud calks, if necessary, to help him grip the track. It was a decision that was not made lightly. Men at the barn argued that putting an unfamiliar shoe on a horse can disturb his natural gait. “The only benefit I see,” said Bob Hench, “is at the start. It’s a crap shoot, really.” No decision was agreed upon on Friday. James said the decision needed to be made by Wil and his team, not him. It was a vigorous debate being had all over Churchill Downs.
Maizie joined Capp to watch some of the horses go through their early-morning workouts. Tommy was taking Glory Be around the track in the company of twelve other horses. This was Glory’s warm-up before working in the starting gates. The track was dry. As Tommy and Glory hugged the rail, a large thoroughbred horse pushed them from behind. The challenging jockey urged his thoroughbred closer to Glory Be and bumped the Glidewell stallion in the process. Tommy, riding high in the saddle, was caught off guard, lost his balance and tumbled into the rail. He hit awkwardly on his shoulder and then fell on the ground. Capp and Maizie came running onto the track and found Tommy cussing and writhing in pain.
“Tommy, you all right?” asked Capp.
“Dang, that guy got too close.”
“Yeh, I was watchin’. How you feel?”
“Can’t say right now. I can’t move my arm. Think it might be out of the socket.”
“You’ll be ready to ride tomorrow?” asked Capp. Tommy adjusted his position in the dirt and shook his head, his brow so deeply furrowed that he looked twenty years older. Capp knelt next to Tommy. “We’ll get help. Maizie, run and find Mr. Glidewell. Have someone put a lead on Glory.”
“Capp, if I can’t ride tomorrow, who’s gonna take it?” asked Tommy.
“We’ll try to find someone. Don’t worry.”
Tommy rolled to his good side and moaned, “You do it, Capp.”
“I’m too heavy. I’m not sure just anyone can handle Glory Be like you. I sure hope you can ride,” said Capp. As Capp looked at Tommy, he saw the pain in his eyes, the grimace on his face. He was certain
