“Belle looks good, Tommy. Tough draw for you today. Two Glidewell horses, facing off. Will be a close one. Two fillies, an even race,” said Capp as he stroked Belle’s neck. “You ever race Corky and Doll before?”
“Nope, just workouts. Doll is a quick horse. Belle and I will give it a go. Tough loss yesterday, Capp.”
“I’m over it. Think I’ll lighten my horse’s load. Which of the saddles is the lightest, you know?”
“I’d say the cordovan range saddle that Mary used yesterday would be one of the lightest.”
“How much it weigh?”
“Maybe twenty pounds. It’s a nice saddle. I’ve used it at times.”
“Do you think a lighter saddle could help me and Wild win? If we have trouble at the start, he may need a lighter load to catch up.”
“Hard to say. Weight is distributed more evenly with a bigger saddle. Easier on the horse. But that cordovan has a big-enough seat for a short run. I think it may help. But you’re still going to have the starting mechanism flyin’ up.”
“I’d like to try it, Tommy. I got an idea for the barrier.”
“Sure.”
“Do we have any blinders?” asked Capp.
“You mean blinkers?”
“Used in harness racing and horse racing.”
“There are a couple in here. You want to try ’em?”
“Yes. Any chance you could spring the rope barrier a few times so I can work Wild a bit?”
“Sure. Let me finish here and cool Belle and I’ll be at the barrier.” Capp slapped Tommy’s back, and the Irishman was off for one more turn around the track. Capp looked to the horizon and saw the orange-red sunrise guaranteeing a beautiful dawn, a new day, a new chance.
Maizie was up and dressed and found Mary in her office.
“You feeling better this morning?” asked Mary.
“Yes. I’ll try to stay in the shade today.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ve been going through these letters again.”
“Anything interesting?” asked Maizie.
“Yes. Looks like Capp is going to Louisville to work with thoroughbreds.”
“So Capp is leaving?”
Mary looked at Maizie’s long face. “Maizie, it’s part of his education.” Mary stood and moved to where Maizie was standing, taking both of the young girl’s hands in her own. “Look Maizie, you’re going to be busy. Time will fly. I promise. And besides Capp will be too busy to be thinking about us.”
“What do you mean?”
“That girl last night. Wil told us Capp met her a few months back. She shows up here at Glidewell, when she is all the way from Louisville.”
“You think Capp likes her?” Maizie withdrew her hands.
“Sure he does. And she obviously likes him, or she wouldn’t have come here.”
“So he’ll be seeing her?”
“Her and others. Maizie, he is quite the charmer.”
Maizie turned and abruptly left, leaving Mary to wonder if she’d said the right thing.
At the edge of the rail on the first turn of the track, Matilda watched as horses and riders warmed up before her. She appeared deep in thought and then suddenly she stood straighter, her eyes widened. A smile grew on her lips as Capp Wembley and Running Wild, with blinders, no less, took the turn in front of her. She waved both arms enthusiastically, but Capp’s eyes were on the track in front of him as he eased Wild into a steady turn. Her smile quickly evaporated and in its place was a deep frown. She moved from the rail and found her way to a spot on the viewing knoll, where her brother was reading the morning paper. Looking across the knoll she noticed Maizie, the young girl from dinner talking with a groom outside the nearby stables. Leaving her brother to enjoy the morning paper, she walked down the knoll to where Maizie stood.
“Why’d you leave last night?” Matilda asked. Maizie looked up, confused, and Matilda continued: “You left in the middle of dinner.”
Maizie pulled her clipboard to her chest and did not respond.
Matilda said, “What? You don’t know why you left? Forgive me, little girl. I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Maizie. My name is Maizie. I left because I didn’t feel well.”
“You should have stayed. Dessert was good. Capp and I had such a lovely time.”
“We are happy you are enjoying the races. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
As Maizie turned to go Matilda added, “Oh, I am enjoying a lot more than just a few nag races. You got a boyfriend, little girl?”
Maizie said nothing but feeling the humiliation of being referred to as a child was maddening. Her confidence withered as the older and more sophisticated Matilda looked on. Maizie would have cried but held on to some semblance of composure. Matilda smiled, seeming to enjoy Maizie’s discomfort. The two looked at each other and as Maizie turned to go, Matilda threw yet another barb. “Well, I’ve got a boyfriend. I am quite sure I’ll see him tonight.” Maizie now knew that Mary might be right; the boyfriend could be Capp.
By one thirty in the afternoon a growing crowd of spectators had gathered on the grassy knoll. A stream of cars continued to make their way down the backside lane, and Jeb had the track wet, leveled, and ready. Rex Goude from KGBX radio was on his viewing platform, going over the draw. Familiar now with the horses and riders, he was well prepared. Corky stood on the north end
