“Could we see that stallion you mentioned and Dandamore?” asked Capp.
“Sure, the dark brown horse with the white star is Dandamore. The stallion for sale is the dapple gray with the four black stockings and mane.” The men walked to the paddock to get a closer look.
Asking for a lead, Capp climbed into the paddock and the dapple gray retreated. Capp waited until the horse gave him a good look with two eyes and then he turned and walked away from the horse. The dapple began to cautiously follow Capp. As long as Capp was walking away, the horse didn’t think of him as a threat. Eventually Capp was able to maneuver the horse to the corner of the paddock and attach the lunge line. The workout on the lunge line exposed poor behavior and training, but good conformation, a good gait, and intelligence. Capp and Wil could work with this horse. The stallion had potential.
“We should make an offer for the filly and the stallion. I like them both,” said Capp.
“What would you take for the two?” asked James.
Ganning looked at his perspective buyers. “What you goin’ to do with the filly? She’s barren, like I told you.”
“We like her. We think we can breed her successfully,” said Capp.
“Are you saying I don’t know what I’m doin’? I was honest with you. She’ll never race and can’t have a foal. You lookin’ for a pleasure ride?”
“Could be,” said Wil. “But look, we like Dandamore’s pedigree. We will pay you for it, in case she’s pregnant. She could be.”
“Think you guys may be disappointed, but I’ll sell you a copy of the pedigree,” said Ganning.
James was considering the offer. “After we confirm the pedigrees, we’d like to offer two grand for the stallion. I’ll give you one thousand for the filly and five hundred dollars for Dandamore’s pedigree. This is a gamble. I’m willing to take the risk. I want to be fair to you. That’s thirty-five hundred. That’s a lot of money in this economy.”
“That’s a steal and you know it. I can’t afford to let these horses go at that price.”
“Seems it’s a good deal for you. I’m buying an ill-behaved stallion that you can’t train and most likely a barren filly. Thirty-five hundred! We will be back in a few days with the cash and a horse trailer. My driver will pick them up. We’ll sign a contract today.”
Ganning appeared angry. It wasn’t hard for James to understand the man’s anger. Not everyone was able to ride out this economy. James felt lucky he had taken heed when he did—put his money into metals, safe and secure.
Finally Ganning said, “Let’s go back to the house and I’ll show you the pedigrees and we can write up a contract. When did you say I’d get my money?”
“When my driver returns to pick up the horses, he’ll give you the cash. I assume your stable hand will load the horses.”
“Of course,” said Ganning. He nervously zipped and unzipped his jacket, a habit born of hard times. “So tell me, Mr. Glidewell, have you purchased stock from anyone else around here?”
“Idle Hour Farm,” answered James.
“I see,” said Ganning.
“You heard of it?” asked Capp.
“Oh yes, of course. Who doesn’t know of Colonel Bradley? His ponies are pricey,” responded Ganning. He turned with shoulders slumped to walk back to his house, looking like a man diminished. James and Will peered at each other, feeling a sense of loss for the man. It wouldn’t be long and his farm, the Rising Star, would belong to a bank, his hopes for a comeback gone, his star falling.
Chapter 71
Churchill Downs
Tilly had been working in the backside office all morning. Her back and rear ached from sitting so she decided to walk around and ease the discomfort. Before she left, she found her lipstick in her purse, smoothed on some new color, and popped a stick of Wrigley’s in her mouth. She was thinking about Capp. She missed him. It had been a while. Locking the office door she began to walk around the backside, looking for him while stretching her long legs.
It was eleven o’clock in the morning and the exercising of the horses was winding down. Tilly hurried to the edge of the track and saw four riders making their way down the backstretch.
One rider, on a beautiful dapple-gray stallion, caught her attention. She knew a good rider when she saw one. He was straddling the saddle, leaning over the horse’s neck and using his whip effectively as he maneuvered the horse around a pack of three young thoroughbreds. It was Capp. She was certain. She sighed deeply and a sense of panic overtook her when she realized in a few days’ time he would be gone. She dreamed about Capp nearly every night, and despite his seeming disinterest in her, she had no intentions of forgetting him. She leaned into the railing and waved to him as he rounded the turn for home and crossed the finish line.
Wil was there with a stopwatch and let out a “Hot damn. Capp, this is a racehorse!”
Capp had the horse slow and halt before his cool down. He smiled when he heard the time and then noticed Tilly at the rail; his smile faded abruptly. Chewing eagerly on her gum, she looked his way and then turned slowly and sashayed back to her office.
Unlocking the door, she walked around the counter and fell heavily into her chair. Cradling her head in her palms she took a few deep breaths. Her disappointment in Capp’s reaction was turning to anger. By hook or by crook, Tilly would convince Capp she was the woman for him and Parkway Farm was his future. She hadn’t given up on Martin yet. She knew Martin wanted her. But he still hadn’t asked his dad to buy or lease the farm. Capp, on the other hand, was a guy she could manipulate. She’d done it before. She liked Capp’s prospects.
