The sun rises slowly over the bluegrass, bathing its valleys with brilliant rays of sunlight. As the early morning dew begins to evaporate, someone is stirring in the stallion barn at Lane's End Farm. That someone is Curlin, two-time Horse of the Year with victories in the Preakness, Dubai World Cup, and Breeders' Cup Classic on his fabulous resume. But perhaps his greatest achievement was his earnings record: during his career he banked $10,501,800, a record for horses that have raced in North America.
As the sun peeps through his stall window, Curlin awakens. His eyes open; and for a moment he is content. In his dreams, he had just won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe by 19 3/4 lengths over Raven's Pass, Henrythenavigator, and Tiago.
Then a pang of worry strikes his heart; worry which soon turns to dread. He has remembered what day it is. It is March 26th, 2011.
With great haste, the champion calls for his father—the esteemed and renowned Smart Strike—to awaken. However, the old man is already awake. He has been awake for a while now, anticipating Curlin's arise. He replies to his son reassuringly; gaily informing him that he has nothing to worry despite the fact that Smart Strike himself is filled with anxiety.
By this time, their early morning conversation has raised several other stallions from their slumber; among the newly-awoken horses is A.P. Indy. The unchallenged king of the farm, he is not at all pleased at the early hour in which he has been awoken. Like Curlin, he had been having pleasant dreams too; his revolving around defeating Arazi in the Kentucky Derby. He is about to give Curlin and Smart Strike a piece of his mind when he too remembers what day it is. Suddenly he is wide awake and in action. He quickly exits his stall and heads for the television, beckoning Curlin and Smart Strike to follow suit.
However, Quality Road has beaten him to the punch. The young boy has been awake all night worrying about the coming day, and now that it is finally here he is eager to get it over with. With speed equal to what he had displayed on the racetrack, he has turned on television and tuned into HRTV.
All of the other stallions gather around Quality Road and make themselves confortable, for they will be in front of the TV for several hours this morning. The only one not among the group is After Market, who has been elected to prepare breakfast.
However, Curlin is not hungry. He is too upset to eat, even when After Market offers him his favorite dish. Smart Strike informs Curlin that he must eat his breakfast and accept what is coming like a stallion. Curlin reluctantly chokes down a few bites.
Now the broadcast for which they have been waiting has begun. Quality Road inches closer to the TV and blocks Rock Hard Ten's view; the latter pulls the former back into place. Curlin covers his eyes. He can't look. Smart Strike tells him to relax and at least enjoy the early part of the telecast.
"Welcome to HRTV’s coverage of the 2011 Dubai World Cup, a series of seven races worth an incredible twenty-six million dollars capped off by the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup at a mile and a quarter. There are numerous fascinating stories unfolding here at Meydan Race Course today, but perhaps none more intriguing than Gio Ponti's quest to surpass Curlin's North American earnings record. . ."
Several stallions start screaming for someone to mute the TV, but no one can find the remote. Thus Quality Road turns off the television.
After several minutes off searching, they discover that Aragorn has been sitting on the remote. They quickly turn the TV back on and continue watching.
Throughout the morning, anxiety mounts as race after race is run. One can feel the apprehension in the air. Pleasantly Perfect tries to ease Curlin's worry by reminding him of how hard it is to win the Dubai World Cup, and that the chances of Gio Ponti winning are quite small. But Curlin is inconsolable.
It is now just ten minutes to post time for the World Cup. In just a few more minutes, they will know if Curlin is still North America's richest race horse. Smart Strike proudly reminds his son that even if Gio Ponti wins the World Cup, Curlin will still be the first North American-based runner to break ten million in earnings. But Curlin does not reply.
In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere and help pass those long ten minutes, Mineshaft suggests that they all try and pick the winner of the race. This idea is met with feigned enthusiasm to try and get Curlin's to think about something other than the earnings record. They all agree that Mineshaft's idea is fabulous, and so they grab their sweat-covered past performance sheet and start picking names. A.P. Indy chooses Cape Blanco. Mineshaft chooses his son Fly Down. Likewise, Lemon Drop Kid selects his son Richard's Kid. Aragorn goes with fellow Ireland-bred Prince Bishop. Candy Ride picks Victoire Pisa. Smart Strike selects Buena Vista. Belong to Me refuses to pick.
Finally, it is Curlin's turn to choose. His mind wanders back and forth between the various entrants; beads of sweat appear on his face as his eyes glide over the name Gio Ponti. Suddenly, it is obvious whom he should select.
"I pick Gio Ponti."
Smart Strike's jaw drops. Quality Road gasps. Rock Hard Ten chokes on his drink. A.P. Indy wonders if his old age had affected his hearing.
The questions begin to fly. Curlin answers with a logical explanation:
"My record can't stand forever, and if it has to be broken I would like to have Gio Ponti do it. He has had the career of a great horse, and if he can beat this world-class field, then he is worthy of succeeding me."
A pause ensues as the stallions mull over this answer. Then Smart Strike steps forward.
"I'm proud of you, son."
And that was all that was said. The gloomy atmosphere evaporates and the room lightens. Suddenly, the room seems sunnier than it did before. Now all of the stallions are content; laughing and joking with each other as the horses load into the gate for the Dubai World Cup. Pleasantly Perfect jokes about how easy it is to win the World Cup, and that Gio Ponti should be able to win by twenty easily. Curlin laughs at this, and all of a sudden he is hungry.
The last horse enters the starting gate and all activity ceases, for all of the stallions’ eyes are riveted to the television screen. Although no one speaks, they all are thinking the same thing:
"Come on Gio! Win one for America!"
-Keelerman
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