Excerpt from my book, Racing With My Shadow
Warming up Nice Catch before the race at Aqueduct
Frank Wright kept his word. The “good mount” he had promised me was Nice Catch, one of the best horses in Frank’s barn! I never thought I’d get a chance to ride him.
Frank explained, “I am trying to get Nice Catch to settle so he can come from off the pace in sprint races and run well in longer races, too. I’ve seen how you get speed horses to relax.
“I’ve watched you control horses that are positively rank with other riders. And you’re one of the best gate riders (leaving the starting gate) here in New York. You can get right out there on the lead and still get a horse to relax.
“You always manage to save something for the end. I’ve watched you ‘steal’ races on the front end, and that’s exactly why I’ve chosen you to ride my horse!”
Ah, Frank was so smart. Why couldn’t all trainers think like him?
As I warmed up Nice Catch in the post parade, I was in awe of the power he exuded. His every muscle was solid and well-defined. His neck and shoulders were massive. His muscular body was built for speed, poised to explode.
This was by far the best horse I had ever ridden. I thought that maybe I would be nervous with the pressure of riding a really good horse, but just the opposite happened. I wasn’t nervous at all!
All I felt was confidence, supreme confidence in this horse. Without a doubt, I knew I could easily get used to riding “good” horses like him, if given the chance.
When we loaded into the gate, my heart did beat a little faster, though. Never mind. Just another race. Business as usual, right?
Nice Catch broke sharply and forged straight to the lead. Easy, boy. Nice and easy. I knew that I would have a racehorse under me, but he was something else. He was an absolute powerhouse.
I took a nice long hold of the reins, relaxing my hands and arms. I could only hope that this would settle Nice Catch and let him know that I didn’t want any speed from him just yet.
Frank and I had discussed the possibility of sitting back off the pace and not going to the lead. But I was only to do this if I didn’t have to fight him.
If he would slow down on his own, it would take a lot less out of him. I waited to see if it would work.
Into the first turn we were in front, but I could feel him starting to relax. He had sensed what I wanted from him and stopped pulling on the bit. His stride shortened slightly, as he came back to me.
Good. You’re doing just fine. Frank taught you well. We weren’t out of the woods yet, though. Two horses were starting to pass us. Would Nice Catch get competitive and fight to keep his lead?
I didn’t move my hands and hoped for the best. I could feel him grow anxious. After a few tense moments, he let them go by. Good boy. That’s right. Relax. Wait on me.
I was very careful not to move my hands. Other than the slight pressure he was beginning to put on the bit, he was still doing okay. He was still waiting for me to give him the signal to pick up the pace.
As we neared the far turn, I could feel him growing impatient. He was tugging on the bit now, wanting to go after the leaders. Not yet, old boy. Not yet. This race is a little longer than you are used to.
I knew that as soon as I asked him, he would fire. Patience, patience. We’re in no hurry. I stayed cool, my hands never moving once from the time we left the gate.
But as we started into the far turn, I shortened my reins slightly, and he kicked into high gear. Nice Catch was covering ground so effortlessly. I swung to the outside of the other two and let him have his way.
Ah, what a feeling! This acceleration…riding a good horse…is so incredible. He cruised on by the other two horses and drew off to an easy victory.
Coming back to the winner’s circle, I noticed that everyone from Franks’s barn was there with big smiles. The cameras snapped for the win photo. I patted Nice Catch and jumped off.
Frank hugged me and beamed with pride. “Ahhh, my rider! What a ride!”
Frank Wright and me – a winning team!
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