Nevertheless, my anticipation of Hot Money's return to the races has been steadily growing. For me, there could be few better antidotes to chemotherapy's poisons than to have a horse with Hot Money's talent win decisively, with the whole racing season in front of him. So I summoned my energy and went with Susan to Belmont Park to see him in the paddock and watch his race.
It was sunny and cool, with low humidity: perfect weather for racing, or just about anything else. The turf course was firm. Hot Money was calm in the paddock, fit without being lean, with a shiny summer coat-- just the way one would like to see one's horse at the beginning of a campaign! In a field of eight, he was the 8-5 betting favorite.
After breaking alertly from the outside post position, Hot Money settled on the outside of the field, several lengths from the lead, as his rider, Majiv Maragh, assessed their unfolding position in the race. Nothing was opening up towards their inside. In order to avoid losing too much ground on the sweeping turn into the stretch, Maragh either had to pull Hot Money towards the back of the field or gun him towards the front. Maragh decided on the latter course of action, and Hot Money accelerated around the field, reaching the leader with a quarter of a mile to run in the six-furlong (i.e., three-quarters-of-a-mile) race.
At that moment, I thought that Hot Money was going to draw away from the field and win in fine style; he had finished strongly in his morning works and his winning races. But his momentum faded, and he finished fourth. Although he seemed to be fine afterwards, it often takes a few days after a race for problems to manifest themselves.
Despite my skepticism about rationalizing and excuses, there are plausible explanations for his tiring that have nothing to do with his health. Perhaps he wasn't as fit as we thought after his long layoff and simply got tired from a premature move in a fast-run race. Jockeys are convenient scapegoats for owners , trainers, and bettors, and one could be critical of Maragh's decision to unleash Hot Money so early in the race. In any case, as an antidote for my worries about my health, I will have worries about Hot Money's health until he wins again.
My hopes turn to Mustang Island's race tomorrow.
