yes, pat day is one of the best.
i love a two turn race.
i love watching jocks follow owner's and trainer's instructions, be they to hold the horse back, or to go right to the lead.
i love watching a horse break from an outside post position in a two turn race, then drop down against the rail to save ground going into the first turn.
i love watching jocks make their move, sometimes on the backstretch, sometimes going into the far turn, sometimes turning for home.
i love seeing a horse go wire to wire as much as i love seeing one come from way back to win. the wire to wire winners are all about the greatest test during the stretch run, when everyone is coming at them.
i love watching a jock on the lead horse open up ground coming down the stretch, then steal a quick backwards glance under his right arm, looking for trouble from behind.
i love a jock who 'shows' his horse the whip, but doesn't use it, wagging it alongside the horse's head so the animal sees it but never feels it.
i love watching a jockey 'scrub' his horse... the almost pushing action they take with the reins on the back of the horse's neck, urging it forward. |
