Chapter Six

                                    

                                          
Bubba was sent to First Winter Farm to let him grow and develope more. Our target come back race was the Florida Derby at the end of March, that's where we figured Rundown would be. None of our horses were nominate for any Eclipse Awards this year, most of the owners horses were overcast by I Will Remember who was by I Want Revenge, he won the Champagne, Remsen, and Breeders Cup Juvenile, he was a big burly black colt with three socks, one stocking on his left hind and a blaze down his face. All the races he won, he won by more than five, he has not seen defeat in his career. 
                          
I went to what use to be Emily's stall in her racing day, it was now occupied by her son, and next to him was Emily's half-sister, who was not even one. She was like her sire, big and muscular, she was dark brown-nearly black, and had one sock and a star on her forehead. The filly was in the final crop of now pensioned First War, who was set to return to the farm from Japan. 
                          
I pet both of the horses, and Bubba nudged his nose to my pocket looking for peppermints, I smiled and dug my hand in my pocket and pulled out a peppermint for him, he snorted and ate the peppermint. I walked over to the filly's stall. She obviously wasn't out of Emmy's Love, she was out of champion mare Who Are You, who won the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose, and Cotillion Stakes and Breeders Cup Distaff and earned Champion 2 Year Old Filly and Champion 3 Year Old Filly. She has produced Work For It, and Who Am I. 
                          
I sat in the stables for a while with the two.
                          
-3 Months Later, February-
                          
It was one week from Bubba's return, the field for the Florida Derby was taking shape. The dangers being Rundown, who had not lost as a three year old yet, and the surprise contender, and Champion 2 Year Old Colt, I Will Remember. We had seen the colt workout, he looked like a beast, most like his sire. We have been worried about our chances going into the race, because Bubba had only won once I seven starts. 
                          
He was overshadowed by I Will Remember, Rundown and Blind Courage. Bubba has been working just as well as them, some believed him-most didn't. 
                          
We leaned against the rail watching all the Florida Derby contenders workout while waiting for Bubba. We saw Red Alexei, the Frontrunner winner, very dominant at Santa Anita, Settling Fog the Remsen winner, and another longshot, Midnight Line who had won an Allowence impressively. Finally came Bubba, he practically floated over the dirt and glided around the turn and flew down the stretch, he ran five furlongs in 1:02 flat, right behind Red Alexei and Midnight Line. 
                          
I looked at Jack and he had the biggest smile on his face.
                          
"I've got to say, that wasn't too bad." He said, I smiled and thought to myself.
                          
Upset? Possibly.