Do They Know ?

Do They Know?

by

Murray D. West

 December 10,2011

Featuring photos of the truly great, 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra 

I’ve often wondered, as they load in the gate,

And they stand at the ready next to their mate,

And their muscles are taut and tension runs high,

As they stare down the stretch awaiting the cry;

And I have wondered, as the doors open wide,

And riders start screaming to charge with the tide,

And they bolt to the left or are knocked to the right,

As each horse in this battle here fights with all might…

- do they know?

Rachel Alexandra breaks from 4 hole

 I’ve often wondered, as they charge the first turn,

And riders are struggling their speed here to spurn,

As their urge to explode is held firm in check,

By those jockeys aboard, perched high on their neck;

And I have wondered, as they enter the back,

Where now they are settled to race with the pack,

And the riders sit quiet to soothe and relax,

And await the right moment their speed then to tax…

- do they know?

into first turn, 2009 Woodward

I’ve often wondered, as the far turn now looms,

And the waiting is over and the chase here resumes,

And the pace swiftly quickens as riders exhort

Them to surge and to struggle, the others to thwart;

And I have wondered, at the head of the lane,

As they stare down the stretch, here feeling much pain,

From lungs which now burn and from eyes filled with dirt,

Each breath that they take makes their chest scream with hurt…

- do they know?

 5/8ths pole approaching far turn, 2010 La Troienne, Rachel Alexandra #4, grey Unrivaled Belle #5 

Rachel in La Troienne

Rachel, with Calvin Borel up

5/16th pole

bending into final turn, 1/2 pole looms ahead, Rachel takes leead, Unrivaled Belle mounts charge on outside

I’ve often wondered, as they fight for the lead,

And their riders are pushing and screaming and plead,

And their nostrils are flaring, each breath feels like fire,

While we pray that their being is filled with desire;

And I have wondered, as the wire looms ahead,

Here locked in fierce combat, do they love or they dread,

As muscles are screaming and eyes cry duress,

And their choice is to fight or to now acquiesce…

- do they know?

Jess Jackson and wife Barbara as Rachel show great concern as Rachel sets a blistering pace down backstretch in 2009 Woodward Stakes

I’ve often wondered, with ten strides to go,

As they fight and battle their foe toe to toe,

And they reach to the bottom, to the depth of their soul,

While they seek one last fiber, its strength to extol;

And I have wondered, as the wire is now crossed,

As jockeys stand up and their cross is here tossed,

And they gently ease back, ask their steed to slow down,

While for just this brief moment each horse wears a crown…

- do they know?

Digging to the depths of her soul, an exhausted Rachel Alexandra refuses to quit and courageously holds off gallant Macho Again in the Woodward

Rachel Alexandra, Woodward Stakes

Finish 2009 Woodward Stakes, Rachel Alexandra holds off Macho Again

 I’ve often wondered, as they now canter back,

And the crowd is applauding and waits on the track,

Where one steed is met with great cheer and high fives,

Another with silence or smile that’s contrived;

And I have wondered, midst the roar and the cheer,

As the crowd here applauds for this one they hold dear,

While losers here leave with no fame for their chase,

Knowing few will recall how they ran a great race…

- do they know?

A very exhausted Rachel being led into winner's enclosure by Jess Jackson, 2009 Woodward

Barbara, Rachel Alexandra and Calvin, and Jess Jackson

2009 Woodward, Saratoga

I’ve often wondered, as the track they depart,

One basking in glory for winning this start,

Do the losers feel downcast and feel great remorse,

Or wonder or care if they beat that bay horse?

Do they feel satisfaction that their best they did do,

Or feel happy it’s over, just glad that it’s through?

Do the best feel a difference in a win or a loss,

Or is this just for dreamers, their tales to emboss… 

         

               - do they know?

We look to their beauty, stand awed by their might,

For nothing can move us like their regal sight,

But others say this is a beast of the herd,

To ascribe more to them, borders near on absurd;

For a bird loves to fly but makes no claim to know,

And a fish knows to swim but just follows the flow,

And they argue the racehorse knows just how to run,

And their battle is over as soon as it’s done…

- do they know?

 Deep in mid-stretch, fatigue felt to their core,

Some steeds will here suddenly reach down for more,

And facing defeat, look it square in the face,

For they’d rather die here than lose this grand race!

And returning from victory, and most from defeat,

One look tells the victor from those who were beat,

And the riders can sense it, the grooms feel it too,

And all who work with them will swear that it’s true…

- do they know?

Oh yes…they know!

 

                                                                Murray D. West

                                                              December 10,2011

 ...and just a little more of marvellous Rachel Alexandra!!