Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
Thank you wjm for reviewing chapter 4.
Chapter 5
A country in need of a hero.
Nick, Lita, Howard, and Kenshin are at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky. Thanks to his win in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes. Kenshin has as many fans as his sire did going into the Kentucky Derby. Lita has seen Quiet Song the filly that is racing in the Kentucky Oaks. Quiet Song is 16 hands tall and is bay. She has a black mane and tail. And also has a white spot on her forehead. Unfortunately the family has seen Tis Storming. The colt is big and black and seems to be better behaved. Tiz Storming is 16.2 hands tall and the family wonder if Kenshin will be afraid of Tiz Storming. Six days before the race Howard is warming up Kenshin. Nick and Lita are at the rail watching. The man wants breeze Kenshin six furlongs.
Kenshin's training has been going very well. Just then Nick started his stopwatch. Lita and Nick watched as Kenshin ran toward them. Nick stopped is stopwatch what Kenshin crossed the finish line. Lita asked "How did he do dear?" Nick smiled and said "He did the job in 1:10 flat he's ready for the Derby." After Kenshin was cooled down and given a bath he was put in his stall. It's the day of the Kentucky Derby. Lita and Nick are taking Kenshin. The colt's red chestnut coat is shining in the evening sun. Soon Nick took Kenshin to the walking ring.
Ten minutes later Howard came out and found his mom. Lita can tell that he's nervous. So she smiled and said "I know the Kentucky Derby is the biggest race you've ridden in. Bit Kenshin is a good horse and he'll make sure that the two of you cross the finish line safe and sound." Howard calmed down and asked "Thanks mom oh did Quiet Song win yesterday?" Lita nodded and said "Yes she did she left the other fillies in her dust. The owner plans on having Quiet Song race against the boys." Just then they heard "Riders up." Nick held Kenshin while Howard got on the colt's back. Then he said "As usual Rocket Fuel is the speed. But watch out for Tiz Storming."
Howard nodded and road toward the track. Lita and Nick went to the grandstand. When they sat down they saw that Tiz Storming and Kenshin are the 2 to1 favorites. Just then the announcer said "Here are the horses for the Kentucky Derby. Number 1 is Rocket Fuel, Number 2 is Kenshin, Number 3 is Keno, Number 4 is Tiz Storming, Number 5 is Abyss, and Number 6 is Clever Fox." While warming Kenshin and Tiz Storming pasted by each other. When they did Kenshin snorted at Tiz Storming and Tiz Storming snorted at Kenshin. Soon all of the horses are in the gate waiting for the start of the race. The crowds in the grandstand and in field are now quiet.
Everyone in the country that's watching the race on TV. Are hoping to see a colt that looks like he'll win the triple crown. Just then the gate slammed open and the colts ran out. Rocket Fuel took the lead followed by Keno, Kenshin, Tiz Storming, Abyss, and Clever Fox. The colts ran down the home stretch then turned onto the back stretch. Now Rocket Fuel and Keno have the lead. Followed by Kenshin, Tiz Storming, Clever Fox, and Abyss. At the turn for home Kenshin and Tiz Storming made their moves. Down the home stretch the two colts battled for the lead.
The crowds in the grandstand and in field are going wild. Howard yelled "Let's win this race Kenshin!" Kenshin changed leads and began pulling away." But Tiz Storming's jockey yelled "Don't let that little guy get away!" Tiz Storming changed leads and caught up to Kenshin. The two colts crossed the finish line for a photo, Howard pulled up Kenshin and started cooling him down. Just then the announcer said "And the winner of the 134 Kentucky Derby is Kenshin." The crowds went wild as Lita and Nick met Kenshin and Howard at the winners circle. The next day the family are on their way to Pimlico Park in Baltimore Maryland. Nick plans on letting Kenshin rest for six days then train and breeze him.
After the Preakness Nick plans in going home for a week and half. Then going to Belmont Park in Elmont New York. Now Nick, Lita, Howard, and Kenshin are at Pimlico. Nick, Lita, and Howard are sleeping in tents by Kenshin's stall. Kenshin is in his stall sleeping soundly. Now everyone that watches and loves thoroughbred racing. Hopes that a small red chestnut named Kenshin can win the triple crown and end the thirty year drought. Or will he be like his sire. Win the Preakness and go to the Belmont. Only to be run down by a horse that skipped the Derby and Preakness. For now they won't know if he'll win the Preakness.
Before Nick, Lita, and Howard knew it. It's the day of the Preakness Stakes. There are two new horses in the race that didn't make it to the Derby. Nick and Lita aren't concerned about the new horses. Kenshin looks great and has been training and eating well. Right now Lita is leading Kenshin around the walking ring. Just then Howard came out and found his dad. Then someone said "Riders up,: Lita held Kenshin while Howard got on his back. Then Nick said "Watch out for Tiz Storming and the new horses Atlas and Neptune." Howard nodded and rode toward the tack. When Nick and Lita sat down they saw that Kenshin is the 2 to1. And Tiz Storming is the 4 to 2 second choice.
Just then the announcer said "Here are the horses for the Preakness Stakes. Number 1 is Kenshin, Number 2 is Rocket Fuel, Number 3 is Atlas, Number 4 is Clever Fox, Number 5 is Neptune, and Number 6 is Tiz Storming." Soon all six colts are off running. Rocket Fuel has the lead followed by Atlas, Kenshin, Neptune, Tiz Storming, and Clever Fox. The colts ran down the home stretch then turned onto the back stretch. Now Rocket Fuel and Atlas have lead. Followed by Kenshin, Neptune, Tiz Storming, and Clever Fox. At the turn for home Kenshin, Tiz Storming, and Neptune made their moves. Kenshin has the lead with Tiz Storming and Neptune behind him. But soon Tiz Storming and Neptune are right behind him.
Howard looked back and saw the two colt. He looked forward and yelled "Come on Kenshin let's go!" The red chestnut colt changed leads and ran away from Tiz Storming and Neptune. Even though Neptune and Tiz Storming changed leads. Kenshin pulled away from the field and won by 11 and a half lengths. The crowds went wild as Lita and Nick met Kenshin and Howard at the winners circle. Four days later Nick, Lita, Howard, and Kenshin are at home. Horse racing fans in Bradford are flocking to Big Shanty to find Nobody's Perfect farm.
A photographer from the Bradford Era is at the farm. Howard lead Kenshin outside into the sun shine. He took the lead rope off of Kenshin's blue halter. Being a ham he is Kenshin stood still and posed for the photographer. The photographer took a picture of Kenshin's left. So when the photo came out he saw the white X on Kenshin's cheek. Horse racing from around the area are also flocking to Big Shanty to see Kenshin. That night Lita asked "Nick what are we going to do when Kenshin retires? People won't want to bring mare up here to breed with him." Nick nodded and said "I agree dear let's look at farms on the Internet." The woman smiled and said "Let's see if we can find a farm in Kentucky."
Nick and Lita turned on the lap top and started looking at farms for sale in Kentucky. Just then Howard came in the house. He saw his parents looking at the computer screen. So he asked "What are you two doing?" Nick said "We are looking for farms for sale in Kentucky." Howard asked "Why are you doing that?" Lita said "No one is going to bring their mare up here. Just to breed with Kenshin so we need to move." Howard nodded and said "Ok I'm going to bed." A week and a half later Nick, Lita, and Howard are getting ready to go to Elmont New York. Nick and Lita found a farm for sale in the country side of Lexington Kentucky.
They bought the farm and packed everything to send down there. The stable hands will load the horses into trailers. And take tack, food, and supplies with them. Lita and Nick are taking Kenshin and a six-year-old mare with them. The mare is black with white spots around the bottom of her neck. Her name is Rosary and she's going to train and race to qualify for the Breeder's Cup Distaff. Rosary is an old pro and champion. As a three-year-old Rosary won the triple tiara the filly version of the triple crown. She also won the Breeder's Cup Distaff as a three and four year old. But last year as a five year old tragedy struck. Last year Rosary broke her left front leg then became ill. Now her leg is fully healed and she's healthy. So Nick has put Rosary back into training. And Rosary isn't very bis she's only 15.8 hands tall. Today is the day of the Belmont Stakes. Horse racing fans around the country are waiting with baited breath. To see if Kenshin can win the triple crown. There is a horse in the race that skipped the Derby and Preakness. Right now six colts are in the gate. Soon the gate slammed open and the colts ran out. Rocket Fuel took the lead followed by Atlas, Kenshin, Tiz Storming, Neptune, and Copy Cat. The horses ran down the home stretch then turned onto the long back stretch. Now Rocket Fuel and Atlas have the lead. Followed by Kenshin, Tiz Storming, Neptune, and Copy Cat.
At the turn for home Kenshin, Tiz Storming, Neptune, and Copy Cat made their moves. Kenshin has the lead with Tiz Storming and Neptune. Copy Cat is behind Tiz Storming and Neptune. But the went around the two colts and set his sights on Kenshin. Howard looked back and saw Copy Cat gaining on them. He looked forward and yelled "Come on Kenshin let's give the U.S.A a triple crown!" Kenshin changed leads and charged toward the finish line. Copy Cat also changed leads and is still gaining on Kenshin. But Kenshin crossed the finish line first.
The crowds in the grandstand went wild. The United States finally has a triple crown winner. Kenshin has broken a thirty year brought. In the winners circle Nick announced that Kenshin will go to their new home and rest for a while. Then join Rosary on the road to the Breeder's Cup. Four days later Kenshin is resting in his new stall in the new training barn. Nobody's Perfect Farm has been relocated to the country side of Lexington Kentucky. In the main house Lita, Nick, and Howard are unpacking. Now they hope Kenshin can win the Breeder's Cup Classic.
Coming soon chapter 6.