~Ryan~

"The track is listed as slow today, here at Belmont. The horses for the third race, the Tremont Stakes, are walking to the start. In post 1, we have Dinner Bell, by Revolutionary and out of Aurelia's Belle. In post 2 is Dragon Sickness, by Bayern and out of Sweet Reason. In post 3 is 2fast4u, by Lucky Pulpit and out of Royal Delta. In post 4 is World Traveler, by Noble Mission and out of Sugar Shock. In post 5 we have Itsasmallworld, by Itsmyluckyday and out of Don't Tell Sophia. In post 6 we have Repossess, by To Honor and Serve and out of Untapable. In post 7 we have Derryfield, by Redeemed and out of Lady Pimpernel.
"This field is full of great pedigrees," my dad said.
"What's a pedigree?" I asked, still learning the terms of the track.
"It's who the horse's mom and dad are, and who their moms and dads are, and so on."
"Repo has the best one, right?" I had nicknamed Repossess Repo a long time ago, back when I couldn't say his whole name right.
"I wouldn't say that, but it's certainly a good one."

"And they're off! Looks like it's 2fast4u to take the early lead, Dragon Sickness is right up there with him. It's about a length back to Dinner Bell and World Traveler, then another few back to Derryfield, Repossess, and Itsasmallworld.
Now Dragon Sickness has taken the lead, but 2fast4u is still right there beside him. World Traveler is a lengths behind in 3rd, then Dinner Bell and Derryfield a few lengths back, and Repossess and Itsasmallworld still trail the field. Into the turn, Dragon Sickness has a clear lead, 2fast4u is dropping back, and World Traveler is coming up to challenge. But now Repossess has exploded and is moving up around the outside on the turn! He's passed World Traveler and is now at Dragon Sickness's rear. Dragon Sickness doesn't see him coming! Repossess at Dragon Sickness's throat. Javier Castellano goes to the whip on Dragon Sickness, but Repossess and Johnny V are determined! Repossess gets his head in front! They're halfway down the stretch! Repossess opening daylight! World Traveler and Derryfield overtaking Dragon Sickness, they're battling it out for second. They're at the wire, and it's Repossess by 3! World Traveler holds on for second, with Derryfield a half-length back in third!"

"Daddy, we won, we won, we won!" "Whooooo, yes we did!" Dad wipes his forehead. "Now we get to take a picture, right, Ryan!" "Re-Po, Re-Po, Re-Po!"
We stand in the winners circle, Repossess all wet after getting sprayed off, and dad lifts me up to his shoulders as we get the photo taken.

~Repossess~
Extra hay for me today! I snort at Dragon Sickness across the aisle. His head hangs dejectedly over the stall. We eventually make a deal that. Whenever we race together from now on, we will block all the other horses, and go one-two. Ryan runs over to me to feed me a sugar cube. I gently take it, and then permit him to scratch my nose. He's delighted, but I really don't see the big deal. It's just my nose. He runs back over to his parents. He's starting to get taller now. I watch him go, sadly, wondering when I'll see him again. Tomorrow, probably.