Day 1 wrap-up
In general, I'll just post a wrap-up for each week. But when someone writes something as delightful as this from e_moon60, I'll share it here.
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The Invitational Writer Handicap: 30 furlongs over 28 days, no entry fee, purse:bragging rights (Note: a "furlong" in this race is 1000 words, adjusted, completed.)
At the start, several horses did not make it to the gate at post time: Desert Orchid and Citation were both commandeered for storm duty, and Fourstardave was kept in the pasture on foal-watch. Several of the horses had other duties before the race, and clocked in late in the day, making the start less thanexciting from the point of view of the grandstand, where spectators saw one after another straggle in and walk or trot through, rather than break from, the gate.
However, by day's end the race became more interesting. Sunday Silence, under jockey Nat, took a clear furlong lead, completing 2.13 furlongs. In second place, Barbaro, under jockey Alex, showed a nice turn of pace after a late start, completing 1.237 furlongs. Desert Orchid, under jockey Elizabeth, also late out of the gate, made a close third, at 1.031 furlongs. Running fourth and fifth, with only 0.161 furlongs between them, were Secretariat, under jockey Terie, with .575 furlongs and Jolly Jumper, under jockey Barry, with .414 furlongs.
The following did not pass the starting gate: Fourstardave, under jockey Dave, Captain Courageous, under jockey Karen, and Citation, under jockey George. However, it's a long race, 28 days in the most gruelling of conditions, horses and jockeys not released from their usual daily grind, and so, ladies and gentlemen, don't be so sure you know the outcome...any one of these fine racers could make it to the finish line first.
Tune in each day for the outcome...