To the training track
Having had his morning warm up stroll, 49ers next visit is to the training track—an impressive 7/8 mile long at Belmont. This morning, he’ll be allowed to gallop once around the oval, but not at full speed. That’s to be saved for later on....

The morning workout
Once he’s sufficiently warmed up, Debra lets him air it all out in a comfortable gallop around the training track. He makes it look so easy, it’s breathtaking. This morning is unique, in that there’s a contingent of press photographers and writers at the entry corner of the track, snapping shots and asking questions. Not exactly your run of the mill Saturday morning.

Regal, right down to his hooves
Every horse has it’s quirks—Fourty Niners Son loves to just stand and watch the world go by. Dubbed “a consumate professional” by Neil, he often stops and observes the world as if it’s his kingdom to rule. Perfectly calm, completely focused, with the full track ahead of him and the grandstand in the distance, I had to wonder if his mind was already running that afternoon’s race. (This wasn’t the only time he looked regal—WinStar Farm, where he was conceived, ran a full page ad in the race program and the Daily Racing Form featuring Distorted Humor’s pride and joy, Fourty Niners Son!)

Hot walk with Filipe
After every morning workout, there’s a “hot walk” allowing his muscles to cool off and relax. This morning, he’s with Filipe Gallarpo, his groom and the single most important human in his world. The relationship between horse and groom is almost like that of infant and mother, remarkably close and intimate. It’s Filipe who stokes his mane and brushes him out each morning...bathes him...walks him...and travels with him, side by side. The life of a groom is as much his horse’s as his own, at the beck and call of the race schedule throughout the year.

Entering the paddock
The day’s mood was much more serious than when we ran the Arlington Million as we faced a field tougher than anything before, on a track that was questionable at best (in spite of the official “good” status). The day before, Neil, Filipe and Debra “schooled” 49er—the process of taking him into the paddock just as it’s emptied out for another race. That way, he can get used to the look, feel, sights, sounds and smells of a new paddock surrounded by a crowd and recently filled with horses. He was a bit jumpier than normal on Friday, but back to his usual cool-as-can-be self once his race came along.

Waiting in the paddock
As Filipe walked 49er in, Dad and Debra waited in the open air stall marked with our entry number. Moments later, a track official moved us from there to an unused stall at the far end that was completely enclosed—Neil’s preference for our horse. If Debra looks serious, it’s because she is. There’s a lot riding on a race for the trainer, exercise rider and groom—their reputations, hard work, endless hours, and a portion of the purse if we win. This is one huge day for all of us.

Riders up
With Corey mounted, Filipe leads the duo around the paddock one last time before turning down the tunnel that leads to the track. In the background, you can see one of the hundreds of cameramen that were swarming the track, accompanied by countless still photographers. The spot I’m standing is actually up on the paddock walk—an area off limits to the press and paddock crowd. Seeing that I was a family member, the two police officers holding the edge in that area smiled, winked, and kinda-sorta let me slip right up on the path, in front of the crowd and reporters.