Holding Court was in the sixth race. The track program had listed
Holding Court at 6-1. Trainer Padmanabhan, in the paddock as the horses
left for the fifth race, was a picture of confidence. I was able to get
in a question or two. "Holding Court feels well. I am not nervous at
all. My confidence-level is high. The weather here and the grass will
suit him," he stated.
Holding Court opened at 10 to 6 on. Five minutes into the betting, it
was even money. Two minutes to go, Holding Court's odds had drifted to
2-1. He was 2.30 to 1 at post time. Go Between, the only millionaire in
the seven horse field, attracted a flood of late money and ended up at
13-10.
Relaxed and composed in the paddock, Holding Court's mood seemed to
change as he left the paddock to go through the tunnel that takes the
horses to the main course. One could sense a feeling of restlessness.
The composure was gone. Holding Court was fractious for a moment or two.
John Dooley, the track announcer laboured over pronouncing Padmanabhan's
name--I wish he had sought advice. Dooley, however, did enough to make
the fans realize that something special was happening at Arlington Park.
Closed circuit TVs focused on Holding Court longer than usual. The
screen carried the caption, 'Pride of India.'
A number of fans, obviously making an educated guess about where I was
from, asked me how good a horse Holding Court was. I was prepared. This
was the time to play the role of 'ambassador' for Indian racing.
The field was loaded quickly. It was an even start. Majestic Zeal took
up the running as Holding Court lay second. The field was in single file
mode as they raced down the backside. It was not a fast pace. The
quarter came in 23.63 and the first half was clocked in 48.67. Holding
Court was not more than two lengths away. Go Between, the favourite, lay
5th and 6th. The rear was brought up by Demeteor. The board showed 1
13.22 for the three quarters and the mile came up in 1 27.73. Holding
Court, asked to go, had moved closer to the pace-setter as they turned
for home. Even as Holding Court was delivering his bid, Go Between had
made a strong move and was in front and charging three-wide. As Holding
Court failed to sustain his challenge, Go Between's lead was widening.
Majestic Zeal had thrown in the towel. Others were not making headway.
With a little over 200 metres to run, it appeared that Go Between had
put the race to bed. As Holding Court's fans saw the writing on the
wall, Go Between's backers began cheering their choice home.
After all, it was not over yet. Demeteor, the longest-priced horse at
23-1, was gaining ground quickly on the outside. For a moment, it looked
like the winning post would come to Go Between's rescue but Demeteor's
closing burst, a concern as it began, was turning into a danger. With
jockey Diego Sanchez riding for all he was worth, Demeteor caught Go
Between in the shadow of the line. The margin was a neck. The time for
the 1900-metre trip was 1 55.16. Demeteor paid $48.00 on a $2.00 ticket.
Finishing third, one and one half lengths away was Come On Jazz. Tiring
visibly in the stretch, Holding Court ended up 6th. He was five and one
quarter lengths off the winner. Holding Court was racing with Lasix, the
bleeder medication.
In the aftermath, trainer Padmanabhan had time for a comment or two.
"Jockey E.T. Baird told me that the horse was 'fresh' and should be
better prepared next time out. I know that Holding Court is much better
than what he showed. He seemed to expend his energy before the serious
business began. There are several options. We are considering a race at
Kentucky Downs in the last week of September. This has been a big
thrill. I am hopeful that Holding Court will get an opportunity to prove
himself."
Consider the jet lag. The time difference has a big effect. Sleep
patterns become different. Then the adjustment to a left-handed track. A
totally new environment. This is adversity of an extraordinary kind.
Trainer Paddy and owner Harresh Mehta deserve our gratitude for taking
this quantum leap. We should all keep our chins up and look forward to
the coming weeks.
