Cali - This is My Fight Song

First off, I know compared to my gallery the painting here is not as realistic as some of my work, but i wasnt necessarily going for realism. I was going for new. I wanted it to match the style of the horse. Next, I would like to say that this angle was not easy -.- BUT it was so fun. Its enticing. Its powerful. Its full of energy. That is what I wanted. Because this is the filly that is featured in my first book based off of TLEC. It follows this strong filly who started off in life misunderstood. It takes the right people, the right home, and big amounts of faith to push her and support her as she grows into the horse she is to become. Destined for euthanization from the time she was weanling, she gets her last chance from David, who convinces Tony to take a chance on her. From there, the right people seem to just fall into place like it was God's plan for her. Will she become great? Or will she fail? It doesnt matter, because to everyone around her she is worth everything. She stands for all of those who dont start with the greatest chances. Who arent understood. Who are bullied. Who are abused. Who with the right support could do great things. Big things, small things. Hope. Dreams. This is for you. Find your fight song. 

Inspirational Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VIn…

Stable: Timberlake Lane Equestrian Centre
Race: The J.C. Breeders Cup Series -  Juvenile Fillies
Post #: 3
Horse Name: LPS Coat Of Sin 
Trainer Name: David Michael
Jockey Name: Whitney Spell   
Previous Races/Placings:
Twin Rivers Down September Meet Races - CLOSED | Results | Calis Maiden Race | Placed 4th
WBS Never-Ending Little Shows | Results on same journal | Flat Racing (Dirt Mile) | Placed 2nd

Extra Images:  Cali and Rose | Leaving for Keeneland | Cali Meeting Sabrina

Story: 
from the pov of David, real excerpt from my book for this race. horses have been added past Cali to make the story more realistic, but here they are just ghosts. Please ignore typos, this is the first rough draft version


   "It's been a crazy road with this filly," I began, "She's failed some. A lot, even. She's not perfect. She's not a million-dollar seller. She doesn't have the highest world-class pedigree. She's just an average filly with a lot of heart. That heart was buried deep beneath bruises. Scars. Hurt and pain that had been caused by those before us. All she ever wanted was respect. Understanding. Love. It was a long trail to the heart of this amazing filly. Ever since we introduced her to Whitney, she's blossomed. Whitney gave her what no one else thought to. Something not all of us had the time to give her. So when we got the call that they needed runners and she fit the pedigree requirements, we were astounded. We didn't even know what to say. Tony just said yes. He didn't care that she'd never won. He just wanted her to go and try. That's what you do in any sport. You try. So, that is what were here to do today. Try."
The rest of the reporters shouted for my attention as I turned away to go back to Cali, who was in the schooling stall with Tony, Liz and Ayden. I rejoined them as they finally got the girth settled just right.
    "You look like you're trying not to cry," Liz said gently, putting a hand on my arm.
    "It's just a big day. I never thought I'd be here. There is so much emotion attached to this day. Plus after today I'm losing my best horse," I almost choked on the last part. It had been such a great ride with Klassy. I had really gotten attached to her. She was amazing. I didn't want to see her retire, but I agreed that we should preserve her record. We didn't really know what was next for her, but just the fact that after today I wouldnt get to do this again with her was making the emotions five times worse.
    "Aw, it will be okay," She comforted me, giving me a quick hug. As Ayden went to walk Cali out of the stall, I stopped him.
    "What?" Ayden asked, afraid he had done something wrong.
    "I would like to do this part today, if that's okay," I said quietly to him. He nodded and handed me the lead. I fixed my face and proudly walked this no-name filly out of the schooling stall. Some people cheered as the horses emerged, causing them to feel a little frsiky. Cali shook her head, jigging at my side. I calmly let her do what she needed without letting her get out of hand. I walked her around her designated circle with the number four horse, who was slightly bigger than she was. The crowd was big, but it was only going to get bigger by the end of the day when the Classic rolled around. It seemed like we walked maybe five hundred circles around that tree waiting for them to call to post.
    "She looks great," Tony said as we passed him.
    "Easy, easy," I said gently to the filly as she shook her head again, this time rocking back on her hindquarters. Her front end came off the ground a few times, but not more than four or five inches at a time. She was definitely feeling very brisk today. As they began to play the call to post, I turned to look to make sure that Whitney was on time.
    "Hey," she said as we stopped briefly next to her. Ayden gave her a leg up onto Cali's back. The filly jumped in surprise, but Whitney was prepared for it. She had no issues landing lightly on the filly as the walked forward. Cali thought about crow hopping, but as I shook the chain to get her attention, she seemed to lose interest in the idea.
    "This is crazy," I told her as we walked through the tunnel to the main track. I was in awe of the entire situation. As emotion swept over me again, a tear slipped down my cheek. I quickly swiped it away.
    "I know. This is amazing," Whitney agreed. She loved on the jiggy filly as we emerged on the other side. My heart sank a little as I handed them over to the outrider for the post parade. As I watched them depart, I just took it all in. This was the biggest day of our careers. I hoped that it would be amazing. Making my way to the box seats, I listened carefully for when they introduced Cali. Some of the people actually cheered and it gave my heart hope. Im not sure why, but it did. 
    "You're just in time!," My wonderful wife Kira announced as I walked in. She rushed over to give me a hug. 
    "Thank you, dear," I said as I took a seat to watch. They were just coming around from their warm up and getting ready to line up for loading. 
    "She looks amazing, baby," she said as she sat next to me. She put a hand on my leg to reassure me. I was obviously nervous. It was the biggest race this filly had ever seen. Honestly, I felt she was unprepared for it. There just hadn't been enough time. If i had just had more time. 
    "Hey!" Tony announced as he, Ayden, and Liz joined us. 
    "And I thought I was late," I said, smiling at them. They all rushed to sit down as they started to load into the gate. Cali was one of the last horses to go in, because she was acting up. It actually made me feel better. It meant she would have less time to act up. Kira's hand gripped my leg tightly as they flew out of the gate. 
    "And they're off in the 2015 Jockey Club Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies!," the announcer shouted above all of the screaming fans. 
    "Oh wow," I muttered to myself as Cali broke clean with the rest of the group. Ayden had been right about her back. 
    "She looks so amazing!" Liz shouted as the horses appeared on the large screens, following them as the rounded the first turn. My heart was pounding and my breathing seemed to stop as i was held in suspense. I couldn't bear to watch, but I couldn't bear to turn away. It was amazing, but it was horrible. I needed her to win, but I didn't care if she failed. I had never been so indecisive in my life.

- tbc 
 
So yes, the book is really going to happen. If i can't get it published by a large publisher, maybe i will self publish for an e-book. Who knows! But yes, its going to happen. yey.