Emily's 13 in '13 - Firecracker Handicap

After his glorious 2012, Wise Dan became one of America's most beloved racehorses.  The chestnut gelding was coming into this year's Firecracker riding a win streak that included a solid handful of prestigious Grade 1 events.  However, last year's Horse of the Year would be up against it here.  The Firecracker was nothing new to him - he had won it in 2011 - but he was assigned a high weight of 128, which was more than ten pounds heavier than any other opponent in the race.

To make things worse, the track that night at Churchill Downs came up miserable, with cold rain buffeting the famous racecourse.  The turf course came up yielding, but the race was not moved to the main track.  Trainer Charlie LoPresti refused to scratch his champion gelding.  Wise Dan would run in the Firecracker.

Anxious eyes were fixed on the favorite as the gates opened...

Wise Dan broke well from the inside, letting the pacesetters do their work on the front end.  Tucking in beside Claiborne's Lea, he looked to have a good spot on the hedge behind a pace that was just right for the soggy conditions.  However, as the field made their way down the backstretch, it became increasingly clear to observers that his rivals were playing games with Wise Dan; the others were trying to box the champion in on the hedge.

Head bobbing, almost begging to run, Wise Dan loped along behind Seruni, whose rider was doing a terrific job at keeping the chestnut gelding at bay.  The other horses were beginning to make their moves on the leader, but Wise Dan had nowhere to run.  Hearts thudded heavy in throats as they swung around the bend, with the favorite still boxed in behind Seruni.

Jockey John Velazquez is well known for his courage; he mustered all the strength he had and muscled Wise Dan in the tiny gap between Seruni and the hedge.  With running room finally in sight, Wise Dan set down for the drive, ready to blow past Seruni, but it wasn't over yet.  The pacesetter and jockey Lanerie came in towards the favorite, nearly pinning him against that prickly barrier to his left.  Now breathless, fans watched as Wise Dan came back and began to pull away from his overmatched rivals.

Stumbling a bit over the soft ground, Wise Dan crossed the wire a winner.  Nothing had favored him that night, yet the champion had fought his way through biting rain and walls of horses to come out a victor.  No one would doubt Wise Dan's heart again.  He went on to win at Saratoga, then set a track record at Woodbine, and finally successfully defended his title in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Though Wise Dan has won many great races on several tracks, this one - in my heart - will always be his greatest.