Emily's 13 in '13 - Paynter's Comeback

One of the most remarkable races of the year wasn't a Grade 1 at an elite track.  Instead, it was an allowance optional claimer, and it took place on the dirt of a dying racecourse.  Races like these are run every day, several times a day, around the world.  What made this one special was not its status in the racing world but the star member of its cast.

Paynter was a very good three year-old in 2012.  Taking a little time to develop, he finished a fast-closing fourth in the Santa Anita Derby before nearly going all the way on the lead in the Belmont Stakes, losing in the final strides to Union Rags.  He ran away with the Haskell Stakes and became a strong favorite for the Travers at Saratoga a month later. 

He never saw the Saratoga starting gate.  The bay son of Awesome Again spiked a fever during preparation for the big race, and it was soon discovered that he was suffering from colitis.  Things worsened as Paynter developed laminitis as well; for weeks in late summer, it seemed as if the once vibrant racehorse was knocking on death's door.  As the doctors did their work, all the rest of us could do was pray and hope.

The miracle of the year occurred when Paynter not only came back from his life-threatening situation but began to train for the track again.  After nearly a year without a race, Paynter came back in a race at Hollywood Park against a small yet solid field.  Could the Paynter of 2012 flash his speed here, or had the injury taken too much out of him?  That was the question on everyone's mind.

He came out with a bang, immediately rushing towards the front and running the others off their hooves, though he kept close to them for a while.  Setting quick but not wicked fractions, Paynter ran well within himself, daring his rivals to catch him if they could.  As it was a sprint event, they reached the turn quicker than Paynter had in a while, and now was the time for the others to go after the favorite.

But no one was catching Paynter that day.

Under mild urging, Paynter drew away with ease, pulling away to win by open lengths to the soundtrack of a happy crowd. 

"Welcome back, big guy!" Vic Stauffer called into the microphone, adding later, "Wow, good for you Paynter; he won by five," with obvious emotion clouding his tone.

Ears pricked, Paynter galloped out like the champion he was, returning to the winner's circle amidst smiles and cheers.  The miracle had come full circle.  Not only had he escaped death, he had crushed it under thunderous hooves.

Paynter would not win again that year, although he did put in some good performances, including a second place finish to eventual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man in the Awesome Again Stakes, named after his sire.  He even earned himself a spot in the Classic field; to see that bay colt strutting proudly, white saddlecloth fluttering in the wind and eyes bright with excitement, was a stark comparison to the sickly colt of the summer of 2012. 

Paynter will never be listed as a champion in the history books, but he will always remain a champion of the people.