Hampton holds the front page of the Daily Racing Form:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had a heart attack early Monday in Dubai where he was preparing to run Game On Dude in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race.
Hampton's SmartPhone vibrates.
"Hello, is this Hampton. This is Bob Buffert. How you doing?"
"Bob. Bob Baffert. This is crazy. I'm reading the Form, you're on the front page."
"Yeah, I'm over here in Dubai, the the World Cup, and well. I was feeling bad coming over here, then it hit me. Heart surgery. Doctors put in three stents in my arteries. Got real tired after visiting the barn. It was Jill, my wife, called the paramedics."
''They caught it just in time.'' says Hampton.
''I sure hope so. But when you have Sheik Mo come visit you ... then you know you're getting the best treatment possible."
"Sheik Mo?" says Hampton.
"He like rules Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, He came by he hospital. He owns Darley Stud and Godolphin Racing, one of world's best thoroughbred breeding and racing stables."
"When are you coming back? Be here for the Santa Anita Derby?"
"Well, it's been a bad trip all around. This heart surgery, and Game on Dude, didn't come in. He started 14th, so it was a rough race. Chantell is a world class jockey. She did what she could. I'll have to call Joe Torre too. He's part owner. Hard to tell the owner he lost a race, but he probably already knows anyway."
"Who's he talking to," asks Pepper.
"Bob Baffert," says Newport. "World class race horse trainer. His horses are in the biggest races in the world. He's won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes Belmont Stakes, all the big races."
She stares up at Newport.
"You've seen him. The guy on the race shows they interview...with the white hair?"
She nods. "I think I have," she says.
"Race is about to start, Bob," says Hampton. "I know you wanted my horse, but I want to see it run. If it does well, I'll get him in the Santa Anita Derby next week if I can."
"I liked it when I first saw him. He's got potential. I'd buy him myself. But I'd change his name, you know. Sorry I can't be back to watch it with you guys. Good Luck, Hampton."
"See ya Bob, and get well."
The announcer says, "The flag is up. And...there they go.
Ginger and Pepper jump and giggle.
"Breaking on top it's Speedy, from the inside we have Flat Out, Pronto, and Zippy is right there. On the outside it's Chop-Chop, along side Lickety Split. Two lengths back to Grease Lightning, Helter Skelter, moving between horses it's Double Time, Head Long, then it's Hustle, Fasterthanaspeedingbullet, and Rocketship."
The four stand still, then look at each other.
"I see him," says Hampton. "Yellow and red checks, number 14. I think that's him."
"Around the First Turn, It's still Speedy by a length, Pronto second, a nose ahead of Flat Out, Zippy, and Chop-Chop. First quarter in 21 and one. That's fast folks. They're flying."
What's the name of our horse, I forget," says Pepper.
"Unresponsive," says Ginger. "Come on Unresponsive. He's in the race, right?"
"Well, where is he?" says Pepper. She points toward the horses. "I didn't hear his name. You sure this the right race?"
"Yes, my dear," says Hampton. "He's back there...somewhere." He scans the horses with binoculars. "I think that's him. He's pretty far back."
"...Grease Lightning, four lengths to Double Time, and Helter Skelter, and Head Long, Like Wildfire to Head Long, then WikiWiki and Vamanos.
"They're rounding the far turn, and into the stretch. It's Speedy now by a length, but they're coming to get him. And down the stretch they come. They're five wide. It's Speedy by a nose, on the rail it's Pronto, Zippy, and Flat Out...and on the outside, from far back here comes...Who is this? It's...it's Unresponsive? He's out in the middle of the track. Unresponsive? 60 to one shot."
Yes," says Newport. "That's him. Go, Unresponsive. Go, go. go."
He's got the speed," says Hampton. "Keep going Unresponsive. Keep going."
"...He's fourth, now third, passing Pronto. It's Speedy striding in the lane, but not for long...It's Unresponsive' Now by a length, they'll not catch him today, now by five length, Unresponsive. This is unbelievable. Unresponsive, from last to first. No longer a maiden, Unresponsive wins it, by eight lengths, going away. Holy Cow. Chop-Chop a distant second, and Speedy noses out WikiWiki a fast closing fourth. Incredible. What a pedigree. He's a grandson of, believe it or not, the great Sluggish."
"We win," says Ginger. "We win."
Hampton and Newport high five.
Pepper ad Ginger jump and wave their winning tickets.
"$100 to show," says Newport. "I got them each a ticket. First time either has ever been to a real race track. Two girls from Vegas, they're really excited. They're always fun to have along."
Hampton looks at his SmartPhone. Again it vibrates.
"Already, I'm getting calls wanting to buy Unresponsive. Four already and we haven't even been to the winners circle. I know Bob will want to buy him. I'm waiting 'til he gets back."
The ladies jump and giggle, and giggle some more.
"Come on Ladies." says Newport. "We gotta get our pictures taken in the winners circle. This is great."
"What do we win." says Pepper. She stares at her ticket.
"60 to one." says Hampton.
She looks at Newport, then at Ginger.
"Ladies," says Newport. "You're both rich."
Both ladies jump and giggle, and giggle some more.
"But, I don't know if I want to sell him now," says Hampton." The Santa Anita Derby is next Saturday. This is really exciting. A $10,000 claimer. Who knew?"
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Help comes from:
Kentucky.com/2012/03/30/2131833/baffert-out-of-hospital-
sports.yahoo.com/news/trainer-bob-baffert-heart-attack
miamiherald.com/...field-of-10-expected-for-santa
bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/baffert-released-from-dubai-hospital
Wikipedia/Bob Baffert, Readabilityformulas.com
and check my post, 'A Visit With A $10,000 Claimer, www.StiffLeftJab.com
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