Saratoga Race Track
The Morning of the Hopeful Stakes
You wake to an alarm, chiding you to get out of bed. You slam the alarm off and sit up, rubbing sleep from your eyes before getting out of the bed and stretching. The motel room smelled like sweat and coffee... not a good mixture. Wasting no time thinking of the odd smell in the room, you dress in a respectable outfit after hopping in the shower quickly. Grabbing a mug filled with coffee, you leave the motel and drive to the racetrack. Saratoga is covered in a thick mist, and as you arrive at the gates, a guard comes out to check your badge. He waves you through, and you head towards your horses are kept.
The day was going to be big. Not only was it the morning of the Hopeful Stakes for two year olds, but it was also the race that would make or break your career. For over a year now, you have been working on the same horse, training him to become a champion. The nerves have yet to get you as you set out to do your work. You look in at your champion-in-the-makings, talk to the overnight groom, and talked to the groom just going on. The grooms feel confident. Your hopeful hasn't been acting strange. His eyes were clear, ears pricked. His legs were firm and cool to the touch. His coat glowed with health. Everything looked right.
Soon the owners of the horse arrive. You talk to them about what they expect, and agree that a top three finish should be expected. The regular exercise rider shows up, and you send him out with your hopeful to get him limbered up for the race that afternoon. You escort the horse to the track to watch the workout, feeling confident as he jogs and canters around the track. The exercise rider brings the horse back in, and the grooms take care of him. You leave them to scope out the competition for the Hopeful Stakes.
By noon, the nerves have begun to attack you. You nibble on a sandwich as you watch the preparation of your young champion. The race was still a good five hours off as a blanket goes over the horse's back, and he's returned to his stall. You pace around, going through the barns again. You talk to other trainers, laugh with them. By two, you have found your jockey and gone through the race strategy twice. The jockey leaves to ready for his first race, and you're on your own again. You catch the first race with the trainers around four, and return to the barn right away. The nerves were even worse by then.
You watch as your horse is groomed one final time, and then led towards the saddling paddock. You hurry after, and find your jockey waiting. You saddle your horse and then lead him towards the viewing paddock. You and your jockey talk, and then fall into silence until the rider's up is called. You give the jockey a boost into the saddle and some encouraging words before hurrying to catch a good spot on the rail for the Hopeful Stakes. It was, after all, the race that would make or break your career.
Welcome to The Graveyard Of Favorites
Created by Carin O'Bryan
A brand new game with brand new ideas is here! The Graveyard Of Favorites is a game designed to bring you into the seat as a trainer, struggling to make a name for yourself. Learn to train horses to become champions, feel the agony of defeat. Learn about horses in a friendly atmopshere, and enjoy the thrill of a victory.
The Graveyard Of Favorites is based around Saratoga Race Track, and brings in a new, fresh view on realistic horse racing. Do you have what it takes to make a world class trainer?
Carin O'Bryan
Owner and Founder