Charlie the Great White Horse and the Story of the Magic Jingle Bells

by Kenneth Mullinix

  ~Chapter 9~

  The Great Horse Race

  The Great Horse Race" was about to begin.

  Everyone from around the state and from near and far had finally arrived at the fairgrounds. All were in great anticipation, and excited because Jupiter the Show Horse was in the county and set to run in, the biggest horse race of the year.

  For as far as the eye could see, the streets downtown were crowed with anxious and excited people sitting on the tops of the city light posts, crowding Main Street, standing all around the start/finish line and perched on the nearby roof tops.

  This would without a doubt, be the most historic event ever in Centerville and probably the most important horserace this year, in the whole state of Indiana.

  As everyone was trying to find the best place to sit today to witness the great race, all turned at the same time at the sound the of the Centerville marching band turning onto main-street with music blaring, trumpets and trombones held high in the air, and the big bass drum pounding out the heartbeat of the music.

  The band was dressed in very crisp, clean white furry top hats, blue and red topcoats, and wearing selfsame dapper white matching pants. The band marched all the way down Main Street and there they ended with a rousing applause from the audience, as they settled in behind the main-stage. That was erected in the street where the start/finish line for the race was. They continued to play as a bevy of lightly colored balloons, had been released, by a few clowns and were flying high away overhead into the clear blue sky.

  An enormous main wooden stage with a speaker's podium was built, in front of the starting line by the Fair's riggers and workingmen for the race today, and it was right in the center of main-street. A long white cloth banner had been strung across the street, for everyone to see that read in bright, bold red letters:

  "The Gazette Stakes" Winner takes all $5,000!

  The Mayor, Mr. George Penneywell was perched up behind the podium speaking into an enormous wooden megaphone that echoed his loud voice out over the crowd below. He was wearing a tall and very handsome black stovepipe hat that fit him perfectly. You could tell he had just gotten the hat out of cleaners because it had a beautiful sheen on it that caught your eye, whenever he would turn to look in a certain direction.

  He was also wearing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo jacket with very long tails in the back that flowed down below his knees and in his right hand, he was holding a black wooden cane with an ivory handle that was used to complete his regal look.

  The Mayor was a slim man standing over six feet six inches tall and with his hat on, it made him tower above the crowd, even that much more. Wearing all black and being a bit of a showman only made Mr. Pennywell, all that more interesting to listen to.

  He held the megaphone up to his mouth and began to speak in his booming voice, "Ladies and Gentlemen, countrymen, friends and esteemed visitors. Welcome to the Merion county fair here in this great city of Centerville."

  The crowd assembled around that day shouted out with joy at the ending of each public statement by the Mayor. "Everyone please gather round?now gather around?and may I have your undivided attention? "The Great Race"?is about to begin."

  With this last statement, the city's marching band began playing a faster tempo march that only cheered up the mood of everyone present that much more.

  An, old retired black civil war cannon was fired loudly once, at the back of the main stage; that shook the ground below and reverberated throughout the crowd.

  The town's Chief of Police Mr. Thomas Pinkerman was now standing up on the main stage by the Mayor's side in full uniform and looked very policeman-like with all his shinny badges, and silver and gold medals pinned onto the proud chest, of his police officer's uniform.

  There were other dignified men-of-state, and county officers who were positioned on the main stage as well. That only added to the grandeur and glamour of the main event of the day.

  Most of the invited guests on stage wore many, different types of uniforms, they were either in the military service, civil servants or government workers.

  "Everyone, please turn your attention to the left of the stage, and behold our fine competitors for today's race," proclaimed the mayor with excitement ringing in his voice.

  Applause and cheers were heard throughout the crowd. Then the splendid, brightly decorated parade of racehorses entered the fair's horse ring from the far end through the open wooden gates. As the racehorses entered the ring they circled clockwise around and around, inside the ring in front of the crowd to the cheers of everyone present.

  Louis and Chug had made their way down to the left of the start/ finish line and secured a seat at the top of the rail, to be sure not to miss the blue ribbon finish.

  The racehorses were all handsomely dressed in matching colors with that of their jockeys. There were bright reds, deep greens, and different shades of blues that splattered each horse's saddle, pads, and each jockey's silk riding jersey, in a wonderful way.

  There was one horse named "Devils Lair" from Cincinnati who had just won the county fair in Evansville only three months ago. One other horse out of Boston was "Gentleman Jim" who had won the Indianapolis state fair last year, by a landslide, and was a favorite to win this year's race.

  The horses all had names that gave the insight to some quirk about their owners, or some trait about the horse's temperament. There was Play-to-Win, War Admiral, Apple Jacks, Formal Attire, Independence, Sweet Charity, Charlatan, Broke Banker, Mugs Martin, and Petty Thief and so on.

  All of these racehorses were champions from some other county fair, past state fair, or from some prominent and famous horse stables in the state. This was an invitation only horserace, and all of these individual horses were especially courted, for this singular race, because of their unblemished win/ loss records.

  This was to be the final race of the entire county circuit, would have the highest winning stakes ever for a horserace in the state's history, but most of all, the horses and riders, were all here to race against the famed and famous, and infamous, "Jupiter the Show Horse!"

  The old cast iron cannon was fired again and again in agreement and harmony, with the thumping of the big bass drum, which only excited the crowd that much more, with each loud boom and crack from the barrels end. When the cannon's gunpowder was ignited through the touchhole, black smoke poured out of the other end of the cannon, which drifted out over the top of the crowd's heads.

  Since the city of Centerville did not have a horse track, this race would begin at the start/ finish line in front of the fair's main tent and main stage. Go out onto main street, then head down past the blacksmith shop, take a sharp right turn on First Street and head out of town, down to the old yellow farmhouse at the bend in the road then back up First Street again, and back to the start/finish line.

  This race was to be approximately, six miles in length.

  All the city streets were lined with, widespread banners, multiple colored ribbons, and different colored flags. All which were waving from flagpoles, high above the city streets.

  Each business in town, the post office, the banks, the schools, and the city library's were closed today, just for this one race and the mayor had, declared this day to be a city holiday. This way everyone in town could come out and see the "Great Race".

  The Mayor who was also the emcee for today's race now began speaking again into the large wooden megaphone, as he stood in the middle of the racetrack at the starting line.

  "May I have your attentions race fans? The "Gazette Stakes" which is the main racing event of the day?is about?to begin. Please fix your gaze towards the main grandstands, and listen for the starter's pistol?for today's great race. This is a winner take all, with a prize of $5,000 dollars given to the first place finisher."

  Again, the crowd erupted in a thunderous applause and shouts as the Mayor continued.

  "W
ill all horses and riders entered into today's race, now approach the starting line into your assigned starting positions?"

  All the race fans that were assembled around the start/finish line and all the way down Main Street now turned their eyes, towards the horses and riders who were now jostling for position, at the starting line, behind a large white rope, strung low across the street in front of the horses.

  As the Mayor held the starting pistol high up in one hand in front of the crowd, all quieted down, then transfixed their eyes on the starting line.

  There was a long quite pause, as the air grew eerily still. A few birds fluttered off in the distance.

  All were quite; all was still.

  The starting gun sounded; a loud quick explosion!

  "Bang!"

  The white rope strewn across the start/finish line fell to the earth below.

  The horses were away with a flurry. The "Great Race" had officially, began!

  Jupiter caught a hoof into the dirt. He stumbled off the starting line. He was instantly six-lengths behind the other horses, from the get go. Gentleman Jim and Devil's Lair jumped quickly out front for an early lead, leaving the rest of the pack of horse's behind them, in a large cloud of swirling dust.

  The crowd bellowed out in delight when the horses raced away from the starting line.

  All in the crowd were pushing and shoving for position at the front handrails of the main stage, trying to get a closer look as the great horses flew past, with their nostrils flaring, and dirt flying off their hooves, out in all directions.

  At the first quarter pole by the blacksmiths shop, Devils Lair and Gentleman Jim had taken the early lead, by almost seven lengths in front of the main pack of horses. Sweet Charity was coming up from behind with Mugs Martin and Charlatan, on his outside hindquarters. Jupiter saw that the great race and all the spoils that would come from a victory today was about to be lost, from the opening sound of the starter's pistol.

  Was all, already lost for Jupiter?

  Was this an overwhelming, and too far off of a distance, for Jupiter to recover from, and could he muster up all of his great courage, to come from behind for the victory?

  As Jupiter passed First Street, he looked off to his right side, and found what he observed to be, an old nag right next to him. Upon seeing this broken down horse, and being far behind the lead pack of horses, Jupiter decided to take stock of himself, and of his pounding heart's desire to win.

  Jupiter now looked over to his left, seeing crowds of screaming fans delirious with excitement. Some fans were standing on balconies, some were perched in treetops, and some were on the tops of nearby buildings, all were yelling and screaming at him from the tops of their lungs.

  "Run Jupiter Run!"

  Jupiter's eyes grew wider, as his nostrils flared again trying to grasp at the air. Finally, a decision had been made, deep down inside of him. He had found the answer to the question, in his ever-pounding heart.

  A true champion he was, and a true champion he always would be.

  Jupiter gathered himself, shook his head side to side in a wild flurry, gained control of his emotions, and then let out a deafening, and ear-shattering whinny. His nostrils now opened up again even wider to get a deeper breath of warm air as his chest heaved with a renewed energy.

  His jockey feeling the raised from the dead feeling, and renewed strength in Jupiter, took a mighty swat of his whip to Jupiter's left side, which landed across his right foreleg.

  Away Jupiter bolted!

  Jupiter had trained his whole life for this one race, and was not going to lose to just any old horse and certainly not to, some broken down old nag, tagging along next to him. He started passing slower horses from the outside position, but was still well over eight lengths back at the halfway pole, out by the old yellow farmhouse, at the bend in the road.

  Mugs Martin, Petty Thief, and Broke Banker's lungs were gasping and exploding from within from lack of air when Jupiter shot past them. Gentleman Jim and Devil's Lair were only five lengths ahead by the three quarter pole on Second Street. Suddenly it was apparent to everyone that these were the two horses to beat today.

  Jupiter was now only four lengths back, and was closing fast on the outside, his jockey was down in a perfect riding position, with his knees, arms tucked in tight, head down, and he was laying right off the left side of Jupiter's neck, concentrating on the two horses that lay directly ahead of him. Jupiter was right off the two front horse's hindquarters, and was now using both horses as a windbreak.

  Jupiter was in the perfect slipstream, and reserving what little energy he had left, for one last push, to the finish line that was now coming into plain view.

  The two front horse's Gentleman Jim and Devil's Lair began bumping each as they passed the three quarter pole, and were now starting back into town, towards the main stage, and the finish line.

  Gentleman Jim turned out to be no gentleman at all.

  He turned to his left, reached out, and bit Devil's Lair on the neck with all his might, which broke flesh and drew blood.

  Devil's Lair shrieked out in pain.

  Cries of anguish sprang violently from Devil's Lair's throat. The cries of pain, shot right through Jupiter's ears, with a voice that told him, his chance for victory was almost upon him.

  Both front horses began a mad and frantic battle of attempted bites, and head thrusts, towards each other, all the while bright red blood was streaming from Devil Lair's neck.

  Both horses broke concentration, and stride, for just a slight moment in all the confusion.

  Jupiter upon seeing this one last chance, and unexpected turn of events, saw this last great opportunity was now before him.

  With an almighty burst of speed, Jupiter broke for the lead.

  Jupiter was sweating freely. His lungs were burning, and bursting from deep inside. His long black mane of hair was blowing in the wind, like an un-tethered flag flapping in a driving windstorm. His jockey was crouched downwards off his left shoulder, tucked in tightly, bellowing in Jupiter's ears.

  "Run like the wind Jupiter!"

  "You're?Jupiter?Optimus?Maximus."

  "You're the god of light, and sky!"

  "Run Jupiter run!"

  With one last mighty surge of determination, Jupiter vaulted into the lead as they bolted across the finishing line.

  "What a race!" blared out Chug in absolute delight.

  "Did you see that finish? Did you...?" roared out Louis.

  "Jupiter did it! He did it!"

  "Man oh man! What a finish!"

  Chug and Louis were jumping up and down deliriously.

  The crowd went just plain nuts.

  Chug, would have fell right off the top of the handrail if it wasn't for Louis, who grabbed him to prevent him from falling. Louis grabbed his baseball cap and started to pummel Chug with it, and Chug quickly returned the favor, with all his might.

  When Louis took off his baseball hat, his red cowlick was standing straight up in the air from all the excitement.

  While watching the race Louis had imagined the whole time that he was the one dressed in all those fancy silk clothes, making that key move to win the race, and the one who crossed over the finish line, with his hands raised in triumph, sitting on the back of Jupiter.

  If it was only true, he thought.

  If it was all, only true.

  Jupiter, was now completely drained of strength, and exhausted to the point of an almost a total and complete collapse. He slowly circled back around in front of the finish line, for all to gaze upon him. He raised his head up as high as he could. He stood mighty. He stood proud, for all to admire the exhausted victor.

  Apollo quickly galloped over to Jupiter at the finish line, and gave him a gentle nudge as both horses now headed for the, Winner's Circle, and the coveted blue ribbon ceremony.
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br />   Jupiter the Good!

  Jupiter the Powerful!

  Jupiter the Mighty!

  All those names were so befitting of this grand racehorse. He would absolutely be a legend in these parts for years to come, and this race would go down in history as the "One and Only Race of Races".

  Jupiter entered The Winners Circle to receive his blue ribbon and the hero worship, of the adorning crowd. He knelt down low on his two front forefeet and dropped his head, as low as he could so the Mayor could place the lovely, blue ribbon around his neck; proclaiming to all present this day that Jupiter, was the true undisputed winner of the famed "Gazette Stakes".

  The check for $5,000 was offered to Jupiter's owner, and a photo was taken of both Jupiter and his jockey, to be displayed in the next morning's newspapers.

  In all the excitement of the "Great Race" Louis and Chug had almost forgot that by this nightfall Jupiter was to be stolen, and whisked away by, Black Jack Tilly and the "Missouri Rats".

  Jupiter might never be heard from or seen again.

  What would the future hold for these two young boys and, "Jupiter the Show Horse"? No one knew for sure.