Jake
Eightyninecentsday to Million Dollar Baby
He stood alone in his stall. Confused, scared, quiet. It was a warm day - summer 2008 that Eightninecentsday stood waiting patiently for fate to bring him to another curve in the road or should I say track.
Finger Lakes Thorougbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) is a nonprofit program, and acts as a temporary home for thoroughbreds after the end of their racing careers. The program, which is located on the Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack grounds, also helps find new owners for the retired thoroughbreds. . Here is where Eightyninecentsday waited.
Born April 1, 2003 in New York, Jake (show name Eightyninecentsday) did not make a difference in the racing world. He didn't win big, he didn't even win often. November 22, 2006 brought him a win in the 9 th race at Aqueduct with trainer Frank Amonte Jr. On January 6, 2007 Frank Amonte Sr. rode Eightyninecentsday in the last race at Aqueduct only to finish last. Just a few weeks later, Amonte Sr. tried again at Big A, only to finish second last. Then why did this writer find 2 pages of on-line articles about this seemingly non-famous thoroughbred? Frank Amonte Sr. is the oldest jockey to ever win a race at age 69 (sadly not on this horse) and the oldest jockey who, as of 2007, was still in the racing circuit with (you guessed it) Eightyninecentsday. This horse wasn't famous for what he did - he was famous because of who had chosen him - Frank wanted to be the first jockey over 70 to win a race and he looked to this young horse to try and fulfill that dream. Fate chose differently and Frank didn't win and Eightyninecentsday, now just Jake somehow ended up at FLTAP.
Although a beautiful thoroughbred - chestnut in color, Jake had a huge "bump" on his head. No one could really say what or how this happened and because of this, no one was interested in Jake. except Dennis.
Janet Zimmer, owner of Hillrise Equestrian Center watched as her boyfriend, Dennis repeatedly went back to Jake's stall. "Every time I turned around he was standing in Jake's stall just stroking his nose and looking so sad." Dennis knew that no one would be interested in a horse with this type of physical defect - yet everything else about him was beautiful. Janet, admitting difficulty in looking past the physical, wondered what kind of horse Jake would turn out to be. Janet was interested in lesson horses, horses for competition, trail rides - she was not confident that Jake would fit that bill. Dennis wanted the horse - it would be his. Against all odds and against a few wishes, Jake was purchased and went to another new home.
With the excitement of a kid with a brand new puppy, Dennis came home with "new stuff" for Jake, halter, lead line, treats, and of course a ton of love - which seemed to be just what the doctor would have ordered. Whether it was pity for his "bumpy head", his shy-like demeanor, or his liquid brown eyes that seemed to have so much to tell, he soon stole the hearts of every student rider at Hillrise and he found himself basking in their love and attention. Some students had the opportunity to ride and spend some one on one time Jake. For one particular student, Katie, it was love at first sight for both. There was a lot of "conversation" between the two of them after their first ride together - Katie's affection and soft words had Jake nuzzling himself closer and closer. Janet watched in amazement as Katie and Jake found acceptance, trust, and quiet comfort in their new friendship. "This is what is so great when horses and humans come together" Janet says, "the trust they find in each other-that kindred spirit and how quickly that bond develops." Says Katie very simply, "I just love him!"
Tonight we watched a more seasoned rider, Holly Schimpf ride Jake during a group lesson. Still a bit nervous and very unsure of his new role, Jake cantered in the ring only to avoid the cross rail jump again and again. Holly, forever patient and Janet forever steady in her instructions to both rider and horse stayed persistent. Holly brought Jake up to the yellow cross rails and we all cheered as we watched Jake jump - as proud as if we were watching our own children make that first-ever important leap of faith. Was it the most graceful jump.? No. Was it with the equitation that we are all used to seeing at Hillrise.? No. Was it Jake continually overcoming and rounding yet another curve in track of his young life. you bet! (no pun intended).
Janet admits, "Jake really surprised me. He is an amazing horse - we are so lucky to have him."
"He is responding to all the attention, the "bump" is subsiding, and he is putting on some weight - slow and steady - but isn't that what wins the race" laughs Dennis. "I only paid $400 for him but to all of us at Hillrise - he is our Million Dollar Baby."
Once again, Jake isn't famous for what he has done at Hillrise Equestrian Center but for who had chosen him. Dennis believed in Jake just as Frank Amonte Sr. had believed in Eightyninecentsday. It didn't matter that Frank didn't win only that he tried. It didn't matter to Dennis that Jake wasn't what everyone wanted, only what he wanted.
Is Jake's show name still Eightyninecentsday? "Nope" Janet and Dennis say in unison with a bit of a smirk, "but that's another story."
Written by:
Ingrid Wedel