Et In Honorem Divinum Creaturae
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| Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Victor Vasnetsov |
Bits
and pieces of our past are typically found in stories that are unraveling in
the present. In biblical times, the apocalypse was considered to be a transcendent
revelation, a turning point in history when good would overcome evil, an indication
that a well-defined interval of time was coming to a decisive end. The rise and
fall of empires signaled the birth of new ideas, and along with this
progressive way of thinking, came an altered understanding of what these
revelations truly implied. Recently, mankind has adopted the notion that this
is a reference to the end of days, but time has an uncanny knack for distorting
truth, and even the most devout historian will concede that an apocalypse unequivocally
embodies change.
Horse
racing offers the sporting world its own version of the apocalypse each and
every year. Juveniles emerge as three-year-olds on the first day in January, while
racing stables across the land cast their sights on the Garland of Roses and
Black-eyed Susans in months that follow. Breaking news is a morning occurrence,
unheralded barns charm their way into mainstream society, and defections from
the Triple Crown trail are often pandemic.
As
the last of July’s fireworks are being unleashed into the night sky, the horse
racing world refocuses its attention on older, more accomplished equine
athletes. Pillars of the sport are applauded with religious fervor as they run
in a variable medley of graded stakes events, contests serving as stepping
stones to the most coveted event of them all: the Breeders Cup. The year in racing simmers to a collective calm during the early part of autumn, but as the days dwindle away to Breeders Cup weekend, fans begin to muse over the multitude of prophesies that have already been written. An apocalypse is defined by change, and at no other time is change greater than when the torch is being passed from one noble champion to the next. Mucho Macho Man prevailed in last year’s running of the Classic, but he and several other notables will not compete in 2014 due to retirement, or in some cases, injury.
The
year of the horse has quietly become the year of the three-year-old. Many are touting
the 2014 Breeders Cup Classic as the Kentucky Derby that never was. Roughly half
of the field will be made up of horses that were eligible to compete in Triple
Crown races. Chances are, one of these gifted creatures will be anointed Horse
of the Year. We must summon up the trumpets
and sound the bugles, for the four horses of the apocalypse are about to ride.
The
White Horse is most accurately depicted by California Chrome. He was the first
to have surfaced as he spread the word of racing across the land throughout his
victory campaign. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner maintains a following
that is characterized by righteousness, but this has in no way deterred him
from seeking the ultimate, end of the year honor. Some believe him to be a
false prophet, but the conqueror shall willingly pass judgment on those foolish
enough to deny his message.
Bayern
bursts confidently away from a starting gate as if equipped with a mighty
sword. Representative of the Red Horse, he is here to spill the blood of others
as he throws down the gauntlet with his catch me if you can mentality. The Red
Horse divides the population, leaving a fraction awestruck by his speed, while
others frown upon the front-running style and label him as lacking versatility.
Make no mistake about it: this is the bringer of war.
The
Black Horse reminded the nation that fairy tales are best reserved for
children’s books. Tonalist brought balance back to the game by insuring that
the Triple Crown famine would continue for at least one more year. Impeccably
bred, the Black Horse is symbolic of the wealthy and illustrates the class gap
in contemporary society and in horse racing. There will be no injustice should blue-blooded
law reign supreme come Breeders Cup Saturday.
The
Pale Horse scatters darkness over all that dare face him. Adversaries have
lined up alongside of Shared Belief seven times, and seven times the
competition has languished hopelessly in defeat. He is the grim reaper, small
in stature, but wielding an unthinkable amount of power. This is the little train,
the Pale Horse, preparing to ravage once more.
Our
apocalypse does not indicate the end of time, but the end of the year in racing
as we know it. The coronation of a newfound champion will take place on the first
Saturday in November. The racing world is sure to rejoice as the year’s grandest
revelation becomes the sport’s most celebrated reality. Many are ready to march
into the starting gate in hopes of capturing the Classic, but all eyes will zero
in on four horses as they ride off after destiny.
