Victory Gallop
By Tasha Langley

On May 30, 1995, a little foal was born.
No white on his legs, just a star and a snip,
He was as magical as a unicorn.

A little bay colt, as pretty as can be,
His father a champion sire.
His beautiful name was Victory Gallop,
His heart was made of fire.

He galloped in fields and leapt through the streams,
Even faster than his wondrous mother.
Soon he was old enough to be taken away,
But he soon showed that his speed was like no other.

He won many races as a 2 year old,
Just begginning to prove his worth.
But then at 3 he showed his true speed,
A true champion was in that girth.

He won the Arkansas Derby, beating Favorite Trick,
The undefeated Horse Of The Year.
He also won the Rebel Stakes
When soon, the Kentucky Derby was near.

He went in to that race, primed to win.
But another named Real Quiet had the roses.
But Victory Gallop's tremendous move
Heard a lot of the audiences voices.

He also lost the Preakness,
He was a little bit tired in the end.
But in the Belmont, he turned the tables
Beating Quiet a nose, they were rivals, not friends.

He raced 3 more times till the end of the year,
Finishing two seconds and a fourth.
But in '99, he began to shine,
Like that star far away in the North.

He came back and won at Gulfstream Park,
Just a little allowance race.
But the horse who won it wouldn't lose at all,
That star and snip shone brightly on that little face.

He shipped to Dubai, deep in desert sands,
Aiming for the World Cup.
He finished third to Almutawakel
That nighttime race was tough.

A few months later he was back at Churchill Downs,
For the Stephen Foster Handicap.
He was two for zero at that track,
But hopefully he would change that.

His biggest foe was Silver Charm
A grey with mighty power.
Charm was with Chris Antley, both Derby winners,
But soon, even Charm had to cower.

Victory Gallop fell far back,
Losing touch with the rest of the field.
But round the last turn, he rallied quite mighty
And he would never yield.

He flew past the field as they watched him go by,
Hardly noticing they had been passed.
But on that tremedous day he broke the track record,
No other had gone that fast.

A while later it was the Whitney,
A famous Grade 1 race.
He was matched up with mighty Behrens
Who would be closer to the pace.

In the Whitney, he dropped to near last again,
So he could use his impressive style.
He shot up beside Behrens, who barely saw him
He was ready all the while.

He got a head in front,
Looking like the sure winner.
When all of a sudden, Behrens fought back
No one knew who could be the winner.

It was a two horse race,
As the two fought on, both like fire.
But in the end, by just a nose,
It was Victory Gallop first at the wire.

He had a high chance for Horse Of The Year,
Even over the incredible Behrens.
When two weeks later, a torn ligament was found,
Victory Gallops racing was over, losses or wins.

He went out a winner, just as he went in
He had his chance to prove his worth.
He was a champion forever,
A champion clear from birth.

He will go to stud, and sire some foals,
All with champion blood.
But no one will ever replace that colt,
In racing or at stud.

So Viccy, go out and live the rest of your days
In a pasture, lush and green.
You'll never be replaced by anyone
The sweetie who was never mean.

Victory Gallop, a beautiful horse,
Though slight in size you lit your own little lamp.
You will always be known for your life on the track,
Victory Gallop, forever the one true champ!

Untitled
By Tasha Langley

You ask why I left you,
Without even a goodbye.
But I didn't leave you,
And I'll tell you why.

You think that I've gone
From sight, and from Earth.
But really, let me tell you,
This "death" was my birth.

I came into Heaven
That day that you cried.
When they asked you what happened,
You said "My friend died".

Why would you say that,
Though I'm so far away?
Cause I did not die,
Nor did I leave you that day.

You can't say you don't feel me;
You can't say I'm not there.
You can't say that I've left you,
Because I do still care.

I know that you feel me,
I know that you must!
Why must you fret,
You make such a fuss!

I have hugged you with the wind,
Remember that dark day?
You were feeling sad and low,
I came and threw your worries away.

I have shown you I'm there,
Haven't you seen my star?
It glows in the night,
It's bright, though afar.

Each day in the sun,
I shine my love on you.
I cheer you up,
Though you're sad and blue.

At night I come to you
Far away in your dreams.
We still laugh and talk
Easy as a mockingbird sings.

So why do you say,
That I left you long ago?
I am still there,
Rain sleet or snow.

Remember me when you're low,
Because I'm still true.
All you have to do is think of me
And I'm right there with you.

So, please, from now on,
Don't grieve, and don't cry.
I am still there,
We didn't say goodbye!

I'll see you soon,
I can't wait to see you come!
And don't say I'm lost...
I only just came HOME!