The narrator, a white boy, is envious of the black cook, Bildad for his closeness to the horses' life. He states that "he is going all season to the races and working in the livery barn in the winter where horses are and where men like to come and tal

Another example of shared love is the love for Sunstreak by his trainer Jerry Tillford and the narrator. "Sunstreak was standing quiet and letting the niggers rub his legs and Mr. Van Riddle himself put the saddle on." The horse was like a lightening rod and connected people in their admiration and expectations. "Seemed to me there wasn't anything in the world but that man and the horses and me", as the narrator noted. The horse Sunstreak ran a magnificent race and broke the world's record for a mile and everyone was so proud and happy.

The excitement of race day dawns and "then the bugle blows for post and the boys that ride come running out with their silk clothes on and you run to get a place by the fence with the niggers." The sight of the thoroughbreds all nervous and sweaty and shiny brings a thrill to people of all races. Everyone gets caught up in the moment and ambience of the Saratoga racetrack. The narrator, like many in the crowd follows particular horses. Middlestride and Sunstreak were two particular favorites. Middlestride, the gelding is long and awkward but "goes away slow and is always way back at the half, then he begins to run and if t

Some common words found in the essay are:
Anderson People, Middlestride Sunstreak, Van Riddle, Jerry Tillford, shared love, Dick Francis, love horses, horses narrator, love horses racing, horses racing,
Approximate Word count = 785
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)