Heidi White up-Aiken Training Track

Gonzalo Garcia asks Vicarious for athleticism

Looking for what's next

Photo Credit:  Barry Bornstein

Marilyn Lane
Mlane@thorofan.com

The versatile Vicarious has moved from Red Top Farm to Suzy Haslup at the Old Hill 'n Dale Barn at the Aiken Training Track.

The gray filly has been on sabbatical since falling off form late last fall.  She was sent to South Carolina and after a short respite started back in light training.  Under the tutelage of former United States Equestrian Team member DiAnn Langer and ridden by Gonzalo Garcia, she thrived while learning new disciplines.

Last week the filly returned to regular race training and is going about her work with her usual enthusiasm.  The amazing thing about Vicarious is how she settles into any routine.  She's simply a happy horse and has a special ability to elevate everyone around her.

Thanks to Barry Bornstein's fine photography skills regular readers have frequently seen shots of Vicarious.  Little did anyone know that she would live up to her name and deliver so much joy vicariously?

Who would ever guess that the slightly-built filly would attract so much attention from people in other areas of the horse world?  Everyone that sees her seems to think she would fit well in their program.  The most frequently asked question is: can she jump?  The answer is yes, but the timing was not right to find out how high.  She can do everything that has been asked of her so far, including bending and reining.  Vicarious broke her maiden at Saratoga last summer and Mosiac wishes to continue racing her so long as she is happy to be on the track.

If her mantra could be heard it might say, "Put your ears forward and the whole world will respond optimistically."  Her every move indicates that she has complete confidence in herself and her handlers.  One would guess that somehow she knows she will move from racing to safe retirement.  Not only does Vicarious have promise of a second career, she also has a Certificate of Deposit.  Fifteen percent of her earnings have been applied to a retirement plan and her first CD matures in December of this year.

Within the next month it is expected for Vicarious to be shipped to Belmont to prepare for her four-year-old campaign.  She would throw her ears forward to know that she is returning to Allen Jerkens' barn.  The plan is to race her so long as she remains sound and happy to train on.  When she appears ready for another career there is a growing list of people anxious to convert her to a hunter or jumper or maybe even dressage.