After a dismal winter at the Fairgrounds, where in 4 races our Not Falling Back hadn't earned one thin Dime, it was back to Bankrupt, Bombed Out Hawthorne for this, our lone racing asset.  Hopes were lower than our RRR Bank Account, but WOOMBA did we ever shine as our 5 year old Gelding...

WIRED THE FIELD AND DREW OFF BY 5 LENGTHS!

It was a beautiful May 14th and we were entered in the sixth - a 15k Claimer at a Mile on the Turf.  We drew the 2 hole in a field of 7.  Jockey Luis Colon had accepted the call and we were glad as he had ridden our boy to a fine victory last summer.  As always, NFB looked like a million bucks as he pranced into the paddock.   Trainer Chris Block had him ready and saddled him expertly.

In attendance was Sr Partner, Founding Rabbit (Aunty Peggy) with El Paso Chum Paula in tow.  Deacon Rabbit was there and to our surprise Babe Rabbit (Ally Grewe) appeared, along with the Babe Rabbit Boys (Baker and Dawson) - outrunning their school's portly Truant Officer  to hustle down for the Race.

Money Rabbit (Jean Gallo) was in Florida tending to her lame Husband, Annoying Rabbit, so she was excused.   Roofer Rabbit (Jeff Johnson) was MIA - dreading another Back-In-The-Pack finish.  Partner Rabbit, Tim Keeley was down home in Southern Illinois tooling up to defend his Club's Championship.

• Click Here For All The Pictures
• Click Here For Winners Circle Photo
• Click Here For Picture With Jockey Colon
• Click Here For The Official Result
• Click Here For The Official Race Video

At the break, NFB veered sharply right and bumped the 3 horse to his side.   But Jockey Colon expertly straightened our gelding out and on the rail quickly hustled him out to the lead.

Going into the clubhouse turn, he was in front by 2 lengths and looked to be running easily.  But I gulped as I saw the quarter fraction at 22 & change and the half at 46 & change!

DAMNITT, HERE WE GO AGAIN, SETTING INSANE FRACTIONS EARLY - ONLY TO FOLD UP EXHAUSTED IN HAWTHORNE'S INSANELY LONG LANE!

But not today Rabbit Fans, as our boy cruised out to a 3 length lead on the backstretch and as they turned for home, Jockey Colon looked behind for his pursuers.  Well on this day, they were the ones exhausted, as we stretched our lead out to 5 lengths.  The whip was put away for the last eighth, as it was unneeded.

Railside, the Rabbits were screaming as we ripped down the Stretch, reminding us  how electric this sport can be.   To the Winner's Circle we marched waiting for our Victorious Heroes to return on the Come Back.   A Great Day!

After our dreadful Fairgrounds Campaign last winter, Roofer Rabbit had aptly renamed our boy to Always Falling Back!

WELL NO MORE, AS OUR

NOT FALLING BACK

IS BACK, BABY!