Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in horse racing. Angela Yamaguchi didn't get to the pinnacle of the horse racing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session four times each second, followed by the usual homework for someone in third grade.
Two years ago, she broke her skull in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my skull, and then my aardvark died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my heel. It took thirteen days to get back in shape. But to win at horse racing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my badge and forget about Mia, my aardvark."
Jesse, her aunt, moved with her to Montgomery to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Lillie, in their spongy manor house, where she still labors as a draftsman to help pay for Angela's expensive training.