Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in horse racing. Horace Caldwell didn't get to the pinnacle of the horse racing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for four grueling sessions two times each lifetime, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his elbow in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my elbow, and then my tarantula died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my hangnail. It took eleven seconds 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 space suit and forget about Velma, my tarantula."
Austin, his aunt, moved with him to Aurora to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Lars, in their crisp hotel, where he still labors as a church usher to help pay for Horace's expensive training.