Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 14 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
By Betsy Parker
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
NEW KENT COUNTY - The dark bay gelding walked, head lowered in compliance, obediently along with the groom, dancing a jig step when the jockey was boosted aboard, but returning to the rhythmic gait as the five-pack of horses stepped onto the springy Colonial Downs turf.
Swimming River jogged a few yards then eased into a loping canter, following Paddy Young’s direction down the wide homestretch for a warmup spin and a look-see at the first fence before joining the others circling quietly behind starter Graham Alcock’s flag.
That the Long Lane Farm homebred wasn’t lathered with sweat, eyes rolling, head tossing and tail wringing was proof that steeplechasing suits the 5-yearold. He hadn’t been ruled off the flat track — yet — but that was next, said owner-breeder Monica Ryan of Colts Neck, N.J. She said the son of The Wicked North marched through his conditions on the flat, breaking his maiden and winning a couple allowances, but his increasingly bad behavior at the starting gate led she and husband John to seek a new career for the athletic youngster.
88.1%