The Public Bet
And if you manage to ride this horse and come out alive, the ranch is yours. But relax, no one has ever come out alive so far.
Richard Boomans’ voice cracked like a whip over the racetrack, while laughter echoed back and forth in the Kentucky Derby Owners Club among the millionaire breeders. A $15,000 hat, exotic leather boots, and that heavy smell of old money hung in the air.
The Woman in the Work Suit
All eyes were fixed on the woman in the dirty work suit. Catalina Mendoza, 32 years old, worn, mud-stained boots, hair braided into a ponytail, hands rough from all the years she had cleaned the very spots where these men had made their fortunes.
Richard pointed to the gate, where a massive black stallion was pounding against the bars with brutal force. Two meters of pure rage. This horse had already killed a groom and sent two trainers to the hospital. No one dared to approach it without tranquilizers.
A Show for the Rich
Come on, German, Richard mocked. If you manage to ride him and still breathe afterward, my entire stud is yours, all 80 million. And if he breaks your neck, at least you die with a big dream, right?
The crowd stared at her, waiting. Everyone thought Catalina would start crying, turn around, run away, beg for mercy. Instead, she stood tall.
This was no joke; it was a public execution packaged as a show.
Laughter and Contempt
Richard took a slow sip of bourbon and savored her humiliation as if it were part of the program. Next to him, his wife Patricia leaned forward and whispered, her arms, she has no idea that this horse is unmanageable. Not even Texas cowboys have been able to control him. And she thinks a stable girl could ride him?
Elizabeth let out a shrill laugh. This beast will tear her apart. You can already smell the stable and the poverty announcing the end.
The Owner’s Speech
Richard raised his hand to demand silence. Ladies and gentlemen, open your eyes and see clearly what the difference is between those of us who were born to give orders and those who were born to clean up our mess.
The malicious laughter filled the entire arena until Catalina finally spoke.
Two Conditions
I accept, she said firmly, but I have two conditions.
The whole room froze.
Conditions? Richard frowned. You? A cleaning lady, making demands? What do you want? To make your will before you die?
Catalina didn’t even flinch. The first condition, if I can ride this horse without falling off, you will transfer the ranch to my name and pay every Latin American worker in your stables two million dollars in cash. Twenty-seven people in total.
The crowd gasped sharply.
The Second Truth
Richard laughed in disbelief. Have you completely lost your mind?
She simply continued calmly. Second condition. Before I even touch this horse, you will immediately transfer ownership to my name.
Richard almost spat the bourbon out of his mouth. Transfer the horse first? Why on earth would I do that?
Catalina took a step closer. Because this horse does not belong to you. It has never belonged to you. This horse belongs to me, and you know it very well.
The Last Step
Then let me go to him, Catalina said. If he doesn’t recognize me, I will turn around and leave immediately. If he does recognize me, you will admit that you stole him from me.
The legendary breeder Thomas Marshall stepped forward. Richard, let her in. If she lies, this horse will tear her apart, and the problem will solve itself. If she tells the truth, then we need to clarify this to the end.
Richard gritted his teeth. Fine, let her go.
To Be Continued
If you want to know what exactly happened the moment Catalina entered the enclosure, check out “Part 2“.
