Racing Time: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Liberation

by Patrick Smithwick

Overview

Racing Time is a book of searing intensity shining a healing light into the wounds of loss. Most of all, it is a celebration of life-long friendships with three men--each outspoken, authentic, and a lover of the out-of-doors. In a period of nine months, Smithwick delivers the eulogies of these three who have been his nexus to the world of steeplechasing and Thoroughbred racing. Written to stand on its own, Racing Time is the third of a trilogy, following the memoirs Racing My Father and Flying Change. It continues with the vivid prose and sensory descriptions of the first two books, then takes a different path, delving deeply into the psyche of men, showing one man's love and respect for another, sometimes his anger and disappointment, and always his sense of loyalty and wonder. Smithwick takes the reader through the joy and excitement of shared youthful experiences, into the camaraderie of adulthood, and ends with the clap of a thundercloud calling on us all to live life to the fullest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781733026826
Publisher:	Dementi Milestone Publishing
Publication date:	08/23/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Starting at the age of twelve, Smithwick began working with his father and mentor, the legendary steeplechase jockey, A.P. Smithwick. Patrick worked his way through college by exercising Thoroughbreds at the major East Coast racetracksand by competing in steeplechase races at Belmont Park, Monmouth Park and Saratoga as well as at hunt meets, such asThe Maryland Hunt Cup and the Grand National. He received a Bachelor ofArts from Johns Hopkins University in 1973 and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from Hollins College in 1975. In 1988, he received a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University, and in 2000 his degree in Education for Ministry. A newspaper writer for several years, Patrick began teaching English, philosophy, photography, and journalism at both the high school and collegiate levels. In addition to Racing My Fatherand Flying Change, he has written The Art of Healing: Union Memorial Hospitaland Gilman Voices, 1897-1997. Patrick lives with his wife Ansley, Associate Head of Oldfields School, on the Monkton horse farm where he was raised.

Table of Contents

Prologue The Reality of Sisyphus 3

Part 1

Just Perfect 13

In Its Own Orbit 31

The Open Road with Eliza 46

Last Dance at Old Hilltop 55

Love Kills Slowly 63

Tell Me, Behind What Door Your Treasure Lies? 71

Sunlight Sparkling on the Silver Rail 81

This Wayward Boy 90

Anointed Sovereign of Signs and Groans 98

Toes Up 101

Begging for Bagels 107

Deer Creek 118

Blessed Water from Lourdes 133

The Parents Association Kentucky Derby Cocktail Party Fundraiser 145

For God So Loved the World 156

Nothing Gold Can Stay 168

Hallelujah! 187

Part 2

One More Horse 197

Speedy Meets Saitensohn 206

Big Diamond Jim 213

On The Light Rail 218

Training Charley 220

Speedy and Charley Team Up 229

Charley's First Win 238

Heart 248

A Good School Over Hurdles 255

Win of a Lifetime 261

Are We Finished? 274

Part 3

The Move 287

The Lion is Waking 298

Visit at Catholic Charities 301

A Pair of Sheepskin Shoes 303

You Can't Make Old Friends 309

Part 4

Dear Tom 317

One More Run 335

No Andrew 342

We Never Went to Wyoming 343

Missing 352

Death Be Not Proud 360

Raging, Roaring River 363

Gambling With Speedy 367

Mimi Missing Tom 375

Beauty 384

Part 5

Just an Accident 389

Get Over It 397

Saratoga Redux 403

Speedy's Birthday 425

The Undertow 426

Changing Vets 437

Brief Encounter 438

The Speck in Your Neighbor's Eye 439

Was Blind, But Now I See 443

His Neck and Head Across My Shoulders 457

There Is Nothing But Immortality 466

Acknowledgments 479