Word: backstretchers
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...them there for a moment; then they were off. Nine two-year-olds broke into the head of the stretch and pounded past the grandstand in a cavalry charge. So far, it was just like any other horse race. But instead of rounding the turn and racing up the backstretch, the horses slowed to a stop. Fans swarmed onto the track and filled the air with flying Stetsons...
...that his worst fears might be confirmed. Foolish Pleasure, with Panamanian Jockey Jacinto Vasquez at the reins, quickly dropped back to a distant twelfth, far from his usual position close to the pace. Bombay Duck, bred for speed, held the early lead, but as the stallions pounded down the backstretch, Avatar, a California mount, moved up to challenge. Foolish Pleasure, running on the rail, was still no better than seventh. "He looked as if he wasn't handling the track too well," Jolley explained later...
...runners began to appear in clumps of two or three. There were two quick backstretch duels that excited the crowd as runners drew on hidden reserves of strength to challenge each other...
...natural that mystery freaks-addicts by definition-should demand more of the same from their suppliers, who may naturally want to diversify But the rites of the changing room, the backstretch betrayals, the chill of winter steeplechase meets gave Francis' books their singular texture, and he rang very inventive changes on his basic material. He is downgrading himself when he starts globetrotting like Victoria Holt or Helen Maclnnes. Dick Francis, won't you please go home...
...That's fucking Mel Laird!" a lobbyist muttered, and after a quick doubletake the students took off in pursuit of the Cabinet officer and his three civilian companions. Mel was coming down the backstretch as the students turned the corner, but they were closing fast. As the margin between hawk and dove narrowed, civility was sacrificed to national security. A white-haired onlooker with a white-sideburned smile yelled, "Run, Mel." The closest student questioned Laird at a dogtrot. "Mr. Secretary, I am very concerned about the national defense." "I'm sorry, the Secretary is half an hour late...