He got himself hired as a groom at Timonium.
"I thought I knew something," he said. "I didn't know anything. I couldn't have been more unqualified for the job. I just rode my bike up there and went to work one summer."
That was 35 or so summers ago.
Mettee's morning was nearly over as he climbed into the stands to talk about where he's been and where he is now. It was closing on 8 a.m.
The last of the moon was still hanging in the sky as the sun peaked over the far edge of the grandstand, a few furlongs from the chaos of Clocker's Corner where everybody who is anybody gathers to watch the horses train, drink lots of coffee and tell stories that are sometimes believable.
Just down the horse path is Barn 48 where the Godolphin horses, preparing for their assault on the Breeders' Cup, are housed, one barn away from where the legendary Seabiscuit resided 70 years ago.
Mettee starts early, really early. The horse traffic, he said, is too much at Santa Anita so he likes to get the horses out well before dawn.
For the last 5 years, Mettee has been the assistant trainer in charge of the Godolphin's American division. He is an assistant in name and politics only. He runs the show. And, for the last 3 months, it has been the greatest show in racing.
Godolphin won four Grade I stakes at Saratoga. It would have been five if Vineyard Haven had not been disqualified after finishing first in the King's Bishop. The American division of the world's most powerful stable has nine horses running in five Breeders' Cup races tomorrow and Saturday.
It is long way from Timonium for Mettee.
