Chapter 1: The Accident

"Matt, I want you to gallop him for 4 furlongs, breeze him for 3, no faster than 48 seconds, then gallop him out for another 4 furlongs," Alec instructed. "Keep Magic to a breeze, I don't want him extended today."

"Yes, Alec," Matt the exercise boy said, "I'll keep him down." Matt knew how important it was to keep Magic down, if he couldn't he would probably be back grooming them instead of riding them. More importantly he knew that a horse like Black Magic must not be brought along too fast, for that is almost as bad as having him under trained. He must be primed for the Hopeful Stakes, and then go on to race in the Futurity a mere 15 days later, and still later on be ready for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile; the top two year old races of the year.

But keeping a horse like Black Magic down was harder than one would think, many believe that a horse with breeding like Magic would simply "train themselves"; however running in Magic's veins is the blood of the Black, and like most foals from the Black, Black Magic loved to run, and he would run all out all the way every time, if he was given the chance. The last time Black Magic was asked to run the old exercise boy, John, had let him get away from him. That day, which was supposed to be a short burst of speed, Black Magic tied the track record for 5 furlongs before John could stop him. That must never happen again, with Black Magic or any of Hopeful Farm's horses.

Matt took Black Magic out onto the track moving him into a slow jog, as Alec made his way over to his place on the rail.

"Black Magic runs so effortlessly," Alec thought, "He moves so much like Black."

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Each morning three critical horsemen watched the morning workouts; studying, arguing and predicting the rising stars. Some times they were right, sometimes they were wrong. Nevertheless watch and study they did.

"Look at Ramsey's colt," the youngest of the three said to the others, "Black Magic."

"Eh," said the eldest, "I don't like him. He's too big and gangling for me."

The third man laughed, "Jack, what foal by the Black isn't big? Soon his legs will be under him and nothing will be able to stop him."

"I agree with Ray, He's the best standing at Hopeful Farm."

"No, Peter," Jack said, "This 'aint the best in Ramsey's group. And he sure as heck knows it."

Ray challenged, "What makes you think he can't go on? Look how easily he's running now."

"Sure Ray," Jack said, "He can run easily that's for sure… but it don't mean nothing if he don't have the speed and heart to go along with pretty runnin'.

Peter countered, "His breeding sure makes a statement though."

Jack sighed, "Okay… I'll admit if Black Magic can run as fast as his pedigree is … well he will be a champion. Any foal by Black out of a Desert Storm mare could produce a great foal. But look at him… he doesn't have the will to win like the Black does… or his dam, Desert Magic."

"What about his runaway last time out?" asked Peter.

"That don't mean nothing… Magic reminds me a lot of Black Minx, the filly who won the Kentucky Derby." Jack said, "She had the speed to win… but something else was on her mind… and it wasn't racing."

"That filly had class, Jack. Don't try to deny it. She was one of the best in her day" Ray said, "And she has produced her share of good foals, including your favorite Ebony."

"Ebony sure aint my favorite anymore. Sure he's a good colt, but he's nothing compared to his half brother Revenge."

"Revenge?" asked Peter, "Wasn't that the colt that was bred by Ramsey, sold by Dailey as a yearling, and then bought by Ramsey a few months ago as a three year old?"

"Yes, a golden chestnut colt by Wintertime and out of Black Minx." Jack said. "I don't know why Dailey sold him, he has good breeding and his conformation matches it."

"I heard that he believed the colt didn't have the speed to match his looks, and was 10 times worse than Black Minx had been." Ray told them. "The stable talk is that he is as mean as the Black had been at his worst, and as ornery as Black Minx was."

"What did he do at three?" Peter asked, "I don't remember him."

"He hasn't done much that is for sure." Said Jack, "When he was two he was owned by AJT Stables and they raced him four times. If my memory is correct, the best finish he had was 4th in a 6 field race. Alec has brought him along slowly, rebuilding his stamina and rekindling his love for running. He's on the Derby road."

"The Derby!" exclaimed Ray, "He won't be able to hold a candle to his stable buddy, Satan's Fury. Fury is a likely contender at the Derby; he is the most likely Derby candidate from Hopeful Farm. Not to mention Storm Surge from Palpotine Stables, Wizard Wand of Holden Farm, Perfect Picture…"

"Yes!" interrupted Jack, "I agree that all those horses you mentioned are Derby starters… but... like every Derby there are 'Cinderella' horses. I believe that Revenge may be this year's 'Cinderella' horse.

"Look," Peter said directing their attention back to the running horses, "Black Magic just finished his three furlong work in 0:47.87. That is slow enough for him. And it looks like they are working Satan's Fury and Hell Hath No Fury together today."

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"Nice job, Matt," Alec called as he brought in the young black colt back, "He was full of run… but you kept him down. You are doing well with him."

Alec turned from the two year old colt, and brought his attention to his Derby horse, Satan's Fury, a three-year old golden chestnut colt with a blaze running from his forehead to his muzzle and four white socks to match and 4 year old mare, Hell Hath No Fury, a bay with a star in the middle of her forehead. Fury needed to be pushed and the only thing currently fast enough in their barn was the seasoned mare.

Hell Hath No Fury was a slow maturing mare with great breeding. Henry thought she was going to be a Derby or Oaks horse, but she just didn't find her legs in time. Now she is a rising force in the Handicap races. She is by Satan and out of a mare by Eclipse. She and Satan's Fury were just about at the same level training wise… she was perhaps a tick faster. Alec had decided that it was time to test Satan's Fury against Hell Hath No Fury.

Turning to George and Rick who were astride Satan's Fury and Hell Hath No Fury respectively, Alec said, "I want to break them from the gate today. Go 5 furlongs and just sit there. Don't break them down… it is just a workout. But I want him to be pushed today. Try to stay together for the first couple of furlongs… but George try to get him out to the front at the end. Rick… she needs to push him. If he is struggling to keep up… slow her down but let him keep close but if he goes faster… go with him.

"Yes boss," They both said as they turned their horses to the track.

The starting gate workers were glad to have seasoned horses, usually they dealt with young two-year-olds learning how to break, but this was different. It was a test for Fury, they all knew it. The exercise boys, grooms, trainers, and reports all knew this was a test for Satan's Fury. If he could beat Hell Hath No Fury, his ½ sister then he would have earned his right to race in the Derby. If he couldn't… then maybe isn't the horse everyone made him out to be.

Alec watched from rail as his two horses made their way to the starting gate. There shouldn't be any trouble… Hell Hath No Fury was calm in the starting gate and unleashed her speed only after the bell had rung. And Satan's Fury didn't act any worse than any other colt his age. He had his moments… but he was a smart colt.

Satan's Fury gave the crewmen a little trouble, balking at first, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. Hell Hath No Fury went in like she always did, calm and collected.

They were both quiet and ready to go when the starter pushed the button and opened the gate. Satan's Fury, on the inside, broke faster but stumbled coming out of the gate. George didn't rush him and soon Fury had collected himself and was running easily down the stretch a neck in front of his ½ sister.

Rick sat still in the stirrups, knowing that his mount wasn't going all out and was running well within herself. They rounded the turned and Satan's Fury having the short way round lengthened his lead to a full length and was coming on ever faster. Rick knowing that there was only 2 furlongs to go and knowing that he was supposed to push the young colt let Hell Hath No Fury out and she started inching up on the chestnut.

With less than a furlong to go Rick, focusing on the colt just ahead of him and his mount beneath him did not hear the onrush of hooves behind him. Unbeknownst to Rick, or George atop Satan's Fury, another horse had shaken his rider and was running wild on the track straight towards the racing pair.

From the rail Alec saw the oncoming horse and tried to get the attention of his riders, fearing for their lives and the lives of the horses they rode. A freed horse was an immense risk to everyone on the track. Alec knew that his attempts were futile, their backs were to him and his, and the others, shouts were being drowned out by the drumming of the horses' hooves.

Rick looking back at the last second he saw the hurling grey horse at the same time as his mare did, trying to evade a collision with the grey, Hell Hath No Fury swerved to her left causing her to ram into Satan's Fury. Propelled by his momentum and the impact from the horses on his right, Satan's Fury slammed into the railing. In a matter of seconds all three horses and both men came crashing down.

Alec watched the horrific scene like it played out before him in slow motion. He knew the collision was inevitable; he had already vaulted the railing before the grey collided with his bay mare. He watched as the grey pulled himself up and was caught by the men at hand. His bay mare had gotten herself up, but wasn't putting any weight on her right foreleg. The golden chestnut colt, however, did not get up, and neither did their riders.

Alec feared for the worst as he drew closer… not wanting to believe what his eyes saw.

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Author's Note: I meant to update earlier… but I was tied up with end of the school things. Now that it is summer I will(hopefully) beupdating more often! Again feedback is most welcome!

Thank you Captain Cassie for reviewing! I read your story and it is really good! But for some reason it won't let me review your story!

Please note that some of the horses will be real; and others will be the creation of Walter Farley; and still others will be of my own creation.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters created and used in the "Black Stallion Series" created by Walter Farley and continued on by his son, Steven Farley. I am in no way making any profit in this fictional creation; it is pure "fan-fiction." The names in this story are in no way a reflection of any real person, and any similarities is pure coincidental.