CHAPTER 4: New Sprinter in Town

Hef was prancing around his stall at the race track as Kris was running a soft brush over his shiny brown coat. He was in the 4th race today and they had just ran the 1st. As her hand went over Hef's neck she caught sight of her engagement ring and she smiled.

Some days being apart from Junior was torture, she could barely keep tears from falling. But other days weren't so bad. Today, luckily for her, was one of the good days. She woke up to his voice over a phone call. She knew he was away to help them build their future so they didn't have to depend on his dad's money. She knew he was doing it out if love for her, and to help provide for her.

"Post is in an hour, how are you feeling?" Ken Davis' voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I'm feeling great, and Hef is feeling better," Kris said with a smile on her face. "He has been prancing around all morning."

"Good to hear. Can't wait to see you too on the track together," he said patting the horses neck before turning around. Half way out the door her stopped and turned back around. "Thank you for doing this, Kris. Your silks are in the trailer. I'll go grab them for you." Kris nodded as he the stall and headed towards the parking lot.

.:MLT:.

Kris was dressed in solid orange silks with a large black "D" in the back. A palomino lead horse was leading them to the starting gate. Hef was prancing and jumping around. Kris felt like it was his dad, and from the crowd she could see in the Davis seating area, Ken knew it was too.

As she loaded the gate she talked softly to the horse. They were in spot one so she had about a minute to soothe his with her voice.

"We're gonna break out of the gate, just like we practiced. Then we are going to head straight for the front and stay on the rail. We are going to keep pace in front of the second place horse so you don't use all your energy trying to compete with him. Then at the last turn we are going to wait for someone to try and challenge you. Then you know what to do." As soon as she got the last word out of her mouth the gates flew open and out Hef went with an unprepared jockey. Kris quickly steadied herself and waiting for the pack to line up. Hef was right in front of the second place horse keeping pace right in front of him. It was only a three quarter mile race, so luckily he wouldn't have to keep up this speed for long.

Going around the first turn Hef was feeling great. He was moving smoothly and he hadn't even broken a sweat yet. Going around the last turn Kris waited for someone to start challenging them, and when no one was she looked behind them. The 2nd place horse was at least ten lengths behind them. Kris laughed and gave Hef his head. "If we are going to do this, we will do it all the way!" she yelled. Hef took off at lightning speed and crossed the finish line in a matter of seconds. She head the announcer, "And the winner is Little Hefner. Jockey Kris Furillo and owned by Davis Farms. And he just broke the track record win by 17 lengths!"

Kris pumped her fist in the air and turned Hef towards the winner circle.

"That was amazing!" Ken Davis said as Kris jumped into his arms hugging him.

"Not only did you break the win length, you also broke the track record at the length, how do you continue to do it?" The reporter asked Kris.

"I would love to tell you, but all I did was sit on the back of that horse! He is amazing. He has so much speed and agility. I just planned on staying right in front and going around the last turn I waited on someone to challenge us, but no one was anywhere around us. And I decided, if we were going to win, then might as well go all out!" Kris laughed patting Hef's neck.

"Well, Mr. Davis," the reporter said, "it look like you have a sprinter on your hands."

"That is one thing you can count on," Ken replied smiling.

After pictures were finished Ken caught up with Kris, "You were awesome out there today. Thank you," she said handing her a check. It was a small race, but the purse was still 30 grand. Kris looked at the $10,000 dollar check.

"This is more than 10%," she said looking at him confused.

"Well you did beat two track records out there, you deserve it. And hopefully a little bonus for becoming Hef's official jockey?" He said in the form of a question.

Kris looked at the horse beside her. She knew she would never find another Wildfire, but Hef was close, even closer than Flame. She looked into his big brown eyes and he looked back, eyes full of complete trust.

"I'll do it, on one condition," Kris said looking back at Ken Davis.

"You name it."

"I want partner in Hef. I want to lead his training and give the options for which races he wins, and you pick from there," she said.

"Now why would I do that?" he said giving her a challenging and confused look.

"You wanted me to act like a Davis family member, so I am. If you don't agree then I refuse to ride the horse, and you will not have a winner. Your choice."

"Fine, see me tomorrow and we'll sign some papers. Congratulations," he said, "you own half a race horse."

Kris smiled over at Hef and continued to lead him to the trailer.

.:MLT:.

"You were so amazing today, babe!" Junior said over the phone. "And great job with my dad!"

Kris laughed and thanked him. "I'm so happy," Kris said. "The only thing that could make my life perfect right now would be you being here."

"Only two more weeks," Junior replied. "How is Wildfire doing? Do you think he has a shot at winning?"

"I do," Kris responded. "His times are all better than his breeder's wins. He's never ran the fast constantly. It's like his age is only making him better. I'm just afraid we are pushing hi too hard. But Pablo thinks he is fine."

"And what about you? You know know better than anyone."

"I think he is ok. He seems to be loving it. But I just don't want him to get hurt."

"When are you heading out to Kentucky?" The Olympiad Stakes was going to be held at Churchill Downs.

"Four days. Then you will be there three days after that."

"I can't wait!" Junior said. "Well get some rest. I'll talk to you soon. I love you."

"I love you, too," Kris smiled as she laid back looking up at the ceiling.

.:MLT:.

"I don't really like this, you know," Ken said as Kris loaded Little Hefner into his long distance traveling trailer.

"Well I'm going to be gone for the next two weeks and I don't want to lose any time with Hef. If we keep in on the schedule we planned then he has a huge shot at the Derby. You stay here and focus on Tamarac and I'll focus on Hef. I promise, I know what I'm doing. I helped Pablo for 5 years with the training, and he will be in Kentucky with me. He is the official trainer of Hef."

"I don't see why we are paying an outside jockey. Fernando is here, and he has a flat contract fee."

"Because, had we followed Fernando's plan for Hef, then Hef would have been in last place. Not first. He is a great trainer, but Hef is a special needs horse. That is what Pablo is good at."

"If you say so," Ken said. "Take care of him out there. I'll see you on race day."

Kris nodded as she turned and finished loading up Hef. She told the driver some last minute instructions and watched them pull out of the drive way. It would take them about 3 days to get to Kentucky, 2 days after Kris and Wildfire, who had left two day ago, would get there. Kris headed back inside the huge mansion to finish packing. She had an early flight in the morning, and she was hoping to video chat with her finace before she went to bed.

A/N: What do you guys think? I had so much fun writing again. And just so you know, this is WildfireLover003 under a new name! Please let me know what you guys think of it!