7.

Cindy leaned back against the barn at the backside of Santa Anita. It was just past dawn and the last string of horses for the major trainers were being led to the track to work, including Shining. Samantha led the roan filly out of the barn and stopped when she saw Cindy.

"What's up, short stuff?" She smiled, nudging Cindy's shoulder. "Excited about Shadow's race today?"

"Kinda," Cindy shrugged. "Worried, more like it."

Samantha frowned and stepped in front of Cindy. "Is there something you haven't been telling me?"

Cindy groaned and plopped down on the bench outside of the barn. "I don't know if I like the idea of Shadow being a dirt runner. That's all."

"Oh," Samantha nodded and smiled, sitting down next to Cindy. "You're afraid Ashleigh is going to put him head to head with Glory in the Big Cap."

Cindy nodded, obviously upset. "I know I'm a bad person for saying it, and even thinking it. But I want Glory to win it so badly!"

"Cindy," Samantha sighed. "Do you remember what happened when I was thinking about entering Shining in the Classic?"

"Yes," Cindy uttered, nodding her head sheepishly. "I know I was selfish for wanting Glory to win, even if Shining was in the race. But, this is completely different."

"No it isn't, Cindy," Samantha shook her head. "This is the same principal. And besides, no one knows where Shadow is going to take us."

Cindy sighed and sat back on the bench, folding her arms across her chest. "I suppose I should just wait it out and see how good Shadow is before I start worrying."

"You shouldn't worry, Cindy," Samantha said. "You'll get wrinkles you know."

Cindy couldn't help it. She burst out laughing and pushed her sister jokingly. "Are you going to get Shining out there?"

"Yes," Samantha said, smiling. "I'm having Kelly ride her today."

Cindy nodded. Kelly had tried to replace Ashleigh as Glory's rider last summer, but it hadn't worked out, and Glory had lost the Jim Dandy because of it. Kelly had just clicked with Shining, though, and it seemed that she was going to be her new rider until Ashleigh could come back to racing indefinitely.

Samantha stood up and tossed Shining's reins over her neck. The beautiful filly snorted and nuzzled her owner, pricking her ears attentively.

"Really, Cindy," Sam said, looking down at her sister. "Don't worry about Shadow. Glory and he may go completely different ways."

"I know," Cindy nodded. "Thanks, Sam."

Samantha nodded and turned around, walking Shining out to the track. Cindy leaned back and sighed. She just wanted Glory to be the greatest, but she didn't know what would happen if they raced against each other. She never wanted to find out.

That afternoon the races had started quietly at Santa Anita. However, as soon as the biggest race of the day, the San Fernando, drew near, the crowds began to multiply. Cindy walked through the barn nervously, watching Ian attend to Shadow's legs, feeling them up and down for heat and swelling.

"How is he?"

"Just fine," Ian answered. "I couldn't expect anything less from him. He's hard as a rock."

Cindy just nodded and spun on her heel, pacing back the other way. Ashleigh was still in the hospital, recuperating from her fall. Ann was in the jockey's room, preparing for the ride. Everyone else was already in the paddock, waiting for the horses to be led in.

"What do you think his odds are?" Cindy asked, walking by Ian and Shadow again, pushing her blond hair behind her ears.

"Well, morning line odds put him at the second choice. Right behind Saint's Tribute," Ian said, standing up and patting the black colt's neck. "The track vet is going to be by in a sec, Cindy. I'll need you to put Shadow through his paces for him."

Cindy nodded absently and continued, "So, the people here don't really think he'll be a dirt runner?"

"The real handicappers have seen his times on dirt," Ian shook his head. "I think they all have faith that he can go on the surface."

"Then what's with Saint's Tribute?"

"He ran against Glory in the Classic," Ian said. "He was third, plus he was running against Glory. And he's had a good break this winter. Here comes the vet."

Cindy jumped as a tall, burly man walked up to Ian, a friendly smile on his face.

"Hello, Ian. I see you've got a black one on your hands," the man said, looking Shadow over.

"Sure do," Ian nodded, un-clipping the cross ties and handing Cindy the lead rope. "I'll have Cindy lead him around for you."

"Take him around and a walk and trot," the vet instructed Cindy. "Let's see how he goes."

Cindy nodded and led the colt into the stable yard, where she turned Shadow and began to walk him around in a wide circle, glancing at the vet every few yards, seeing him nod his head.

"Very nice," the vet murmured after Cindy stopped the colt. He kneeled down and ran his hand over all of the colt's legs and nodded. "He looks in good shape, Ian."

"Thanks, Vin," Ian smiled.

"You've got my blessing," the vet laughed. "Go out there and kick up some dirt, Blackie," he said to Shadow, patting him on the shoulder and moving on to the other barns to check the rest of the horses.

Shadow snorted and shook his mane out, pawing at the gravel with a black hoof.

"Let's go, Cindy," Ian said. "Time to bring him to the paddock."

The stands were almost halfway full for the San Fernando, a grade two race at a mile and a sixteenth. Cindy led Shadow down to the paddock, Ian accompanying her on the other side of the great black colt. Shadow let out a dignified snort when the cameras for different racing publications went off around him. The colt shook his mane and pranced forward, arching his neck splendidly.

Cindy smiled in spite of herself. The big colt was a Whitebrook horse, after all, and she wanted him to look good for the farm. Shadow seemed all too aware of the commotion his presence was generating and he let out a squeal, kicking out his hind legs energetically.

"What's the big deal?" Cindy asked Ian, just before they hit the paddock.

"Well," Ian looked around, frowning with concern at the crowds. "I think it may have something to do with Shadow being the winner of the Canadian International, and the fact that he's Dominion's son. Everyone is waiting for him to do something huge."

Cindy frowned, thinking back to Dominion. Shadow would have to really work hard to even come close to what his sire accomplished on the track. She knew now that Dominion had been a shooting star on the race track, and his foals were almost carbon copies of him. Yet, something was missing in many of them. They just couldn't quite equal their sire.

As soon as Shadow entered the paddock he was met with a low rumble from the groups of people clustered near the rail. The colt seemed to know those low murmurs were for him and he picked up his feet, prancing down the walkway with his tail swishing arrogantly. Cindy had to use all her strength to keep the colt checked, her arms straining against Shadow's arched, glimmering black neck.

"Whoa, boy," Cindy soothed, trying to keep up with the colt's energetic walk.

"Let's get him to his stall," Ian suggested, heading the colt around and toward the box stall where Mike was standing, holding Shadow's saddle and pad.

As soon as Shadow was settled in the stall, with Cindy holding on to the colt's bridle tightly, Ian began to saddle him up. Owners and handlers were milling around, eyeing the competition warily. Cindy felt people's eyes on her and Shadow and looked to her left, finding Samantha.

"What's up?" Cindy asked, jiggling Shadow's bit a little to get the colt's attention.

"Saint's Tribute," Samantha answered. "He looks good."

Cindy turned and craned her head around, spotting the bay colt, who had already been tacked up and was loosening up in the paddock. He looked fantastic, Cindy noted. The bay's coat was shimmering with health and his muscles rippled underneath.

"Who else is here?" Cindy asked. She had been too wrapped up in Glory's race to even pay attention to who Shadow's competitors were.

"There's Da Bull," Samantha said, ticking them off on her fingers. "He came in fifth in the Classic last year. Then Dance Away, the second place finisher in the Kentucky Derby. Absolut, winner of the Pacific Handicap. Arroyo, the Brazilian three-year-old champ. Classical Red, the winner of the Kentucky Cup Classic. Then there is Moon King, the great gelding from the west."

Cindy lifted an eyebrow. "Pretty stiff competition then."

"You bet," Samantha nodded. "Odd that they went for the San Fernando, a grade two."

"Maybe they didn't want to race against Glory," Cindy said, frowning in concentration as Ian put Shadow's tongue tie on, which meant wrapping a strip of cloth over the colt's tongue and under his jaw, supposedly preventing the colt's soft palate from flipping. If that happened the horse couldn't breath properly and was usually eased.

"Hey guys," Ann called, walking up to Shadow's stall. The black colt pricked his ears at her and nickered a greeting, bobbing his head enthusiastically. "How's it going?" She asked, reaching up to run her hand over the black's face, smiling at the colt.

"Everything's good," Samantha said. "We were just talking about the competition."

"Pretty stiff," Ann nodded. "I know. They just probably didn't want to race against Glory, right Cindy?" Ann smiled at Cindy and winked, then turned her attention to Ian.

Cindy frowned and watched Ann converse with Ian. The older girl was the very picture of what Cindy longed to be - a promising great jockey. Ann had her head up, cocked to the side to listen to Ian's suggestions with how to handle the competition. Shadow was nuzzling Ann's arm, nipping at the blue and white silks, Whitebrook's colors. Cindy didn't know when Shadow suddenly started taking to Ann, but the bond was strong there already. She wondered to herself how Ann felt riding Shadow, and she wished she could ever have the opportunity to ride Glory in a race. She knew she wouldn't be able to. When she could finally race, Glory would be long retired.

"Riders up!" The official in the paddock called. "Riders up!"

"That's our cue," Mike said, "Lead him out, Cindy."

Cindy grasped the lead rope as she led the black colt out of the stall and onto the paddock walkway. Ann took hold of the colt's reins and mane as Mike gave her a leg up onto Shadow's back.

"Okay," Ann nodded. "Let's get out there and start this thing."

Cindy led Shadow around the paddock, the crowds eyes following him. He wasn't the favorite of the race, but he was certainly the most eye catching, Cindy thought to herself. The colt's black coat shone in the California sun, making him shimmer a brilliant blue-black color. Next to the other horses in the race, he certainly was the most beautiful. Cindy frowned then, creasing her forehead. We'll see about racing talent on dirt, she thought to herself.

"Thanks, Cindy," Ann smiled, waving to the other girl as Shadow was passed off to a pony.

Cindy smiled and called, "Good luck!"

Shadow disappeared under the stands, prancing energetically to the track. Cindy's smile dissipated into a worried frown and quickly scooted out of the way as Classical Red walked by, tossing his chestnut head and bouncing lightly on his hooves.

"Let's get to the stands," Cindy muttered to herself and pulled off the blue vest with Shadow's number on it, spun on her heel, and dashed off to the grandstand.

"There you are!" Samantha called, smiling as Cindy darted into the box. "I was wondering where you had gone."

Cindy nodded absently and focused on the track, looking for Shadow. "How's he doing?"

"Great," Mike answered, using his binoculars to follow the colt's movements. "He looks like gold out there."

"Black gold," Samantha grinned up at Mike, who nodded his head, a smile passing over his mouth.

Cindy stood up and watched the horses warming up in the far turn. Shadow was easily pacing along next to his handler, neck arched and ears flicked back, completely focused on Ann. Da Bull, the other chestnut galloped by him, warming up, throwing his head crazily. Shadow didn't even twitch a muscle as the colt went by.

"He's cool out there," Mike said, finally putting the binoculars down. "The competition is hard in this race."

"Who's the one to beat?" Cindy asked.

"Saint's Tribute," Mike answered. "And Arroyo was lighting the tracks on fire in Brazil."

Cindy glanced down at the track as the field of horses had made their way to the gate, Moon King entering first. The gelding wasn't very beautiful, Cindy noted to herself. Even for a gray. Moon King snorted and twisted his thin neck around, flicking his ears nervously as he approached the gate. Cindy glanced at Shadow, who was under a firm hold by Ann. The young jockey had the reins bunched in a tight grip in one hand, the other was resting on the colt's gleaming black neck.

Finally, Moon King was urged into the gate and the rest of the colts entered smoothly afterward. Arroyo, the bright bay, pranced into the gate, flicking his tail, as though he thought he had the race in the bag. Then came Absolut, a dark brown colt. After him Ann was nudging Shadow into the four hole.

The black colt tossed his head and walked in easily. Cindy could hear the metal clangs of the gates shutting around him. Ann settled on the black's back, pulling her goggles over her eyes and getting a good grip on the reins and a piece of Shadow's mane. Cindy knew that if Ann didn't do that she was in danger of being left behind in the starting gate when Shadow broke through. She had seen it happen once at Churchill months ago.

The rest of the horses loaded and, after the last horse, Classical Red, had entered the gate a split second later there was a loud clanging noise and a bell sounding.

"And they're off!" The announcer boomed, already excited.

"Shadow broke well," Ian said, watching as the rest of the horses charged past the black colt.

"But he's last!" Cindy cried, her stomach in knots because of the nerves.

"He's a closer," Mike explained, keeping his eyes on the track.

Cindy had to crane her neck to see the field from around the people in front of her, and finally she just gave up and stood on her chair, finally getting a clearer picture of the race.

"And Absolut has gone for the lead!" The announcer cried. "That first half is a startling 22 seconds flat! Classical Red is a half length back in second, followed by Moon King...and Saint's Tribute has charged up to third, two lengths from the leader! Moon King now in fourth...followed by Arroyo, Dance Away, and Da Bull. In Shadows is five lengths back, fifteen lengths away from the leader!"

"What's going on?" Cindy cried, watching Ann keep Shadow in a firm hold on the rail, letting the others race away from him.

"Ann is waiting for the last turn of the race," Samantha said calmly to Cindy. "She's letting all the other horses use themselves up before she asks Shadow for speed."

Cindy watched the horses spill into the backstretch, Absolut still on the lead. She scanned down the line of horses. Dance Away, Arroyo, and Da Bull were clumped up behind the leaders and Shadow was nearly ten lengths behind, running easily off the pace.

"Classical Red is vying for the lead, but Absolut is digging in. The last half was in forty-nine and one seconds. It's a speed day at Santa Anita!"

Cindy watched carefully as Ann rode Shadow down the backstretch. She grabbed Mike's binoculars and focused in on the pair, waiting for Ann to give Shadow his head.

"It should be soon now," Samantha cried. "Classical Red is entering the turn!"

Cindy glued the binoculars to her eyes, watching Ann critically. In Shadows was fighting for rein, his neck arched and his strides gigantic and sure. Then she saw it. Ann moved her hands up and over the colt's crest, asking for speed. Cindy pulled the binoculars from her face and stared as In Shadows flew forward.

"And In Shadows has found his gear!" The announcer screamed. "Classical Red has given up the lead to Saint's Tribute on the turn. Saint's Tribute is leading this race by a length, but Arroyo is moving fast on the outside! Now In Shadows is gaining ground like a locomotive! And down the stretch they come!"

Cindy could barely believe it. Shadow had just gone five wide around the turn and was running past the field of horses easily, passing Da Bull, Moon King, Dance Away, and Absolut in one group and then speeding up to challenge Classical Red, who was faltering.

"He's got Classical Red put away!" Samantha cried.

"On to Arroyo!" Mike yelled. "Come on, Shadow!"

"In Shadows is passing Arroyo. Arroyo is digging in, but it's not enough! We have an eighth of a mile left and In Shadows if flaming up next to Saint's Tribute!"

"He's almost got it!" Ian cried, a look of amazement on his face. "He's going to get it!"

In Shadows galloped past Saint's Tribute, the jockey going for the whip. But In Shadows had it, Cindy realized. Ann flicked the crop past Shadow's eye and leaned forward with the horse, brushing the piece of leather against the black colt's flank. The colt knew the signal and put Saint's Tribute away, bounding to the lead.

"In Shadows!" The announcer cried. "In Shadows has taken the lead and is running off! In Shadows is your winner by three lengths going away!"

Samantha screamed and raised a fist in the air. "Good boy, Shadow!"

Ann pulled Shadow up in the clubhouse turn, standing up in the saddle and tugging the black to a trot. Cindy could just shake her head at the colt, wondering how he had managed such an unbelievable stretch run.

"That was amazing," Ian said, laughing. "Let's get down there to greet him!"

Cindy followed her family as they jogged down to the stairs, Mike and Ian shaking hands with those they knew. As soon as they entered the winners circle, a handler was leading Ann and Shadow in. Shadow snorted, his black coat damp with sweat, and Ann smiled, dirt all over her face, except for her eyes, where the goggles had been.

"That was spectacular!" Samantha cried, running up and hugging Ann the best she could from the ground.

"He's amazing," Ann shook her head. "When I asked for speed it was like I was suddenly riding a rocket!"

"Let's take this picture," Mike advised. "Cindy, you hold his head."

Cindy walked forward willingly and took the colt's bridle, turning for the camera and smiling. The flashes went off and Ann was out of the saddle, pulling the girth loose, then running off to weigh in.

"What are your plans for him!" A reporter cried out to Mike, who was busy pulling off the blanket of flowers an attendant had placed on the colt's neck.

"The plans aren't definite yet," Mike answered, turning to face the barrage of reporters, microphones, and cameras. "However, we may send him to the San Antonio Handicap the first week of February."

"And what are the plans for March to Glory?" Another reporter shoved her way forward. "Mr. Townsend told us that he was headed to the Strub Stakes. Can you confirm this?"

"Yes," Mike nodded. "March to Glory will be running in the Strub."

"What about a rider?" The same reporter asked. "Ashleigh Griffen is off from riding until April, maybe May."

"I know," Mike nodded. "But we may have that all figured out. Ashleigh has asked Ann Pierce to ride March to Glory, if Felipe Aragon chooses to stay with Victor Wellford."

Cindy groaned to herself. Victor Wellford was the trainer of On A Whim, and Felipe had a very good relationship with the man. On A Whim was headed toward the Strub, and if Felipe rode him that meant all that was left for Glory was Ann, and Cindy just knew he wouldn't like that.

"Let's get Shadow back to the barn," Samantha suggested, nudging Cindy's shoulder. "He wants some rest."

Cindy looked up at the black colt, who snorted and rubbed his sweaty head against her shirt, pawing at the concrete circle he was standing on and snorted, looking around him with alert eyes.

"Okay," Cindy nodded, frowning, and turned the colt around, walking with Samantha back to the barn. They passed by the timer board and saw that the colt's time was only a second off the track record. Shadow really could run on dirt, Cindy conceded with a frown. The black colt pranced next to Cindy and Samantha eagerly, shaking his head and mane. As Cindy held the black fireball on the lead next to her, all she could do was think about Glory and worry.