12.

Cindy stood in the shower, drenching her hair once more to rid it of the extra shampoo and dirt from the track. Silently she ran her fingers through her thick blond hair, dark from the water, and thought about the next day. Already she could feel the butterflies beginning to beat their colorful wings in her stomach as her brain ran through the list of doubts she had in her head about Breeders' Cup day, but her heart shoved them away. There was no need to doubt her mounts - Joy and Angel had put in perfect breezes only days before - but it was herself that needed the boost.

"Cindy?" Josie called, knocking on the door. "Are you almost done in there?"

"Yeah," Cindy called, turning off the water. "Give me a second."

The silence on the other side of the door indicated Josie was satisfied with the answer and Cindy towel dried herself off, slipping into a thick hotel-provided robe before exiting the bathroom with a plume of steam.

"I thought you had nearly drowned," Josie joked from her bed, where she was stretched out on her stomach reading the Daily Racing Form.

"Just caught up in my thoughts," Cindy shrugged, finding it suddenly odd that they were the two jockeys for Whitebrook. But why not? Cindy had wanted this from the day she had mounted up on March to Glory's back. It made perfect sense to her.

Josie got up from the bed and tossed the Form on the dresser. "Well, Sammy came by five minutes ago for an update on where we were. They want to leave in an hour."

"Sounds good," Cindy nodded, going to the closet and pulling out the soon-to-be infamous black dress, pulling the plastic cover off of the soft material and laying everything on her bed.

"I'm going to take my shower," Josie said, already taking off her shoes and socks. "I should be out in time to help you with those straps, if you need me."

"I'll definitely need you," Cindy chuckled, picking up one of the straps that would criss-cross over her back, wondering vaguely how they had fixed them at Yvonne's shop.

"Count on it," Josie nodded and disappeared inside the bathroom, the shower turning on shortly after.

Cindy put her hands on her hips and surveyed the dress for a minute before turning her back on it to dry her hair and finish the preliminaries. By the time Josie was out of the shower, Cindy was shifting into the dress, letting it fall over her in a silken heap. Josie helped with the straps, becoming confused more than once, but finally getting it in the end.

By the time both girls were ready they still had time to kill, and Cindy suggested they see Ann, which Josie hesitantly agreed to.

The two girls made their way down the hallway of the hotel, glittering and shimmering in their dresses, before they stopped in front of Ann's door, knocking on it lightly. The door opened to a man Cindy hadn't seen in some time, and she was nearly taken aback.

"Jason," Josie grinned at the seemingly familiar face.

"Hey, Jo," Jason smiled, just as Cindy placed him. Jason Livington, one of the most successful young trainers New York had ever seen. Ann had met him during In Shadows Breeders' Cup, when he had run against Jason's Believability. That day In Shadows had won, but Believability had gone on for another successful year of racing. This year Jason had Rite of Spring, one of the more successful female sprinters in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

As far as Cindy knew, Jason and Ann's relationship was a turbulent one, always succumbing to tension and lack of time. However they always seemed to know how to find each other again, and she could almost sense by his presence in the room that this reunion would be permanent.

Cindy looked past Jason and saw Ann sitting on the bed, waving weakly at her.

"Cindy," Jason said, holding out his hand. "It's been a while since I've seen you last."

"Definitely," Cindy nodded, taking his hand and shaking it firmly.

"You two look stunning," Ann said hoarsely from inside the room as they walked in, dazzling next to Ann's plaster casts and long sleeved pajamas.

"And you look remarkably better," Cindy smiled, sitting down next to Ann and crossing her legs.

"I have to say that I still feel like I got run over by a truck," Ann chuckled, shaking her head. "But I am feeling a ton better. Plus I heard you two are going to be my replacements in the Breeders' Cup. I couldn't be happier for you guys."

"You should be on Warrior," Josie shook her head. "I still can't believe this."

Ann laughed, smiling at Josie. "Oh, please. Josie, this was a stroke of bad luck. Just part of the job description. Besides, you and Warrior were made for each other. It feels right to see you ride him in the Classic. Just like it feels right to see Cindy ride Joy."

"What about Angel?" Cindy shook her head. "She always tries her hardest for you. I can feel it when I work her."

Ann shook her head. "Angel's a smart girl. She knows what to do," she said, before pausing at the mention of the lithe bay filly she loved so much.

"So I guess you're not going to the party?" Josie asked, lightening the mood.

"Jason was kind enough to keep me company," Ann said, smiling toward the tall, dark haired man who was leaning against the wall and watching her calmly.

"I think it's going to be a slow night in front of the tube," Jason smiled wryly, and Ann laughed.

"Goodness knows I'm set to fall asleep right now," she smiled, pointing Cindy and Josie to the door. "You guys go and have fun. I'll see you both tomorrow in the winner's circles."

"Are you sure you're up to going to the races?" Josie asked, eyeing Ann's large plaster cast encased around her leg and the healing bruises on her face.

"Oh, Josie, I'll be fine," Ann reassured.

"As long as you're content to stick in one place," Jason said, raising an eyebrow. "One thing I've learned about you is that you hardly stay still for long."

"I'll be fine," Ann said, giving Jason a playful glare before Cindy and Josie got up to leave, giving Ann hugs and kisses on the cheek. As soon as they were out the door, Josie gave Cindy the classic look.

"What do you think?" Josie asked, nodding her head toward the door as they walked down to the elevators to meet everyone in the lobby.

Cindy punched the down button and smiled.

"I like the chances," she answered, just before the elevator dinged and the doors slid open.

There were luxury cars lining the roads and the driveway of the massive house that was the scene for the main Breeders' Cup party event of the evening. Cindy was used to the glitz and the glitter, keeping her eyes on the large stone mansion that rose up on the hillside that sloped down suddenly to meet the ocean that was as dark as the night around them.

"Look at all this," Josie breathed, pressing a hand against the glass of the rented Suburban as Ian maneuvered the large car into a spot.

Cindy could only nod in mute astonishment as they piled out of the large luxury car, stretching this legs from sitting so confined for so long. It was a long trip from their hotel in Elmont to Southampton, but the drive had already been worth it to Cindy. She rarely got to go to such events and the intrigue behind it had Cindy yearning to see more.

"Okay, guys," Ashleigh said, leading the way up the cobble stone drive. "Let's not stay out very late. I know I'm tired, and even though Jo and Cindy may have that youthful exuberance I still want to leave early. Got it?"

Cindy smiled and nodded. "Definitely."

"I think we're all in agreement about that," Mike said, nudging at his wife's side. Cindy smiled, knowing the couple must be happy to get away from the responsibilities of parenting. Christina had spent all this time in Kentucky with Beth and Kevin.

At this point, however, everyone was mainly attracted to the large house that sat solidly before them, blatantly screaming money and prestige. From the moment Cindy entered it she was blown away, her black shoes clomping on polished hard wood floors as she was immediately whisked away by Josie to see the sights. Weaving through the elegant crowds of old and new money owners, Cindy and Josie could do no more than stare, finally sitting down on one of the plush sofas that sat near a raging fire in a huge fireplace.

"Oh my gosh," Josie sighed happily. "Look at this place. This makes me regret that I didn't go to the party before Warrior's Kentucky Derby."

"What were you doing?" Cindy asked, her eyes traveling through the crowds, falling on people she recognized from the track.

"Looking after Warrior," Josie shrugged. "Plus I was so tired and worried. I was a mess before that race."

"And you weren't even riding him," Cindy chuckled, arching an eyebrow at her cousin. "Now you're riding him in the Classic and you couldn't look more cool."

"Really?" Josie asked, smiling. "Thanks, Cin."

"Well, it's true," Cindy nodded, knowing she felt the same, although she knew that feeling would change by tomorrow morning, just before the Distaff kicked off the Breeders' Cup.

The night flew by, but the advancing hours didn't seem to have much effect on the crowd. Cindy found herself standing outside on the large stone porch, wandering around the sunken Olympic size swimming pool and glancing out at the invisible ocean as she listened to the waves crashing against a distant beach. It was warm inside, and she had snuck outdoors for some time for a breath of fresh air, pausing on the porch before another figure surprised her.

"Taking a breather?" an English voice asked, and she whipped her head around, finding a tall man not much older than herself standing behind her. Cindy unconsciously narrowed her eyes at him, taking in his sandy blond hair and eyes that were undescribable in the dark. Still, she knew who he was from the track. She had seen him when the English contingent went out to work.

"It's too stuffy in there," Cindy shrugged, suddenly feeling a late October breeze too chill for her through the light material of the dress.

"I'd have to agree," he said, holding out his hand. "Kyle Black, and you?"'

"Cindy McLean," Cindy smiled briefly and took the offered hand, shaking it sharply before ending contact. "You're Kelsey Quinn's assistant trainer, right? You brought Endearing to run in the Filly and Mare Turf?"

"That would be me," Kyle smiled, his accent sharp in Cindy's ears.

"She's a nice filly," Cindy said, taking back her hand when she realized she was still shaking it, folding her arms quickly across her chest.

"England's finest," Kyle said, running his hands through his light blond hair before coming a little closer to Cindy, making her guard go up. "Much like the two that you're running with tomorrow. Glory's Joy and Fleeting Angel? Two fine specimens."

"They are," Cindy nodded, feeling the cold autumn breeze lift off the ocean and fly around her, sweeping the material of her dress around her legs. Cindy shivered a little, realizing she had walked out of one extreme and into another. She could have found a little secluded room in the house, but the place was so massive she thought she might get lost.

"How long have you been in New York?" Cindy asked, feeling better once the breeze died down.

"About three weeks," Kyle answered. "The filly was in quarantine long before that, but I think we're ready for tomorrow."

Cindy snorted. "I wish I could sound that confident."

Kyle gave her a wayside glance and then shrugged. "I wouldn't say it's anything to get worked up over. Breeders' Cup or no, it's just another series of races. Besides, you're the Dubai World Cup winner. I would think you'd have nerves of steal."

Cindy let out a loud laugh before stifling it, shaking her head. "I was just starting out then."

"Still," Kyle smiled. "You had people talking."

"Did I?" Cindy asked, frowning out at the night dark ocean.

"In England you did," Kyle said, just before the door opened to someone beckoning him back.

"Excuse me," he said, touching her bare arm. "Good luck tomorrow."

Cindy stared for a minute, barely registering that he was walking away through the knowledge that she had people talking. People were following her career, expecting more, and wondering about her decisions. It almost made her feel dizzy.

"And to you," Cindy nodded, watching him walk back into the house before she turned back to the ocean and watched as the moon rose slowly on the horizon, spilling reflected light over the rolling waves as though scattering water with diamonds.

In the world of American racing there were two stand out days - the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup. Chances were that a random person on the street could identify those two days as the biggest times in horse racing. Once in the fall and once in the spring, always highlighting the beginning and the end of the year. There were, of course, several other stand out races in several different countries, but in the American viewpoint there were only two. Possibly three when a Triple Crown hung in the balance.

Today Cindy stood in the jockey's room, feeling the pressure of the second greatest day in horse racing. Already the telecast was rolling, cameras and reporters scurrying about the paddocks and the grandstand. The Distaff was set to go off in fifteen minutes, and already the best mares in the world were circling the paddock at Belmont, Fleeting Angel one among them.

Cindy took a last look at herself in the mirror, tugging at the blue and white silks as Josie laid on a bench behind her, calmly waiting out the day for the Breeders' Cup Classic as the rules of racing stated.

"You look fine," Josie said with her eyes closed.

"You think?" Cindy asked, feeling the butterflies swinging around insanely in her stomach. She had already thrown up once thirty minute ago, and her empty stomach was still calling out its protests.

"Come on, Cin," Josie smiled. "You've got this race in the bag. Just trust Angel. She'll get you through."

Cindy nodded, knowing the Distaff was the least of her problems. The next race - the Juvenile Fillies - was going to be the challenge of a lifetime.

"Alright," Cindy sighed, summoning up her courage. "I'm going out there."

"I'll see you after the race," Josie said, waving as Cindy went for the door. "Good luck!"

"Thanks, Jo," Cindy nodded, raising her crop to her cousin before leaving the women's jockey room and joining the line of nine other jockeys headed for the paddock. Cindy knew all the faces surrounding her, but she didn't speak to any of them, keeping her head down as she mentally poured concrete over the butterflies inside her. By the time she reached the paddock and saw Angel gallivanting around the old enclosure, she felt ten times better and ready to take on the challenge.

"Cindy!" Ashleigh exclaimed, raising her hand from the eighth stall, motioning her over. Cindy nodded and wove her way through the crowds and horses, walking alongside Angel before she got to stall eight.

The track at Belmont was buzzing, flowing with energy and excitement as the first race was about to kick off the day. Ten mares circled the paddock, their perfectly bred bodies arched and shivering with the anticipation of the event ahead. Cindy stopped by Angel's stall and watched the filly in question glide past, her white-marked head held low as she arched her neck, flicking her ears at the crowd and dancing on her toes.

Suddenly the filly stopped with a jerk and half reared, showing off her fire engulfed bloodlines and telling the world that she was going to be the filly to beat. To hell with all the other mares. Cindy smiled to herself, recognizing Angel's statement in a heartbeat.

"She's being her characteristic self," Ashleigh proclaimed, watching the mares circle.

"That's a good sign then," Cindy nodded, remembering that the more the filly was hyped up the better she felt to run the race of her life.

"You'll have to keep after her," Ashleigh reminded Cindy, crossing her arms over her stylish charcoal business suit. "Angel does not live up to her name when she's in this mood."

"I've got you," Cindy nodded, smiling when she saw her dad coming away from a talk with reporters.

"Looking good," Ian reported as Mike and Samantha walked up, glancing down the row of stalls.

"Just finished talking with Townsend," Mike said, jerking his head in the direction of the tenth stall, where Northern Colony, the last minute entry from Townsend Acres, was being saddled.

"Arrogant as usual?" Cindy asked, frowning at the name. Townsend Acres wasn't synonymous with good feelings. Northern Colony, a Pleasant Colony mare, had come off some serious stakes wins in the spring but had to go through surgery in the summer to remove bone chips from her left fore leg. Some people were raising their eyebrows at the Townsends for bringing her back in the Breeders' Cup, but it didn't shock Cindy so much. She had become accustomed to the theatrics of the Townsends.

"Actually, no," Mike shook his head.

"Townsend Acres is really putting most of their faith in their miler this year," Samantha said, shrugging. "ManoftheSea is the favorite for the race."

"I think they know what they're doing," Mike said, watching Northern Colony as the dark bay mare rounded the paddock, her star-marked head held high. She looked fit and ready, as if she wasn't bouncing back from surgery.

"Northern Colony is a speed mare," Mike continued. "They're hoping to blow to the front and keep the lead. She was able to do it several times in the spring. It isn't impossible for the filly to win."

Cindy nodded, keeping her eyes on Northern Colony for a minute before she recognized the other mares striding behind her. New Creation and Book Eleven, two of Angel's rivals from Saratoga, were in attendance. Then there was Forbidden and Gold and Silk, to three-year-olds who had raced against Angel through the Kentucky Oaks and Black Eyed Susan. Weekend Song and Pure Clarity were older mares, coming off of wins in California. Then the field was brought up by Dancingintwilight, Crypto Glow, and Ruby Lady. The last three were international mares, winning races in France, England, and Argentina respectively.

Cindy frowned as she watched the mares, her eyes eventually sticking on Angel as the big mare tossed her dark mane, the black strands slapping against her neck with each large stride.

"I wish Ann could be down in the paddock," Samantha said as the mares began to return to their stalls. "She wanted to see Angel up close today, but moving around in that wheelchair tires her out."

"She'll be up on her in due time," Ashleigh said as the big mare came to a jumpy halt by the stall as the paddock judge called for riders up, making Cindy come to attention. Angel was sidestepping and tossing her head, jumping as soon as Cindy landed on her back.

"Whoa," Cindy muttered, grabbing a hunk of mane as the filly wheeled her hind quarters out in efforts to intimidate Cindy.

"I'm not going anywhere yet, girl," Cindy assured the filly, settling herself in the saddle as the mare arched her neck and bounced again.

"Remember to just settle her behind the leaders," Ashleigh called as Len walked on with Angel dancing next to him.

"I got it," Cindy called, waving to the group before she turned to meet the NBC cameras filming the mares walking for the tall brick tunnel covered in dying vines. Angel pricked her ears at the big black cameras and pranced, full of herself and eager to get the show on the road. Cindy sat easily in the saddle, talking quietly with Len before they were handed off to an outrider.

When the filly touched the track she seemed to roar forward, grunting and jumping next to the Quarter Horse beside her.

"Whoa, girl," Cindy murmured, getting the filly to a prancing walk as they moved through the post parade and into the turn, warming up over the track. Cindy kept her eyes open, watching the gray Gold and Silk warming up ahead of them, and seeing the darker Forbidden galloping up on their outside. By the time they had warmed up and were heading back toward the gate, Cindy was comfortable in the saddle and Angel was acting more ladylike, prancing airily besides the outrider.

"Whoa, whoa," called one of the assistant starters as Ruby Lady went into the gate, her chestnut tail flicking animatedly while she banged into the sides of the metal chute. Then in a rapid succession horses were led forward, assistants grabbing bridles and pulling the fillies forward one by one. In seconds they were falling into line. New Creation, Gold and Silk, and Book Eleven easily slid into the gate, followed by a slight balk by Forbidden before the dark filly entered the gate. After her came Pure Clarity and Northern Colony, followed by Weekend Song and Crypto Glow. Then it was Angel's turn, the big dark filly balking for effect before walking regally into the gate as if she were arrogantly telling everyone that this race was the horse to beat.

The dark filly banged twice in the gate, eyeing the assistant starter that perched next to her head to keep her straight as Cindy wove her fingers into Angel's mane, her heart suddenly beating louder again. The last horse loaded and a split second later the gates blew open, ten Thoroughbreds starting and lunging out of the metal doors.

Angel jerked and reared out of the gate, but automatically Cindy could feel that she wasn't balanced on her feet. Just as suddenly, the filly went to her knees, Cindy being kicked up on Angel's neck as the filly shoved herself up in her desperate attempt to right herself.

Next to her Crypto Glow shied away from Angel, bumping hard into Weekend Song, who stumbled herself, going down to her knees severely and throwing her rider over her head as Crypto Glow checked herself and sped ahead. Cindy felt Angel shudder in the stunning milliseconds that it took for her to pop up and begin running again, chasing after Crypto Glow as the field for the Distaff flew away from the gate.

"Christ," Cindy kept muttering to herself, risen up in the saddle and refusing to look back. Her first priority was Angel, and when she felt the filly running strong underneath her, Cindy put her mind to the race, wondering how on earth she was going to make up so much ground. Already Northern Colony had taken the lead and was pounding past the finish line for the first time, Ruby Lady hot on her heels. Behind her five other fillies were battling for position, and Gold and Silk galloped easily behind them, waiting to make her move.

Cindy opted to let Angel make up some of the ground, easily running up on the rail an on the inside of Crypto Glow, pulling even with the other filly as Cindy fought to contain her nerves. Angel had her ears back and was willing to move where Cindy pointed her. The problem was that there was no where for them to go.

The field swept into the backstretch with Northern Colony still on the lead unchallenged. Ruby Lady was content in second, backing off of the hot pace. Cindy held onto Angel tightly as the filly kept gaining ground on the rail, getting closer to the spray of dirt as they began to bend into the far turn.

"Okay," Cindy murmured to herself, letting Angel go forward through a hole on the rail. "Let's go, baby."

Angel swept back her ears and tore through the hole, thundering up on the inside of New Creation and Book Eleven, leaving them easily behind as Gold and Silk began to make up ground on the outside. Northern Colony was pounding into the homestretch as Ruby Lady was falling back, getting lost in the rising challenges of fillies bent on winning the race.

Cindy was urging Angel now, moving the filly up on the rail, shooting through dangerously small holes to challenge the leader.

"Come on, Angel," Cindy shouted, rubbing the filly's neck and pulling out her crop, flicking it by Angel's eye. "Come on!"

Angel ripped the reins out of Cindy's hands, flying up on the inside and switching leads as the wire approached, Forbidden outrunning Gold and Silk on the outside as Northern Colony began to fall back rapidly, hitting the wall.

Angel was running solidly, striding forward and bunching her muscles with Cindy encouraging her heavily. Forbidden was on the outside, her dark body stretching out as the two fillies met in a duel to the wire. Cindy urged hard, Angel not giving any ground to the filly on the outside, who was pushing equally. Both had beaten their competition to a pulp, sprinting six lengths away from the rest of the field as the wire suddenly flew by and both jockeys let up on their mounts, slowing in the far turn.

"Oh," Cindy groaned, pulling back on Angel. The filly readily applied, lowering her head and skipping by Forbidden, the other bay slowing and turning back toward the grandstand.

Cindy pulled Angel back to a walk and turned her, trotting back to the grandstand with her heart in her throat. It was a photo finish, but Cindy knew how things would turn out. In her heart she knew that Angel hadn't gotten up in the end.

"Cindy!" Samantha called from the rail as she and Angel trotted back up to the rail, the tote board still flashing as the stewards determined the winner. "Good job."

"Thanks," Cindy smiled weakly. "She gave her all."

"Yes she did," Len said, walking up to the filly and taking her head as the tote board suddenly announced the winner, a ripple of groans and happy shrieks filling the track. "But she's tired as sin."

Cindy nodded and sighed, jumping off of the filly when she saw Angel's number below Forbidden's. As the other bay filly was led into the winner's circle, Cindy pulled off Angel's saddle and shoved her way toward the scale to weigh out.

"Cindy!" a reporter cried, grabbing her attention before she could shrink through the crowd and hide out in the jockey's room.

"Yes?" Cindy asked, barely able to hind her annoyed air.

"This must have been a bitter disappointment with all the work Whitebrook has done with Fleeting Angel," the reporter said into the microphone. "Did the stumble at the start have anything to do with your placement?"

"Of course," Cindy snapped, remembering seeing Weekend Song being walked back to the backside, obviously unscathed. "She put in a fantastic performance and probably would have gotten up in the end had she not stumbled."

The reporter nodded and offered her thanks as Cindy backed away and turned on her heel, heading back to the jockey's room in the midst of celebration.

Several minutes later Cindy sat in the saddle of Joy, feeling the silvery gray filly prancing over the dirt of the track at Belmont. They were moving up to the gate, Joy tossing her milk-white neck to make her charcoal mane fly up against Cindy's hands. The smokey mare was beautiful among the earth tones of the other fillies, standing out like a sore thumb among the chestnuts and the bays. Cindy smiled to herself as she ran a hand over Joy's smooth neck, feeling her confidence return.

She had been a shaking mess in the jockey's room. Josie had attempted to comfort her, but Cindy was beyond the support of her cousin. It was only the sure presence of Joy that made her settle down. The banging and the clanging of horses entering the starting gate didn't seem to phase Cindy as she felt Joy quiver excitedly underneath her. This was Joy's moment, she thought to herself. And she was going to shine.

Through the shouting of the starters, Joy was led into the gate and the filly stood solidly, pricking her dark-tipped ears at the track. Cindy pulled down her goggles and grabbed the filly's mane, staring at the track as Spark and Nyctalopia moved into line, followed by Ambience.

In a flash, the gates opened and Cindy urged Joy out with a scream. The filly bounded to the lead, churning her hindquarters as she sprinted up through the other fillies. Lucent was hot on her trail, moving up on her outside as the two fillies led the field past the quarter mile pole and into the first turn.

Cindy eyed Lucent warily, knowing Ashleigh's concerns that the other filly would start a speed duel with Joy if they both made the lead. Already Cindy could feel Joy trying to run past the filly, and Cindy checked her softly, making Joy aware that they weren't to run quite yet.

Joy grunted loudly and poured into the backstretch, Lucent matching her strides and pushing hard to drive Joy forward. The gray filly thundered down the stretch of dirt, speeding up against Cindy's will.

Before she had quite a grasp of how fast Joy was moving, they were entering the far turn, with Lucent falling back only to be replaced by a moving Creating Bliss, who was pouring on her finishing stride. Following her was Heavenly and Spark, chased by Nyctalopia and the ominous Ambience.

Cindy flattened out on Joy's back, sitting frigid in the saddle as Creating Bliss moved up around her, sticking her nose in front as they turned for home.

"Okay," Cindy called to the filly, pulling out her crop and flicking it past Joy's eye. Joy saw the signal and immediately switched leads, barreling forward. But the race wasn't over yet. Ambience was moving quickly on the outside, passing Nyctalopia and Heavenly. All of a sudden Joy wasn't winning the race. Instead she was in third place to a laboring Creating Bliss and an Ambience who seemed to be on fire.

"Come on!" Cindy called, tapping the crop on Joy's hindquarters but coming up with no drive. Joy was done, just as Spark edged her out for third, beaten two lengths by Ambience, who was already slowing in the turn.

Cindy stood up in the saddle, stunned to silence as the crowd cheered on the favorite. Joy huffed heavily, slowing on her own to show how tired she was. Cindy sat in the saddle with a feeling of dread in her stomach. Fourth again. That wasn't possible. Not for Joy.

The Breeders' Cup continued on after Joy's loss, and Cindy sat with cold disinterest as Warrior entered the track for the Classic. She had sat silent through Ann's assurance that it was just bad luck, and she hadn't cheered when Rite of Spring had held off Eulalie in the Sprint. She hadn't even cared when the Townsends had won the Mile and the promising Counting Crosses had blown away the field in the Juvenile. She only felt like sitting, and even Josie taking on the Breeders' Cup Classic with Warrior couldn't get her attention.

The big black colt was a dominating figure on the track, his burly body easily skipping over the dirt and intimidating his competition. At the gate, he reared up in sheer good spirits and entered the gate like a pro, starting straight and falling back immediately to run like a giant shadow behind the leaders.

Cindy watched Josie closely, wondering how her cousin would guide the Derby winner through the crush of older horses and talented three-year-olds.

"And it's Montjoy on the lead," the announcer cried. "But Sir Gallant is right there to challenge as they head into the backstretch. Vertrando in third, followed by Solar Road and Early Flyer. Spyro is further back in six followed by..."

Warrior ran soundly, never fighting Josie as the pair began to move up slowly on the group of horses led by Montjoy. Warrior seemed deathly calm, as though he had a grasp on his situation and there was no need to worry about the outcome. Cindy found herself sitting up in her seat as people were standing up around her, yelling for their horses that began to spill into the turn.

"And Sir Gallant has taken the lead from Montjoy! Vertrando is coming up on the inside as they come out of the turn...and here comes Wonder's Warrior! Wonder's Warrior is streaking out of no where to challenge!"

Cindy stood up automatically to watch the big black fly past Montjoy and Sir Gallant, Spryo running after him. In a second Warrior had hooked up with Vertrando, in another second he had switched strides, and then he was pushing past the angular gray. There was only Warrior and Spyro now, locking in a speed duel down to the wire.

The crowd was in hysterics. Warrior versus Spryo and neither colt was giving up ground. Cindy watched Josie urged the black, and Warrior responded, plowing toward the finish with all the speed he possessed.

Then the race was over. Warrior shoved his body ahead of Spyro and finished a neck in front, Josie standing up in the stirrups to shove her crop hand in the air victoriously.

"Yes!" Mike shouted, throwing both fists into the air in a symbol of victory. "Can you believe that colt?"

"Can I believe it?" Ian yelled back over the crowd and the hustle of the cameras that had suddenly surrounded them. "He did that in under two minutes! One minute and fifty-nine seconds flat. A new Breeders' Cup record."

"Oh my God," Samantha laughed, hugging Cindy, who hugged her back in the excitement of the big black horse.

"Can you believe this?" Ashleigh asked, herding everyone out to run down to the Breeders' Cup, including Ann. "It's like a dream."

Cindy caught sight of Josie riding high on Warrior as the colt glided back to the grandstand. He was covered in dirt and streaked in sweat, but he was the best out there, and everyone knew it. Yes, it is like a dream, Cindy though to herself. But at the same time it hadn't gone at all how she had expected. At that thought, Cindy stiffened her lips and shook her head, refusing to give in to the tears that had come after Joy's loss. Then she wiped at her eyes and followed down to the winner's circle and to the big black within.