14.
Samantha and Cindy stood outside of Shining's paddock, watching the beautiful red roan mare graze peacefully on the dead grass and supplied hay. The mare had calmed down considerably since Samantha had brought her home from the track. Cindy knew that after a race horse was retired they needed several weeks to figure out full time farm life. Shining would never set foot on a track again, but so far she seemed to be enjoying it.
"She looks beautiful, Sammy," Cindy smiled, looking over at her sister, who had her long, red hair curling around her face in big clumps.
"She does," Samantha nodded, sighing pleasantly and rubbing her arms through her corduroy and flannel jacket. It had warmed up slightly in Kentucky over the past few weeks, but both girls couldn't wait to get back to Santa Anita, when Glory would run in the Big Cap, and bask in the warm weather.
Shining had recently been transferred to the broodmare barn, earning a spot next to her sister, Ashleigh's Wonder. Cindy looked at the red roan mare and marveled at what she had come through. When Cindy had first come to Whitebrook she remembered seeing pictures of the mare's decrepit state - the filly had been nearly all skin and bones, with a horrible case of lice. Samantha had nursed the mare back to health and turned her into a champion race mare, a feat that was hard to accomplish.
"I wonder when Ashleigh will get back with Wonder and Goddess," Cindy wondered aloud, thinking about the two mares that Ashleigh had taken to Edgewood just a few hours ago.
"I bet she'll be back soon," Samantha said, looking down at the driveway of the farm. "Those two were Dominion's only mares to breed today, or so Ashleigh told me."
Cindy turned and walked with Samantha down to the yearling paddocks, eager to watch the colts and fillies play. As they walked down the tall fence, Cindy could already see Champion's dark chestnut coat shimmering like mahogany in the brilliant afternoon sun.
"He's really filling out for a yearling," Samantha commented, watching Champion snort and prance through the herd of yearlings, snaking out his head to nip at a few of the fillies. "He definitely doesn't look like Wonder's son. He's so big compared to her."
Cindy smiled, watching the colt she had named kick into an easy gallop and cruise to the fence, curious about his visitors. The dark colt came to a trembling halt next to the fence, whinnying shrilly at Cindy and Samantha.
"Oh, you," Cindy smiled, reaching up and patting the colt's forehead, running her hand down his white blaze. "You're already teaching all those yearlings where their place is, aren't you?"
Champion anxiously pulled his head out of Cindy's grasp and wheeled, taking off back to the other side of the paddock, cutting through grazing yearlings as he did.
"He has the attention span of a fly," Samantha laughed. "It's going to be hard to train him."
"Mike and I are already trying to get him to respond to some signals," Cindy said, updating Samantha on what she had missed on the farm while she was in Santa Anita. "But, so far he's been unreceptive."
"He's smart, though," Samantha said, watching the chestnut buck and play with another colt, picking up a brief race down the fence. "Wonder's foals are always smart."
"I hope he has patience, though," Cindy said, shaking her head as the colt became interested in a group of fillies, suddenly pulling up and going after a pretty bay. Cindy could only laugh and shake her head. "I hope he isn't too studish!"
Just then, a honk startled Cindy from the fence. It was Ashleigh and Mike, back from Edgewood.
"Lets see how the mares came out of it," Samantha suggested, pushing away from the fence and jogging up to the driveway between the mare and stud barns. Cindy followed quickly, following her sister up to the gravel lot.
The trailer parked in front of the mare's barn and Ashleigh jumped out of the cab, a grin spread over her face.
"So," Samantha asked. "How did it go?"
"That stallion is a prince," Ashleigh said. "I've never seen such a well-mannered stud in the breeding shed. Wonder and Goddess came out of the breeding in prime shape."
Mike chuckled, jumping out of the cab and walking to the back of the trailer, lowering the ramp. "Ashleigh is so excited she wants to breed more horses to Dominion. Of course, that would be a little pricey."
Cindy frowned, looking at Ashleigh with furrowed eyebrows.
"Dominion's stud fee is 110,000 dollars," Ashleigh sighed, smiling. "But, it's worth it if these guys produce what I think they will."
Ashleigh grinned, looking back at Wonder, whom Mike was holding outside of the trailer. The chestnut mare nickered at Ashleigh and shook her honey chestnut mane, arching her neck proudly.
"When will we know if she's pregnant?" Cindy asked, walking up and patting the mare's neck as Mike led Fleet Goddess down the ramp, turning the dark bay, almost black mare around to lead up next to Wonder.
"In a few days we'll get them both tested," Ashleigh said, patting Wonder's broad forehead lovingly.
"Hey, Ashleigh?" Ann called, walking around the broodmare barn. Cindy turned around and frowned at the older girl, wondering what she could want. She still hadn't forgiven Ann for losing on Glory, even if she had been acting as civil as she could toward her.
"Yeah?" Ashleigh asked, giving Wonder's lead shank to Samantha.
"Felipe Aragon is on the phone for you in the training barn office. He says it's urgent."
"Oh," Ashleigh frowned, walking past Ann. "Thanks."
Cindy frowned, watching Ann come up and pat Fleet Goddess' white marked forehead fondly.
"What did he want?" Cindy asked, glowering at the older girl.
"He didn't say," Ann said, turning to look at Cindy and frowning back, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Let's get the mares back in the barn," Mike suggested, turning Fleet Goddess and leading the beautiful young mare into the dimly lit barn, walking her into her stall near the door. Cindy frowned and watched Ashleigh jog into the training barn, disappearing in the dark shadows of the stable.
Later that afternoon, Cindy and Samantha were sitting in the breeding manager's office, looking at several stud farm web pages and picking out the stallions they liked best for Shining.
"Oh, what about Cryptoclearance," Samantha said, pointing at the big dark brown stud. "He's had several colts in the classic races. I bet he'd be great for Shining."
"Who's he had in the classics?" Cindy asked, moving the mouse to click on the link to see his most distinguished progeny.
"Victory Gallop, Millennium Wind..." Samantha shrugged. "Big runners, in any case. Victory Gallop got an eclipse award at four."
"When are they holding the eclipse award dinners this year?" Cindy asked, remembering that Glory was nominated in two categories, Champion three-year-old colt, and Horse of the Year. Cindy clicked with the mouse, going to a new stallion, staring at the computer. "It's later than usual."
"It'll be held in a couple of weeks," Samantha shrugged. "Although, I bet Glory gets awards in both the categories he's entered in."
"I bet Shining will, too," Cindy said, looking at her sister happily. "She did great last year, and with the win in the Distaff and wins against colts, she's a sure winner for best mare."
Samantha nodded, stopping Cindy at the Claiborne web page. "Let's take a look around here," she suggested. "I'm interested in Unbridled also."
"What are you two doing?" Laurie Pierce asked, leaning in the doorway, her hands on her hips.
Samantha looked up and smiled at Ann's mother, "Looking at some breeding prospects for Shining."
"Oh?" Laurie walked into her office, glancing at the computer screen. "What names do we have so far?"
"Cryptoclearance, Storm Cat, Seattle Slew, Brushed Blue, and Chance Remark," Cindy said, reading off the list. "I think we're about to add Unbridled."
"Who's the most likely?" Laurie asked, perching herself on the corner of her large oak desk. "I heard Chance Remark was going to be the lucky one."
"He is," Samantha admitted. "I'm just looking at all the possibilities, though."
"That's a good way of going about things," Laurie nodded. "I mentioned Dominion for Wonder and Fleet Goddess based on their pedigrees. I think Chance Remark is a fine match for Shining."
Cindy nodded to herself, still excited about the prospect of two Dominion foals running rampant on their farm. She wasn't sure at the beginning if she would like having more horses like In Shadows on the farm, but if Goddess and Wonder were concerned Cindy was sure she would love it. She hoped she would get the chance to name both foals, since she had been dubbed the name giver of all the new foals born on the farm.
"Actually, Ashleigh wanted me to send both of you guys to the training office," Laurie said, standing up. "I think she's come to a decision about Shadow and Glory."
Cindy jumped up as though she had been shocked. "She came to a decision?"
Laurie nodded. "I think so. She wants to tell everyone at the same time."
"Come on, Sammy," Cindy said, grabbing her sister's hand and practically pulling her out of the leather chair. "We've got to go. Thanks for letting us use your computer, Mrs. Pierce."
"Sure," Laurie laughed, watching Cindy plow out of the office, dragging Samantha behind her.
Cindy jogged down the training barn aisle and skidded to a stop in the training office doorway, looking inside nervously. Mike, Ian, Ashleigh, and Ann were sitting, talking casually.
"Hey, Cindy," Ashleigh greeted, smiling at the young girl. "Sit down. I've got some news to report."
Cindy slunk into the office and lowered herself into a chair. Samantha followed, plopping down on an old chest, looking at Ashleigh expectantly.
"Okay," Ashleigh said, taking a big breath. "Felipe Aragon called me a few hours ago and we had a great chat."
"What did he say?" Cindy interrupted, fidgeting in her chair, playing with her nails.
Ashleigh shushed her and continued. "Unfortunately for the On A Whim camp, their colt has come down with a pretty serious virus."
Cindy frowned, reacting to the news as Samantha groaned, shaking her head.
"Is it really bad?" Samantha asked, scowling deeply.
"They think he'll get over it," Ashleigh said, sighing and shrugging her shoulders lightly. "However, the facts are that On A Whim isn't going to be racing in the Santa Anita Derby. Felipe called to tell me that he was free to ride Glory."
"Yes!" Cindy cried, perking up and sitting tall in her chair. "That means Glory has every chance to win!"
Ann glanced at Cindy and frowned, turning to look at Ashleigh again.
"Yes," Ashleigh said. "That does give Glory an advantage."
"There's more news than that, though," Mike added, urging Ashleigh to report the other half.
"I've also made some decisions with Glory and Shadow," Ashleigh said, looking down, trying not to look Cindy in the eye.
"What?" Cindy asked, breathless. She could sense the tension rising in the room and she desperately wanted it to end. "What have you decided?"
"I've reviewed the races for both the colts to be entered in," Ashleigh said, frowning and playing with one of her fountain pens. "I just don't think it's fair to enter Shadow in the San Carlos or the New Orleans Handicaps as a way to dodge Glory. Both of those races insult his talent as a racer."
"What?" Samantha said, surprised. Cindy frowned, shaking her head in disbelief.
"I've already entered both Glory and Shadow in the Santa Anita Handicap," Ashleigh said. "It's the only thing I could do to be fair to them both."
Cindy's jaw dropped in shock, staring at Ashleigh as though she had just said she was giving Glory to the Townsends to own and train. She couldn't believe what was happening.
"Felipe will ride Glory and Ann will ride Shadow," Ashleigh said, shrugging. "I didn't want it to wind up like this, Cindy. It was the only option available to me."
"Right!" Cindy snorted, standing up in a fury. "You had always meant to enter Shadow in the Big Cap. How else would you be able to make up the money you spent on him!"
"Cindy!" Ian yelled, using his disciplinary voice. "Sit down!"
"No!" Cindy cried, shaking her head, tears coming to her eyes. "Everyone in this room wants Shadow to beat Glory, otherwise you would've have entered them in the same race. You want a Whitebrook horse to win and since Glory isn't completely a Whitebrook horse, he isn't good enough for you!"
"Cindy!" Samantha called, grabbing her sister's arm. "Calm down, that's not how it is at all!"
"Yes it is!" Cindy said, staring at Ashleigh hard. "Only I had faith in Glory. Everyone else thought he was nothing up until he won the Classic! But then, you all probably think that was a fluke!"
"Cindy," Ashleigh said, her voice dead calm. "I've had enough of this. I do not play favorites in this barn."
"Right," Cindy spouted again, tears falling down her face. "You do to."
"Cindy," Ashleigh said, frowning. "We all know Glory is one of the best we have ever had, but I have to be fair here."
"You aren't being fair," Cindy cried, her voice rising, looking at Ashleigh as though the older woman had betrayed her. "You just want your precious Dominion colt to win."
"Cindy!" Ashleigh said, standing up and staring Cindy down. "If you want to continue this barrage of insults and childishness you can leave my office."
Cindy stood there in front of Ashleigh, quivering from head to toe, but not out of fear. She was so angry she could've punched the old hickory desk and felt nothing. Silently, she spun on her heel and strode out of the office, slamming the door behind her.
"Whoa," Heather said the next day at school. "What's wrong?"
"I really don't want to talk about it," Cindy scowled, throwing her books in her locker and pulling out others, slamming them in her backpack.
"Something to do with Glory, or Ann?" Heather guessed, watching her best friend fling her backpack over her shoulders and shut the locker door with a bang, making people around her jump.
"Yes," Cindy growled, feeling a sudden urge to kick the locker door until she made a nice dent in the metal side.
"What's going on," Heather asked, jogging to catch up with Cindy as they walked to their next class together.
"Ashleigh is being..." Cindy groaned and stamped her foot against the floor, longing to hit something to release the energy that was coiling through her.
"What did she do," Heather asked, finally grabbing Cindy's shoulder and stopping her outside of their class.
"She entered Shadow in Glory's race," Cindy spouted suddenly. "She doesn't want Glory to win and neither does anyone else."
"How can you say that!" Heather said, pulling Cindy further from the door before half the class could hear their conversation. "You know Ashleigh isn't like that."
"I was the only one who cared about Glory," Cindy insisted. "At the very beginning no one had any faith in him. I stood by him and now they're stabbing me in the back."
"That's insane," Heather said, shaking her head. "That's probably not what's happening."
"How do you know?" Cindy hissed, pulling her arm out of Heather's grasp. She frowned as she stared into their class. It was the last class of the day and she couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm going home," Cindy told Heather.
"How are you going to do that? Ian and Beth aren't going to be happy." Heather frowned, watching Cindy carefully.
"I'll just walk home," Cindy said, folding her arms and walking down the hallway, back to her locker. "I've got to think about this."
"How are you going to do that?" Heather called. "You live miles outside of Lexington!"
"I'll find a way to get home," Cindy demanded, stubbornly shaking her head.
"Cindy," Heather jogged after her. "You can't just do that! Come on. It's only one more hour and then you can come home with me for a little while. You can tell me everything."
Cindy shook her head, opening up her locker. "No."
"Then ride the bus home," Heather said. "You can't just walk! Think about it and just calm down. This isn't the end of the world."
Suddenly Cindy sighed and pressed her forehead against the cool metal of her locker, closing her eyes. She was so tired. Crying all night and refusing to eat had zapped all her energy and she no longer felt like being stubborn.
"I'm such a fool," she groaned, shaking her head. She looked over at Heather, who was watching her with a concerned gaze.
"You're right," Cindy sighed, shrugging, letting Heather lead her back to the room. The hallways were cleared and they were obviously late, but Cindy didn't care. She was more worried about Glory.
As she sat through the class, not paying attention at all, she thought about everything, going over the problem in her head. She didn't understand why Ashleigh would do this to her, to Glory, after they had proven themselves time after time. Glory was the best race horse in the world, and Ashleigh was throwing Shadow against him just because of money and recognition. Ashleigh just wanted more of the million dollar purse money and fame for Whitebrook.
Cindy scowled, suddenly realizing that she had no reason to be upset. If Glory was the best race horse in the world, Shadow wouldn't be able to compete against him. Glory won the Classic by thirty-one lengths, she reminded herself. Shadow would never be able to do that in all his years of racing.
Cindy sat up, renewed and sure of herself again. There was no way Shadow could beat Glory in the Santa Anita Handicap. Cindy smiled to herself, beginning to doodle in her notebook, suddenly happy. Glory would be victorious at Santa Anita. She just knew it.