Ten minutes later, Hank and Buffy were in their truck on their long ride back to their ranch. Buffy gave her father the silent treatment for the first hour of the trip and Hank was about to give up on getting her to talk when she finally spoke up.

"I can't believe that you are doing this Daddy. Racing has never been our thing. Its always been the school and jumping." she said in a huff, not looking at her father but staring out the window.

Hank looked over at his daughter. It broke his heart to see her like this. It wasn't that she was mad about getting into the racing business. It was because she could never jump again, and it had nothing to do with her wrist. That would heal according to the doctors and she could jump again if she choose to. But she wouldn't because of the accident and what caused it. And the horse that died because of it. She blamed herself for her beloved horse's death and kept beating herself up over it. He had hoped that getting involved in horse racing would take her mind off it. But it seems that it just made things worse.

"Sweetie, we will still have the school. Its just me and your mother think that its time to get involved with something new. And racing has always be a option for us, you know that." he said, looking back at the road. It would be a long ride home.

Buffy sighed and studied the bandage on her wrist, blocking out the memories of her accident, "Yes but with the Giles?"

"Rupert Giles is a well known trainer and his son is a respected jockey. He is the one that rode their horse, Ireland's Jewel, in the Triple Crown when he was your sister's age. And Rupert is interested in the school. They are going to come out and see it this weekend. They are going to leave after tomorrow's races."

Buffy's eyes went wide at the mention of having to spend the weekend with Spike. A low groan escaped her lips as she looked at her father, "They are what? You mean that William guy is going to be at our farm…our school for the weekend? I don't believe this."

Hank sighed, "Honey, you might as well get used to the idea. Because its not going to change. We need the money we will get when Sunset starts to race."

Buffy frowned as her father referred to the one horse her parents planned on training to race. Fire Sunset was a two year old that didn't really show any gift in jumping. And his pedigree was too good to turn him into a schooling horse. He's what brought on this whole racing thing. And now it seemed that Rupert Giles would be training him.

"I guess that means that William will be Sunset's rider?"

"Yes, Rupert told me that William rode most of the horses that he trained. And I think it's a wonderful idea. William is a great rider." said Hank, turning on the exit that would take them home, "I mean he really knows how to handle horses. And he has a perfect seat."

Hank continued to go on about all of William's good qualities. Buffy just tuned him out and stared at the passing landscape. Soon she was asleep, due to the painkillers she took to dull the throbbing pain that had begun in her wrist. Hank stopped talking long enough to look over at his sleeping daughter. He smiled at her peaceful look and knew that things would work out. He turned his attention back to the road, hoping to get back to their ranch outside Lexington before it was too late at night.

Meanwhile at Saratoga, Spike was getting ready for his final race for the day. He tugged the purple and gold silk cover over his riding helmet and gathered his crop and headed out to be weighed. His father and the owner of the horse he was riding were waiting for him in the paddock. Spike patted the gelding's neck as his father saddled the horse up. Angel McCormick, the owner, came over to him as he talked quietly to the horse.

"Good luck in the race. I know that you will ride Spectrum here to a win." was his only words before heading to his box seats, where his lady friend waited for him.

Spike stared after him for a moment before looking at his father. Rupert had already given him his instructions and was just getting ready for last minute ones. Spike lifted a eyebrow as his father gave him a leg up, "Dad, you sure about the Summers? I mean the daughter didn't seemed that interested in racing."

"Yes I know. Her father said that it would be hard on her, since show jumping dominated her time until her accident. Hank said that Elizabeth would come around. Now enough of that. There will be time to talk about the Summers tomorrow when we are driving down to their farm. Right now attention is on the race. You know what to do. Good luck." said Rupert as he lead the horse out to the track and the lead rider.

Spike didn't even have time to protest or dwell on the fact of going out to the Summers ranch as his horse pranced onto the dirt track. He vowed silently to corner his father right after this race. The horses pranced through their warm up trot and headed to be loaded in the gate. His horse, Rainbow Spectrum, gave him no trouble loading but the 6 horse kept rearing and it took the officials several minutes to get him in the gate. Soon all 8 horses were loading.

Spike settled himself, rising in the saddle, balancing above Spectrum's withers as he waited for the bell to go off. And it did and they were off. And Spike kneaded his hands along the horse's neck, guiding him to the inside rail where they would get the most speed. Soon they were pulling away from the pack with only one horse keeping pace with his. A quick check under his arms confirmed that it was Parker Abrams and New York Special. A quiet cluck and Spectrum put on a extra burst of speed, pulling away and crossing under the wire to win at two lengths.

After a quick picture in the winner's circle he removed the saddle and went to weigh in before showering. Fresh from the shower he walked to the lounge where his father was waiting. Rupert didn't have anymore horses racing the day so they went back to he's father's apartment. And as they sat in the living room, Spike turned to his father asking the very question Rupert had been dreading.

"What do you mean driving down to their bloody farm? I have races this weekend." he said, taking a sip of his beer.

"No you don't. I scratched Starlight from the fillies race. She isn't ready." said Rupert, following his son with his own sip of beer.

Spike stared at his father, "Bloody hell she isn't ready. She'd blow the field away."

"No she isn't ready. I felt some heat in her left hind leg, she'll be in the pasture this weekend. And Rayne can handle morning workouts. And I want to see the Summers set up and the horse he wants me to train." replied Rupert, placing his beer on the table.

Spike reached for the pack of cigarettes that he kept at the apartment and pulled one out. He ignored his father's dry look as he lit it up. He took a deep drag before speaking, "What horse?"

"He's a colt, name's Fire Sunset. His great grandsire was Seattle Slew. Hank tells me that he would be a great racer, perhaps the next Triple Crown winner, if Galahad doesn't take it this year. He's two and needs training. We can train him and enter him in some late two year old races and get him some experiences before the three year old season starts next year."

"Seattle Slew huh? That puts him in the high marks. And in the bloodline of Secretariat as well. They may have a winner if bloodline proves to be anything." Spike said, thoughtfully as he took another drag, "When do we leave?"

Rupert grinned, knowing all along that his son would come around. He patted his son on the shoulder as he stood up, "Tomorrow after your races. We should get there early Saturday morning."

Spike nodded, "See ya then." He stood up, "I'm going to bed. I'm beat."

Rupert nodded and retreated back to his own room as Spike left, heading to his apartment at the stables. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was asleep.

It was around one in the morning when Hank pulled into the driveway of his ranch style house. Buffy didn't even speak to him as she got out. Grabbing her bag she flounced inside, ignoring Joyce Summer's open arms and her sister's grin. Hank shrugged his shoulders as he gave his wife a kiss and his youngest daughter, Dawn, a hug.

Buffy headed straight to her room and called her best friend, knowing that Willow wouldn't mind being woke up.