Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Thank you wjm and Keniichi for reviewing chapter 3.

Chapter 4

Kenshin starts racing.

It's March 12th and it's the day of the Gotham stakes. Lita is helping Nick tack Kenshin. She put on the violet bridle on Kenshin and he looks great. Howard is in the male jockeys locker room. He's getting changed into Nobody's Perfect Farms blue green silks. After getting changed the young man went to go find his parents. Howard found his mom watching Nick walk Kenshin around the walking ring. Soon someone said "Riders up." Nick held Kenshin and Howard got on his back. Then Nick said "Rocket Fuel is the speed. Watch out for Abyss and keep Kenshin until the turn for home." Howard nodded and rode toward the track.

Lit said "Come on dear let's go bet on Kenshin." They went to the betting window. Nick got out some money and said "40 dollars to win on Kenshin in the Gotham Stakes." The lady laughed and asked "Are you nuts he's a maiden?" Nick smiled and said "No I'm not nuts I believe in my horse." The lady gave Nick a ticket then he and Lita went to the grandstand. Lita looked at the betting odds board and said "Kenshin is the 80 to 1 long shot." Just then the announcer said "Here are the horses for the Gotham Stakes. Number 1 is Rocket Fuel, Number 2 is Handsome Man, Number 3 is Kenshin, Number 4 is Clever Fox, Number 5 is Abyss, and Number6 is Flying High."

The horses warmed up then headed to the starting gate. Soon all six colts are in the starting gate. Since Howard has ridden in grade 2 races before so he isn't nervous. Just then the gate slammed open and all six colts ran out. Rocket Fuel took the lead followed by Flying High, Kenshin, Handsome Man, Abyss, and Clever Fox. The horses ran down the backstretch. Since the race is only 8.5 furlongs they only go around one turn. At the turn for home Kenshin, Abyss, and Clever Fox made their moves. Abyss and Kenshin are battling for the lead. Clever Fox is right behind them and gaining ground.

Howard can see the finish line. So he crouched lower and yelled "Come on Kenshin let's win this race!" Kenshin changed leads and crossed the finish line a length in front. A lot of the crowd can't believe a running in his first race has won. Two hours later Howard and his family are celebrating. They are going to stay at Aqueduct until after the Wood Memorial. Then they'll go home for a while. Since Kenshin did so well that Nick entered him in the Wood Memorial. He is going to let Kenshin rest for a while. Then put him back into training. Lita called to check on how things are going at the farm. It's foaling season and mares are giving birth.

After Lita was done using the cell phone. Nick took the phone and called to nominate Kenshin for the Kentucky Derby. Nick plans on lightly training Kenshin for a week and half. Then he'll heavily train the colt until five days before the race. It's six days before the race and Howard is going to breeze Kenshin six furlongs. The track is no longer muddy but Kenshin doesn't seem to care. Just then Howard said "Let's go Kenshin." Kenshin snorted and breezed six furlongs in 1:10 flat. Every time Kenshin breezes he get anywhere from 1:12 to 1:10 flat. Which is very good for six furlongs. Now Kenshin will be cooled down, given a bath, and rest until the race.

It's April 9th today is the day of the Wood Memorial. Lita and Nick are in the paddock tacking Kenshin. The little red chestnut has his violet bridle on. Even though Kenshin is full grown he's only 15.6 hands tall. Soon Howard came out and found his dad. This time Lita is walking Kenshin around the walking ring. Howard said "I looked at Kenshin's betting odds." Nick nodded and asked "Oh yeah what are the odds on Kenshin?" The young man said "He's 60 to 1 at least he's not the longest shot on the board." Soon the horses are on the track. And Lita and Nick are in the grandstand. The announcer said "Here are the horses for the Wood Memorial. Number 1 is Rocket Fuel, Number 2 is Kenshin, Number 3 is Clever Fox, Number 4 is Abyss, Number 5 is Keno, and Number 6 Flying High."

Now Howard is a little nervous. The Wood Memorial is a grade 1 and he hasn't ridden in a grade 1 before. Plus this is the first time Kenshin will go around two turns. Soon all six colts are off and running. Rocket Fuel had the lead followed by Keno, Kenshin, Abyss, Clever Fox, and Flying High. The colts ran down the home stretch and turned onto the back stretch. Now Rocket Fuel and Keno have the lead. Followed by Kenshin, Abyss, Flying High, and Clever Fox. At the turn for home Kenshin and Abyss made their moves. Down the home stretch the two colts battled for the lead. But Howard saw the finish line and yelled "Give me what you got Kenshin!"

The colt changed leads and crossed the finish line two lengths in font. Three hours later Howard and his family are on their way home. They are going home for a little while then be on the road again. They all know that in order to get into the Kentucky Derby Kenshin needs enough earnings. In two races he's earned $950,000 dollars. To be on the safe side Nick has entered Kenshin in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes. Two days later they arrived at home. The stable hands cheered as Nick unloaded Kenshin. A week later Lita, Nick, and Howard are heading for Lexington Kentucky. Kenshin is in the trailer sleeping soundly.

So far the best colt in the country is Tiz Storming. The same horse that fought with and injured Kenshin as a two year old. Nick has been keeping an eyes on Tiz Storming. He visits on the Internet. The ma has seen that Tiz Storming is going to be in the Kentucky Derby. The best filly in the country Quiet Song is ready for the Kentucky Oaks. Soon they arrived at Keenland in Lexington Kentucky. Nick plans on letting Kenshin rest then breezing him before the race. Kenshin has some of his sire's old fans. Because he looks and runs like Smarty Jones. It's April 23rd today is the day of the Coolmore Lexington Stakes. Kenshin is number 5 of a six horse field.

Two hours later Howard and his family are celebrating Kenshin's win. Now Kenshin has more than enough earnings to get into the Kentucky Derby.

Coming soon chapter 5 A country in need of a hero.