The Horse By The Picket Fence

Chapter 16

Hey, everyone, this chapter would be so much better if you could play this song where I say so! Thank you so much!

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I looked at Prince, the grooms had just cleaned him and he looked great. The current odds were:

Kool Kid: 3-1

Chasing Chances: 4-1

Just Joking: 6-1

Mellow Mal:10-1

Calling on Callie: 13-1

Purely Prince: 15-1

Smooth Criminal: 18-1

Prince stood and had the silk put on him, his girth was tightened and he looked good. It was raining out side if it was any other horse it may have bothered me, but Prince was great in the rain. We started to walk him out, the ground was wet and he slipped, my breath hitched in my throat.  

(Play song Now)

Flashback:

This was Kings final race, he looked great, the crowd roared and cheered his name. The rain was falling on the track and I had my umbrella. Teddy was still young but I trusted him to carry King's good name. The announcer was saying a back story of King, I smiled the people loved him. King was walked to the posts, his gold and black colors having water droplets on them. Everyone cheered and call out his name, this was King's final debut. 

The bell sounded and I inched forward in my seat like I did every race. King race out leading in front his neck stretched forward his legs reaching out. A horse came to close to King and I gasped. He made contact with the ground again, but something was not right. He slipped on the wet turf, his leg looked bent. Teddy tried to hold him back but King would not listen he powered on, his leg looking even worse. The crowd grew silent, and watched my King, he was well ahead, but he was in pain. A single tear came from my eye. His eyes showed pain and determination, bravery, I rushed forward the crowd making way. Kings' nostrils flared, Teddy was pulling as hard as he could trying, hoping he would stop. King shook his head his leg hoping as he ran. He crossed the line winning and then he fell. There was nothing they could do.

End of Flashback.

Prince catches himself and stops to look back at me. I was frozen in place.

"Sam?" I hear Teddy.

A hand landed on my shoulder, everyone has stopped to look at me. Something in Teddy's brain clicks.

"He is fine guys keep going."

The grooms give each other a sideward glance but keep walking.

"He caught himself, he is fine," Teddy says.

I nod, and Teddy and I walk faster to catch up.

Brian gives Teddy a leg up and Teddy adjusts his goggles, he gives me one last look before Prince is lead away by Ace. Prince sneaks a look back at me and I mouth to him, 'You are Royal.' He snorts and focuses his attention back on to Ace. Brian and I walk up to the stands. The announcer is calling off the names. I almost expect him to say Came as King, but remember that he is gone.

"Next we have number 1, Purely Prince." 

Prince is loaded into the stall and I hold my breath. Other horses are loaded in and I hear the ring of the bell, scaring me, I thought I would never hear it again. The horses bolt out of the gates The mud from the track is pure slop. It sticks to Prince's legs,  and chest, mud flies behind him. His muscles move in unison, he runs faster.

 Kool Kid is in the front, with Chasing Chances behind him. Prince curls his head in and goes into a faster gear. Teddy waves the crop and Prince runs faster. His eyes scan for someone to out run. Hooves meet the ground with a strong force. The rain beats on him and he runs faster. The crowd starts to cheer, they watch him stretch out. He uses his long stride to his advantage, passing Chasing Chances. Looks like Chance doesn't have any more chances because Prince makes up for the lost ground, coming behind Kool Kid. 

His tail flies behind him his eyes locked on the horse in front of him. There is just enough room for him to squeeze through. Teddy waves the crop again and Prince gives it his all, pouring his heart into his stride. His neck stretches out, Kool Kid is starting to lose ground and the wire is quickly approaching.  Prince's hooves contact with the mud again, the dirt flies behind him, he reaches his nose out and passes the wire winning his first race. Kool Kid comes behind him and the start to slow down. 

Prince whinnies out, and the crowd cheers. I start jumping down the bleachers to the winner circle. The Megatron shows my smiling face. Brian laughs and follows me and I sprint to my horse. He trots over to me and I laugh. Teddy hops off and I rub Prince's nose. The trophy is handed to me and I wave it up and down the crowd cheers and Prince looks up, his brown eyes scan the crowds, he whinnies and they cheer louder. I smile and we walk out, the announcer saying how unlikely his win was. I pat Prince's neck and we walk toward the barn. Teddy walks behind us and once Prince is in his stall I give him a hug.

"We did it!"

I set him down, his large smile mirrors mine.

"Yeah, we did."

Brian walks in his notebook is open and he is scribbling something.

"Where to next?"

Brian looks up and smiles.

"He is two, we should take him to Front Runner Stakes."

I nod, King once raced there and it would be a good shot for Prince, the track was a little longer, but he had a shot. Prince proved his point today, never underestimate him. He looks out of his stall, his eyes shine. He leans his head down and I stroke his nose. He blows warm air out of his nose. I run my hands through his mane and his eyes get droopy. Other horses walk in their trainers giving me a nod a smile back. Prince looks up and some trainers stare. He snorts and they walk back to their horses. I realize we are a team, ever since I was little I wanted a horse like King and Prince, I was lucky to find them both.

================================================================================Hey everyone!  What did you guys think? Tell me in the comments. I am so happy for Prince and Sam! Please vote and comment so I know you liked if.

~Luckypaws13