Through The Rain and Tears (major revisions)

Chapter Four

-November 8, Santa Anita-

It was now Bubba's sixth start. He has not won once. We finally just shipped him out to the West, cause he was not doing well in any races in the East.

It was the 8th race, 2 year olds who haven't won. Six horses faced him going 5 furlongs.

1. Ride Rain 23/1

2. The Quest 7/1

3. Core of the Apple 4/1

4. Derby Time 10/1

5. Seasons 3/1

6. The Only Prince 50/1

7. Feels Like Spring 2/1

Bubba was the longest shot on the board. Nicole was here as always to ride him. She always said he just loses interest at the top of the stretch. I had an idea.

"Nicole, don't urge him on whatsoever in the stretch." I said and as have me a bewildered look.

"Run that by me again please?" She said.

"Don't do anything to him in the stretch, not hand motions, or whip. Just chirp and kiss to him." I Said and she nodded.

"Got it."

Jack was already in the owners area in the stands to watch Bubba race. He has been fairly disappointed in Bubba's performances recently, especially in his workouts. Bubba has not placed in the money since his maiden at Churchill. I observes the competition and decided that the favorite, Feels Like Spring, was the one to watch. I heard the call for riders up and gave Nicole a leg up, Michael was leading them.

"Watch out for Feels Like Spring guys!" I said and they walked off to the post parade, and I slowly walked to the rail to see it. This was the first time in a long time that I've stood against the rail, to watch a horse I own race

-Nicole's POV-

Prince was energized today, a bit more interested I could say probably. We were breaking from the six stall, right next to the favorite, Feels Like Spring.

We stood behind the gates, waiting to walk in with the gate worker. I looked around at the other horses, and at the stands. Not many people were here, people stopped coming to see Prince race after his third race, where he finished last.

Suddenly Prince started moving and it took me by surprise, but I realized it was a gate worker leading him in and I calmed down. We were the last in and Prince was focused a head, I leaned in and we waited for our way to the track to be clear.

Ring!

The gates opened and Prince got a great start, I lead him to the inside of the pack in fourth. I kept my eye of Feels Like Spring who was in second. This was a sprint so it was going to go by fast. I didn't make any move on Prince though, not yet. I looked behind me to see, Ride Rain, Seasons and Derby Time behind me, right in front of me was Core of the Apple in third, in first was The Quest. I put Prince closer to the rail and waited for the track to straighten. Prince pricked his ears forwards as the stretch came and I chirped to him and he responded I did not push Prince, I just sat there, chirping and kissing to him. He moved up along the rail, he ran last, Core of the Apple, then The Quest who was fading badly, the only horse we had left was Feels Like Spring, and I kissed to Prince and he picked up speed and he caught up with Feels Like Spring who had a two length lead at the top of the stretch but now was head to head with a horse who everyone had given up on. I chirped to him again, the crowd cheered as the two came fly at the finish. We were maybe two hundred yards away from the wire, and Prince had about a nose in front of Feels Like Spring, I kissed to him and his ears pinned as if he was angry about how Feels Like Spring wasn't going away and he put a neck in front which soon became a length as Feels Like Spring started to become discouraged about Prince breaking away from him. Prince and I crossed the wire first! This was Princes first win! I pat his neck and started to slow him up to a trot and turned him back to the stands.

"The Only Prince, your official winner of the eighth, getting his first win by a length and a half over your favorite Feels Like Spring, The Only Prince was the long shot, after six unsuccessful starts."

I stopped at the Winners Circle and Nathan and Jack came running up.

"Haha! Yes! I knew he had it somewhere in him!" Nathan said an kissed Princes nose. Jack pet his neck and lead him in to take the winners photo.

I stood still for a moment as they took the photo then they gave us the good to go and I hopped off. I pat Princes neck and unsaddled him.

"Good boy Prince. You did magnificent!" He snorted and was lead away by Michael who was petting him and giving him peppermints.

"Good job Nicole, you finally got a win out of him." Jack said and looked at Prince for a moment. "Let's hope it's the start of many." He said and hugged me and started after Prince.