Stealing the Night

Chapter 12|Preakness|

1. International Charmer 10/1

2. It'salongstory 50/1

3. Night Fury 6/1

4. Oni Pegasus 7/1

5. Dark Intentions 8/1

6. Dubai Story 5/1

7. Countless Dominus 12/1

8. King Alexander 3/1

9. Got Golt 6/1

10. River Ten 10/1

11. Iron Wonder 30/1

12. Kantharos Heart 50/1

13. Chelsea Grace 8/5

~15 minutes to post~

I wasn't as nervous as I usually was about the race which was strange. Something felt different. 

I stood in the middle of the paddock, studying Fury and Mud Pie. 

"They look very good today." Cam says nodding his head. 

"Very." I repeat.

I glance over to see Chelsea Grace. She looked ready to run, and I began to doubt my colts. 

"Riders Up!"

I give Tommy a leg up onto Fury while Cam gives Madison a leg up onto Mud Pie. 

"Good luck." I say to Tommy and slap his thigh. 

He nods his head, and I watch them exit the paddock. I ran to the owners box to watch the race.

~Tommy's POV~

We warmed up our horses.The greatest I asked from Fury was a easy trot. 

We approached the gate with two minutes to post. Like usual, the time ran out before everyone was loaded in. 

While we waited in the gates, Chelsea reared, and Gary dismounted. 

The track vet looked her over and gave her the OK.

Gary mounted again, and Chelsea was loaded back into the gate. Then, we were all in line.

RING!

Fury shot out of the gate and had a much better start than he did in the Derby. Like always, Chelsea and Mud Pie shot to the lead. I settled Fury in the pocket where he would be at a nice easy pace and could save up his energy. I held Fury back and wouldn't let him push him self so early in the race, but Mud Pie on the other hand was running like he had entered the stretch and was fighting or a head bobbing finish over Chelsea. I knew the horse would tire, and Madison was stupid for pushing him like that.

We entered the back stretch and Fury was still galloping at a nice, easy, and steady pace. He felt good and seemed like he was a just waiting for him to open up. 

Mud Pie and Chelsea got faster and faster slowly breaking away from the field. 

We entered the final turn, and I squeal kissed. Fury flicked his ears and quickened his pace. When we turned for home, I changed his lead, and he opened up. We chased the fading Mud Pie down in a heart beat, but Chelsea was too far ahead to try to chase down; therefore I eased Fury across the wire fast enough to beat Got Gold. There was no point in pushing a horse you know won't catch up to the leader. 

Chelsea won by 10 lengths, and of course Madison was mad that Fury beat Mud Pie and her. 

I trotted Fury over to John who washed him down and placed her cooler on him. Mud Pie was untacked and washed down next to us, and Madison was red. 

"He had a late charge, Tommy." John says. 

"I know..." 

"I think he could have caught that filly." He says patting Fury on the shoulder.

"Me too. He beat Mud Pie tho. Pretty good for a horse that came in last place in the Derby."

"You got lucky, Tommy." Mdison spits and walks away. 

I just shake my head and follow her to the jockey's room from a safe distance. 

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Sorry for the short chapters, guys! But thanks again for reading :)