Willow King Read online

  Katie climbed the stairs two at a time. Her heart was beating in triple time. She reached Mr. Ellis’s reserved table just as the horses were being loaded into the gate. Her mother reached over and patted her arm.

  “Quit shaking, dear. Everything’s going to be fine,” Mrs. Durham said.

  Katie smiled and gave her a hug. “I hope so. This is what we’ve been waiting for, Mom.” She laughed nervously. An awful lot depended on this race. Her mom had been working so hard to keep the farm’s taxes paid. And Katie herself had given up Jester for so long. All for this one moment.

  Katie truly believed that King was a champion. She’d believed in him from the first moment she’d laid eyes on him, even with those pitifully deformed legs. No one but Katie had been able to see into his heart and spirit. No one else had wanted to give him a chance.

  For Katie, the winning wasn’t really about the money. In her heart, she knew it was about something much more important. King had to win!

  She spotted Mr. Caldwell sitting several tables down from her and resisted the urge to make a face at him.

  “The last horse is being loaded in the gate for this year’s running of the Portland Downs Futurity,” the track announcer called.

  “And they’re off!”

  King broke from his outside post position and dropped down to the inner part of the track. High Tide, the weaker half of the Caldwell entry, was on the inside rail, running next to him.

  “That’s good,” John said. “At least we’re not trapped on the rail with no place to run.”

  Raging Wind had taken the lead, and King was running fifth, next to High Tide. “How come he’s so far back?” Katie asked.

  “He’s sitting just where I want him,” John replied. “With that missed race, this colt’s not fit enough to go out there on the engine and set blistering fractions. Let Caldwell’s horse do that, and when he tires, we’ll catch him in the homestretch.”

  The horses thundered down the backstretch, and King moved up in position, gaining on the lead horse with each stride of his powerful legs.

  “That’s it, King!” Katie shouted as he moved into third place. Her adrenaline was pumping so hard that she felt she was going to faint.

  “Raging Wind is hanging on to his lead. Flaggstaff and Willow King have moved up to challenge as they enter the last turn on the way to the homestretch.” The announcer’s voice boomed throughout the building.

  “High Tide is now moving on the inside, coming up to challenge Willow King!”

  A sudden intake of breath from the crowd alerted Katie that something had gone wrong. She stood on tiptoe to see what had happened.

  “High Tide has blown the turn and is taking Willow King to the outside rail with him. It looks like it’s all over for these two colts. Raging Wind is still in the lead as they come out of the turn and head down the homestretch!”

  “No!” Katie shouted as she bolted into the aisle for a better view. King’s jockey was standing in the irons, trying to slow his horse enough to duck in behind the drifting Caldwell horse. Katie gasped as King appeared to trip over the other colt’s hind legs, but he righted himself and surged back into the race, his long stride eating up the ground beneath him. He had already lost many lengths on the other horses, but his heart wouldn’t let him quit.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Willow King has freed himself from the tangle and is back in the race!” the voice from the microphone blared.

  “Look at him go!” Katie jumped up and down and pounded on Jason’s back. “Here he comes!”

  The crowd went wild as Willow King made a valiant effort to catch the leader. He roared down the homestretch, nostrils flaring and hooves churning the dirt. With a sixteenth of a mile to go, he caught Raging Wind, and the two horses ran neck and neck to the finish line.

  “It’s a photo finish!” the announcer said. “Hold all tickets for the results.”

  Katie ran down the stairs, pushing past Orlin Caldwell at the door.

  “Watch it, little girl,” he growled menacingly. “You wouldn’t want to get hurt.”

  Katie turned to face him. “I’m not afraid of you.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I know that was no accident out there on the last turn. You don’t deserve to win this race. You don’t deserve a horse as good as Raging Wind!” She turned and bolted out the door, running to catch Willow King.

  King trotted back to the winner’s circle. The jockey removed his goggles and spoke to them. “It was so close, I’m not even sure who got it. Regardless of who wins, this is one fine horse. He gave it everything he had.”

  Both riders of the photo-finish horses stayed in the saddle, circling their mounts as they waited for the results. The neon sign that announced the inquiry went out, and a murmur arose from the crowd as they waited for the winner’s number to be posted on the board. The number nine was put first, and King’s jockey stood in the stirrups, his crop held victoriously over his head in a salute.

  “We did it!” Jason grabbed her and whirled her around in a circle. “King won the Futurity!”

  “We won!” she whispered in awe, then jumped up and down, clapping her hands together. “We really, really won!”

  John grabbed King as Katie herded everyone into the winner’s circle. She felt like she was in a dream. One week ago she thought King was going to die, and now she stood posing in the winner’s circle after the Portland Downs Futurity.

  Everyone chattered excitedly as they walked back to the barn, shaking hands and thumping one another on the back. King tossed his head and stepped proudly. Several hundred yards ahead of them, Katie could see Orlin Caldwell leading Raging Wind back to his stall.

  “Katie girl, you take King to the test barn. I’ll send Jason down with his halter and water bucket,” John said.

  She took King and walked to the fenced-in barn, wondering if Raging Wind would be required to give a urine sample. Sometimes they only tested the first-place horse; other times they took the first three. She hoped King would be the only one this time. She didn’t want to see that tall creepy man again. Now that they had won the Futurity, she hoped that he would leave them alone.

  Katie looked up when she heard a car driving down the pavement that separated the barns. It was unusual for there to be a vehicle on the grounds during the races. Only the veterinarians were allowed to have their cars inside the gates at race time. But this was a police car.

  John arrived at the same time as Jason. Both of them showed their identification at the test barn gate, then entered the enclosure.

  “Justice is served!” John said as he picked up the hose and ran the water over King’s steaming body. “They’ve arrested Orlin for allegedly conspiring to tamper with a race.”

  “But how? I know he did it, but we’ve got no proof.” Katie was dumbfounded.

  “Seems he promised that jockey aboard High Tide a piece of the action if he knocked King out of the race. Since we won, Orlin refused to give him a dime. The track stewards were a little suspicious of the race and called that rider to their office to question him. The poor kid got scared and told them everything he knew in return for leniency. Caldwell is busted. I think this will finish his career as a trainer.”

  “But what about Raging Wind? He’s such a good horse. It’s too bad his career has ended, too.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. Caldwell’s no dummy. Even if he goes to jail, he’ll either sell the colt or put him in someone else’s name. We’ll meet up with him again,” John said as he took the metal scraper and wiped the extra water from King’s coat.

  “What about the Derby?” she asked hesitantly.

  “What Derby?” John said with a knowing smile. “You mean the Kentucky Derby? What about it?”

  “Do you think we have a chance at it? Raging Wind was headed to the Derby, and we’ve beat him twice. The race today was only a couple of tenths off the track record. If King could almost fall down and still come within a hair of the record, I’d say that was pretty
good.”

  “But Raging Wind was nominated into that race. You have to pay a lot of money to get into that event,” John explained.

  “How much money?” Katie ran the totals for King’s share of the winner’s purse in her head.

  John unfolded the cooling-out blanket and threw it over King’s back. “More money than this colt has won.”

  Katie was disappointed. She knew King was good. Today’s race had proved how much heart he had. Now she would have to content herself with running him in the smaller races. Maybe someday, one of King’s babies would be able to compete in the Kentucky Derby.

  John broke into her thoughts. “Don’t look so sullen, girl. This horse just ran a heck of a race. You’ve got a lot to be proud of. You two have come a long way together.”

  “You’re right, John.” Katie smiled at him and counted her blessings. King was safe, and their farm was, too. She had a lot to be thankful for.

  The gate to the test barn clanged shut and Mr. Ellis came in. “Congratulations, Katie.” He extended his hand. “The colt ran a great race. Has John told you his surprise yet?”

  She looked to the old trainer. “Surprise? What kind of surprise do you have?”

  The rest of their troop arrived, and John signed them into the restricted area.

  “Let me give you mine first.” Mr. Ellis reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope.

  “What’s this?” Katie said as she ripped it open.

  “Those are Jester’s lease papers. He wasn’t doing so well in Cindy’s care, so I’m giving him back to you a little early,” said Mr. Ellis. “She’ll have to make do with her old horse until she learns how to take responsibility for herself and the animal.”

  “Thank you!” Katie gave the stable owner a big hug. “This day couldn’t be any better.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.” John stepped forward and tipped his hat at a jaunty angle. “I might be able to improve it a bit,” he drawled, trying to drag out the suspense.

  “Come on, John, we’re dying to know!” said Mrs. Durham.

  “Well…,” the old trainer began. “It seems there was this little gal who had a lot of faith in this crooked-legged colt. She worked real hard with him and turned the colt into a great racehorse. She unknowingly inspired a foolish old man to invest some of his retirement savings on the preliminary entry fees for a big race in Kentucky.”

  “You didn’t!” Katie squealed.

  “I did.” John shut off the hot-walker and gave King a sip of water. “Get over here and pat the horse that’s taking us all to the Kentucky Derby.”

  “I can’t believe it!” Katie moved on shaky legs toward the walker.

  “We’re going to the Derby.” The words tumbled from her lips in a barely discernible whisper.

  Jason placed a supporting arm around Katie’s shoulders. “Not only are we going to the Derby, but I just know we’re going to win that race!”

  “Not so fast there, lad,” John cautioned. “Katie and King have come a long way, and they’ve accomplished something they can be proud of. King is a great horse, and I think he’s got a shot at the Derby, but it won’t be an easy race. You’re talking about going against the best horses in the world.”

  “John’s right,” Mr. Ellis said. “You’ll be up against the best Thoroughbreds the sport has to offer. Only one horse can win, but it’s an honor just to be in that company.”

  Katie weighed her thoughts. She knew in her heart that King could do it. He was destined to be a champion. But with all the trouble they’d had just getting him to this race, would they be able to pull together and make it to the Kentucky Derby? A shadow of doubt floated across her mind. She turned her eyes to John.

  “Do you think we can do it, John?” Katie held her breath, waiting for his answer. Old John always knew what was best. She trusted his judgment; he hadn’t let her down yet.

  John smiled his proud, encouraging smile. “I think you can do anything you set your mind to, Katie girl.” He looked her straight in the eye and patted her shoulder. “Follow your dreams, lassie.”

  Katie hugged the old trainer, then turned and threw her arms around Willow King’s neck, whispering to the eager colt.

  “We’ll give it our best, won’t we, boy?”

  Just then the opening chords of Jason’s favorite song drifted out from a radio in the test barn office.

  “I’d say this calls for a celebration dance,” Jason said as he held out his hand to Katie.

  Katie looked at his hand, then into Jason’s eyes. He held her gaze, and she could feel him willing her to accept his offer. She looked around at all the others standing there. She wanted this dance so badly. She knew it by heart, but if she messed it up, all the people she loved the most would witness her clumsiness.

  King nickered and shoved her with his nose, as if to push her toward Jason. In the seconds that everyone waited to see if she would accept the invitation, the last few years flashed before Katie’s eyes. She remembered how valiantly King had fought for his life on the day he was born and all the courage and determination he had showed since then. How could she do any less?

  And if she messed up…?

  She looked into the faces of the people surrounding her. These people loved her no matter what. If she fell down, they would pick her up, and she would go on and try again. King had taught her that. Why had it taken so long for her to figure it out?

  She smiled and placed her hand in Jason’s waiting palm. He moved her into the sweetheart position and guided her into the opening steps of the dance. For the next two minutes, Katie blocked out everything except the foot patterns and the glow of affection on Jason’s face.

  She didn’t even realize the song had ended until everyone clapped. She was still on her feet, and Jason still had all his toes, so she must have done it right. She blinked back the burn of tears. She had done it. She had really done it!

  King tossed his head and whinnied. Katie patted his damp neck. “Thanks for the lesson, boy.” She dried her eyes on his blanket before she turned to face her family and friends. Jason gave her a wink, and Katie smiled warmly at him. She wasn’t good at giving speeches, but everyone was looking at her so expectantly.

  “W-well…,” she stammered. “I hope everybody likes roses and mint juleps, because we are going to the Kentucky Derby!”

  A cheer erupted from the group, and King snorted and danced around at the end of his lead line. Katie placed a steadying hand on his halter. “Easy, King. You’d best save your energy. We’ve got a date for the first Saturday in May. Let’s go show Kentucky what we’re made of!”

  author’s note

  The Thoroughbred breed is only a little over 200 years old. Today all registered Thoroughbred horses, known as “hot bloods” because of their high spirits, can trace their ancestries back to three Arabian sires. These three sires were crossed with workhorses and then successive generations were refined and crossbred to achieve a horse that was capable of great speeds.

  In 1894, the Jockey Club was established to register these horses. There are approximately 37,000 new Thoroughbreds registered per year, with a total of 430,000 currently registered with the Jockey Club. The only colors eligible for registration are bay, chestnut, sorrel, dark brown, and gray. The registry did away with the registering of black-and-white horses a few years ago, as it was felt that those colors were covered under dark brown and gray. There are no palominos or buckskins in this breed. Not long ago, “crop-outs” (paint horses that come out of two registered Thoroughbred parents due to recessive genes) could be registered, but they were not allowed to breed. Today they aren’t even allowed in the registry.

  Most Thoroughbreds stand an average of 16 hands and weigh roughly 1200 pounds. They are known as the fastest breed on earth, with the exception of the quarter horse, which is the fastest horse at distances of a quarter-mile or less. Thoroughbreds are used in the show ring as hunters, jumpers, and dressage horses, and also as steeplechasers. But they are most famous fo
r racing. The Triple Crown and the Breeder’s Cup series are America’s most famous horse races.

  For more information visit www.equineonline.com.

  about the author

  CHRIS PLATT has been riding horses since she was two years old. At the age of sixteen, she earned her first gallop license at a racetrack in Salem, Oregon. Several years later, she became one of the first women jockeys in that state. Chris has also trained Arabian endurance horses and driven draft horses. After earning a journalism degree from the University of Nevada in Reno, she decided to combine her love of horses with her writing. Chris lives in Nevada with her husband, six horses, three cats, a parrot, and a potbellied pig. Her previous books include the award-winning MOON SHADOW, STORM CHASER, WILLOW KING, RACE THE WIND, and many books in the popular THOROUGHBRED series.

  All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 1998, 2010 by Chris Platt

  Cover illustration copyright © 2010 by Paul Bashem

  Cover design by Loraine M. Joyner

  ISBN: 978-1-4976-3892-1

  This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.

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