Book #1 from series

A Chance For Devil's Dream

Chapter One

The wind blew the mane of the magnificent horse into his rider's face, but she couldn't care a bit. All she cared was being able to ride these beautiful animals. All to soon it was over and Brittany Edson was forced to pull up Pink Passion from the gallop to a trot. The pair walked back to Frank Simons, the head trainer, and Brittany's father, Robert Edson , the assistant trainer.

"Not bad," Simons praised, as he glanced at his stopwatch, "Pink Passion hasn't been an outstanding horse so far this year but his times are picking up. I think he's ready to try the San Luis Handicp next week."

May Simons, Frank's nineteen year old daughter, came up and lead Pink Passion to the warm barn and wash rack after Brittany dismounted. She was a groom for the horses in training.

"Anymore horses you want me to ride?" Brittany eagerly questioned her father.

"No, you can go do Devil now, " Robert smiled,"I'll have Lacey jog Cadillac around. She's the most promising three-year-old here. McLeod's hoping to enter him in the Derby." Lacey O'Lorke was just another eighteen year old exercise rider.

Brittany turned around to get Devil's Dream, her beautiful bay two-year-old filly, but almost ran into her being led by Mike Grick, a groom.

The young horse tossed her head in the air. Her elegant Thoroughbred conformation was beautifully shaped and her coat glistened as she moved. Brittany took hold of the saddle, jumped into it and settle the filly as they rode towards the training oval. She trotted into the three-horse training gate, waiting for Robert to trigger the doors on the gate to open. When it did, Devil broke cleanly from the gate, tearing up the track beneath her powerful hindquarters.

Brittany had only raced Devil in two races but she had won both of them. The San Rafael Stakes she had won by two lengths and the Santa Monica Handicap, she had won by a nose bob to Golden Streak. Her times had been going great and everyone was extremely impressed with her.

The mile pole came by too fast and Brittany had to pull up Devil. She was deliriously happy to know her clocking had been one minute and twenty-three seconds.

Luke McLeod, the owner of McLeod Acres, the farm Brittany lived on, stode up to the trainers and Brittany and praised to her, "Nice filly you've got, Brittany. She's got potential and she's deffinately racing material. If your still racing her in the Buena Vista Handicap, I'd be glad to include her in my trailer. My mare, Cat's Eye, is running in the San Carlos Handicap and both races are in Santa Anita, intrested?" Mr. McLeod kindly offered.

"Thanks, Mr.McLeod! That'll be help!," Brittany beamed. Mr.McLeod nodded and continued on his morning rounds.

The following Tuesday, Brittany, Mr.McLeod and Hayley Bills, the head groom of McLeod Acres, Robert and Mr.McLeod's haughty daughty Vanessa McLeod all stood onthe backside of the Sant Anita racetrack. Vanessa had her own colt, Midnight Run, racing in the same race as Devil, which was the last and second race. Mr.McLeod's mare, Cat's Eye, was in the first.

"Vanessa, Brittany, I'm going to watch Cat's Eye's race, want to come?" Mr.McLeod asked. his snobby daughter pounced beside him and said in her squealy voice," Coming Daddy." Hayley smiled and told Brittany, " Go watch the race, I'll stay with Devil." Brittany nodded and scurried off after Mr.McLeod. Reaching the grand stands, the horses were already in post parade. Even though it wasn't Brittany's horse running, she gripped the railing until her knuckels turned white with anticipation. Cat's Eye was number three horse out of a field of seven. All the horses loaded without a problem. The next seconds dragged out like minutes before the gates flew open. Bells rang and seven Thoroughbreds surged onto the track.

"And it's Something Fast in the lead with Galister hot on his trail half a length behind him. After them its Chronic Acid and Silverwolf. Cat's Eye is in fifth and behind him is..." the announcers voice trailed off in Brittany's mind now that she knew the postions. They left behind the last turn and downthe backstretch they roared.

"Something Fast is tiring and so is Galister. Chronic Acid is holding a strong third and here comes Cat's Eye! He's tearing up the track! He's move dinto second and he now shot past the leader. Their down to the wire and Cat's eye, holding a three length lead, won the San Carlos!"

Mr.McLeod was glowing with happiness. "Congratulations," Brittany congratulated,"I won't be joining you inthe winners circle, I'm going to get ready for my race."

Mr.Mcleod disappeared in the rush of people quickly and Brittany ran to the jockey's lounge to change into Mcleod Acres' red and yellow racing silks. Several other jockeys were milling about the room, talking about the up coming races or about each others horses.

Brittany changed and quickly ran back to the backside to continue on to the saddling area. When she rode in the post parade, Brittany glanced up at the tote board. Devil's odds were 4-1. Not bad,she thought. The favourite, Sky Rocket, was the first to load.

Four more after her loaded before Devil's turn,who walked into the narrow stall peacefully. The last three fillies balked at the gate but with the help of the pony escorts, they managed to get them in to lock the door behind them. Brittany crouched over her fillies shoulders, the bell rang, doors snapped open and nine powerful horses leaped onto the track. Devil held third place with Sky Rocket and a huge gray in front of them. Brittany glanced under her arm and noticed Dumpling Delight, a late closer, was starting to switch gears. The homestretch appeared and several more late closers charged after the leaders. Devil surged between the gray and a small compact bay to get to the head of the tightly-closed pack. Only one furlong remained so Brittany let devil all the way out, running her heart content. She came into first by a neck and not much of the race was left. Suddenly, the gray's jockey whipped his horse's flank but the whip caught Devil's eye! She reared for a second and came down running. Brittany some how managed to stay inthe saddle but barely. The wind was sucked from her lungs as her horse hit the ground running. She flew by several horses in fright but was only able to manage a third by the time they went under the wire. Brittany hauled on Devil's reins, desparately trying to slow the filly, who was frantically dripping with sweat. Mr.McLeod, robert and Hayley came rushing up to the frightened filly.

Mr.Mcleod was frowning and he said to Brittany in his deep voice," I've reported everything to the track stewards."

Hayley held Devil's bridle while her rider jumped down and stated,"She easily could have won if it wasn't for that gray's jockey! Hey, here comes the track official."

Brittany brushed off her pants and tossed a lock of hair out of her eyes.

"Mr.Mcleod, Miss. Edson, we've replayed the video and have disqualified Jack Huley for the interference of the Beuna Vista and decided to place you as first. I myself knew it was an obvious win.Excellent filly you've got." and he strode back to the buildings.

"Well, winner's circle it is! Say what happened to Midnight in the race? I didn't see him the whole time." Brittany asked as Hayley gave her a leg up back into the saddle.

"He got boxed in the back and the horses in front of him or behind him gave out so he couldn't move. He finished second last" Robert informed him.

After they posed for the photo, Hayley hurried off to the barn with Devil to cool her out.

They're plans were to stay one more night to give the horses a rest and then beginthe long drive back to Kentucky the next morning.

Already Devil had won 550,000 for Brittany and every time she won, she gave a small portion of it to McLeod Acres to pay feeding and board for Devil. At one time, her parents had badly wanted her to go to college but Brittany saw no need for it. She did what she loved - horses - and she didn't need a college education for that. Brittany had decided that if Devil and her had wonthe Beuna Vista that she would go to the up coming Keeneland yearling spring auction the following week to seeif she could find a new horse. Brittany slept like a rock in her hotel room. She awoke four thirty, her normal time give or take an hour or so for the time change between California and Kentucky.

At the backside, people were already buzzing about. Hayley had already brushed Devil's silky coat and was now bent down, wrapping her legs securely in bandages. Devil's bright, liquid eyes shone as she watched everyone that went by her stall, including reporters.

The pair, Devil and Brittany, had had more than their share of reporters. The one thing she hated about the track was the press. Always crowding her, trying to make her talk. usually she she tried to ignore them but when the won, she had to talk, which she hated.

Brittany threw a lightweight travel sheet over her back and was buckling it on when Hayley straightened up from the floor. she took hold of Devil's lead and led her out of the stall and towards the van. Loading without a problem, they were on their way home.