Love and Hate

Chapter 8

Running to Win

Victoria Pena jumped out of the large truck to look at the race track in Saratoga Springs. She had been there a few times with her mother when they ran some of their old horses, but she hadn't seen it in a long time. It had been almost seven months since she put Butterscotch Ruler in his first allowance race and now here she was racing him and Silver Serenity. She looked at Cam who unloaded the horses and had a groom lead them to the barns. Cam seemed to be a lot happier now and Vicky knew it was because of her friend Michealangelo. Though she had never seen him without his masks and coats, she knew that he was a kind person and she wasn't worried about his deformities.

Victoria had entered Silver Serenity in the $400,000 Whitney Handicap. It was a grade one race, but the gray colt had proved to be most impressive on the track. Now she would see if that would happen again in this race. Of course, Butterscotch Ruler was in a more rewarding race with a purse of $750,000. The butter scotch-colored colt was entered in the Travers Stakes. It was also a grade one. Vicky would be staying in New York for three and a half weeks. Serenity was due to race tomorrow and Butterscotch was racing on the 29^th.

She walked to the barns and looked around. She hadn't really checked who her competition would be, but now was a better chance to find out. She walked along the stalls and checked to see if there were any horses she had ever competed against. Then a bay colt caught her eye.

" Son of Fire." She read next to the stall door. Then she realized who he was. It was the son of Fire Light. They must of had frozen sperm of his before he died. She knew that he was a good horse and that he would pose a threat. She looked at the horse next to him. His name was Hell's Fire. He was a chestnut colt and she knew that he was entered in the same race as Butterscotch Ruler. He also had Fire Light's blood in him. But it wasn't the horses she was all that worried about. It was also the owner. They hated her and Cam with a passion. Then Vicky remembered what her mother had said to her when she was dying of a gun shot wound to the chest in the hospital.

" Be careful. Fire Light's owners will do anything to win. Anything!"

Vicky knew that his owner; Richard Claymond was responsible for shooting her mother. He had aimed for Silver brook Champ when he had won the Kentucky Derby 4 years ago. Her mother had jumped in the way to save the horse. But no one could prove that he did it. But Victoria knew the truth, but she hadn't told a soul about it. She backed away from the colt. Being near any of his horses made her angry. At him, not the horses. She turned and went back to Ruler's stall where Cam was standing. She saw Vicky's expression and frowned.

" What's wrong, Vic?"

" I just saw two of our competitors. One is Son of Fire and the other is Hell's Fire. Son of Fire, is Fire Light's son. He is racing against Serenity and Hell's Fire has Fire Light's blood in him and he is racing against you and Butterscotch." Cam's face went almost white. She began to tremble in fear and Butterscotch nuzzled her to see if everything was alright.

" It's alright Cam. Just stay away from them and the horses. I don't want to loose my best jockey." She nodded weakly and turned to Ruler who was starring at her with his big brown eyes. He looked concerned in a horse's way. She patted his neck to reassure him that everything was all right. Vicky told the grooms to guard the horses well and not let anyone but Silver brook staff near them. They nodded and sat outside the stalls.

Victoria turned and walked out of the barn. She went to her truck and moved it closer to the barns. When she pulled up, she looked to see Richard and his snobbish wife talking to some high standard racing people.

" Ya talk to them while you still can. At least I know how you really win your races." She mumbled. She was determined to make Silver brook one of the best and pass Claymond Farm in the racing business. She jumped out of her truck and walked by like she didn't even see them. She went back to the barns and looked at her colt's. These races would determine who goes to the Breeders Cup Classic and then the Kentucky Derby. She knew that she could count on her horses to run their hearts out, she just didn't know if she could trust Richard anywhere near them.

" Well, well, well. If it isn't the Silver brook horses and staff." She turned to see Richard and his sneering wife. Cam looked at them uncomfortably, but Vicky stood her ground.

" Do you really think your Butterscotch Ruler can beat my Hell's Fire?" His wife laughed at them.

" We will find out." Vicky said angrily.

" And who is this horse?" He asked pointing to the gray stallion.

" I know many horses, but I don't keep up with the amateurs."

" That is Silver Serenity. Maybe you know his sire . . . his name is Silver brook Champ." Richard turned sharply to face her and in her eyes, he knew that she had known it was he that tried to kill that horse, but killed her mother instead. Cam noticed both their stares were cold and Richard's wife was now quiet. There was something that she didn't know and it began to scare her to think of what it was. Richard breathed in and smiled.

" No matter. My horse is sure to win the Whitney Handicap, so it makes no difference to me who his sire is."

" What are you going to do? Give him large doses of Novocain so he doesn't feel anything incase his leg breaks." Richard glared at her, but said nothing more. He took his wife by the hand and left. The Silver brook staff all looked after them. Everyone at Silver brook hated them and their eyes clearly said that. Cam then looked at Victoria.

" Can we talk?" She turned to her and sighed. She knew that Cam would have to know because she was racing against him. There was no telling what he might do." They turned and went out to the truck where they could talk. When they were out of earshot, Cam spoke.

" What is going on between you two? I know there is another problem that didn't have to do with me."

" Cam there is something I have to tell you that is going to be a real shock. Listen to me. Fire Light used to race against Silver brook Champ and he lost to him in the Kentucky Derby 4 years ago."

" That I know."

" And you know how someone had tried to take a shot at Champ and how my mother jumped in the way . . . "

" Ya I know that too . . . " Cam was afraid of what she was getting at.

" Cam . . . it was Richard who took that shot." Cam practically fell to the ground in shock.

" What?! But why?"

" Because he wanted his horse to win the rest of the Triple Crown, so he thought he could kill Champ and win. But it didn't happen as planned and Champ still won, only because before my mother died, she demanded that I make a Champion out of him. It was the last thing I could do for her. No one could prove that he did it, because they never found the weapon or the car he was in. But she told me herself, because she saw him before he took the shot. I never told anyone and the reason I am telling you is because I want to make sure that you are safe and you know what you are up against. My mother told me that he would do ANYTHING to win a race. Be careful." Cam took her words seriously. She was afraid now, but she also was determined not to let him ruin her and Butterscotch's future.

" I will."

Leonardo, April and Casey walked along the backside of the Saratoga racetrack. They wanted to see the Whitney Handicap that day. But they also wanted to see if Mike would be there. That was probably the main reason they were going. April walked through the barns with the two of them and looked at all the beautiful Thoroughbreds being tacked up and prepped for the race. She turned to see the Silver brook sign above two of the horse stalls.

" Leo! Casey!" They came over quick and looked at the horses she was looking at.

" Look at the one right there." She said pointing to Butterscotch Ruler.

" That's the horse Mike painted!" They looked at him to see she was right. The grooms glanced at them, but was too busy tacking up the gray horse. Cam came out and looked at them. Leonardo caught her eye first. He was heavily clothed like Mike was all the time. He had practically the same body shape too. Her eyes widened. Could they be related? She didn't want to ask, but she wondered. Vicky called her just then and she went over to her. Victoria was riding Serenity in the race that day. She was practically the only one who could actually stay on him.

" Vic, I have hired a guard to stand watch while we are out there. He'll be watching Butterscotch until we are back."

" Good." Leo, April and Casey exchanged looks, but said nothing. Why would she need a guard for Butterscotch Ruler? Sure they wanted to keep the horses safe, but this guard had a gun and it seemed somewhat strange. Was Butterscotch Ruler's life at risk? Vicky left the barn to go the jockey's room and dress out.

Cam closed Butterscotch Ruler's top stall door so that he might rest without being disturbed. The guard sat down in a chair next to the horse and Cam gave him instructions that they couldn't hear.

" Hey guys? We better go get our seats cause the race is gonna start soon." They nodded and went with April to the stands. They had a perfect view of the track and waited as the post parade began. Cam led Serenity out and the crowd turned their heads to the colt. He was the heavy favorite, but so was Son of Fire. She felt the admiring eyes on her and the horse as she led him into the saddling paddock. Vicky came over and mounted up. The pony leads came and took Serenity out for the post parade. He had pulled the number 9 slot in a ten horse field. That wasn't too good, but at least he was away from Son of Fire who had pulled the 3^rd slot. Serenity would have to make up a lot of ground though. He was a late closer so getting him to the front of the pack and on the rail would be a problem.

Cam went to the stands and held her camera. Mike for some reason didn't want to come down. He said that he had too many things to do, but he had asked Cam to take pictures for him. She watched as the horses loaded into the gate. Her heart thumped in her chest. Son of Fire was often compared to Serenity and now the world will see them rum against each other for the first time. Son of Fire had a good chance of making it to the Kentucky Derby, so more than likely he would be racing against Serenity or Butterscotch Ruler. She wasn't sure which one would be running. It just might be both. She looked at Serenity in the nine slot and waited as the last gate was closed behind the horse. Suddenly, the gates flew open and 10 powerful horses pounded down the stretch.

" And they're off!" Cried the announcer. Cam started to take pictures when they passed by her, but she stopped and watched after they made the club house turn and were hardly in eye shot.

Now she listened to the announcer.

" Son of Fire is in the lead by four lengths. In second is Lady's Man and in third is Summer Run. The favorite Silver Serenity is in last place behind the pack." Cam almost cried out in horror. He had to start moving up soon, or he would lose the race. They were already making it to the second turn.

Vicky couldn't see an opening in the pack. She had to make a hard decision that could mean losing the race, but it was the only chance she had. She checked her horse to the right and went five horses wide.

Cam's mouth dropped in shock.

" And Victoria Pena has taken Silver Serenity 5 horses wide into the middle of the track." The announcer cried with just as much shock in his voice.

April couldn't help but stand and stare. Leo and Casey had gotten just as into it as April and they watched as the only gray horse started to move up.

" What's this?! Silver Serenity is moving up at an incredible speed. They are coming around the turn and his jockey is giving her horse rein." Suddenly, Serenity charged forward and past by three more horses. Now he had to move up on the three leaders. Vicky then gave him all the rein he wanted and he exploded with another burst of speed.

April, Leo and Casey found themselves cheering him onto the finish line.

Serenity pushed passed Summer Run and Lady's Man who were tiring and made his way to Son of Fire's flank. His jockey saw them coming and started to whip his horse for more speed. But Serenity wasn't about to be lost that easily. He found another gear and pounded in front of Son of Fire.

" Look at this!" The announcer shouted again.

" Silver Serenity has come from the back of the pack and taken the lead. And he . . . is under the wire two lengths a head of the pack!!! Silver Serenity wins the Whitney Handicap by two lengths!"

Cam found herself jumping with joy. She had taken some great pictures and was now running to meet them in the winner's circle. April, Leo and Casey cheered and now their throats hurt because of it.

" Wow! I have never seen a horse run like that!" April exclaimed.

" Actually I've never really seen a horse run." Casey said thoughtfully. Leo laughed at him with April and walked down near the winner's circle so they could get a better look. The crowds were still cheering as loudly as they could.

Vicky dismounted and hugged her horse and then Cam. Serenity blew out puffs of air and Vicky knew he could use the rest. But after she went to weigh in, she came back and smiled for the camera's. Cam took some and then joined the winner's circle. Vicky dismounted and prepared for the reporters to mob her. The grooms and Cam took the colt back to the barns to be cooled out. But Cam stayed behind to listen.

" Ms. Pena, how does it feel to have another Silver brook Champ?" A reporter asked.

" It feels great."

" Are you planning to run him in the Breeder's Cup Classic and Kentucky Derby?" Asked another.

" If everything goes well, I am aiming toward it."

" What about your other top horse; Butterscotch Ruler? Do you have great expectations for him also?"

" Yes I do. I will also see how he does and decide where he goes next."

" Will you be riding him in the Travers Stakes?"

" No. Cam Russo has proven herself to be a very reliable jockey and I think she knows this horse best. I see no reason what so ever to switch jockeys'." Vicky stayed and answered more questions, but Cam had heard what she had said and she smiled in happiness. Her future was looking up.