Slowly, she crawled out of her bed looking up at the clock on the wall, 5:30. "Good, I'll make it in time fer Fury's workout, maybe Chet will let me work with him again." Walking over to her vanity table she picked up her brush and began stroking her dirty blonde hair. Then, she walked to her closet and pulled out a pair of worn black slacks and a dark blue shirt.

That was one of the things she loved about her Uncle Rob, though they were high members of society he allowed her to wear whatever she felt comfortable in. She was all he had now. His two sons had grown up and moved out west. Just before Elizabeth came to live with him, his wife died of heart failure. He did whatever he could to make her happy. But Elizabeth was no spoiled priss. She loved helping everyone. In her free time, she'd entertain children in many of the New York City orphanages. Other times, she might go to the hospital and help out as an assistant.

But on this fine morning, Elizabeth was going to do what she loved most; Help out at the stables. Her uncle was still sleeping when she left so she told their butler to inform her uncle of her where abouts when he arose.

Normally, she would have enjoyed the two mile walk to the stables. However, she was anxious to get there so she hitched it on a trolley. She arrived and headed straight to Hell' Fury's stall. As if owning some sixth sense, the horse perked his head out and whinnied on seeing Elizabeth. Fury was a beautiful, jet black Arabian stallion.

"Hi boy! Sorry I've been away for along time. I had to study for my finals. But now school's over so we can spend the whole summer together." He perked up his head as if to show his excitement.

Just then, one of Fury's neighbors, Nugget (a Palomino), stuck her head out hoping to get her attention. Elizabeth turned to her and scratched behind the mare's ears. "Hey dere Nugget! Heard ya did good in last night's race." Fury started poking his nose in her shoulder and she rubbed his neck.

"Looks like he's awfully jealous." A man with black hair, blue eyes and fine nose came up to her.

"Oh hi Chet. Yeah, guess my boy jes missed me too much so he doesn't feel like sharing me now."

"I can only assume yer gonna help wid his training and grooming like last year right?"

"Of course I've been waiting fer school ta get out foreva so I could help wid Fury."

"Well ya know how much I appreciate yer help wid him."

"So whad we gonna do taday?"

"I think ya know da usual routine well enough so he's all yer. I'se gotta start breakin dat Polish Trakehner dat yer uncle brought ova from Europe."

"Da mare right? I believe dey called her Poley."

"Dats da one, ya seen her yet?"

"No but Uncle Rob told me bout her."

"Well I have to go and start with her training, good luck wid Fury." With that he left Elizabeth alone again. She opened a gate and walked into his stable. She took a brush from off a hook and began combing his soft coat and mane. Then she took out the saddle blanket, saddle, reins, and bit. While getting him "dressed" she told him how hard her tests had been. She walked him out once he was ready and Nugget started to snort.

"Don't worry Nugget. Tom should be hea soon." Tome was a groom/assistant trainer who had worked for Elizabeth's uncle since he was 12. Elizabeth took Fury to practice ring number one, where she led him with a rope while he circled. After a few round, she untied the rope and led him with nothing but her voice.

Last summer, she worked with him so much she got him to follow a turn or change speed just by talking. It was a stupendous accomplishment for her. Word quickly spread of her excellent achievement and several horse owners had rushed to her offering a well paying job. Her uncle didn't want her to put under so much so he advised her not to take any jobs. She wasn't disappointed though and completely understood her uncle's wishes.

"I still can't believe ya got him ta do dat." Elizabeth turned and saw Tom heading to ring numba two with Nugget. He was about 5'7 with slightly wavy brown hair and cool brown eyes. He wes da same age as Elizabeth. He didn't attend a school but instead was taught by his mother at home.

"Neidda can I. Mornin Tom."

"Morning Elizabeth. Glad yer out of school fer da summer."

"Me too." She gave Fury a command to stop and he came up to her. "Good boy! Say is anyone on da track, Tom?"

"No it's all yours."

"Thanks." She led Fury out to da track. Sure enough the place was deserted. Smoothly, she mounted her swift steed. Fury started galloping down the track as soon as she hit the saddle. Like a fireball he zoomed down the track. Elizabeth loved every bit of it and imagined herself in the Kentucky Derby. The wind in her hair and the way it felt as it flowed over her clothes made her so happy. They did several laps at the same consistent pace. Though he showed no signs of being tired, Elizabeth knew he'd had enough for now.

"Woah boy! Dats it, easy. Awright, good job Fury." She whispered until he finally came to a standstill. Elizabeth dismounted and led Fury back to his stall where she "undressed" him. Then, she began cooling him down.

"Hey, have a nice run?" Tom asked leading Nugget to her stall.

"Da best."

"Great." He started brushing Nugget's shiny coat while Elizabeth was getting more feed for Fury.

"So how's school at home? Done fer da summer?"

"Yeah, I get all summa off too."

"Got any plans fer afta ya graduate next year?"

"Actually, yeah. Chet's been planning on leaving New York so I'se hopin ta get his job."

"I'se sua Uncle Rob would let ya take his place."

"Ya think so?" He looked up from whad he was doin and looked at her.

"Definitely." He smiled and continued brushin the palomino's creamy mane. Once he finished, Nugget began to chew away at her food.

"How's bout we get ourselves sem grub fer a bit?"

"Sounds great, Tom, I'se starvin." The two walked into the stable's lobby. It was empty except for Chet talking with another trainer.

"You were really flyin out there, Elizabeth!" He greeted her.

"Thanks Chet."

"Your parents would be proud." Elizabeth smiled, da mention of her father and mother no longer brought her to tears.

"Again I thank you Chet." She looked at the wall clock and saw it was quarter to ten. She wondered where Fury's jockey, Steve was. "Say isn't Steve supposed to be hea ta work with Fury?" Steve usually came round 9:30

"Went past his apartment early dis morning. He woke wid a slight fever this morning so you can jes do da rest of Fury's workout. Steve assured me he'll be hea tomorra fer da race." Chet said.

"Awright. Hea, Tom." She handed him the Irish coffee she made fer da two of them while Tom prepared a few pieces of toast with butter.

"Mm, ya make great coffee! Thanks."

"Yer welcome." Thirty minutes later the two went out . Chet had asked them to meet Mr. Rob near stable number eight.

"Wonda whad yer uncle wants us ta do."

"I don't now but stable 8 is whea he put all da new horses he got from his trip to Europe."

"How many'd he get?"

"Nine includin Poley. Hi Uncle Rob!" Elizabeth ran up and kissed her uncle.

"Hi Elizabeth," he returned her greating.

"Hi Mr. Rob," Chet said, "ya wanted to see us."

"Yes Tom, I have a special job for you two."

"Really what Uncle Tom?"

"Well, two of des horses need new names and I figad ya could come up wid something while ya groom dem. Dey're da ones on da right end. Think ya could do dat fer me?"

"We'll do our best Uncle Rob."

"Good I know you won't let me down!" he den walked ova to Chet who had come to take Poley out again.

Dey walked ova to da last two stalls and looked at the horses who they were about to name. "Dis on hea," Elizabeth said rubbin da nose of a stallion with a beautiful bay coat, "is an Indianbred which my uncle got from a good friend in England. Dat lovely chestnut mare is a Dutch Warmblood."

"Did yer uncle tell ya deir breeds?"

"No, I jes looked knew."

"Dats incredible."

"Chet let me borrow a breed book when Uncle Rob and I went to Philly last Easter. I studied it front ta back."

"I'm very impressed."

"Thank you." Dey walked in and started grooming da horses.

"Well all I'se know is dat we betta give dese two names woithy to be announced ova at da tracks."

"True dat so let's start brainstormin."

"Ya say dis one's a Dutch Warmblood right?"

"Yea."

"How bout Nether World Queen?"

"Ug, Tom!" He laughed. "Wad do ya think of Dutchy?"

"Um, no good. I know a guy named Dutchy. Tell me whad ya think of Tulip."

"Tulip, well, there's lots of them in the Netherlands. It's nice. Awright, Tulip it is. Good job."

"Thanky."

"Ok, now we gotta name you, yer majesty." She talked to the horse who was enjoying his pampering.

"Royalty...India." Tom pondered.

"Ah, Maja raja, ok um give me a city or something."

"Bombay."

"Ok, let's see Maja Raja of Bombay, er jes Bombay fer short."

"Dats good. He sua looks like one too. His coats is so smooth and shiny."

"All hail da Maja Raja of Bombay." Elizabeth lifted her hands up. Bombay nodded his head to show his agreement.

Just when they where about to leave Rob came up to them. "So whad did you Christian my beautiful babies?"

"I called da Dutch, Tulip."

"And I gave yer Indianbred da name Maja Raja of Bombay er jes Bombay fer short. Whad do ya think Uncle Rob?"

"Wondaful! I knew you two where creative and dose are two excellent names. Well I best not keep you waiting. Give Fury and Nugget my love." He joked.

Elizabeth and Tom walked back to stable nine ta get Fury and nugget ready for their next training session. The training was to help improve their starting. Another trainer opened the starting gates while Elizabeth and Tom worked on getting the horses to improve in their sprints. They did this for about thirty minutes. Then, Elizabeth and Tom raced for a mile. Elizabeth won by a few heads.

"I'll beat ya next time." Tom said.

"Sure dats wad ya said last race," she joked as they led the two slightly worked horses back to the stables. They gave the horses more feed after taking off all their gear. It was now 12:45, Tom was getting ready to go.

"Ya wanna come wid me ta Tibby's Diner? I'se gotta meet sem friends."

"No thanks sem odda time, I'se godda go to da orphanage."MO< "Ok ya comin tomorra?"

"Not in da mornin, I'se goin shoppin but I'll be hea roudn three."

"K, da race starts ad four-thirty. See ya den."

"Bye Tom."

"Yes Molly, I have to be ad da tracks in forty minutes and I still have to change."

"I don't see why ya can't go with what you've got on."

Elizabeth looked down at her periwinkle dress with lavendar waist band. "Dis would be nice if I actually sat in da stands, Molly. But whea I am da dust kicks up and gets in yer clothes."

"Oh and we wouldn't want dat now would we?"

"No we certainly wouldn't which is why I'm going upstairs now to change into some propa clothes." She took one bag with her upstairs to her room. Quickly, she changed into blue pants and a mostly green plaid shoit. She was in such a hurry she almost forgot ta take off her high button boots. As she finally ran down da stair she pulled up her suspenders and waved good-bye to Phillip and Molly. As she ran out of the house, she jumped another trolley. She arrived at the stables right on time. Tom was already there and he was talking with Rob; both had worried looks on their faces.

"Hi, Uncle Rob, Tom. Wads da matta?"

"Oh, hi Elizabeth," her uncle said.

"It turns out Steve's slight feva grew worse in da night..." Tom started.

"Elizabeth, he has scarlet fever."

"Oh my... Well who's gonna ride Fury?"

"We couldn't find anyone." Tom said.

"But you have to. If Fury wins dese next two races he goes to the Kentucky Derby!"

"I know Elizabeth, I know. I've tried ta get a hold of my odda jockeys but dey're jes not at home."

"Well, ya can't drop him! Let me ride hime Uncle Rob! Ya know I can do it! Please..."

"Wait, you want to race? Mr. Rob..."

"Elizabeth, I don't know..."

"Aw come on Uncle Rob. It's because I'm a girl isn't it?"

"Well..."

"It is, geez, come on uncle Rob, you know I'm not dat bad."

"I know Elizabeth, your probably jes as good as many of my jockeys."

"Den let me do it! I don't care wad everyone thinks, besides they won't even know."

"Sigh, awright Elizabeth jes be very careful..."

"Oh thank you, Unlce Rob, thank you..."

"Yer welcom. Now, Tom sneak into da locker room and get Steve's silks."

"Yes sir!" Tom was truly happy for Elizabeth though he knew it was risky. He knew she'd always wanted to race. In no less then five minutes, he came back with the blue and green checked silks. Elizabeth ran into Fury's stall and changed behind him.

"Ya feelin noivous?"

"No, excited! I can't believe I'm gonna do dis!" She walked out from behind her "curtain". The shirt was loose so her figure was slighlty hidden. "Waddya think?"

"Ya look like a princess." Tom teased.

"Oh...." she hit him.

"Ow! Ok, honestly ya look fine."

"Humph! Where's my helmet?"

"Right here," he handed it to her and she proceeded in tucking her hair beneath it. "It'll pass but I must say I prefer ya as a goil."

"Me too."

"Ya betta get ova to da wieghin room."

"Oh, darn! I definitely don't weigh as much as Steve!"

"Hey it's ok. They don't keep track of dat it;s jes so dey know where to place weights. Fer you dey're gonna have to put in a lot. Don't throw yer cover."

~

Elizabeth stood in line saddle in hand. She prayed noone would talk to her or for that matter recognize her; she knew most of the jockeys in there. She nervously stepped on the scale and the man checking simply wrote down her weight and gave it to someone who placed the weights in the saddle.

~

"Dat wasn't too bad now was it?" Tom asked takin da saddle from her and putting it on Fury.

"No it wasn't so ya gonna lead me to the gates?"

"Of coise. Yer Unlce would've done it himself but he had to sit wid all da odda onwers. He came by while you were in da weighinh room and wished ya luck. He said he's proud of ya fer doin dis and he doesn't care if ya come dead last."

"Oh, dats good cuz I have da feelin dats what place I'll come in."

"Aw come on, you'll do fine Elizabeth. Now let's go."

"Thanks Tom," she mounted and he led her to da starting gate. The other jockeys were getting ready and entering their allotted slots. Tom placed Elizabeth smack dab in da center. "Don't worry you'll do fine." He whispered before leaving. "I only hope so," she thought, "come on Elizabeth jes pretend it's only you and Fury out dere."

"Don't worry Fury," she whispered in his ear, "we'll make sua ya got da Derby, jes do yer part and fly down dat track." He whinnied in agreement.

"Riders in position!" Elizabeth tensed but got ready to start.

"Bang!' the gun went off and the gates opened. Everyone was practically neck and neck til the 2nd lap. Fury gradually started to pull ahead. Elizabeth's face broke into a huge smile. She couldn't believe it.

"Yer first Fury! Jes hold out for da next two laps." And hold out Fury did; he tore down da track like, well, Hell's Fury. Elizabeth slightly turned her head to see how big their lead was. She almost lost her balance when she saw that the nearest horse was five yards away. "If dey only knew dey was bein beat by a goil!"

"Awright Fury!" she cheered him on. The crowds where astounded and grew hysterical when Fury crossed the finish line.

Elizabeth raised her arms up in victory. Tom ran up to her cheering and her Uncle Rob was quickly descending from his box.

"You did it!" Tom shouted. Elizabeth hugged Fury's neck befoa dismounting. Her uncle had come over and he wished to give her a big hug but thought it might look funny so he refrained.

"I'm so very proud of you!" He said above the din.

"Thanks fer lettin me do dis!" She whispered in his ear.

"Yer welcome. Now go back wid Tom, I'll take care of da reportas."

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