The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt Read Free Page A

their two warm-up scores before the start of the race. Bonfire’s strides were low, even and effortless, his muscles standing out prominently beneath his wet, glossy coat. He paid no attention to the other colts. He was eager to be turned loose, his every movement disclosed it. Alec knew that Bonfire was a son worthy of the Black, and he watched him with great pride.
    â€œWhat does he have to beat in this race?” he asked.
    â€œAll of ’em,” George muttered.
    Alec smiled. “I know, but any
one
in particular?”
    â€œAll of ’em,” George repeated, his eyes neverleaving the colts who were now going behind the long, open limousine at the far turn.
    The announcer said, “The horses have reached the mobile gate and are now in the hands of the starter.”
    The barrier wings of the limousine stretched across the track. Alec could see the starter standing in the back of the car, talking through a microphone to the drivers and getting them into their post positions. Bonfire was on the far outside and had his head close to the barrier. The car increased its speed coming down the stretch and the horses came along behind it. They neared the start. Suddenly the lights in the great stands dimmed. The car pulled away quickly to the outside of the track, its barrier wings folded. The brilliantly lighted track was the stage. The race was on!
    Alec jumped to his feet as the horses came toward the first turn. George pulled him roughly down again so he could see. Bonfire was moving fast in an all-out drive. Alec heard Tom Messenger’s voice raised above those of the other drivers, and he knew that Tom intended to get Bonfire out in front by the turn.
    The moving line of surging horses and sulkies held; then there was a sudden merging of colored silks as the drivers bunched going into the turn. Tom had Bonfire out in front but not far enough to cut in safely in front of the others. Gleaming, silvery-spoked wheels spun crazily taking the heavy strain of the turn. Tom kept Bonfire on the outside as though determined to get far enough ahead to move safely over to the rail.
    George’s head was shaking miserably and he mumbled, “I knew it. I knew it. He’s trying too hard. He’ll knock the colt out.”
    Alec heard him but said nothing. All around the turn Tom kept Bonfire on the far outside, fighting for the lead. But for every two strides Bonfire took, the colts near the rail took only one without losing ground to him. Alec knew what racing on the outside meant to any horse, especially a young colt. Tom was sacrificing Bonfire’s stamina in his determination to get out in front so early. The horses in this race were much too fast to be given such an advantage. They were holding their positions, and making Bonfire go the race of his life to get ahead of them from the outside.
    Down the backstretch they went, with four colts dropping behind and moving over to the rail. But Alec saw that Tom’s red-and-white silks weren’t among them. Tom still wasn’t ready to save ground or his colt. Bonfire continued his drive beside the three leaders. And nearing the end of the backstretch he began to push his head to the front again.
    The announcer’s call came, “At the far turn, it’s Bonfire out in front. Lively Man on the rail is second. Third is …”
    But Alec wasn’t listening to the call. Nor did he receive any joy from seeing Bonfire in the lead. It would have been far better if Tom had dropped Bonfire back with the other colts, saving him for the long distance still to be run.
    Quickly he glanced at George. The old man had his hands on his face, rubbing it, and perhaps not even seeing the race. Alec understood, for he felt the same way. His heart sickened when he saw Bonfire racing wide again going around the far turn, ahead by half a length. Yes, ahead, but at a price far greater than thosecloser to the rail were paying! The colt answered