Then certainly she should have his tremendous will to win and gameness! Alec’s eyes were shining brightly as he neared Henry and Black Minx.

“Get the tack now,” Henry said.

Alec nodded and went on to the tack room in the stallion barn. A few moments later he helped Henry put on the filly’s bridle. She gave them no trouble with it or with the light saddle that they placed snugly on her back. She had worn each in her stall the week before, and was used to them again.

Henry clasped his hands, ready for Alec’s knee. His face was serious, even a little grim. “I don’t know how long it’s been since she’s had anyone on her back,” he said quietly.

Alec raised his leg and was boosted up. He knew Henry wasn’t worrying about his ability to stay on the filly. The trainer’s concern was mostly due to wondering how she’d look to him under saddle. Henry, too, was well aware that this was the beginning of the road which would take Black Minx to the Derby post or end in her complete failure as a racehorse. Alec felt the light black body beneath him quiver, then shift uneasily.

Henry held her by the bridle. “Stick with her,” he said, “but don’t force her unless you have to. Go slow so you can feel her out.”

Alec nodded, taking up rein as Henry left to close the paddock gate. The filly slid quickly to the side but Alec moved just as fast. He felt out her mouth and pressed his knees a little tighter against her sliding body. He talked to her all the while. Finally she came to a stop.

Henry returned to take hold again of her bridle. He led her past the stallion barn, and the filly’s only sudden move was to turn her head toward Napoleon, who stood at his paddock gate watching them.

After going a short distance, Alec said, “Let me have her, Henry. If she’s going to try anything, I’d rather have her do it here in the field than on the track.”

Henry’s hand left the bridle. “Okay, Alec. Jog her over, then give her a gallop of a mile and a quarter. A slow gallop unless I give you the word to step it up a bit. That’s all I want today.”

Henry dropped behind them. For a moment the filly stayed at her fast walk, then her ears came back. Alec smiled. It was as if she had just realized she was alone with him and free of Henry for the first time. Tossing her black head, she moved into a jog. Alec rose in his short stirrups, talking to her all the while.

And now he realized more than ever that she wasn’t as small as she looked. Her parts were so well put together that she just seemed small until you rode her.

“Act nicely now,” he said softly. “Easy now, girl.”

Black Minx’s heavy mane was tossed back against Alec’s head. He felt her mouth working on the bit.