“Yes, I shall have to be careful,” she said.
The signal to line up at the barrier was given.
The high-strung horses moved about nervously. A pistol cracked, and they were off down the track. But the starter called them back. It was a false start.
Shirley showed superb horsemanship. She maneuvered for position as well as any of the rest, and just before the pistol cracked the second time, she was but two removed from the inside rail.
Next to her, closer to the rail, was Jupiter.
The cry came from the grandstand, and was followed by a prolonged cheer.
Shirley found herself slightly behind the leaders at the first jump, but she did not worry. She knew what Gabriel could do, and she was perfectly satisfied with her position.
In a bunch the field swept down the track. Shirley found herself wedged in between Jupiter and a powerful sorrel on her other side. In this way they continued for the first half-mile.
Gradually the three leaders, Jupiter, Gabriel and the big sorrel forged ahead of the field, and at the three-quarter mark the sorrel dropped behind. He was unable to keep up the terrific pace.
Jupiter was still running slightly ahead and going easily. Not once had his jockey used his whip or urged him to greater effort. Nor had there as yet been any attempt at unfairness.
Shirley held a tight rein upon Gabriel, and the animal had not yet let himself out. In spite of her father’s instructions, Shirley was riding her own race. She believed that she knew more about Gabriel than either her father or Jimmy.
And now, with the finish a quarter of a mile ahead, Shirley let Gabriel out slightly, and he came up on even terms with Jupiter in a few strides.
Then Jupiter’s rider got busy. He loosened his reins and began to coax. But Gabriel remained on even terms. Jupiter’s jockey stopped coaxing and began to ply his whip, and at the first smart blow, Jupiter leaped ahead.
Shirley let Gabriel out another notch, and then another, and once more the two big black horses were neck and neck. Try as he would, Jupiter could not shake Gabriel off.
Glancing ahead, Shirley saw that the finish was close in front. The crowd had gone wild. With the horses rushing for the wire, bedlam had broken loose. Flags and pennants waved and men and women shouted hoarsely.