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Muirenn was hesitant to enter her colt in the Twin River Downs Derby, the weather was predicted to be cold and wet which usually meant a sloppy track. Due to Steel's history on such a track, she considered giving the grey colt a much deserved break. Her granddaughter Bea was able to convince her it would be good practice in the unfortunate event that one of the TC races would be on a muddy track. The night before it poured and come morning the Twin River Downs racetrack was a soggy gloopy mess of mud and the IHS cheer squad was worried. 

Thankfully Steel was calm and relaxed in his stall, unaware of the pressure upon him to perform well. Because he was the only horse in the field to have won multiple prep races, Steel was highly favored as the odds rolled across the tote board. Thankfully the sky stayed dark and cloudy though the temperature was warm and left a sticky feeling across everyone's skin.

It wasn't until an hour until post time as Bea began to prep the large grey colt that a drizzle began to fall, the girl sighed, watching the water splatter the walkway outside the barn. Steel pricked his ears, watching the world around him alertly, unworried about the rain.

"You have no idea what's in store huh boy?" Bea murmured, rubbing her hand down the colt's muscled neck. Steel snorted and nosed her shoulder.  Bea sighed, "It's almost time to head to the saddling ring. I need to bring you out." Thankfully the colt allowed her to lead him from his stall and whisk a brush quickly over his coat. Bea had already groomed him a short time earlier, tossing his cooler over his back and securing it for the walk to the paddock. Giving Steel and his stall a quick once over to make sure everything was set and secure Bea tugged the hood of her windbreaker up and headed out into the rain with her horse. 

The closer they got to the paddock the antsier Steel became, jogging at the end of his lead and tossing his head, perhaps showing off for the fillies as they passed. It would be the first time he'd go head to head with the grey filly Kodiak Rose who had plenty of experience under her belt. Steel squealed as Bea tried to lead him into the shelter of the paddock stall, balking and rearing up, not pleased with being ordered to leave the rain that he loved. 

After much coaxing, Bea was able to get the colt into his cross ties and began to prep him for the race ahead. 

The hour passed in a blur, and all begging and pleading aside, Steel was dressed and ready to go, looking smart in his white number two saddle cloth and bright yellow rimmed rundowns. The colt danced in his stall as the racegrounds came alive with horses and people. Silas and Muirenn showed up to look Steel over and to run through any last minute strategies.

"Break clean and get him up towards the front and hold him there. I don't want to run him to the ground. Give him his head into the turn and we'll see how he does. I want him home sound. " Muirenn instructed, Silas nodded and rubbed Steel's large white blaze. 

Checking Steel's girths, Bea nodded to Silas, giving the small Greek a leg up onto the 17 hands of horseflesh. Squaring her shoulders, Bea slipped the number two jersey over her head and lead the pair out into the rain. Steel pinned his ears and pranced along beside her, making a statement that he was going to the track because he wanted to. "Come on you big doof." Bea said firmly, giving the lead shank a quick snap. Steel snorted and continued to dance. 

"Best of luck." Bea murmured, releasing the colt and his rider to the pony horse.

Silas dipped his head, "We'll do our best."

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As  they watched the field of horses jog across the muddy track towards the gate, Bea could see Steel already tensing up as he splashed through the puddles. He knew it was mud, and he knew he didn't like it. She bit her lip, "What happens if it doesn't go well?" she asked her grandmother nervously.

"Then we'll just have to rest him up for the Derby and hope the track is clean. But, there is a good chance he'll do well." Muirenn replied calmly. "Just have faith. We have a good horse. Let him do his job."

Loading went smoothly, Steel only balked once, but after being forced to stand in the gate waiting for the other horses to load he became fidgety.

"Steel Force is a bit restless in the gate. They're all in. And the field is off and running in the Twin River Downs Derby!" The announcer boomed over the loudspeaker. "The fillies are away well, Kodiak Rose and Sabrina off to the top of the field. King of the Pirates surging with them. Steel Force breaks a little slow, settling a bit farther back than he'd like as they head past us for the first time"  

Bea watched the field worriedly, Steel settled at the head of the pack just off the leaders. You could tell he was struggling, his stride didn't look as smooth, and he seemed to be fighting Silas and the track as they headed onto the backstretch. Peering through the binoculars Bea struggled to find Silas' black cap among the fray, and it wasn't until they straightened for home that she saw her colt beginning to pull off after the leaders.  

Steel's coat was dark with sweat, rain and mud as he charged after the leaders, Silas going for the stick just a touch early to encourage the the colt to run. 

"LETS GO STEEL!" Bea shouted suddenly, Muirenn looked at her granddaughter in surprise, as Steel's ears flicked forward for a second and his stride lengthened as the battle for the wire began.