In the morning they loaded Whirlwind onto a carrier and set out for Louisville, Churchill Downs, and the Kentucky Derby.
Clint thought about riding into the track with Canby and the horse, but he had told Sun Horse and the others he’d meet them out front.
As the gate opened to admit Canby and the horse, Clint said, “I’ll see you later.”
“I hope so,” Canby said. “And don’t forget to get your bet in before you get killed.”
“I’ll make a note of it.”
He rode around to the front of the track, where Sun Horse and the others were waiting. He didn’t have time to put Eclipse in a livery, so he just dismounted and left him there. The horse wouldn’t move, and he wouldn’t let anybody move him.
“You ready?” Clint asked them.
“We are ready,” Sun Horse said.
“Hey!”
Clint turned to see who had shouted. He saw a security guard coming his way.
“What are all these Indians doin’ here?” the man demanded.
“Talk to your boss,” Clint said.
“Huh?” the man asked dimly. He was about as smart as a donkey, Clint could see.
“Captain Butler?” Clint said. “He’s your boss, right?”
“Right.”
“Well, tell him you talked to Clint Adams,” Clint said. “He’ll know what it’s about.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, one more thing,” Clint said as the man started away.
“Yeah?”
“Tell him Blacker’s dead, and Fontaine’s missing.”
“Huh?”
“Just tell him.”
“I will,” the man said. “I’ll find out what’s goin’ on.”
As the guard walked away, Clint said to the Cherokees, “Take your positions, and be ready.”
Clint doubted the Cherokees would be able to pick out the robbers, but he knew that when trouble started, they would come running.
“Come on, Sun Horse.”
They went to the front gate and paid their admission to get in. The crowd had already begun to file in. There would be seven races before the Derby, and people would continue to come in until then.
“Mr. Gunsmith?” Sun Horse said.
“Yeah?”
“Okay if I make some bets?”
“Bets? Well, yeah, I don’t see why not.”
Sun Horse nodded.
“But you don’t know anything about these horses, do you?”
“What is to know?” Sun Horse asked. “I only need to look at them.”
“You’re going to pick a winner just by looking at the horses?”
“Yes.”
“This I’ve got to see.”
* * *
By the time the fifth race came around, Sun Horse had picked four winners.
“This is amazing,” Clint said as Sun Horse stuffed a wad of money into his pocket. “How do you do that?”
“You can tell if a horse can run by looking at him,” Sun Horse said.
“Yes, but what if they all look like they can run?” Clint asked.
“One looks like the winner.”
“Only one?”
“Yes.”
“All right,” Clint said. “I’m going to bet with you, this race. Let’s go and look at the horses.”
* * *
Clint cashed in on the fifth and sixth races with Sun Horse, but the prices were low. The favorite won each race.
“How about a long shot?” Clint asked him.
“I can’t control the price,” Sun Horse said, “I can only pick the winner.”
“Will you be able to do that in the Derby?”
“Yes.”
“You’re that sure?”
“Yes.”
“All right,” Clint said, “what about this next race . . .”