A victory for the chestnut would be a coup for her pocketbook when it came to buying the Coles horses, but it would be a distinct blow to her pride as a horsewoman.

Moreover, there was that in the stallion which roused instinctive aversion.

Hatred for Cordova sustained him, for there was no muscle in the lean shoulders or the starved quarters to drive him on at this terrific pace.
In the corner of her vision she saw old Corson, agape, pale with excitement, swiftly beating out the rhythm of Alcatraz's swinging legs; and then she looked to Lady Mary.

Every stride carried the bay back to the relentless stallion.

Her head had not yet gone up; she was still stretched out in the true racing form; but there was a roll in her gallop.