In six days, jockey Chris Englund will face the ultimate testing of his difficult career: the Kentucky Derby, race of races, springs resplendent pageant of the sport of Kings.
The horse is Knidos, a Thoroughbred with the promise of a champion and a fragile chance of driving past endurance to a shattering tragedy on the track.
His owner is determined that Knidos will win, even if victory destroys horse and rider before the eyes of the one woman who loves them most.
But someone with millions to spend and millions more to gain has determined with deadly finality that Knidos will lose. And in that awful instant, racings greatest contest becomes unbeknowst to the watching world a crucible of pain and devotion and magnificent courage.