Orphan

the long version

"In a horrific accident twenty miles west of Amarillo, Texas, veterinarian James Robert Masterson steps out into the night to find the sole survivor is a very young colt. As there is no one to take charge of the frightened animal, Masterson agrees to take him home to his ranch in Bushland, Texas. He and his wife tend Orphan, never dreaming he will play a significant role in their daughter's life--and in theirs. When a suspicious gambler from Albuquerque, and the pushy ex-wife of the owner, claim the horse, the mystery begins. Interwoven in this mystery are murder, battles in the court, a life and death struggle with cancer, music, and horseracing. The reader will travel to the beautiful horse country of Kentucky, and to the impressive Ruidoso Downs, home of the much sought-after All-American Futurity, the world's richest horserace. They will also see the seamier side of horseracing driven by greed"--P. [2] of jacket.