Young Gabriel has grown up watching his father work with thoroughbred horses as the trusted and respected trainer on a plantation in Kentucky. As the Civil War encroaches on their world, this family of slaves has their lives turned upside down. His father makes a difficult choice and enlists in the Yankee army to earn enough money to buy his wife's freedom. That leaves a void on the plantation and a new man is brought in as trainer. This new man does not treat horses with the dignity and care that Gabriel's father has taught him. In the midst of this conflict raiders begin roaming the neighborhood in search of good horseflesh. Armed with the family pride, traditions and skill, Gabriel takes the horses and hides them. Growing up quickly he courageously meets the challenges of discrimination and unfairness on the plantation and faces the realities of war. 160 pages Ages 8-11