MOUNTAIN STALLION

Several strides ahead of its competition, this is the story of Ponce, an Apache Indian boy, Desert Storm, his horse which had won the Santa Anita Handicap, been injured and was retired -- and of Ponce's decision to bring Desert Storm back to racing because his friend Gabe Stuart needed cash. When Ponce captured and tried to gentle the magnificent mountain stallion, Victorio, it was the filly Desert Storm, who succeeded in breaking the stallion to the track. But Desert Storm seemed to have lost her own usefulness in the attempt, for her leg was injured again, as they trained Victorio. The stallion was in top racing form when Ponce discovered the brand-mark concealed under his mane. Only when Victorio exhibited prowess as a winner did Stafford Thomas state his claim to the horse -- as escaped thoroughbred. How Ponce regains possession of Victorio and watches Victorio and Desert Storm race to fame will please those readers who like to be in the winner's circle.