A Neigh For Help

Chapter One: Kentucky Derby Day

Samantha's spirt horse's name is Victory Screech. A sweet Thoroughbred mare, who is desperately practicing for the Triple Crown races. She is in a dull, sweaty horse trailer, that reminds her of the bus she rides everyday.

I looked out the foggy window, immense raindrops splatter across the tiny glass pane. I sigh, "Rough footing". I promise myself not to work to hard, but to try my best. I could smell the fear of other horses that had been on the trailer. As they got closer, I heard the screams of the crowd.

The man drove her near the stable, slowly down once he reached the entrance. He stopped and I shuddered in fear. "Open the ramp!" He yelled. A younger man sprinted to the trailer and pulled down the latch. The ramp opened slowly and I stared out into the barn. The older man untied me and led me into a tiny stall to wait in. He left my embroidered, leather halter on. 

I paced in my stall for an hour, listening to the ridiculous stories that the other racehorses were whinnying about. I was the only mare, and I knew that the stallions had a lot of power, and they could win the race easily.

After what seemed like forever, my trainer tacked me up and led me to an unfamiliar area. He put my colorful saddle pad on first,  my light saddle, then he grabbed a slim girth. I was the skinniest thoroughbred, I had no muscles. He buckled the left side tightly, and then attached it to the right side. I gasped, "A little too tight!" I snorted, but he couldn't understand.

My colorful jockey slowly walked up to me. "Hey girl!" He said calmly. I could tell he was anxious as well, even though he pretended he wasn't. "I'll win it for you!" She made a loud, powerful whinny that echoed through the whole barn. The stallions' eyes widened. He grabbed a giant stool and hopped on the saddle. My trainer handed me him a whip. I sighed, "This would be fun without the whips,".

We walked into the starting gait. I tried to change back into Samantha, but I couldn't. The crowd cheered. 

The horn went off.

The gaits slammed open and I bolted out. I was in last, and all I stared at was horse's butts. We went around the first corner, I saw one stallion slip and break a leg. I closed my eyes as I heard the defeaning cry of the stallion. Why do they race us in this muddy footing? I wondered. I sped up, and passed two stallions. They glared at me and tripped, but got back up. We were past the bend and heading towards the next. I felt the wind ruffle my mane and I galloped faster. I was past even more horses. Now I had to face a stallion that I recognized. "Jake?" I whispered at him. "Samantha?" He snorted. "You slow down if you know what's good for you!" He neighed. I blinked and sped up. they were head to head and their hooves struck the ground at the same pace. I saw the end, and so did my jockey. I whipped me as hard as possible. I galloped faster than any other Thoroughbred could run. she heard the announcer yell, "It's Victory Screech and WhoDunnit in the lead!"

I galloped faster and faster until I reached fifty seven miles per hour. Faster than any Thoroughbred had every ran. I knew I was going to win this one. I galloped through the finish line. It felt so exhilerating. 

They untacked me and led me into the bathing stall. My jockey held me and petted me. He fed me a colorful peppermint. I smacked my lips chewing on it. Then a man turned on the hose, and began showering the sweat off me. It felt so good! He then took a plastic sweat scraper. He scraped the sweat off of me. I sighed in relief. I was done, but I had two races left.