Once there was a filly named Clover. Clover was a thoroughbred horse. Her mom and dad were also racehorses. Her mom had raced well, but her dad was famous for his racing abilities. He had won the Belmont Stakes, a famous race and the third race in the major racing event known as the Triple Crown. Clover wanted to be like her dad. She wanted to win all three races in the Triple Crown. The best part was that she had a real chance. She lived on a farm that trained horses to race. Clover was only one year old, but once she turned two she would be allowed to race. Her training had already started. She couldn't wait until her maiden race, her official first race. She hoped she would win.

Lucky

Clover

Finally Clover's big day came. Since all thoroughbreds have their official birthdays on January first, Clover was now officially two. She could race! Clover's owner was excited too. Although Clover was a filly, a girl, and the colts, the boy horses, were often better racers, Clover's owner had high hopes for her. She had good parents, and when she trained she was one of the fastest horses. In fact, there was only one horse faster than her. He was her half brother, Lucky Duck, or Lucky for short. He had the same dad, but his mom had raced better than Clover's mom. Lucky was also two. Clover didn't like him much. He was rude.

Clover's first race was a small race. She didn't know what it was called, but as she boarded the horse trailer she was prancing with excitement. During her workouts she was hyper. She was impatient in her stall. Her grooms worried, but her trainer told them not to. "She's just excited, that's all" he would say. He told the jockey who would ride her, "Use all that energy in the race. It will help." Finally it was time for the race. She walked into the starting gate like she had practiced. A little ways down, she could hear a nervous colt snort. her jockey prepared for the race. Suddenly the bell rang and the gates burst open. Her first race had started!

Clover listened to her jockey like she was supposed to. Still, it was hard to concentrate with all the horses around her. Everything was so fast and so loud. She was in the middle, nowhere near the leader, who was a black colored colt. Two horses were in front of her, and she had to go the long way to pass them. Her jockey urged her on, but the race was almost over. She dug in her hooves harder, trying her best. She was gaining. She had passed the leader now! She was sure she was going to win; she could see the end of the race, but then she heard hoofbeats. Another horse was right next to her. With all her might she thrust her nose forward and pushed off. She was ahead as she passed the finish.

Everyone was very proud of Clover. The crowd cheered loudly. Still, Clover was a good sport. She congratulated the second place horse, who was exhausted and disappointed. She told him that he had done a good job, and that he was one of the fastest horses she had seen. He thanked her, and said he felt better. Clover beamed as her trainer came over to pet her, and told her that she was just like her daddy. Clover hoped that meant she was headed for the Triple Crown.

The days went by. Clover got better and faster. She raced multiple times. She won every time. Sometimes at home her trainer had her do practice races with other horses. She won most of those, except for the ones against Lucky. She was so upset after losing to him the second time that her jockey suggested to her owner that she and Lucky race separately from now on. Clover was relieved. Lucky always made fun of her.

I can race in it!

Lucky is better

Then one day something wonderful for Clover's home happened. They learned that not just one horse, but two of their horses, were eligible for the Kentucky Derby. This was shocking. There are hundreds and thousands of racehorses, and only twenty can make it to the Kentucky Derby. A horse had to do exceptionally well to get in. They have to win races, and they have to win hard races. Now Clover had a chance to prove as amazing as her dad. Unfortunately, so did Lucky. They were the two who had made it.

Race day came. The stables were abuzz and the seats were filled. People milled around, looking for a place to stand. A huge screen was overhead, ready to show the race to people who couldn't see. Churchill Downs, the track where the Kentucky Derby was held, was positively packed. Clover felt as nervous as she had in her first race. If she won this, she would bring fame to her farm. Even if she didn't, she was a part of history. And if she won all three races in the Triple Crown, her name would be known to every racehorse and every person who had ever learned about horse racing. She pranced in her stall, snorting happily. She imagined herself wearing the rose blanket the winner would get. It would look great.