It was February. I knew this because Julie put paper cutouts pink and red hearts with our names on them on our stall doors. Gah!

I also saw the stablehands glance at Tower and I regularly. I wondered why, but quickly found out-we were racing! We were going into the race together!

But first they had to get us to Oaklawn Park. They pulled up a trailer and Tower stepped in nonchalantly. When it was my turn though, I refused. Images flashed in front of me, and I remembered being squished under Dragon for hours. That was not happening again.
"Miss Charlotte, it's like they said. He won't get on the trailer."
"Oh, he just needs some coaxing!" she responded. "Come here, boy, look what I got for you!" She held out a carrot. Carrots were now my favorite treat, since only Ryan was allowed to feed me sugar cubes. I walked onto the ramp, eager for my carrot. And so began the in eventful drive to
Oaklawn.