by Violet Inkpen, age 12

The girl walked up to the black horse and stroked her neck. The horse turned and nudged her rider’s shoulder with such affection that she girl gave her a big hug.

“Come on Lilly, it’s time to mount,” her father said, boosting her into the saddle. “Are you sure you don’t want Jim to run this? It’s her first race after all,” he said, pointing to their normal jockey.

Lilly clenched her teeth, narrowed her eyes, and straightened her back. “I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Blind Chance will gallop to victory,” she said, patting the mare’s neck. The filly bobbed her head. She was ready.

Lilly’s dad studied the pair. Lilly was dressed in gold and red with a black helmet and Blind Chance was wearing a golden colored rein with a small, brown saddle. The filly’s black coat shone brilliantly and Lilly’s eyes sparkeld with joy. “Okay, it’s going to be tough. These fillies are all here for their first race and they’ll all have something to prove. Don’t run her out on the first few minutes. Save her for the finish,” he said, patting the mare’s shoulder.

“I know dad, I’ve seen a million races.” Lilly rolled her eyes. Ever since she was born she had been dragged to the horse races to see her father’s horses run. Now it was her turn and she wouldn’t let him ruin it for her. “Come on Chancey, let’s show them what you got,” Lilly cooed running her fingers through the silky black mane.

“I’ll walk you to the track,” her father said, grabbing at the reins. He led the blind filly and anxious rider to the entrance to the track. “Okay, warm her up,” he said.

Lilly nodded and kicked Blind chance into a trot to join the string of horses trotting around the track. More and more horses began joining the others until there were ten horses on the track. A few minutes later, people on other horses came up to pony the horses.

After what seemed like hours they were finally led into the gates. At first Blind chance shied. She could only hear the other horses screaming in rage and stomping at the gate. But Lilly gently soothed her and urged her into the gate. Blind Chance stood in the gate shaking. “Come on Chancey, come on,” Lilly soothed. The filly snorted and tossed her head, trying to get away. DING DING DING! The bell rang and the gates burst opened.

Lilly was afraid Chance would freeze, but she shot out of the gate like she was being chased by a demon and took an early lead. Lilly kept her reined in, trying to slow her pace. Blind Chance snorted in protest and shook her head, trying to free Lilly’s grip. “Come on Chancey, please calm down,” Lilly said soothingly. The wind whipped mane into her face and made her hunch her shoulders against the cold.

Blind Chance was pinning her ears back and Lilly was sure she was afraid. The crowd was yelling and cheering and the sound of pounding hooves was fierce. There were horses just behind them and some pulling up beside them. Lilly flinched when she heart a whip crack against a horse’s flanks and Blind Chance, picking up on her rider’s emotions, shied to the left, almost bumping another filly. Lilly took deep breaths — maybe she should have let Jim run it! Her lack of confidence was making Blind Chance loose speed rapidly. Lilly looked up and noticed that they were in last place.

She also saw the finish was coming up fast. “COME ON CHANCEY WE CAN DO THIS!” She shouted against the wind. She gave Chance all the reins and grabbed handfuls of mane. Then she kicked her heels in Blind Chance’s side and the mare burst into a gallop. Within seconds they whipped past other fillies and came up beside the lead. “Come on girl, let’s go! Let’s go!” Lilly whispered. The filly gave a battle cry and surged ahead, taking the lead. She didn’t stop there — she ran and ran, gaining speed each second.

They crossed the finish line five strides ahead of the other horses and sent the crowd in an uproar. “That was Blind Chance ladies and gentlemen, and she literally IS blind! The first ever blind filly to win a race!” the announcer cried out. Everyone shouted louder and as Lilly brought Blind Chance to a stop she felt her cheeks turn red with pride.

The picture showed Blind Chance lifting her head in pride and Lilly grinning from ear to ear. That day they stunned the world.

Note: Running Through the Dark is a sequel to The Filly With No Chance.