five o'clock in the morning

[Snowflake]

NATURALLY CHARISMATIC AND SILVERIANNA WORK FOR LULLABYEBYE DERBY

At this time of year, it was still dark at five o'clock in the morning. The track was quiet, we were the first ones out. Naturally Charismatic fidgeted under Sarah, focusing on every sight and sound rather than her rider's commands. Until Silverianna came out to join them, that's how it would be. The young filly had raced just four times this year; we'd been worried about her lack of maturity. In her time off, she'd gotten taller, filled out in all the right places, and had never been stronger or fitter. She was now entered in a race with three other fillies, including Silverianna. The big threat in the race was her stable mate and Afterglow, we hoped she pull third place at the least. The other filly in the field was unknown to them - Native Gold.

Finally, Silverianna and Stella joined them. Suddenly, Charis was all business. Silverianna had been consistent throughout the year. But we wanted her to be doing better. She had it in her blood to do alot better - we guessed it could be a maturity problem with her as well. Breaking into canter, the fillies continued their warmup as they edged towards the four furlong poke, from which they would take off for their four furlong gallop.

Both thoroughbreds kept competitively abreast of one another. Both liked pretty much the same position of midfield to behind the leaders. As the four furlong pole loomed, the riders crouched lower and prepared to cue the fillies to gallop. As it flashed by, both sprang into gallop, and immediately were racing.

They flew around the turn, and into the homestretch. With two furlongs to go, they began to make their moves. Stella crouched lower on Silverianna's back, giving her more rein and urging her on. The filly took off, sprinting ahead. Sarah had already given Charis the cue. The bay filly wasn't about to lose, and exploded into her top speed, gaining slightly on Ianna.

Half a furlong to go! Ianna was still ahead, by half a length. Come on Charis, show her what you've got.. Sarah called to her filly, urging her on with all she had. Charis responded, putting on a burst of speed that brought her neck and neck with Silverianna again, just as they passed the finish by. Good race! Sarah said, grinning and slapping Stella a high five. Stella grinned bacl. I'm not sure who was ahead, that was really close! Both scratched their fillies necks affectionately, and made their way off the dirt. They were ready to race.