The Letter

Lily’s mother homeschooled her since they had so much to do. Lily enjoyed being able to do her school without interruptions in her room and never complained about doing it either. But, that day was destined to be different.

            Lily was sitting at her desk in her room doing her school when she was suddenly interrupted. The door flew open and in came Samuel, “You’ve received a letter from the Churchill Downs Racetrack!” Lily swept the letter from his hand, tore it open and read:

Dear Lily,

    We received your letter and read it some time ago. By the information that you enclosed, we didn’t see much chance in finding anything about this horse, but we were wrong. We are happy to announce that we did indeed find what you wanted.

Black Knight’s information is as follows:

Abdullah Sahar

Sire: Abdul Shakar owned by Sheik Ashkali  

Dam: Sahar Ashtah owned by Sheik Raandah

·        Black Knight was born in the spring in Sheik Lahore’s stable/tent as Abdullah Sahar.

·        Dam died when Abdullah Sahar was only three months.

·        Abdullah Sahar sold to Raja Shahal when colt was four months old.

·        Raja Shahal sold the colt two weeks later to traveling merchant.

·        Merchant drowns on the sea and papers are sent to America.

·        Lily Starr is now in full ownership of Abdullah Sahar (now one and a half years old) by order of Raja Shahal the Younger.

So, we are glad to say that you may enter the Kentucky Derby in six months. Luckily, this is the end of the month, so you have all of early next year to train Black Knight (Abdullah Sahar). Good luck!

             The Staff at Churchill Downs

Lily squealed, handed the letter to Samuel, and ran to Leslie’s to tell her of their luck. Now, Black Knight could earn enough money to fill those empty stalls!

After hearing about their good fortune, Leslie joined Lily in her jubilance and soon they were making plans. First, with Leslie’s help, Black Knight would be entered in a preparatory race, that would be the Saratoga Race Course in New York, then, the Kentucky Derby and, if Black Knight wins that, then on to more races. Lily and Leslie were so excited they could hardly wait, but Lily knew that they were taking big chances to make it to the Derby.

As soon as she returned to her house, Lily wrote to Churchill Downs for the entrance papers. Then, she wrote to every other race track she could think of for their entrance papers as well. Lily and Leslie were determined that Black Knight could make it if he really wanted to. Now, the only thing left was, where would they find a jockey?

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