November Week 3 Works

Tigris stretched as he walked into the barn, escaping the winter chill on the wind. The barn wasn't warm, persay, but there were heaters built into the ceiling, so even though the ventilation was good and the air chilly, if you stood in just the right spot it could warm you up. As it was, the young man was incredibly happy for the leather gloves on his hands and the jacket that had lasted many winters. The farm didn't get as cold as some places, but it was enough to put frost on the ground and a chill in the air, to be sure. A woman followed Tigris in, shamelessly still buttoning her shirt. Irritated, Tigris said, "Can't you even finish getting dressed before you get out here?" Part of his tone was from embarrassment, since his eyes inadvertently traveled to a certain area, but he masked it well with grumpiness. Hal gave a noncommittal noise, seeming not to have a care in the world. "Too early," she finally said by way of response. She didn't even seem to feel the cold. Tigris rolled his eyes, picking up the clipboard hanging on the wall. "I've got four rides today, you've got three." Tigris handed her the board to look at and walked down the aisle to where the juveniles were housed. His first work was with Hal, and his second would be with Minske, who had the hardest job of all later on - working with the rambunctious yearlings. Tigris might stick around for that... if he was feeling really, really generous.

Tigris stopped at the stall of Allouette Divine, who nickered when she heard his footsteps, eliciting a response from the surrounding horses. Divie was a juvenile sprinter who had only been able to start once that year, though she went second and that was promising as far as her future was concerned. The filly tossed her head, demanding attention, and Tigris let himself into the stall, grooming box in hand. The pretty bay filly eagerly pushed her nose into his chest, pressing but not pushing - Tigris scratched her cheek, then grabbed her halter and tied her to the wall for grooming. Divie was one of the nicest horses Tigris was assigned to ride, and that definitely gave him a soft spot for her. The filly leaned into him as he curried her coat, neck stretching as he found her sweet spots. While he was grooming, Hal stepped into the stall across the aisle to prepare her horse for the ride. In Front was another juvenile racer, though meant for a little more distance that speed. The colt had been raced more heavily that season, but aside from breaking his maiden he hadn't really created any waves. He was a good colt with good lines - there was no doubt that he would eventually hit his stride and blow everyone away. That's what his owners wished for, and that's what Valkyrie hoped for as the holder of his lease.

The two finished prepping their horses in relative silence, both juveniles feeling pretty docile all things considered. Grabbing his helmet and crop, Tigris zipped up his coat and let the way with Divie out to the track, Ticker and Hal not too far behind. Cole and Minske were waiting trackside, Minske sipping a coffee and Cole chewing on a toothpick, seeming bright-eyed so early in the morning. Tigris and Hal handed over their mounts to get legs up, receiving Cole's instructions. "Take them four furlongs. Hold Divie until the last furlong, then let her go. Ticker's not going to catch her at this distance, but keep him from getting a hot head, Hal. He needs to learn that he can't just fight you if he gets frustrated. Let him pass Divie in the gallop out to reward him." Tigris nodded, not incredibly talkative so early, moving the pretty filly out onto the track, the monstrous colt coming behind. At 17.2 hands, Ticker stood well above Divie - however, he still seemed to be getting used to his long limbs. Tigris let the filly open into a trot, enjoying how easily she responded to his cues. Most of his rides would be fighting for more, but she was content for the moment. Ticker was being just as good for Hal, but he thought it was perhaps the girl's touch that made it that way - she could tame even the most vicious beasts, it seemed. He was envious.

After a few minutes of good behavior, Tigris let Divie move into a slow gallop, stretching her legs and kicking her heels once in her excitement. Tigris sat it well, not rebuking the filly her good mood. Hal moved Ticker up alongside, the bigger colt's strides eating the turf. The two moved closer to the cue to start, and together they moved down along the rail. Divie knew what was coming, and almost instantly leaned on the bit, ready to go. He traded glances with Hal and she nodded, taking position over the horse's withers. As they passed the furlong pole to start, Tigris let Divie stretch out even more, entering a racing pace. The filly took what was given gladly, digging in at a startling pace. Hal let Ticker take his speed as well, but he wasn't a sprinter - he wouldn't be catching the filly. Hal did as she was told, soothing the colt as the bay filly pulled away from them. He fought at first - not because she was ahead, but because she was pulling away so quickly. However, under her firm hands, the colt eventually settled, deciding to listen to the girl. Things went smoothly, Divie really digging in in the last furlong, Ticker being allowed to open up more at that time as well. Divie passed the wire well ahead of the colt, relaxing into the gallop out once she went by. As instructed, Divie was pulled to a slower pace and Ticker was allowed to pass her up at a good clip, getting his sense of victory for listening so well.

The two pulled up in front of the trainer, passing the juveniles off to the hotwalkers with a pat. "They've matured a lot," Minske said from beside his father. Cole nodded agreement. "If they can show that control in a race, they'll be really have what it takes."