The Hunter
Chiquato & Desmond Drake
Alucard & Savita Tusaint
Alucard & Savita Tusaint
"'Chicken' my ass. I'm going to kill that damn horse." All heads turned at the growled words, more startled because of who's voice was saying it rather than the actual exclamation. Cole was rubbing his shoulder, irritation written all over his face. Which, it would have to be - the man rarely got angry enough to actually voice said anger. Hal waved the trainer over to the bench she was getting ready on, and everyone else went back to their business - if anyone could calm an angry man, it'd be Hal. Which was a little ironic because she was normally more quick to make them mad. Cole paused, looking like he just wanted to walk it off, then relented and sat next to the woman as she laced up her boots. "So what did the lovely Chickenshit do this morning?" Hal asked, pulling out the less-than-loving nickname that the stallion sported amongst the staff. Cole gave her a look, not approving of the name, but just at the moment he didn't argue. It was well-earned, after all. "I was checking a cut on his leg he picked up yesterday - which was fine - and he pinned me against the wall." He was cooling off as he sat there, and was having less homicidal urges toward the dark bay stallion. "He's a nuisance and a danger. Unfortunately, he's too talented to get rid of." The trainer grimaced, and Hal sighed in agreement. "He's just as bad with me. It's just plain bad manners. Maybe if he's here long enough, we can break him of some of it. For now, rider up and let him go. And let him deal with his own damn cuts." Hal's eyes sparked with mischief, and Cole laughed. "Or do it outside of the stall, anyway. Last time I do Jena a favor."
"I heard that," came a woman's voice from a stall down the row, and Cole shot back "Good," before he got up and continued out of the barn, toward the track. Desmond passed him on the way in, and they paused to speak for a second. When Des went by Hal, he had a resigned look on his face. "Wish me luck," he said, with all of the enthusiasm of a man walking to war. "Luck," Hal said, equally somber. Before immediately breaking back into a grin. She didn't envy him his position, but it was still fun to watch. Jena popped her head out of Alucard's stall down the row, looking back for Hal. "Be a dear and take Luca down to the track and I'll help wrangle Chicken." Hal waved her assent - after all, she wasn't on a time schedule this morning. Just a few easy gallops on some of her mounts, not any breezes. Jena flashed a smile and jogged off down the aisle while Hal pulled the solidly built sprinter from his stall. Luca handled well for a stallion, but didn't have any of the affection she was used to them showing her - he looked ahead, cool as could be, without a single glance at her. It was like he behaved himself so well so he wouldn't have to acknowledge that she was there - he was just off on a stroll, all by himself. It bothered her a little, since Hal was definitely the sort that wanted attention, but it wasn't like there was anything she could do about it.
She got Alucard down to the track and held him while her sometimes-rival Savita got a leg up. The younger woman had hated Hal pretty much from the moment they'd met, and Hal had made it her mission to irritate her whenever possible, if she was going to act that way - it made for a rocky relationship, to say the least. But at the moment they were civil, and Hal went to stand by Minske while Desmond was mounted on the fractious Chicken. The two horses were trotted out onto the turf, Chicken under a tight hold and Luca moving like a well-behaved tiger. All dangerous intentions and a predator's eyes. While they warmed up, Luca kept his eye on the other stallion, and Savita would have sworn that he was sizing up his opponent. He wasn't nearly as aggressive on the practice track as he was on race day, but Savita was still careful to keep the two horses from getting too close - Luca didn't care if he had a rider on or not. If he was pissed and raring for a fight, he'd toss her easily or fight with her on. Which, obviously, was a dangerous situation.
They were doing three furlongs, and it didn't take long for them to move into a gallop. Chicken quickly and aggressively drove in front of the other horse, and Luca kept hot on his heels, pushing without having any real intention of passing him up. They thundered around the turn, muscles pulsing and hooves churning up the dirt. Luca turned on the gas suddenly and without warning, flying down the outside. Chicken reacted, but was obviously surprised by the sudden move - by the time he rallied, time was up. Luca went by the wire in front, methodical and aggressive at the same time, and Savita was smiling like an idiot. By that time Chicken had gained speed, and Desmond wasn't too worried - in a longer race, Chicken would be quite capable of catching the other stallion.
"I heard that," came a woman's voice from a stall down the row, and Cole shot back "Good," before he got up and continued out of the barn, toward the track. Desmond passed him on the way in, and they paused to speak for a second. When Des went by Hal, he had a resigned look on his face. "Wish me luck," he said, with all of the enthusiasm of a man walking to war. "Luck," Hal said, equally somber. Before immediately breaking back into a grin. She didn't envy him his position, but it was still fun to watch. Jena popped her head out of Alucard's stall down the row, looking back for Hal. "Be a dear and take Luca down to the track and I'll help wrangle Chicken." Hal waved her assent - after all, she wasn't on a time schedule this morning. Just a few easy gallops on some of her mounts, not any breezes. Jena flashed a smile and jogged off down the aisle while Hal pulled the solidly built sprinter from his stall. Luca handled well for a stallion, but didn't have any of the affection she was used to them showing her - he looked ahead, cool as could be, without a single glance at her. It was like he behaved himself so well so he wouldn't have to acknowledge that she was there - he was just off on a stroll, all by himself. It bothered her a little, since Hal was definitely the sort that wanted attention, but it wasn't like there was anything she could do about it.
She got Alucard down to the track and held him while her sometimes-rival Savita got a leg up. The younger woman had hated Hal pretty much from the moment they'd met, and Hal had made it her mission to irritate her whenever possible, if she was going to act that way - it made for a rocky relationship, to say the least. But at the moment they were civil, and Hal went to stand by Minske while Desmond was mounted on the fractious Chicken. The two horses were trotted out onto the turf, Chicken under a tight hold and Luca moving like a well-behaved tiger. All dangerous intentions and a predator's eyes. While they warmed up, Luca kept his eye on the other stallion, and Savita would have sworn that he was sizing up his opponent. He wasn't nearly as aggressive on the practice track as he was on race day, but Savita was still careful to keep the two horses from getting too close - Luca didn't care if he had a rider on or not. If he was pissed and raring for a fight, he'd toss her easily or fight with her on. Which, obviously, was a dangerous situation.
They were doing three furlongs, and it didn't take long for them to move into a gallop. Chicken quickly and aggressively drove in front of the other horse, and Luca kept hot on his heels, pushing without having any real intention of passing him up. They thundered around the turn, muscles pulsing and hooves churning up the dirt. Luca turned on the gas suddenly and without warning, flying down the outside. Chicken reacted, but was obviously surprised by the sudden move - by the time he rallied, time was up. Luca went by the wire in front, methodical and aggressive at the same time, and Savita was smiling like an idiot. By that time Chicken had gained speed, and Desmond wasn't too worried - in a longer race, Chicken would be quite capable of catching the other stallion.
Shooting Stars
Bowen Arrow & Tigris Greenfire
Stalking The Stars & Clarimonde Tusaint
Stalking The Stars & Clarimonde Tusaint
"Yes, yes, you big bully." Tigris hauled the bay stallion past the colts in the field, who were fronting and calling in a way that was getting Bow irritated. The stallion's neck was bowed, muscles bunched and ready for a fight. But Tigris knew the stallion well, and he steered him away before he could get agitated enough to pull toward the colts. Bow had a clear head on his own, but he was very much a stallion and testosterone ran strongly through his veins. The only thing that made him alright to handle is that he was very conscious of the people around him and had great spacial awareness, so he could be maneuvered by stepping into him. Bowen Arrow was an unblooded horse purchased from Nature Blues, and he'd been something of a hidden gem. He wasn't a superstar, not as of yet, anyway - but he was very consistent, and he was getting stronger every year. He was on the brink of grade two now, a star ready to rise, and Tigris was determined to take him to the top. They got out to the track, and his workmate was already there. In many ways, Bowen Arrow and Stalking The Stars were complete opposites. Where Bow was from unknown lines, Star was just about as blue-blooded as they came. Her sire was the sire of sires Night Stalker, and her dam had proven herself already as well. Her siblings were incredibly accomplished, and Star was hot on their heels. She had had a poor juvenile season, but over her three-year-old year she'd really started a roll. This could truly be her year, and her jockey was determined to make it happen. As far as anyone could tell, Star was the horse Clarimonde connected to the most. He was a fantastic jockey, but it seemed only a horse as loving and trusting as Star could begin to melt that frozen heart of his. Not that Clari would ever admit it or show it in public, of course. The kid had more pride than any of the rest of them put together. Which grated on Tigris' nerves often, but he had to admit Clari knew what he was doing.
Tigris got a leg onto Bow, then steered him out to the turf. He was hyped but comfortable with Star warming up nearby - he got along well with mares, like a total ladykiller. And Star liked pretty much any horse, so it was a good situation all around. The warm up went easily, though quietly - the two jockeys didn't talk, since neither of them was a fan of chatting. When the horses had been put through their paces, they took them back to the fence, where Cole was waving them down. The man took a second to look at the two horses, who were standing quietly for a moment. "I want you to go four furlongs, but don't start them out in company. Start Bow three lengths or so behind Star and make them run like that. They won't always have another horse to buddy up with." Tigris was ecstatic that Cole hadn't put his stallion first - holding back the stallion when he had only open ground in front of him was a hell of a task. The trainer waved them off again, and the horses were taken to the rail. When they'd cantered to the backside, Clari put Star into a gallop first, and Tigris allowed a fighting Bow to follow when Star was a few strides away. Tigris had his hands full for about half a furlong, convincing the headstrong bay that he needed to stay back. Star was just as uncertain on the front end, but Clari had a bit easier of a time since all Star needed was the trust between them - she didn't have to have another horse if Clari was guiding her, even if she was uneasy. The first two furlongs continued this way, and then Tigris let Bow start gaining. The stallion knew what this was - this was the chase, and he was well familiar with it. Finally given his head, the bay rocketed forward, stretching out and gaining on the black. Clari glanced back once, timing his move, and then he let Star go as well. The mare sensed the stallion coming up on her and reacted, following Clari's urging and pouring on the speed. Perhaps because she'd been more comfortable, the mare was able to stop the gap from closing and continued to stave off the stallion by a length as they went by the wire.
Tigris' face was all consternation when he pulled up at the gap, giving Cole a look. "I'm betting I can find him a buddy in any race if need be. He's just not good as a closer." Cole laughed, and had to agree. On the other hand, Star wasn't the greatest frontrunner, but she'd just shown she was capable if need be.
Tigris got a leg onto Bow, then steered him out to the turf. He was hyped but comfortable with Star warming up nearby - he got along well with mares, like a total ladykiller. And Star liked pretty much any horse, so it was a good situation all around. The warm up went easily, though quietly - the two jockeys didn't talk, since neither of them was a fan of chatting. When the horses had been put through their paces, they took them back to the fence, where Cole was waving them down. The man took a second to look at the two horses, who were standing quietly for a moment. "I want you to go four furlongs, but don't start them out in company. Start Bow three lengths or so behind Star and make them run like that. They won't always have another horse to buddy up with." Tigris was ecstatic that Cole hadn't put his stallion first - holding back the stallion when he had only open ground in front of him was a hell of a task. The trainer waved them off again, and the horses were taken to the rail. When they'd cantered to the backside, Clari put Star into a gallop first, and Tigris allowed a fighting Bow to follow when Star was a few strides away. Tigris had his hands full for about half a furlong, convincing the headstrong bay that he needed to stay back. Star was just as uncertain on the front end, but Clari had a bit easier of a time since all Star needed was the trust between them - she didn't have to have another horse if Clari was guiding her, even if she was uneasy. The first two furlongs continued this way, and then Tigris let Bow start gaining. The stallion knew what this was - this was the chase, and he was well familiar with it. Finally given his head, the bay rocketed forward, stretching out and gaining on the black. Clari glanced back once, timing his move, and then he let Star go as well. The mare sensed the stallion coming up on her and reacted, following Clari's urging and pouring on the speed. Perhaps because she'd been more comfortable, the mare was able to stop the gap from closing and continued to stave off the stallion by a length as they went by the wire.
Tigris' face was all consternation when he pulled up at the gap, giving Cole a look. "I'm betting I can find him a buddy in any race if need be. He's just not good as a closer." Cole laughed, and had to agree. On the other hand, Star wasn't the greatest frontrunner, but she'd just shown she was capable if need be.
Beast
Criosphinx & Tigris Greenfire
Tigris hopped off of Bow and handed him off to a walker, and was about to take his helmet off when Cole caught his attention. "Not so fast, Tigs. I want you to give Cry a quick zip around before his race. If we can stay on top of him, we'll know he's going into the race with a good mindset." Tigris let the nickname slip - it was better than Tiggy, anyway, which was Hal's weapon of choice. "That's fine. Jena bringing him down?"
"Yes, because I knew your lazy ass wouldn't be up there anytime soon." Tigris turned, already with a sardonic look on his face. "Funny. Give me my colt." Tigris snatched the chestnut's lead and Cry jerked his head upward at the sudden movement before shuffling forward and butting Tigris' shoulder hard enough to knock him back a few steps. Jena laughed, but Tigris frowned, smacking Cry's chest with the end of the lead. The colt didn't even flinch. He just turned his head and gave the rider a reproachful look. "Brute," Tigris muttered, and turned to Cole. "A short breeze, right? Are you thinking two?" Cole grinned, walking over to adjust the chestnut's saddle. "We'll make a trainer of you yet. Yes, two. If he doesn't step up and run with some motivation you can urge him on, but I don't think that'll be a problem. Just let him pick his speed." Tigris nodded, and adjusted the reins into his left hand while Cole gave him a leg up. The colt wasn't especially tall, so Tigris was pretty sure he could vault onto the colt if Cry would stand still... ah, well. Something to look forward to when he was retired to stud. Cry tossed his head but didn't move off while Tigris adjusted the reins, and finally Tigris allowed him to walk out onto the dirt.
Criosphinx was a sprinter through-and-through, a monster of muscle over the dirt and definitely a horse likely to be an underdog winner throughout the year. It was hard, racing a colt from unknown lines against very well-bred individuals, but Tigris was always up for a challenge. He'd come in third in his first race, but Tigris wasn't discouraged. Cry was the type to develop a chip on his shoulder, and Tigris knew he wouldn't be behind for long. The chestnut was talented and incredibly driven, which was definitely part of the equation for a great competitor. Tigris urged the colt into a trot and Cry immediately tried to take more, jumping into a choppy canter - Tigris checked him sharply, and Cry eased back into a trot. "You'd better behave," he said sternly, and either the tone of his voice made it through or his body language berthed no argument, because the colt settled in from there on out. He was definitely eager, but he behaved himself. He finished warming him up and moved Cry into a gallop on the rail.
It was basically a stretch run of a work, and Tigris let the colt have his head. After a moment of what was likely surprise, Cry took off with renewed vengeance. Tigris had his fingers woven in the colt's mane, and it was a good thing, too - he took off with such accelerated bounds that a less experienced jockey could have rolled right off his back. Tigris let out a whoop as the colt surged onward, and the sound seemed to encourage him even more. He was still gaining speed as they went across the wire, and Tigris kept him galloping strongly out. When they finished up, Cry only had a light sheen of sweat and his attitude said he'd willingly go another round if it was asked of him. Tigris reached his arms down, patting the colt's chest with his hands before hopping off. He looked to Cole with a lopsided grin. "If he runs like that this weekend, he's a shoe-in. So let's give it all we've got, huh?" The last words were said to Criosphinx, and the colt butted his shoulder again, much more lightly and amiably this time. It was the beginning of a long relationship, but Tigris was excited to see where it'd go.
"Yes, because I knew your lazy ass wouldn't be up there anytime soon." Tigris turned, already with a sardonic look on his face. "Funny. Give me my colt." Tigris snatched the chestnut's lead and Cry jerked his head upward at the sudden movement before shuffling forward and butting Tigris' shoulder hard enough to knock him back a few steps. Jena laughed, but Tigris frowned, smacking Cry's chest with the end of the lead. The colt didn't even flinch. He just turned his head and gave the rider a reproachful look. "Brute," Tigris muttered, and turned to Cole. "A short breeze, right? Are you thinking two?" Cole grinned, walking over to adjust the chestnut's saddle. "We'll make a trainer of you yet. Yes, two. If he doesn't step up and run with some motivation you can urge him on, but I don't think that'll be a problem. Just let him pick his speed." Tigris nodded, and adjusted the reins into his left hand while Cole gave him a leg up. The colt wasn't especially tall, so Tigris was pretty sure he could vault onto the colt if Cry would stand still... ah, well. Something to look forward to when he was retired to stud. Cry tossed his head but didn't move off while Tigris adjusted the reins, and finally Tigris allowed him to walk out onto the dirt.
Criosphinx was a sprinter through-and-through, a monster of muscle over the dirt and definitely a horse likely to be an underdog winner throughout the year. It was hard, racing a colt from unknown lines against very well-bred individuals, but Tigris was always up for a challenge. He'd come in third in his first race, but Tigris wasn't discouraged. Cry was the type to develop a chip on his shoulder, and Tigris knew he wouldn't be behind for long. The chestnut was talented and incredibly driven, which was definitely part of the equation for a great competitor. Tigris urged the colt into a trot and Cry immediately tried to take more, jumping into a choppy canter - Tigris checked him sharply, and Cry eased back into a trot. "You'd better behave," he said sternly, and either the tone of his voice made it through or his body language berthed no argument, because the colt settled in from there on out. He was definitely eager, but he behaved himself. He finished warming him up and moved Cry into a gallop on the rail.
It was basically a stretch run of a work, and Tigris let the colt have his head. After a moment of what was likely surprise, Cry took off with renewed vengeance. Tigris had his fingers woven in the colt's mane, and it was a good thing, too - he took off with such accelerated bounds that a less experienced jockey could have rolled right off his back. Tigris let out a whoop as the colt surged onward, and the sound seemed to encourage him even more. He was still gaining speed as they went across the wire, and Tigris kept him galloping strongly out. When they finished up, Cry only had a light sheen of sweat and his attitude said he'd willingly go another round if it was asked of him. Tigris reached his arms down, patting the colt's chest with his hands before hopping off. He looked to Cole with a lopsided grin. "If he runs like that this weekend, he's a shoe-in. So let's give it all we've got, huh?" The last words were said to Criosphinx, and the colt butted his shoulder again, much more lightly and amiably this time. It was the beginning of a long relationship, but Tigris was excited to see where it'd go.