Post by Kenren on Jan 8, 2016 23:38:49 GMT -5
[nospaces]
[newclass=.biggieno]margin-left:-300px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno]margin-top:-425px;margin-bottom:150px;width:300px;height:400px;padding:10px;background-color:#fff;border:solid 1px #b7b7b7;color:#939393;text-align:justify;overflow:auto;margin-left:610px;font:11px calibri;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno::-webkit-scrollbar]width:10px;background:#fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background:#b7b7b7;border:2px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.iconieno]margin-top:-240px;margin-left:-220px;margin-bottom:50px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.tagsieno]font:11px calibri;color:#b7b7b7;margin-top:-75px;margin-left:-75px;margin-bottom:40px;[/newclass]
[attr="class","biggieno"]
[attr="class","textieno"]It had been nearly two years since Tigris had been in National Treasure's saddle. Two years since her Cotillion victory, when he'd had to say goodbye to his best mount and watch her struggle in her new home. She had never settled, and then was pushed aside as the farm went under. It was through luck at their disposal sale that Valkyrie was able to get ahold of their mare again. A bit out of shape but as gentle-tempered as ever, they had forestalled her return to racing in order to get her back into shape. The black mare that trotted down the track in company now was an even better picture than she'd made as a three-year-old - she was bigger, more mature, and and looked right at home under Valkyrie training. Beside her was another mare, though one newer to the program. She had also yet to make a start this year, and the farm had kept her back for much of the same reason - they needed her to relax and get to know them before they took her to the track. Unlike their last lease from Stride of Perfection, Impressionable came to them as a hard-trying yet underachieving runner. After a wonderful two-year-old season, she simply hadn't clicked in the classic runs, and thus a change of scenery was deemed worthwhile. While Tigris would be riding her to race, Minske was aboard now, guiding the strong-minded mare through her paces. She was a beautiful creature, all strength and class, and excitement easily bubbled for both of the workers on the track. They were much better than their records reflected, and had a very good chance to make a big splash this year.
[break][break]
The two horses went side-by-side down the track - though Treasure ran on turf, the work was more of a maintenance move than anything. They weren't looking for all-out speed, just assurance for Cole that they were fit and ready to make their debuts for the year. Empress moved with incredibly powerful grace, eyes rolling to the grandstand as if to see whether there were spectators gathered. Treasure seemed immune to her workmate's flashy behavior, simply enjoying herself as they moved around in the crisp air. "She always was so relaxed. You won't even know how to ride Shanna anymore if you get too many that listen," Minske joked, easing his reins to urge Empress into a canter. Tigris followed suit with Treasure, a lopsided grin on his face. "Nah, I just think of it as a vacation. You're the one that's going to forget how to ride. You take a whole year off and then come in to ride Lad? Of all the horses to pick." Tigris had never been quite over his dislike of the juvenile. Laddie Luck was a finicky, high-drama animal, far from Tigris' preference. Minske had raised him up from a foal, though, and he had a certain fondness for him. He'd had a pretty good start to the year, and Minske had high hopes for their first son of Castle Siege.
[break][break]
A few moments later the pair moved their horses to the rail and to a gallop. Empress was all dominant confidence, while Treasure was content to let the chestnut lead. They cruised around the turn at easy speed, then in the stretch Tigris allowed Empress to dig in a bit more as she pleased. Treasure followed easily, but Tigris could tell from her stride that she truly wasn't a dirt horse. She wasn't bad, and wasn't angry over the surface, but she never truly hit her stride the way he knew she could. That being said, her propensity toward speed kept her within striking distance of Empress as they neared the wire, with the chestnut filly never pulling further than a length or so away under very little urging. They swept by the wire, and Tigris was the first to pull up, while Minske galloped Empress out a little longer. Tigris didn't need the times to know that they were where they needed to be - the eagerness of both mounts spoke far more than numbers on a watch.
[break][break]
The two horses went side-by-side down the track - though Treasure ran on turf, the work was more of a maintenance move than anything. They weren't looking for all-out speed, just assurance for Cole that they were fit and ready to make their debuts for the year. Empress moved with incredibly powerful grace, eyes rolling to the grandstand as if to see whether there were spectators gathered. Treasure seemed immune to her workmate's flashy behavior, simply enjoying herself as they moved around in the crisp air. "She always was so relaxed. You won't even know how to ride Shanna anymore if you get too many that listen," Minske joked, easing his reins to urge Empress into a canter. Tigris followed suit with Treasure, a lopsided grin on his face. "Nah, I just think of it as a vacation. You're the one that's going to forget how to ride. You take a whole year off and then come in to ride Lad? Of all the horses to pick." Tigris had never been quite over his dislike of the juvenile. Laddie Luck was a finicky, high-drama animal, far from Tigris' preference. Minske had raised him up from a foal, though, and he had a certain fondness for him. He'd had a pretty good start to the year, and Minske had high hopes for their first son of Castle Siege.
[break][break]
A few moments later the pair moved their horses to the rail and to a gallop. Empress was all dominant confidence, while Treasure was content to let the chestnut lead. They cruised around the turn at easy speed, then in the stretch Tigris allowed Empress to dig in a bit more as she pleased. Treasure followed easily, but Tigris could tell from her stride that she truly wasn't a dirt horse. She wasn't bad, and wasn't angry over the surface, but she never truly hit her stride the way he knew she could. That being said, her propensity toward speed kept her within striking distance of Empress as they neared the wire, with the chestnut filly never pulling further than a length or so away under very little urging. They swept by the wire, and Tigris was the first to pull up, while Minske galloped Empress out a little longer. Tigris didn't need the times to know that they were where they needed to be - the eagerness of both mounts spoke far more than numbers on a watch.
[attr="class","iconieno"]
[attr="class","tagsieno"]@tagged
[newclass=.biggieno]margin-left:-300px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno]margin-top:-425px;margin-bottom:150px;width:300px;height:400px;padding:10px;background-color:#fff;border:solid 1px #b7b7b7;color:#939393;text-align:justify;overflow:auto;margin-left:610px;font:11px calibri;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno::-webkit-scrollbar]width:10px;background:#fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.textieno::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background:#b7b7b7;border:2px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.iconieno]margin-top:-240px;margin-left:-220px;margin-bottom:50px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.tagsieno]font:11px calibri;color:#b7b7b7;margin-top:-75px;margin-left:-75px;margin-bottom:40px;[/newclass]
