Post by Dante on Jan 18, 2012 14:11:04 GMT -5
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EXECUTIONER'S APPRENTICE
workout with
TOBIAS LANCASTER
for the
UNICORN HORN COLTS
workout [/color]
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Tobias knew how easily things could fall apart on the race track. He knew just how hard it could be for some racers to get going, and it was all to easy for the ones going to stop. Maybe a fall, maybe a bad show, maybe calamity of some other kids - who knew? Tobias was determined App was not going to be one of those. He'd shown more potential than anyone at PHS had dreamed about when they'd gotten the colt with the peculiar marking upon his shoulder, now fast becoming a mark of attention. But attention wasn't everything, no. It was all about the preparation, and in big races, that was absolutely key.
And that was what they were doing here. The turf track was a good, known thing to the grey colt underneath Tobias, as was competition. But come no flood nor flame would they miss their training, especially not for a big race like this one. The Unicorn Horn Colts. Competition would be strong. But Tobias felt App could come to it. Nine furlongs, on turf. A distance he'd run time and tine before, and did well at. It was time to get flying.
Skylark was already up in the grandstands as horse and rider approached the gate. Tobias could feel the power of the colt below him. Now three, App was gaining the power that Tobias predicted he would have, and now was the time to go into the racing year with a bang, to show them that there was a horse there. PHS wasn't big, but it only took one supernova to become among the greats, and everyone was sure they found it. The world might burn, but Executioner's Apprentice? Oh, he was well and capable of running on through it all. Tobias thought that perhaps App fancied himself a warhorse, the head of the Calvary charge.
They went into the gate with no issue, and Tobias pulled down his goggles, before poising himself. App pawed a little eager to get on and run. He always hated waiting in the gates, but Tobias used it as a last major condition check and planning moment. Nine furlongs meant they'd keep pressure on from the get go, but make a move closer to the end, when the closers were trying to close the distance and the frontrunners were losing their power -thanks to the pressure they'd apply midway through. They'd keep pushing, and then push right on through.
Adrenaline raced through the jockey and horse as the gates slammed open, and off they went, to a good, solid start. Right up with the frontrunners in the start, and then just behind them, a looming threat. Tobias could map the imaginary field - a big dark bay there, a filly there, a black stallion at their heels, all pretend, but all so real. It was all about finding the right mindset, and sticking with it. The race was a simulation, a workout, a training run, and to make something of it it had to be done authentically. It had to be done with all the thought and planning and attention.
App was ready and willing to go. Tobias could feel it in every stride. The colt had power, and speed, and stamina, the three essential ingredients. Tobias' main job was to harness it and translate it into a win, to funnel it into results, and he was very good at it; though in the end it came down to the horse.
App tore up the turf, applying pressure to the imaginary leaders. Given it was nine furlongs, App was going to stay in second or third for the first five or six furlongs, but he'd never give the frontrunners a rest. That wasn't his style. His style was almost like a death of a thousand cuts; the dapple grey colt would push and push until the leaders couldn't take it, then he'd break away ahead of them, in for the kill, in for the win.
The curve came at just before five furlongs, and App took it eagerly. Tobias didn't feel a hint of unsoundness in the colt, either. There was no balance issue to speak of, even with the weight of a jockey on his back. Then again, Tobias did only weigh 80 pounds - well below that of a typical jockey.
With the curve behind them, App now only had to contend with the frontrunners. Five and a half furlongs....now six! Time to strike. The stick was shortly, and strongly applied, again and again, and App got more of his head. He was all too happy to agree, and off he went. Tobias felt like he was flying, and in a way, he was. He was on top of an animal running for his life, keeping his place only by two metal bars and some leather, and balance. Put that way, hang gliding sounded safer - but not as fun.
The imagined front runners began to melt away, falling against Executioner's Apprentice. His black mane and tail streamed out behind them, and Tobias' baby blue jockey silks rippled in the wind. App raced across the finish marker in what seemed a mere moment later, and then they looped around to Skylark.
"Looking good." Skylark grinned. "Let's set this year off with a bang, yeah?-----------------------
WORKOUT STATS
words| 889
workout surface| Turf
distance| 9 furlongs
horse| Executioner's Apprentice
jockey| Tobias Lancaster
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