Blind Faith [Rillo]

Though Alex was not normally called to ride frontrunning horses, Kent and Amelia had, after a long discussion of their options, called him in to ride Amarillo Sky. The big bay horse was waiting with a handler as Alex came down the path to the track. Waiting, said loosely - it was all the handler could do to hold the big stallion, who was fighting the chain under his lip. He seemed to disregard the pain, half-rearing against the restraint. He seemed to be trying to get to the track, actually, and the handler fighting him just made him more and more angry.

Alex hurried toward the pair, seeing potential disaster for both horse and human if things weren't brought under control. He grabbed the lead from the handler, immediately releasing the pressure and allowing the horse to back up a few steps. The slack on the lead seemed to startle Rillo, as he stopped fighting and turned one wide eye toward the jockey. There was a pause. "Now I know why they called me," Alex said with some humor, slowly walking toward the horse. Rillo took a step back, but Alex didn't stop, only ending the little dance when Rillo finally allowed the young man to stand beside him. Alex didn't lower his guard, of course - the look in Rillo's eye told him that his cooperation was only temporary while he sized up this new human. He even went so far as to pin his ears and nip out as Alex got a leg up, but the nimble man pulled his leg out of the way before the teeth could latch on. He gave the horse a sharp tap with his whip, letting him know that his behavior was not appreciated, then moved him onto the track. The horse went with all willingness - after all, it was where he'd been trying to go from the very beginning.

Kent had given Alex his instructions ahead of time. Warm up, then breeze him five. He mostly wanted Alex to get a feel for the horse before their first race together, and the jockey was glad of it - he had a feeling getting Rillo to do what was needed could be a job and a half, especially when Alex didn't normally ride on the lead. He was capable, though, and he was probably the most suited jockey for Valkyrie to handle this particular horse. Alex didn't ride on brute strength and domination, and he was pretty sure he'd be able to come to a truce with the stallion.

Alex allowed Rillo to open into a canter, taking a spot toward the center of the track to begin with. Rillo was particularly unhappy with the face that horses were galloping to the inside, and tossed his head more than once to try and grab the bit, but Alex patiently outwaited the headstrong horse, only allowing him to open into an easy gallop when he's stopped fighting. They kept the pace for a half mile, then Alex guided Rillo toward the rail for the start of the work. The bay knew what was coming and made to start early, but Alex dutifully kept him restrained until the right time, even though the horse fought him. When they reached the right spot, Alex loosened the reins, body moving closer to the stallion's neck.

Rillo jumped into the cue, muscles surging as his hooves drove into the dirt. It was obvious that he wanted to go faster, even when there were no horses to compete with - Alex suspected it would be even worse during a real race. However, even though Rillo occasionally fought with his head, his movement remained fluid, free of speed checks and stumbling. Alex rewarded the stallion in the last two furlongs, giving him more of his head - though not all, because he had a feeling the horse might grab the bit and take him for a more reckless ride. Rillo seemed alright with what was given, digging in hard and lengthening his stride, charging across the finish line. As they galloped out, Alex understood why the horse had been described as a freight train - he doubted the colt would let anything stand in the way of his keeping the lead. He seemed like the type who would rather drop of exhaustion than let someone get the better of him.

So despite his attitude, Alex had a feeling the two of them would get along pretty well.