Jockey

- -

Morning.

Man, they got a bunch of horses out here this morning.

- Yeah, they do. - Early too.

I think these trainers trying to be slick. Work these horses in the dark.

- Ain't they always trying to be slick? - Yeah.

Yep, they up to something.

Look at that one there. Looks like he's running downhill or something.

Yeah.

Hey, you seen that new kid been training at Jerry's barn?

Nah, I ain't seen him.

Can he horseback or what?

Yeah, he can ride. He can ride, all right. His name's Gabriel.

No, we'll be all right. You know them young ones, they come and they go.

They don't usually hang around too long.

Oh.

What's wrong?

You know, it ain't the same anymore, Leo.

Yeah, you getting old.

We both getting old.

Yeah, but I'm like wine though. I'm getting better.

Hey, you ever gonna catch a horse or what?

All right.

Morning.

Morning, Ruth.

You got another one of those?

- You can go ahead and finish it. - You sure?

- Yeah, I was just warming up my lungs. - Mm.

So just jog Dublin two times, but wait till I get out there this time.

I wanna look at his right leg.

- All right, I'll gallop him, then. - No.

- Not yet. - He's pretty solid on it.

- He feels good. - I am worried about that pastern.

- If we don't start pushing him... - Jackson, just...

Just keep him tight. Okay? I'll be right out.

Ringo, no. No, baby. Go ahead.

Come on. There we go, baby. Come on.

Yeah.

Come on.

How you doing this morning?

Another day in paradise. Ain't that right?

Yes, sir.

- Okay. - You gonna get after it?

Nah, we're just gonna cruise around. Do you wanna say a hello?

He's a beaut.

Oh, his name is See Ya Later, Alligator. That's his name.

How beautiful are you?

- He's gorgeous. - Yeah, he's a real nice, kind, cool horse.

He's beautiful.

Jackson, I need you to stand up straight and still.

Take a deep breath and hold it.

Okay.

Well, is it a boy or a girl?

You've done some damage here, Jackson.

You need to get yourself to a doctor.

- You are a doctor. - I'm a horse doctor.

But you know what bones are supposed to look like, right?

Yeah. That's why I need you to take a look.

I mean, how many times have you broken your back?

I don't know. Three, I think.

I have a friend, a good doctor. A spinal doctor.

If you're having trouble with finances, whatever,

he can help out, but I need you to go.

I'm sorry, Jackson.

No, it's not your fault.

- Here you go. - No, that's fine.

Don't worry about it.

We're good.

All right, doc. Whatever you say.

Take care, Jackson.

Careful with them gaps. You're gonna clip heels.

It's all right.

Dublin hates those outside posts, so...

How was he on the turns?

A little soft. Still stutter-stepping in the gates like frigging Fred Astaire.

Yeah, I don't think we're ever gonna break him of that.

China Cat's up next?

Yeah, you're gonna have a time with him today.

He almost kicked in my fucking teeth this morning.

At least he's keeping it interesting. I like feisty.

He'll have the energy. If you wanna get him out first, I think he'll last.

Listen, Dublin's owners are here, and she really wants to meet you.

- Would you come and say hello? - Ruth.

Come on, man.

- She's been on my case for two weeks. - Fine, okay.

- Just say hi. - All right.

Here he is!

- Howdy. - This...

He's gotta change right now for the next race.

Yes, sir.

Appreciate you.

What's up, Jackson?

- How you doing? - See anything good today?

- Don't forget you got that 6:00 workout. - Will do.

Hey.

You mind if I sit down?

- Sure. - You're Gabriel, right?

- Boullait. - Yeah.

Yeah, I know. How's your season going?

Pretty good.

Got a couple good mounts,

and I'm just trying to get some wins under my belt, get me an agent.

Wow.

I wouldn't worry about getting yourself an agent.

When you're ready for one, they'll come find you.

You know, right now, if you focus on a good trainer,

you do right by him, pfft, you're gonna be fine.

Gina! Hey, Gina, can I get...?

Her name's Gina, right?

I don't know.

Gina?

I guess not.

So whereabouts are you from anyway?

Well, I was born in the South, but I'm from outside of San Diego, really.

Why?

It's just that I used to know someone with your last name.

What are you doing here?

- I'm hungry. - No, that's not...

No, here in Phoenix. What are you doing here in Phoenix?

I know a trainer. He'd give me work if I work the barn, train the horses.

But didn't I see you in Remington back in June?

And then in Houston before that?

Look, I'm not busting your balls or anything. I'm just...

I'm just trying to understand the chances of us riding the exact same circuit.

- What's the question? - I'm just saying...

If you need help, fine.

But when I got trainers saying that you're asking about me

and I see you at one track after another, but you never talk directly to me,

- then that's gonna... - You're my dad.

Do what?

Um, I'm your son.

- Whoo. Oh, man. Shit. - I didn't know how to say it.

Boy, you stopped my heart there for a second.

Hey, did Leo put you up to this? He did, didn't he?

Kid.

You're serious with me?

Your mom's Ana Boullait?

I don't know what she told you, but that's not possible.

Okay, I'm not gonna get into the particulars of it,

but you and I, we are not related.

- My mom doesn't know I came to talk... - I don't care. That's not the point.

I just wanted to meet you. I wanted to talk.

- You wanted to talk? Talk about what? - I don't know. Talk about, like...

I don't have anything else to give you.

- I'm not asking for anything. - I barely have enough money.

You probably caught wind of my winnings and came to some conclusion.

But if you've been doing this for any amount of time,

you'd know by the time your earnings get carved up,

there's not a lot left for the jockey.

I'm not asking for money.

Good, 'cause I got nothing to give you,

and I can't tell you what tracks you can go on.

I don't care, but don't go around here telling people that you're my kid.

Makes me look like an asshole. And you know what I don't need?

To look like an asshole.

- I'm not asking for anything. - Good, then we're on the same page.

Here, kid. Breakfast is on me.

Hey. Have you got one more in you? I got a new one I want you to look at.

- Is it that that roan gelding from JB's? - Nope. Brand-new.

Oh. Can it wait until tomorrow?

I've been wanting to tell you so bad,

but I was worried I would jinx it if I talked to you about her.

All right. Okay.

I just brought her out from the farm.

This will be her maiden year.

She's... She's perfect.

- She looks like she knows it. - She's always had that look.

- Who told you about this horse? - She's mine.

I bought her at a yearling sale for next to nothing.

Nobody wanted her. Her legs were too long. Her head was way too big.

When I saw her in the stall, I just knew she was...

It was the way she watched the world.

Everybody said I was crazy for spending anything on her.

They said I should send her to the rodeo.

But you knew.

Well, we'll see.

- What's her name? - Dido's Lament.

- Out of Russo's Lamentation? - Dido's Mercy.

Can she run?

- There's only one way to find out. - Are you ready?

Come on.

Attagirl.

You're all right. Okay, Benny.

She's like a swan with teeth.

I ain't been on a...

I ain't been on a horse like that in a long while.

I know she can run. But she a winner?

If there's any justice in this world.

What race you putting her in first?

Mile and an eighth?

No, I don't wanna take her that long, not in her first one.

- She'll win it. I guarantee you. - Yeah, but I want her to win it by a mile.

Give her confidence in seven furlongs, and then we'll stretch her out, you know?

Build her stamina up.

- And then, uh... - Futurity.

- Futurity. - Yeah.

What?

Ruth, as soon as I clock out,

you're gonna have every young jockey lining up outside your barn.