Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in horse racing. Dick Tiller didn't get to the pinnacle of the horse racing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for seven grueling sessions two times each week, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his little finger in three places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my little finger, and then my macaque died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my bicep. It took two seconds to get back in shape. But to win at horse racing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my name tag and forget about Deb, my macaque."
Maloney, his mom, moved with him to Denver to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Elsa, in their fresh hotel, where she still labors as a writer to help pay for Dick's expensive training.