divided front

[Ripley Marsh]

Divided Front
featuring: Divided Notion & In Front

After the blistering workout between Supernatural and Flashpoint, Brooks could be found downing a bottle of Gatorade. He soaked up the sweat on his face with a cloth, slung his hands down between his legs. Riding in workouts was a hardcore workout for both humans and horses. It was thrilling and tiring all at once, the adrenaline rush leaving the human weak and tired after a hard effort. Flashpoint had put up a heck of a fight, but Siri's class allowed her to steal that one as she had stolen the Sweet Stalker Memorial Stakes from Nightshade. An article had just been posted after The Devil's Hourglass' win in the Spring Cup Grade One Turf, that any titan could be taken down. Witch Creek had gone from defeated titan to titan killer. But Brooks knew Nightshade would rise up to crush everyone next time out in the future. The black mare simply way too good to miss next time out.

Witch Creek was flying under the radar, or at least that's what Ripley thought. Their coming out week in March Week One had caught several eyes as the non-winners turned into a steam roller churning out victories in every direction. Brooks could see the resemblance between Witch Creek of Year Twelve and Witch Creek of Year Fifteen. Would the horses continue the onslaught? That remained to be seen. If they wanted to continue ascendancy, Brooks knew everything from preparations to workouts had to get a whole lot more serious.

The blond man looked up, nodded at David Carter who stood at Divided Notion's head. He was jiggling the head stall, his body tense with energy in comparison to Brooks' slouched posture. The man was catching reporter's eyes for his silent nature and his unbelievable ferocity in a race. He'd piloted Divided Notion to victory twice now, had taken Nocturnal Runaway from a possible toss to a threatening sleeper for the Turf Tiara. He'd gotten In Front a victory on the year and had struck a chord with the public aboard Notorious in their brave drives for the wire in the juvenile races. The kid could ride his ass off, but could he keep up the punishing levels of fitness and riding? Brooks would keep an eye on him. For his mount's sake, he hoped the kid didn't crash and burn.

With a grunt, Brooks stood up causing everyone to take notice. The horses pricked their ears, David turned around, arms cross, expectantly. His gray eyes were shadowy with thoughts unknown to Brooks. Brooks patted In Front's strong neck. Kendall had groomed him to perfection and the stallion gleamed. He would have made a wonderful mount for a knight. His dapples twinkled against his shining hide, his eyes belied his intelligence. He kept an ear locked on Divided Notion, betraying his alertness on the possible foe. In Front was going to be a heart breaker by the end of the season. David was his usual pilot, but Brooks could hardly wait to ride the massive animal.

David went over Divided Notion one last time, admiring how fit the stallion was finally becoming off of racing. He didn't need workouts as much steady galloping between races. His standing fat was gone, fine tuned in the form of athletic musculature. He looked stunning to say the least. Demi leaned into the pressure of David's hand, eyes full of light and happiness. He was finally doing what he was made to do. Only a few more wins stood between Demi and potential grade one success. It was only April and the stallion was finally getting the attention he deserved. There was no doubt Intrepid Racing would be thrilled to see Divided Notion take home a couple of big name trophies. David Carter was thinking a little more selfishly for those trophies would signal to the young man that he had finally made it in the big leagues.

The men unclipped the two stallions and led them from the barn. Divided Notion pranced sideways, ears pricked far forward. He was so full of run these days it was wonderful. In Front walked nobly though once or twice his ears flicked back to keep an eye on Divided Notion. He hadn't quite deemed the similarly marked horse a threat just yet. Not like Flashpoint or Optimus. Brooks always jokingly said to Ripley that the big horse seemed to know that Demi wasn't hanging around after the season.

The men mounted the horses, walked them down the path to the dirt track. In Front pulled on the bit, tossing his head every so often in demand for release. Brooks allowed the big striding horse plenty of room to move, but he would do what Brooks wanted for the workout. It was not going to result in an argument because In Front didn't necessarily argue. He would go as slow as his rider wanted and could be a tad lazy in his workouts. He could have his head and Brooks would know when to ask him. Once upon a time the stud had been his mount.

Demi was a lightning rod of energy beneath David Carter. The horse pounced into a gallop the moment he was given his head. He was an intense horse under saddle. He leaped like a big cat over the loamy soil, pushing powerfully as he tried to put some distance between himself and In Front for the initial gallop up.

Feedback buzzed briefly over the headset before Brook's voice was in David's ears. "Going six furlongs today. Wrap it up in 1:11. Tracks playing a little slow today so it's okay if that 1:12." David lifted his hand in an affirmative sign, before hustling Divided Notion over to the rail. A couple seconds later, In Front rolled up alongside Divided Notion. Demi pinned his ears, but In Front hardly paid any mind to the horse. He'd already ruled Demi off as non-threatening. The Touch Up son swept the lead away from Divided Notion as easily as might have swatted a fly.

David tucked Demi toward the rail, not allowing his horse side swipe In Front heading off the turn into the backstretch. Demi was a game horse and he was not above intimidation. However, David wasn't going to get DQ'ed for interference should his horse decide to take out the competition. The horse caught a breather up the backstretch as In Front trucked along on the lead well under his own power. In Front's churning hooves carried his mass to a half length lead. Brooks was impressed by the horse's growth. He felt so much more sure of himself than he had as a three year old. While In Front lingered in the undercard ranks, Brooks knew it couldn't last for long. He also knew David had his eyes set on taking Anodyne and Limited Edition down with this powerful horse.

David liked how both his mounts were going in the workout. There was no doubt that Witch Creek had two highly exciting handicapping prospects waiting in the wings. Soon the secret would be out, but there had to be patience first. In order to take down the horses above you, you had to bide your time. Demi was learning that lesson at that very moment. The dark horse lingered in second down the stretch, his stride purposeful but careful. David could feel the horse's intent to stay just behind In Front. David kept his hands at the horse's withers for now, watched Brooks for the giveaway moment.

Brooks knew David was waiting for him to throw down the gauntlet with In Front. It was always obvious when In Front was sent. You had to push the big horse into gear. He would never outright blow you away with a punching kick. He was at the mercy of his faster opponents, but he would chip away all resolve and notch a gutsy victory. It was the Touch Up in him.

Brooks waited patiently until the were into the far turn before throwing his hands forward and booting the horse for home. In Front pinned his ears promptly, extended his neck and gave his response. It wasn't a fierce quickening but in a matter of strides the stallion was thundering into his next gear. Brooks left the rail open for Divided Notion to come through. He never would have been able to close the FS Dead Letter horse off. That horse had simply answered In Front's burst with a burst of his own. He'd already occupied the space before Brooks even thought of closing him off.

David was relatively quiet in the saddle as Divided Notion eased up to run level with In Front. While Brooks pushed and pushed his horse to greater speeds, Divided Notion was rolling with very little encouragement. The two animals were very different animals and the six furlongs was well within his comfort zone. David flashed the weakness of In Front by snapping the reins at Demi and sending him right past In Front for the lead. David smirked at the cocky way Demi stole the win. He'd clearly remembered In Front's easy dismissal.

Brooks cocked the whip, brought it down once on In Front's haunches and smirked as David had. Now In Front was up at Demi's neck, matching the horse stride for stride. Now the giant was moving with his effortless form. Now he was reaching and gobbling ground. The wire flashed before the horse caught Divided Notion, but he soared past Divided Notion in the gallop out, pounded around the far turn for a quick gallop out. Demi gave futile chase, but he'd run his best in the workout. He floated easily to a canter then a jog. With a great breath, the horse relaxed, an air of contentment coming over him.

Ripley and Malcolm grinned at each other in the viewing box. 1:11 2/5 was a sensational time on the morning. The horses were ready for the next challenge.