Whitmore Looks for Elusive Second Phoenix Win

After coming up short of a second win in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) the past two years, veteran sprinter Whitmore will give the six-furlong test at Keeneland a fourth try Oct. 2 when he faces an expected 11 rivals.

Robert LaPenta, Ron Moquett, and Head of Plains Partners' top sprinter won the 2017 Phoenix by a nose over Awesome Banner in one of the most memorable editions of the race. Two more close finishes followed, but Whitmore wound up on the wrong side. He was the runner-up in 2018, a head behind Promises Fulfilled, and second last year when a half-length behind Engage.

Video: Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. (G2)

Each year the Phoenix has been the final prep for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) for Whitmore, who finished third in that race last year and second in 2018. After winning the Hot Springs Stakes and Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) this spring at Oaklawn Park and running second in the July 25 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), Whitmore threw in a rare off performance when seventh in the Aug. 29 Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) on a sloppy track at Saratoga Race Course.

Since then, the 7-year-old Pleasantly Perfect gelding has put together a steady string of works at Churchill Downs, including a half-mile move in :49 2/5 Sept. 25.

The $200,000 Phoenix is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race to the Sprint. This year the Phoenix is a prime Breeders' Cup prep race as the Sprint will be contested Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

While Whitmore aims to bounce back Friday, Diamond Oops will look for a second straight win when he returns to dirt racing after rallying from 12th to win the Sept. 4 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes Presented by Sysco (G2T) at Churchill. Trained by Patrick Biancone, Diamond Oops has had plenty of success on dirt, closing 2019 with a victory in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park and finishing second to Imperial Hint  in last year's Vanderbilt, where he defeated eventual champion sprinter Mitole , who was third.

The field also includes No Parole, who won the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds in June at Belmont Park and will face older horses for the first time. The son of Violence  will look to bounce back from a ninth-place finish in the Aug. 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Saratoga. 

Trained by Tom Amoss, Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin's No Parole has been working regularly at Churchill, including a half-mile breeze in :46 2/5 Sept. 16—earning the bullet.

Also making his debut against older horses is the Jerkens winner, Echo Town. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the son of Speightstown  will try to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in the Sept. 5 Pat Day Mile Stakes Presented by LG and E and KU (G2) at Churchill.

Entries: Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. (G2)

Keeneland, Friday, October 02, 2020, Race 8

• Grade II
• 6f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:05 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Shashashakemeup (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	118	J. Keith Desormeaux	30/1
2	2Absolutely Aiden (KY)	Chris Landeros	120	Wesley E. Hawley	12/1
3	3Whitmore (KY)	Joseph Talamo	120	Ron Moquett	7/2
4	4Diamond Oops (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Patrick L. Biancone	3/1
5	5No Parole (LA)	Luis Saez	122	Thomas M. Amoss	5/1
6	6Echo Town (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	122	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
7	7Empire of Gold (KY)	Declan Carroll	118	Terry Eoff	50/1
8	8Copper Town (KY)	Julio A. Garcia	120	Wesley A. Ward	12/1
9	9Lexitonian (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	120	Jack Sisterson	4/1
10	10Edgemont Road (KY)	Declan Cannon	120	William B. VanMeter	15/1
11	11Mo Dont No (OH)	Gerardo Corrales	120	Anthony T. Quartarolo	30/1
12	12Midnight Sands (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Brendan P. Walsh	12/1