Avie's Flatter Holds Challengers at Bay in Nearctic
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Photo: Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo
Avie's Flatter wins the Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine
Ivan Dalos' Avie's Flatter made amends for a winless 2020 campaign in landing a second graded stakes score on the year in the Oct. 17 Nearctic Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. Under Luis Contreras, he finished with a flourish, prevailing by a half-length over Turned Aside and reaching the CA$1 million mark in career earnings.
A Canadian champion 2-year-old in 2018, Avie's Flatter began his 5-year-old season with a facile allowance optional claiming win on the Woodbine main track before capturing the July 18 Connaught Cup (G2T) sprinting seven furlongs on the turf. After a fourth in the King Edward Stakes (G2T) when stretched out to a mile, he tackled the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T) in his most recent start, finishing a troubled ninth.
Cutting back to six furlongs in the CA$281,800 (US$227,655) Nearctic, the son of Flatter went to post at 7-1 odds against a competitive field of 10 that included Woodbine Mile hero Town Cruise and King Edward victor Olympic Runner .
American shipper Momos grabbed the early the lead, as Town Cruise shadowed the pacesetter through an opening quarter timed in :22.72, with Avie's Flatter positioned fourth by Contreras. Past a half-mile in :45.95, Town Cruise began a steady retreat as Avie's Flatter and 17-1 shot Turned Aside began their assault on the leader. Avie's Flatter seized command down the lane and opened up a narrow advantage over a tiring Momos as Olympic Runner launched a furious rally from the back of the pack. At the wire, Avie's Flatter secured a half-length victory over a game Turned Aside. Another length back, Olympic Runner was third, besting Momos by a neck for the show.
Avie's Flatter wins the Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine
"He handled it perfect," said Contreras. "I got a great trip and I'm so happy with the way he ran. I got a nice trip in the backstretch, and I was loaded the whole way."
The final time over yielding ground was 1:10.52.
Avie's Flatter paid $16.50 for the win.
"This is a good horse," said trainer Josie Carroll. "This horse, from the time he was 2, every year, he shows up and gets it done. We have him back to sprinting now and he's thriving on it. It's wonderful. This horse is kind of a barn favorite so it's very special for all of us when he wins."
An Ontario homebred for Dalos' Tall Oaks Farm, Avie's Flatter is is now 7-3-2 from 18 starts. He is the second stakes winner produced from the Empire Maker mare Avie's Empire, who is the dam of Wonder Where Stakes victress Avie's Mineshaft (Mineshaft ) and the grade 3-placed Avie's Mesa (Sky Mesa ). Avie's Empire has a 2-year-old Shanghai Bobby filly and foaled a colt by Tapit this year. She was bred to Curlin for 2022.