Whitmore Rolls in Count Fleet

Confirming his newfound love affair with sprint racing, Whitmore easily won Oaklawn Park’s Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 15.

The 1-2 favorite got the six furlongs in 1:08.35 under Ricardo Santana Jr., topping longshot Apprehender by 3 3/4 lengths.

Whitmore is owned by Robert LaPenta, Head of Plains Partners, and trainer Ron Moquett's Southern Springs Stables.

This time last year Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect—Melody’s Spirit, by Scat Daddy), finished third in the day’s main event, the Arkansas Derby (G1). The chestnut gelding then finished 19th behind Nyquist   in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Off until the end of 2016, Whitmore returned at Aqueduct Racetrack on New Year’s Eve to win a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/optional claimer. Shipped to Hot Springs, Ark., he won at six furlongs Jan. 15, then took the six-furlong Hot Springs Stakes March 11 in 1:08.72.

"I think he's still learning this new game, but he likes it a lot," Moquett said. "It's easy on him. Someone asked me earlier, 'How did you teach him to sprint?' I said, 'That's not the training feat. The training feat was getting him to be third in the Arkansas Derby and second in the Rebel.' He's always wanted to do this."

 

"You always say, 'Well if he duplicates the last race, then he'll be hard to beat.' And then in the last race he did. I knew there were some decent horses, and he duplicated it again. Today, I was really pleased he did it in this race. I'm in the barn named for Count Fleet; I wanted to win this race."

In the Count Fleet it was 59-1 shot Chief Cicatriz who sped to the early lead, stalked by 6-1 shot Holy Boss. The opening quarter of :21.26 was perhaps telling of how strong the lagging Whitmore would be in the stretch. Holy Boss challenged on the turn after a half in :43.91 as Whitmore began his roll while wide.

In the stretch Holy Boss had the lead but it was Whitmore who was moving best and he cleared the field quickly after five furlongs in :56.11. The final eighth went in a solid :12.24.

Apprehender, at 30-1, closed late to gain the place spot by a head over Holy Boss. Chief Cicatriz was just another head back in fourth in a blanket finish.

Whitmore paid $3, $2.60, and $2.10. Apprehender paid $12.40 and $4.40. Holy Boss paid $4.20 to show.

Whitmore, the first foal out of the unraced Melody’s Spirit, was bred in Kentucky by John Liviakis. Liviakis claimed her dam, Capture the Cat (by Tale of the Cat), for $22,500 in June of 2007 at Hollywood Park from Daniel Prince. She is in foal to Atreides  .