Avie's Flatter Cruises in Cup and Saucer Stakes

Avie's Flatter experienced problems at the start in his first two appearances but was the consummate professional Oct. 7 at Woodbine as he cruised to a 5 1/4-length score in the $225,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes.

The race for Canadian-bred 2-year-olds, run over 1 1/16 miles on a turf course rated as yielding, attracted a field of 10, but Just Like Larry was a late scratch.

There was only one horse when it mattered, however, as Avie's Flatter took charge on the far turn and easily turned back a couple of challengers under regular rider Eurico Rosa da Silva to become Flatter 's 50th black-type winner.

"I was very, very surprised he showed a lot of speed today," said da Silva, who won his meet-leading 22nd stakes and second of the weekend. "He was very, very confident, this horse. When he broke there, I tried to take him back a little bit—like at least six seconds—but you know what, he told me, 'Eurico, let me do this!' You know, I pleased him, I let him go to the lead and he relaxed. From there, it was over.

"He's a very nice horse. He's handled that turf course like it was a hard track. He's unbelievable how he runs."

Hesathriller was first through an opening quarter in :24.92, but Avie's Flatter was right on his flank and took over to lead through the half in :48.90, three-quarters in 1:14, and the mile in 1:38.33 before stopping the clock in 1:45.20 as the 9-5 favorite.

The only two fillies in the lineup, Bold Script and Kitten's Girl, took runs at the leader but fell short.

Bold Script, the 5-1 third choice, finished second, three-quarters of a length before a closing Moon Swings.

Kitten's Girl, the 2-1 second choice, flattened out late to end a neck behind Moon Swings but was a half-length ahead of fifth-place Tricky Magician, who also had taken his shot at the favorite.

Ojiisan, Groundhog Day, Flying Curlin, and Hesathriller completed the order of finish.

Josie Carroll, who conditions Avie's Flatter for owner/breeder Ivan Dalos, admitted that she did not anticipate the Flatter colt being so prominent early.

"I was very surprised to see him go to the lead, but then he got up there and he was so relaxed," Carroll said. "His ears were pricked and I thought, obviously, Eurico knows what he's got under him, and hopefully there's a enough horse to go on with. He seemed to handle the soft turf. You know, he had a tough trip in the race before and I think he got a lot of conditioning out of that, which made me a little more confident."

Avie's Flatter returned $5.60, $3.60 and $2.80.