whitmore | Horse Racing Free Tips

Whitmore Works for Vanderbilt; ‘Technique’ Slated to Run

Reigning champion sprinter Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), third in his latest start in the May 1 GI Churchill Downs S., recorded his final serious breeze Friday in preparation for the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. July 31 at Saratoga. The 8-year-old, who won the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November at Keeneland, went a half-mile in :48.78 seconds over a fast main track, 12 days after completing the same distance in a swift :47.21 seconds. Trained by Ron Moquett, the gelding has amassed more than $4.4 million in lifetime earnings through a record of 41-15-13-4, which includes seven graded stakes victories at four different racetracks. His only prior victory at the highest level was registered in the 2018 GI Forego S. at Saratoga.

Whitmore was second in last year's Vanderbilt, finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind Volatile prior to a seventh in the 2020 renewal of the Forego, contested over a sloppy track.

“He went very well this morning,” Moquett said. “I told the rider I wanted :48 or :49 and he did it, and did it the right way so I'm very pleased. He's training well, doing well, and I like the way he's running. I couldn't be more pleased with how everything is right now. He likes the surface at Saratoga. It's a good track and it seems like he's settled right in.”

Moquett indicated the Breeders' Cup Sprint is the main objective with the possibility of using the GII Phoenix S. Oct. 8 at Keeneland will serve as a springboard. Whitmore captured the 2017 Phoenix. Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr., who has piloted Whitmore 17 times, including his last three starts, and will have the call for the Vanderbilt.

August Dawn's Three Technique (Mr Speaker) is also on target to contest the Vanderbilt. He finished third most recently in the seven-panel GII John A. Nerud S. at Belmont July 4.

“We've made the commitment to see how he handles sprinting and concentrate on the races that fit that category for him,” said trainer Jeremiah Englehart. “He's always trained fairly well up here. Since he came in during the spring, he's been training forwardly and doing very well.”

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Moquett ‘Couldn’t Be More Pleased’ With Champion Whitmore Ahead Of July 31 Vanderbilt

Reigning Champion Sprinter Whitmore registered his final serious breeze Friday in preparation for the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course.

The 8-year-old gelding, who won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint in November at Keeneland, went a half-mile in 48.78 seconds over a fast main track at the Spa, 12 days after travelling the same distance in a swift 47.21 seconds.

Trained by Ron Moquett, Whitmore has amassed more than $4.4 million in lifetime earnings through a record of 41-15-13-4, which includes seven graded stakes victories at four different racetracks. Prior to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, his only other Grade 1 victory took place in the 2018 Forego at Saratoga, where he defeated subsequent Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup winner City of Light.

Whitmore was second in last year's Vanderbilt, finishing 1 ¼ lengths to Volatile ahead of a distant seventh in the Forego over a sloppy track.

“He went very well this morning,” Moquett said. “I told the rider I wanted 48 or 49 and he did it, and did it the right way so I'm very pleased. He's training well, doing well, and I like the way he's running. I couldn't be more pleased with how everything is right now. He likes the surface at Saratoga. It's a good track and it seems like he's settled right in.”

Whitmore has finished in the money in all three starts this year, beginning with a close second by a neck to C Z Rocket in the Hot Springs at Oaklawn, a race he won from 2017-20. Following another second beaten two lengths in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint at the Arkansas oval in April, Whitmore was third by a head in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs on May 1.

Whitmore has won at six different racetracks dating back to November 2015 at Churchill Downs, capturing his debut by 7 ¼ lengths en route to three graded stakes placings at Oaklawn Park while on the Kentucky Derby trail.

While Whitmore is still going strong, most of his previous competitors from 2016 have gone off to the breeding shed. He finished second to 2021 freshman sire Cupid in the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn Park two starts prior to finishing 19th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, which was won by Nyquist – last year's leading first crop stallion.

“The funny thing is, I have a colt by Cupid, and Whitmore ran against Cupid in the Rebel as a 3-year-old,” Moquett said. “We're so grateful that he's with us and we're always amazed at the outpouring of affection and support for the horse. It's great to see how many people like and cheer for him.”

Moquett said Whitmore thrives at Oaklawn, where has posted nine wins, but has the ability to take his game on the road.

“He likes Oaklawn because that's where we're at when he comes back off his break. He always does well then,” Moquett said. “I know he likes Keeneland and Churchill and Saratoga. I don't know which one he likes the best, but he likes a fast track.”

Moquett said a repeat win in the Breeders' Cup Sprint is the main objective with the possibility of using the Grade 2, $250,000 Phoenix on October 8 at Keeneland as a springboard. Whitmore captured the 2017 Phoenix by a nose over Awesome Banner.

Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. has piloted Whitmore 17 times, including his last three starts, and will have the call for the Vanderbilt. He piloted last year's winner Volatile.

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With Murky Pace Scenario, Churchill Downs Stakes Looks Wide Open

It's not often you come across a 13-horse Grade I sprint with no confirmed frontrunner, but the Churchill Downs S. Saturday is just that, with only lightly raced 20-1 shot Get the Prize (Candy Ride {Arg}) having gotten the first call last out. Stalker Flagstaff (Speightstown) gets the tepid 3-1 nod on the morning line coming off a victory over three of these foes in Keeneland's GIII Commonwealth S. going the same distance Apr. 3. He shipped into Oaklawn after that to fire a pair of quick bullet breezes, and he probably has the speed to lead if aggressive rider Luis Saez decides to go for it.

One who will need a set-up is ageless fan favorite Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect). Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner is likely better at six furlongs than seven, and was fourth here in 2018 and fifth in 2019. He enters off back-to-back runner-up finishes in Oaklawn's Mar. 13 Hot Springs S. and Apr. 10 GIII Count Fleet Sprint H.

Phat Man (Munnings) owns the field's best last-out Beyer Speed Figure of 103, which was earned when defeating Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro) in a Gulfstream optional claimer Mar. 28.

MGISW Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) was second to divisional leader Mischevious Alex (Into Mischief) in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Apr. 3, while Grade I-winning juvenile Basin (Liam's Map) returned to winning ways in the Sir Shackleton S. in Hallandale Mar. 27. Tapit to Win (Tapit), who possesses tactical speed, may be among the most intriguing contenders at a price. Last year's GI H. Allen Jerkens S. Presented by Runhappy runner-up and GII Pat Day Mile third finisher was sharp in a state-bred stakes tally at Tampa Mar. 28.

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Breeders’ Cup Champion Whitmore Returns To Louisville In Churchill Downs

Robert LaPenta, trainer Ron Moquett and Head of Plains Partners' Eclipse Award winner Whitmore looms large in a field of 13 for the 86th running of the $500,000 Churchill Downs presented by Ford (G1).

The seven-furlong main track test goes as the 10th race Saturday with a 4:31 p.m. post time.

Whitmore, winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) last fall at Keeneland to earn champion sprinter honors for 2020, will be making his third start in the Churchill Downs. He was fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019 that marked his most recent start at Churchill Downs. Whitmore will exit post nine and be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr.

Among the challengers to Whitmore is two-time Grade 1 winner Mind Control. Trained by Gregg Sacco, Mind Control returned from a 3 ½-month layoff with a runner-up finish in the Carter Handicap (G1) on April 3 to begin his 2021 campaign. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will leave post two.

The field for the Churchill Downs, with riders and weights from the rail out, is:

Phat Man (Javier Castellano, 118 pounds)
Mind Control (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118)
Basin (Jose Ortiz, 118)
Flagstaff (Luis Saez, 118)
Tap It to Win (John Velazquez, 118)
Attachment Rate (Joe Talamo, 118)
Shashashakemeup (Florent Geroux, 118)
Get the Prize (Miguel Mena, 118)
Whitmore (Ricardo Santana Jr., 123)
Bango (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 118)
Hog Creek Hustle (Corey Lanerie, 118)
Endorsed (Joel Rosario, 118)
Lexitonian (Tyler Gaffalione, 118)

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