Mad Flatter Takes Over in Churchill Feature

Mad Flatter, ridden by Jon Court, took command of the six-horse field on the backstretch and never looked back while winning Sunday’s $51,284 featured allowance race at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths over Moe Man.

Trained by Jeff Thornbury, Mad Flatter ran 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track in 1:43.95. Moe Man broke alertly and led the pack through a first quarter mile in :24.78 with Mad Flatter in second and a hard-pulling Awesome Act, the even-money favorite, in third. Mad Flatter asserted himself as they entered the backstretch and never relinquished the lead through fractions of :48.76, 1:13.33 and 1:37.54.

A 6-year-old Florida-bred son of Flatter, Mad Flatter returned mutuels of $10.80, $5.80 and $4. Moe Man, ridden by Calvin Borel, paid $4.40 and $3.40 with Valerius finishing another 1 ¾ lengths back in third under Freddie Lenclud and returning $4.20. Mine Train, Awesome Act and Gresham completed the order of finish.

 The victory was worth $29,040 and boosted Mad Flatter’s earnings to $265,692 for owners Bonnie Heath Farm, Holiday Stable, Bright Brook Farm and Hinkle Farms. His record improved to 7-1-3 from 23 starts. Last October, he prevailed in the Grade III Spend a Buck Handicap at Calder Race Course and Slots.