'Maturing' Flap Jack breaks maiden in Arlington-Washington Futurity

Flap Jack powered home to win Saturday’s $75,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity, the second of a pair of 2-year-old stakes races at Arlington International Racecourse, with a performance that gives trainer Jack Sisterson options moving forward,

“We’ll bring him back home to Keenland and decide from there,” said Sisterson, who trains for owner Calumet Farm. “He’s still maturing and getting better each day so we’ll lay out a few spots for him and see what happens.”

Flap Jack sat mid-pack just behind the early leaders, who set fractions of 22.91 and 46.03. Going into the turn Flap Jack began to lengthen his stride before tipping out as they turned for home and opening up down the lane.

Sophie Doyle asked briefly before stashing the stick and cruising the son of Oxbow home for a four-length win in a final time of 1:24.35.

“From day one he has been very forward,” Sisterson said. “He ran a really good race on the undercard (Arlington) Million day. That race gave us some confidence to give him a shot in the Futurity and here we are today.”

“It set up nicely for me,” Doyle added. “Around the turn I decided to get him out and give him a clear run. He got into gear and did it really nicely down to the wire.”

The Arlington-Washington Futurity was the first victory for Flap Jack, who entered Saturday’s race with a fifth place and second place finish in maiden races to his name.

Flap Jack paid $36.60 to win, $15.40 to place, and $6.40 to show.

Rounding out the top three were Woopigsooie who paid $13.40 to place and $6.40 to show, and Peruvian Boy who paid $3.20 to show.

Earlier in the day, Chris Block-trained debut winner Mom’s Red Lipstick ground her way to a 3/4-length win in the co-featured $75,000 Arlington-Washington Lassie for juvenile fillies.