United gets a nose down in Santa Anita's Whittingham Stakes thriller
United prevailed by the slimmest of margins Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita Park in a story of what could’ve been.
Certainly the Whittingham, a race trainer Richard Mandella has sought for years, including with United a runner-up a season ago, is a more than worthwhile consolation prize. But the Hall of Famer Mandella has also kept United in this form for months, including for an overseas trip during which he never got to run for the riches on Dubai World Cup night.
Back home this weekend, United stalked pace-setting longshot Synthesis before jockey Flavien Prat set him down for a thrilling stretch drive. Originaire ran in the middle of a three-wide duel with Irad Ortiz Jr. in to ride Rockemperor on the outside.
The finish was too close to call, coming down to a photo that showed United getting the benefit of the head bob while finishing 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:00.34.
“With everything we’ve been through, this puts the icing on top of the cake as far as getting back to racing here at Santa Anita," Mandella said. "Ever since the race was re-named for Charlie, I’ve really wanted to win it. He was such a special man and he meant so much to our game. I’ve had a few seconds, but to win it today really means a lot.”
Had Rockemperor been the one with his nose down, a controversial stewards decision may still have followed. Following an inquiry, they dropped the Chad Brown trainee from second to third after making multiple points of contact with Originaire, promoted to the runner-up spot, in the lane.
The revised order: United, Originaire and Rockemperor, with about a head between them after 10 furlongs. Track announcer Frank Mirahmadi reported the decision was unanimous by Santa Anita's trio of stewards that Rockemperor prevented Originaire from achieving a better placing.
“I thought I was second," said the winning jockey Prat. "On my way back I looked at the tote board and there was an inquiry between (Originaire and Rockemperor). I said, ‘What? I wasn’t involved in that.’ And (then) I realized I won. That was pretty cool.
"He was ready today, but this is not the type of race that he likes. He’s better when he has a few horses in front of him and a stronger pace. Those two horses had a better kick. That is not what United likes to do but he ran great today. He’s getting better and better with each race."
LNJ Foxwoods’ United remained on a roll. Last season, he came as close as anybody to Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar when running second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. To open 2020, he won the local San Marcos (G2) that got his connections dreaming of something bigger in Dubai.
Grade 1 placings should await later this summer for a 5-year-old chestnut son of Giant’s Causeway who improved to 5-3-1 in 13 career starts.
United returned $4.40 to win as a narrow, 6-5 second choice behind even-money Rockemperor.