Whitmore wins Oaklawn's Hot Springs for third consecutive year
Away since running second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Whitmore
returned victorious Saturday in Oaklawn Park’s $150,000 Hot Springs Stakes for the third
consecutive year.
The Hot Springs represents a stepping stone for the veteran to the Grade 3, $500,000
Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on April 13, a race Whitmore has won the past two years.
"We want to win the Count Fleet," said winning trainer Ron Moquett, who bases at Oaklawn Park during the winter. "Our barn name is the Count Fleet. We point to the Count Fleet. We want that."
Whitmore was reluctant to load, but was all business after the break. Jockey
Ricardo Santana Jr. saved ground on the rail in fourth while Share the Upside
and Welder battled for the lead. After fractions of 22.22 and 45.08, Santana
angled Whitmore out three wide and cruised home ahead of the pacesetters.
"He has been training really good in the morning so we had a lot of confidence
in him," Santana said. "He broke pretty good and I stayed behind the speed. That’s where I wanted to be.
"In the stretch, he looked for the clear and he took me to the wire. He’s a really good horse. I had plenty of horse and I had the position I wanted to be in. It was perfect
for me. He’s a class act."
Whitmore completed the six furlongs in 1:09.39 and finished 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Share the Upside, who was followed by Welder.
The Hot Springs marked the 12th win in 25 career starts for Whitmore, who is campaigned by Robert V. LaPenta, Moquett's Southern Springs Stables and Head of Plains Partners LLC. The 6-year-old gelding's earnings are now close to $2.5 million. His biggest victory to date came during the Saratoga meet when he won the Forego Stakes (G1) over City of Light.
"He was about 75 percent today. I know him and it's a lot better for us to bring him to a race like this and let him have a race," Moquett said. "If he gets tired, it's my fault. But, I'm just going to take care of the horse.
"The gate guys did great. They showed patience and horsemanship. I’m so appreciative that they’re willing to work with the horse instead of trying to overpower him."