Favourites topple at Saratoga as Flat Out becomes the new 4 to 1 for the Whitney Handicap
The handicap division has taken a downward curve this year, with no edge of seat competition coming through with lack of depth in the casts, but the overall competitive nature of the division has lately spawned a much exciting recent edition of the $750,000,
Grade 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.
It drew a massive field of 11 for its upcoming run, and the runners pile up anticipation among the horse racing fans as the time grows closer.
The race is scheduled to commence on 6 August, 2011, and it is for 3-year-olds and above.
The Whitney Handicap will share a top billing with the much anticipated Grade 1 Test Stakes, also commencing on 6 August, 2011.
The 1 1/8 mile event has reeled in Grade 1 winners like Tizway, Rail Trip, Giant Oak and Morning Line.
There has been a slight over turn in the favourites, despite the inclusion of Mission Impazible and Apart in the race.
However, it was the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap winner, Flat Out, who is the lukewarm morning line 4 to 1 Whitney favourite, following his dominating performance in the 2nd July victory.
Mission Impazible and Apart, the second and third place finishers in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap on 18 June, 2011, will again meet Flat Out who finished sixth in the 1 1/8 mile event.
The Whitney Handicap holds much significance, especially since it became part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series. The winner of the race will get an automatic berth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Trained by Charles Dickey, Flat Out hasn’t been among the races recently, and he had a very quiet 2010 with only one allowance claiming race to his name.
It was a one mile 70 yards race under jockey Corey Lanerie, as the pair got off the gates in blistering pace to cover the distance in a fast 1 minute and 42.76 seconds, defeating the likes of Max me Out and Tone it Down on the way.
The son of Flatter, out of Cresta Lil by Cresta Rider, Flat Out, 5, has had three starts in total in the year 2011. His season opener was a good race against fellow five-year-old horses in the Grade 3 Lone Star Handicap.
He was up against the likes of Awesome Gem and Game on Dude, Flat Out finished second but was valiant in defeat as he kept Game on Dude at bay throughout the race, and that’s doing something.
Flat Out with 4 to 1 among other grade 1 winners shouldn’t surprise anyone, because the 5-year-old horse has a big heart and a big engine to go the distance against any competition.
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