Flashpoint headlines older horses in the Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland on 7 October
The 3-year-old Wesley Ward trained colt, Flashpoint, headline the Grade 3, 175,000 Stoll Keenan Ogden Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland racecourse on 7 October, 2011, as he takes on 6 elder competitors.
Phoenix Stakes will be held on the opening day of the Keeneland fall meet, and the winner of the Grade 3 event will earn an automatic berth in the Grade 1 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on 5 November, courtesy Phoenix Stakes being part
of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race.
The Peachtree Stable owned Flashpoint got thrown into the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes mix at Saratoga on 27 August, 2011, where he was up against Uncle Mo and Caleb’s Posse, wound up fifth in the seven furlong dash.
The son of Pomeroy, out of Two Punch Lil by Two Punch, Flashpoint will cut back down to six furlongs in the Phoenix Stakes, where he will face with the likes of John Sadler trained Sterling Outlook and the co favourite Todd Pletcher conditioned, Aikenite.
The 4-year-old colt, Aikenite won the Grade 2 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland this season over its synthetic surface, and then immediately bagged the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes on 7 May, over Churchill Downs dirt track.
The son of Yes It’s True won both races over the distance of seven furlongs, and has been winless in his last three starts, coming off a finish on the money in his last start at Saratoga in the Grade 1 Forego Stakes.
Flashpoint, who can really tilt the speed gauge meter early on, drew the rail for the Phoenix Stakes, and he will make his debut over the synthetic surface at Keeneland.
Flashpoint will be the lone 3-year-old against 6 older horses, and will be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, who has ridden the colt in all of his six starts, also guiding him to victories in the Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes and the Grade 3 Jersey Shore Stakes.
Apart from Aikenite and Flashpoint, Hamazing Destiny, Hoofit, Cool Bullet and Southern Style will complete the Phoenix Stakes field.
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