Flat Out back at the top level after a tough Breeders’ Cup Classic race in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap
It is time for Preston Stables owned, Flat Out to set things right and start winning important races out of Belmont Park for a change, and in the first grade 1 race of the fall meet, Flat Out has been provided with an opportunity to redeem himself after
a fifth place finish in the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on 5 November, 2011, at Churchill Downs.
The Florida bred son of Flatter, out of mare Cresta Lil by Cresta Rider, Flat Out connections have given him the green signal to participate in the Grade 1, $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on 25 November, 2011, at about 1 1/8 miles on dirt against
seven other three-year-olds and above.
It wasn’t all that bad for Flat Out in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He battled throughout the race and finished three lengths off the winner, Drosselmeyer.
Flat Out has been reported to be doing just fine by trainer Scooter Dickey, and plus they are going for a purse of $500,000 in the Clark Handicap, they have every reason to be excited about this one.
“He really didn’t run a bad race,” Dickey said. “Losing by three lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Classic is nothing to be ashamed of.”
The Clark Handicap does play a significant role in the year-end Eclipse Awards, but trainer Scooter Dickey isn’t looking to that, he just wants his runner to go out there and finish off an already good season on a high.
This season Flat Out ran in seven races in all, in which he finished on the board thrice with all second place finishes and won twice including a grade 2 and a grade 1 race.
He successfully fended off Hymn Book and Rodman in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park on 2 July, 2011, to win over at 1 1/8 miles under Alex Solis as his rivals finished second and third, respectively.
He went raced in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup in preparation of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, on dirt at about 1 ¼ miles and did well to win it, but it’s a little known fact that there is nothing like the Breeders’ Cup Classic atmosphere and challenge.
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