Whitmore returns in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Whitmore is back in town.

The horse who proved to be the dominant sprinter at Oaklawn Park a year ago launches his 5-year-old season Saturday in the $125,000 Hot Springs Stakes and finds a competitive group awaiting his arrival. Ivan Fallunovalot can go over $1 million in earnings with a first- or second-place finish, while Wilbo is seeking his third straight sprint win at the meet and Wynn Time is making his stakes debut after starting his career 5 for 6.

The Hot Springs is a sixfurlong race for 4-year-olds and up, and it serves as the final local stepping-stone to the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap. The card Saturday also includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Honeybee, a points race for the Kentucky Oaks.

KEY CONTENDERS

Whitmore, by Pleasantly Perfect Last 3 Beyers: 83-96-95

◗ Whitmore went on a stakes tear last year, winning the Hot Springs, Count Fleet, Grade 3 Maryland Sprint at Pimlico, and Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland. The races were chosen as the best route to get him to the Breeders’ Cup. Whitmore made an appearance in the Sprint and finished eighth after encountering trouble at the start of the Nov. 4 race at Del Mar.

“We kind of did a whole lot of planning all year to get completely wiped out right after the break,” said Ron Moquett, who co-owns and trains Whitmore. “So, it was not what we wanted to do. I just wanted to show his ability, show everybody what kind of horse he is. We didn’t get a chance to.”

◗ Whitmore was given some “R&R” following the Breeders’ Cup and has been working toward a return over the local strip at Oaklawn. He will give up recency to his five rivals in the Hot Springs, and Moquett feels okay about fitness for the horse, who has been on the same schedule as recent allowance winner Petrov.

“That’s always a question,” Moquett said. “Every horse is different. He left at the same time as Petrov and came back in at the same time as Petrov. But, each horse gathers fitness different. Where Petrov was running against a bunch of nice stakes/allowance horses, Whitmore is running against the best sprinters we have here.”

◗ Whitmore put together a streak of five straight wins from December 2016 to the Maryland Sprint in May 2017. In the Phoenix, he was a nose winner in what was his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. He has earnings of $1.2 million.

“He’s a good horse,” Moquett said. “I was very happy that he got to show everybody that. He’s a fun horse.”

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 3 for Southern Springs Stables, Robert LaPenta, and Head of Plains Partners.

Wilbo, by Candy Ride Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-79

◗ He won the $125,000 King Cotton over Ivan Fallunovalot on Feb. 3 at Oaklawn, one start after capturing a local allowance Jan. 14.

◗ Wilbo is a half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Kodiak Kowboy.

◗ David Cabrera has the mount from post 6 for Chris Wilkins and trainer Chris Hartman.