Avie's Flatter passes $1 million milestone with Nearctic victory
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Avie’s Flatter went over $1 million in earnings with a dominating score under Luis Contreras in Sunday’s Grade 2, $281,800 Nearctic at Woodbine.
Avie’s Flatter ($16.50) raced three lengths off the lead in fourth on the turn in the six-furlong turf sprint, as Momos led the way with the favored Town Cruise in close proximity.
Avie’s Flatter made a wide bid to the lead entering the stretch, and then held off a late bid from 17-1 shot Turned Aside to win by a half-length, in a time of 1:10.52 over the yielding ground.
Olympic Runner rallied for third, and was followed by Momos, Town Cruise, Jolie Olimpica, White Flag, Reconfigure, Admiralty Pier, and Lucky Curlin.
Avie’s Flatter, who was Canada’s champion male 2-year-old in 2018, earned $180,000 for owner-breeder Ivan Dalos.
Avie’s Flatter raced without Lasix when out of the money in his last start in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, and the son of Flatter was back on the diuretic on Sunday. Trainer Josie Carroll offered no excuses for his Woodbine Mile clunker.
“He just didn’t show up,” Carroll recalled. “We went over him thoroughly afterwards, and really didn’t find anything wrong. He just didn’t have his A game that day. This is a good horse. From the time he was 2, every year he shows up and gets it done. We cut him back to sprinting now, and he’s thriving on it. This horse is kind of a barn favorite, and it’s very special for all of us when he wins.”