C Z Rocket stops Whitmore's Hot Springs win streak

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - C Z Rocket denied champion Whitmore a fifth consecutive victory in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday when he won by a neck in a reversal of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint finish.

Whitmore won the BC Sprint by 3 1/4 lengths over C Z Rocket in November to earn the title of champion sprinter of 2020, while the connections of the Southern California-based C Z Rocket walked away feeling the trip had been costly. The rematch came here on Saturday, in a race that served as the first start of the year for both horses. They are now expected to meet again next month, in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn.

“This is how rivalries begin,” said Ron Moquett, who trains Whitmore.

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C Z Rocket ($7.20) broke from post 7 in the field of seven, just outside of Whitmore. The horses settled off the pace as Whitmore’s stablemate, Firecrow, set fractions of 21.65 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.69 for the half-mile. C Z Rocket could see them all on the turn, and as Whitmore began his bid he followed his rival at the direction of jockey Florent Geroux. Whitmore took the lead near the eighth pole and C Z Rocket closed in with every stride to just get up while covering six furlongs in 1:09.04.

“Going down the stretch I thought we were going to get there, but it was tough,” said Peter Miller, who trains C Z Rocket.

“I didn’t think we’d be behind Whitmore, but it kind of worked out that way,” Miller said. “It might have been a blessing in disguise to track Whitmore. He’s such a great horse, Whitmore, and so is C Z Rocket. I just can’t say enough about both of these horses.”

Miller said C Z Rocket would likely remain with his division at Oaklawn and prepare for the Count Fleet here April 10.

Whitmore is based at Oaklawn and also will be pointed to the Count Fleet, Moquett said; the horse has won that race a record three times. Moquett said he was pleased with the effort Saturday from Whitmore.

“It was a good, quality field, and we come back safe and sound and happy,” he said. “Congratulations to the winner.

“I was very pleased with how Whitmore ran. He is what he is. He’s not a perfect champion. He’s got a heart of a champion.”

C Z Rocket became a millionaire with his victory in the Hot Springs, which had a purse of $200,000. The son of City Zip is now 10 for 24.

Flagstaff finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Whitmore. The remaining order of finish was Firecrow, Boldor, Engage, and Mr. Jagermeister.