Count Fleet will be rubber match for Whitmore, C Z Rocket

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Champion Whitmore and C Z Rocket are scheduled to meet for the third straight race in the upcoming Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park. The six-furlong Count Fleet is on the Arkansas Derby undercard April 10.

Whitmore won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint over runner-up C Z Rocket last November at Keeneland. Both horses launched their 2021 season March 13 at Oaklawn in the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes, with C Z Rocket a neck winner over Whitmore.

“C Z Rocket’s a good horse and he’s got great connections and it will be a really fun battle,” said Ron Moquett, who co-owns and trains Whitmore. “Hopefully, everybody stays healthy and sound and we battle all the way to November.”

Whitmore is based at Oaklawn, while C Z Rocket has returned to Southern California and trainer Peter Miller’s base of San Luis Rey Downs.

“We’re planning on coming back for the Count Fleet and looking forward to it,” Miller said Friday.

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In the Hot Springs, C Z Rocket closed from last to catch a stubborn Whitmore in the shadow of the wire.

“It was one heck of a horse race,” Miller said. “Two great warriors going at it – so just glad we got the best of the finish.”

Miller said C Z Rocket emerged from his first start of the year “really well.” He had debated leaving the horse with his Oaklawn division, but decided against it in part because of the unpredictable weather in Arkansas.

“We just thought it prudent to bring him home,” said Miller, who trains the horse for the partnership of Tom Kagele, Madaket Stables, and Gary Barber.

Whitmore also came back in good order, Moquett said the day after the Hot Springs. The horse had missed 11 days of training in mid-February due to a robust winter storm system that shut down the track at Oaklawn.

“He’s very happy,” Moquett said. “He’s good. He was tired and got a lot out of this race. I thought this was the safest way to get him to the Count Fleet. I was worried a little bit about fitness. I don’t think it affected us that bad, but we’ll definitely move forward.”

Whitmore has won the Count Fleet a record three times. He was voted champion male sprinter of 2020 following his win in the Breeders’ Cup. He races for Robert LaPenta and Head of Plains Partners.