Luis Saez to ride Whitmore in Count Fleet

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Luis Saez will have the mount on Whitmore in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on Saturday at Oaklawn, with Ricardo Santana Jr. committing to Mitole, trainer Ron Moquett said Saturday. Grade 1 winner Whitmore has been made the 123-pound highweight for the Count Fleet and Mitole is second on the weight list at 121.

Whitmore worked first set Saturday, going a half-mile in company in a bullet 48 seconds. He was situated along the rail. Clockers had his final quarter in 23 seconds and timed him galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.80.

The track was fast.

:: Shop for PPs, picks, DRF+ and more in our store!

Other workers for Festival stakes on Saturday included Arkansas Derby candidate Six Shooter, who went five furlongs by himself in a bullet 1:00.40. David Cohen was aboard and has the mount for the Arkansas Derby, said trainer Paul Holthus.

Cohen on Saturday also breezed Wonder Gadot, who went an easy half-mile in 51.80 seconds in advance of the Apple Blossom. She is weighted at 118, just after nominees Midnight Bisou (122), Elate (120), and Blue Prize (119).

Motion Emotion on Saturday had an easy half-mile breeze for the Grade 3, $500,000 Fantasy, going a half-mile in 50 seconds. Mike Smith has the mount, said trainer Tom Van Berg. Motion Emotion is part of a field of 12 for the Fantasy, a Kentucky Oaks points race that opens the Festival on Friday.