Phat Man rallies to Fred W. Hooper victory
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Kent Sweezey was a long-time assistant to Jimmy Jerkens, and it was something drilled into his head during those many mornings with Jerkens that paid dividends Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Sweezey had been reluctant to train Phat Man even more aggressively heading into the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper than he had for previous races, but remembered that Jerkens had told him to get to this level, especially with a horse the size of Phat Man – who is a hulking presence – a trainer had bear down.
A strong series of works coming out of his last race had Phat Man ready for his best on Saturday. He rallied under Irad Ortiz Jr. to capture the $150,000 Hooper, a one-turn mile for older horses.
“Jimmy said with a big heavy horse, you have to realize they can stand up to the training,” Sweezey said. “We had to get to the bottom of him.”
Phat Man had finished second in his prior start, the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday here going 1 1/16 miles, but Sweezey was not satisfied with the way he finished off the race. Stronger training in the six weeks since, and a cutback to a one-turn mile, made the difference.
Phat Man, eighth early, reeled in Zenden, who had battled for the lead throughout and ran a courageous race by putting away first Epic Dreamer and then Storm Advisory following fast fractions of 22.43 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.68 seconds for the half. Phat Man prevailed by one length, with Zenden second by two lengths over third-place Rare Form.
Free Enterprise, the 9-5 favorite, moved into a striking position heading into the far turn, but flattened out and finished ninth in the field of 14.
Phat Man was timed in 1:35.95 and returned $15.40 to win.
“The one-turn mile set up good for him,” Sweezey said.
Phat Man, 6, is a gelding by Munnings who has now won seven times in 26 starts. Sweezey took over as his trainer last summer. He has won twice in five starts for Sweezey and his current owners, a partnership that includes Marianne Stribling, Force Five Racing, and Two Rivers Racing Stable, many of whom have been with Sweezey, 34, since he went out on his own three years ago.
Sweezey currently has 36 horses at Tampa, and six at Gulfstream. Phat Man has seen much of the state in recent months. He trains regularly at Tampa, but has now made two straight starts at Gulfstream.
The $84,640 winner’s share brought Phat Man’s career earnings to more than $460,000.
