Prat guides Ottoman Fleet to victory in Arlington Stakes

Flavien Prat gave Ottoman Fleet a perfect trip and the even-money favorite won the Grade 3, $250,000 Arlington Stakes by one length over Chasing the Crown on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

It was the second American win for Ottoman Fleet, a Godolphin homebred trained by Charlie Appleby. Appleby bases in Dubai during the winter and England during the spring, summer, and fall, but he is running an American string this year, and Ottoman Fleet scored in the Arlington after falling a neck short of victory last month in the Fort Marcy Stakes. A year ago, Ottoman Fleet, a 5-year-old gelding by Sea the Stars out of the Motivator mare Innevera, was a comfortable winner of the Fort Marcy before finishing third in the Grade 1 Manhattan.

The Manhattan is next week at Saratoga, and Ottoman Fleet found an easier spot at Churchill, where he faced five rivals after Stitched and Harlan Estate were scratched. Ottoman Fleet’s sweet spot is probably 1 1/8 miles, and he lacks the quick-twitch acceleration of a true miler, but between his innate ability and the great position Prat put him in, he was solidly best in the 1 1/16-mile Arlington.

Emmanuel, who might have led, was squeezed back to last at the start leaving, Northern Invader to set moderate splits of 24.48 and 48.16 over a course that was rated firm but appeared, from the large divots being kicked up, to have some give to it. Prat plunked rail-drawn Ottoman Fleet down just behind the pace and the textbook pocket trip was on. Prat found room when he switched outside for the stretch run, Ottoman Fleet pounced and took the lead, and while Chasing the Crown made a solid bid from fifth, finishing fastest, he could not get to the superior winner.

Irish Aces, who pressed the pace on the outside, finished third, one length behind Chasing the Crown. Ottoman Fleet was timed in 1:41.45 and paid $4.16.

Ottoman Fleet has flown from Dubai to England and on to America already in 2024. Saturday at Churchill, he sailed to victory.

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