Tampa Bay Downs: Flatter This upsets in Challenger Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Flatter This, who came into Saturday's $60,000 Challenger Stakes off fifth- and 10th- place finishes in his last two outings at Gulfstream Park, came to life with the change of scenery in the 1 1/16-mile featured stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, as he disposed of favored Prospective moving to the final furlong and drew off late for a 2 3/4-length upset of the 22nd running of the stakes for older runners.

Despite losing ground outside much of the way under Antonio Gallardo, Flatter This challenged Prospective into the second turn of the race, battled with that one to near the eighth pole, then pulled away under pressure for his seventh win from 47 starts. The 6-year old, trained by Kathleen O'Connell, has last won in a starter allowance route at Calder last October.

Nicklaus Way, who had moved to a striking position out of the second turn under Angel Serpa, couldn't gain on the winner late and wound up sharing place honors with late-closing Argentine Tango, with Prospective a tiring fourth, 1 3 / 4 lengths back in his first start since November.

The race was marred by the breakdown of Meowser in midstretch. The 4-year old, who had disputed the early pace, was euthanized.

Flatter This covered the distance over a fast strip in 1:44.90 and returned $31.60.