United stays clear of traffic and just holds on in Charles Whittingham Stakes

An early move to the front in Saturday’s Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita helped United win his second graded stakes on turf in 2020, and avoid the trouble that plagued two principal rivals in the stretch.

United finished a nose in front of even-money favorite Rockemperor, who was a half-length in front of 6-1 Originaire. Rockemperor and Originaire made contact in early stretch.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

After a 10-minute inquiry, the stewards disqualified Rockemperor and placed him third, ruling in a unanimous decision that Rockemperor drifted to the inside in early stretch and bumped Originaire, costing Originaire a chance at a better placing.

Rockemperor was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., while Originaire was ridden by Umberto Rispoli.

There was very little separating the first four finishers. Desert Stone closed well through the stretch with a wide move to finish fourth, a neck behind Originaire.

United ($4.40) was ridden by Flavien Prat, who scored his third win of the day. Prat won six at Santa Anita last Sunday.

Prat had United stalking pacesetter Synthesis in the $200,500 Whittingham. Synthesis set modest fractions of 24.78 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.88 for a half-mile of the 1 ¼ mile race.

United was second on the turn and took the lead in early stretch, a move that might have made the difference. On the turn, Rockemperor was fifth in the field of seven.

:: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

United led by a length with a furlong remaining. Rockemperor closed steadily in the final sixteenth and may have held a narrow lead in the final strides. United had his nose in front at the wire, finishing 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2:00.34. United earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

“I thought I was beaten,” Prat said. “He was ready today, but it wasn’t the sort of race he likes. He likes it when there are a few horses in front of him.”

United, best known for finishing second by a head to 2019 Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar in the Breeders’ Cup Turf here last November, has had an eventful year.

Owned by Larry, Nancy and Jaime Roth and trained by Richard Mandella, United won the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf on Feb. 1 in his first start of the year. United was sent to the United Arab Emirates for the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic on March 28, but did not race. The program was canceled on March 22 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

A 5-year-old gelding by Giant’s Causeway, United has won 5 of 13 starts and earned $1,133,549. United was second in the 2019 Whittingham Stakes, his stakes debut.

“He’s getting better and better each race,” Prat said. “He’s still improving.”