Whitmore gearing up for Hot Springs Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Whitmore is gearing up for another season at Oaklawn Park, where he has won the past two runnings of the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.

“Our ultimate goal at Oaklawn is the Count Fleet, and he’ll have an out before then,” said trainer Ron Moquett. “It will probably be like last year, in the Hot Springs.”

Whitmore won that race a year ago at Oaklawn. The 2019 renewal of the $150,000 race at six furlongs is March 9.

Since he was last seen at Oaklawn, Whitmore has become a Grade 1 winner, taking the Forego in August at Saratoga. He went on to run second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, breaking last from the rail and closing fast to finish 3 1/4 lengths behind champion Roy H.

“He brought his run,” said Moquett.

Whitmore was given his annual freshening following the start and returned to Oaklawn the first week of January.

“Same exact schedule as last year,” said Moquett.

Whitmore on Wednesday logged his first work back, going a half-mile in company in 52.40 seconds.

“I was just trying to let him stretch his legs a little bit,” Moquett said. “We worked him nice and easy, and I was really pleased with the way he did it.”

Whitmore, a 6-year-old gelding by Pleasantly Perfect, races for Bob LaPenta, Southern Springs Stables, and Head of Plains Partners. He has won 11 of 24 starts and earned $2.3 million.