Whitmore using Hot Springs as steppingstone

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ivan Fallunovalot, Holy Boss, Fish Trappe Road, Storm Advisory, and Whitmore are part of a strong group of older sprinters who have come together for the $125,000 Hot Springs on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The race is the first of two stakes on the program, with 3-year-old fillies to take the stage later on the card in the Grade 3, $200,000 Honeybee.

The Hot Springs is a six-furlong dash for 4-year-olds and up and serves as the final local steppingstone to the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap here April 15.

The Count Fleet is a goal for Whitmore, who could go favored Saturday after winning a local six-furlong allowance in a blazing 1:08.81 on Jan. 15. Trainer Ron Moquett said the decision was made to sit out last month’s King Cotton, won by Storm Advisory, in order to have a fresher horse for the Count Fleet.

“I wanted to try to take my best shot to be ready to win the Count Fleet if we are good enough,” Moquett said. “If he proves he’s good enough to be that kind of talent, we want to be there full of vigor. Gray hair has taught me if you want to win the big one, sometimes you have to pick and choose your road to get there.”

Hot Springs (Race 6)

KEY CONTENDERS

Whitmore, by Pleasantly Perfect
Last 3 Beyers: 102-92-48

◗ He’s seeking to win his third straight race, following an allowance victory Dec. 3 at Aqueduct and the recent race at Oaklawn. In the local allowance, Whitmore rallied from just off the pace for a 2 3/4-length win, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

“He’s very fast ... and he does things so easy,” Moquett said. “I knew he was sitting on a big race, but I knew there were a lot of quality horses in there. The time doesn’t matter because they don’t pay you any more for going fast, but I will say that I was very pleased with how he did it.”

Storm Advisory, by Weigelia
Last 3 Beyers: 103-94-87

◗ He improved his Oaklawn record to 2 for 3 when he won the first stakes of his career in the King Cotton. Storm Advisory led throughout and was flattered when third-place finisher Apprehender came back to win an allowance at Oaklawn.

“He just kind of ran the way he’d been training,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “Certain horses will take a liking to that track at Oaklawn, and he just ran the way he’d been training. Touch wood, he’s continuing to train really good.”

◗ Storm Advisory worked a bullet half-mile in 46.20 seconds in his final prep last Sunday at Oaklawn.