Whitmore's win in Forego sends him to Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Seven weeks ago jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. tried to squeeze Whitmore through the narrowest of openings along the rail entering the stretch. He caromed off another runner as well as the inside fence before ultimately dropped a heartbreaking neck decision to Limousine Liberal in the Grade 2 Belmont Sprint.

On Saturday at Saratoga, Santana again kept Whitmore along the rail awaiting his chance to pounce on the leaders. But this time, when he turned into the stretch, Santana found himself with more than ample room to make his decisive move, ultimately guiding Whitmore to a 1 1/2-length victory over the 4-5 City of Light in the Forego, a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

“Live by the sword, die by the sword,” trainer Ron Moquett said in the winner’s circle after the seven-furlong Forego. “Last time, we didn’t make it coming through the inside. This time, we look like geniuses.”

Whitmore also benefitted from a four-horse duel for the early lead, with Heartwood setting the pace nearest the rail while prompted from the outset by C Z Rocket, Warrior’s Club and City of Light. Whitmore raced in perfect striking position behind the leaders, made his move after Heartwood drifted well out entering the stretch, took command at the top of the stretch and gradually edged away.

City of Light, fanned even farther out entering the stretch, continued on gamely despite not switching off his left lead until midstretch, and ultimately outlasted Limousine Liberal by a nose to finish second. C Z Rocket, No Dozing, Heartwood, Awesome Slew, and Warrior’s Club rounded out the order of finish.

Owned in partnership by Robert LaPenta, Head of Plains Partners and Moquett, Whitmore became a Grade 1 winner for the first time after completing seven furlongs in 1:21.46. That clocking was a couple of ticks slower than the final time for both the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens and the Grade 1 Ballerina, also decided at seven furlongs, earlier on the card.

Whitmore, a 5-year-old son of Pleasantly Perfect, paid $19.60. The winner’s share of $320,000 put his career earnings at just under $2 million.

“To run that well here means everything, it’s a somewhat temporary validation that he belongs, since he’s kind of been labeled an Oaklawn horse,” Moquett said. “He’s as consistent as they come and he tries every time. He’s fun to be around, but he’s a challenge. He’s not a kid’s pony. And he brings that same tenacity to the track.”

Moquett said he’d likely use the Grade 2 Phoenix, a race Whitmore won last year, as his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup.