The nice thing about Flat Out ’s win in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park Jan. 19 is the colt did not look like he was “all out.” He blew by the leaders and coasted home to the second victory in his short career.
Content to sit off the pace with the 3-year-old Flatter colt, jockey Julio Garcia merely bided his time. When he asked Flat Out for run coming out of the turn in the mile race, the outcome was never in doubt.
Ninth Client took the lead at the start and was followed closely by Bertsgoldenmissile, Silver Bayer, and favored Professor Z as the field went a quarter in :23.42 and a half in :47.22. Down the backside, Silver Bayer and Professor Z tried to make the race a two-horse race, battling each other as they went six furlongs in 1:12.85.
Coming through the turn, Professor Z backed out of it (eventually fading to last in the seven-horse field) and Silver Bayer hit the front. But Garcia had Flat Out rolling wide, and he was full of run, going seven furlongs in 1:26.43 and completing the mile in 1:39.15.
Bred in Florida by Nikolaus Bock from the Cresta Rider mare Cresta Lil, Flat Out was sold as a weanling at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale Co.’s October sale by Thoroughstock, agent. He was purchased by Picturesque Farm for $11,000. At the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale, he was consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, and purchased by Oxbox Racing for $85,000. Flat Out races for Art and Stephanie Preston’s Oxbow Racing.
Flat Out made two starts last year at 2 for trainer Morris Nicks. He ran sixth, beaten just 2 1/4 lengths, in his first outing in November at Churchill Downs. At the Fair Grounds in December, he broke his maiden by 1 1/4 lengths.
Now, Flat Out is trained by Charles “Scooter” Dickey.
Flat Out paid $12.60, $5.60, and $3.80, while Silver Bayer held on for second and returned $10.40 and $5. Third was Gresham, who paid $3.20.
Flat Out cruises home with Julio Garcia in the irons
Coady Photography