TORONTO – Avie’s Flatter, under Luis Contreras, finished with a flourish to win the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes and in doing so, reached the $1 million mark in career earnings, Sunday at Woodbine.
The $281,800 Nearctic, a six-furlong turf stakes for three-year-olds and upward, attracted a competitive field of 10.
Avie’s Flatter, Ivan Dalos’ homebred five-year-old star, was at his very best in adding another stakes victory to his impressive résumé.
Sent off at 7-1, the bay son of Flatter arrived at the Nearctic off a ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile on September 18.
Under the tutelage of Canadian Hall of Fame conditioner Josie Carroll, the bay was back on track and back in the winner’s circle on a cool afternoon at the Toronto oval.
It was Momos, under Patrick Husbands, who grabbed the early the lead, as Woodbine Mile champ Town Cruise shadowed the pacesetter through an opening quarter timed in :22.72, with Avie’s Flatter positioned fourth by Contreras.
Momos remained a head in front of Town Cruise through a half in :45.95, with Avie’s Flatter moving into third, followed by Turned Aside.
With a burst of speed, Avie’s Flatter took command to lead Momos by a length at Robert Geller’s stretch call. Olympic Runner, well back for most of the race, began to roll on the far outside in a bid for a podium finish.
At the wire, Avie’s Flatter secured a half-length victory over a game Turned Aside. Olympic Runner was third, besting Momos by a neck for the show award.
“He handled it perfect,” said Contreras. “I got a great trip and I’m so happy with the way he ran. I got a nice trip in the backstretch, and I was loaded the whole way.”
The final time over yielding ground was 1:10.52.
Avie’s Flatter, whose other stakes scores include the Grade 3 Transylvania, Coronation Futurity and Cup and Saucer, paid $16.50 for the win.
“This is a good horse,” praised Carroll. “This horse, from the time he was two, every year, he shows up and gets it done. We have him back to sprinting now and he’s thriving on it. It’s wonderful. This horse is kind of a barn favourite so it’s very special for all of us when he wins.”
The Ontario-bred, who took the Grade 2 Connaught Cup on July 18, is now 7-3-2 from 18 starts.
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Woodbine Press Release
Photo 1: Avie’s Flatter becomes racing’s newest millionaire after capturing the Grade 3 Neartic Stakes under Luis Contreras at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)
Photo 2: Avie’s Flatter captures the Grade 3 Neartic Stakes under Luis Contreras at Woodbine. (Michael Burns Photo)
