NYRA Press
Photo Credit: Adam Mooshian
Robert LaPenta, Southern Springs Stables and Head of Plains Partners’ Whitmore arrived at Aqueduct late Wednesday evening to prepare for Saturday’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile.
“We arrived late last night. He’s sharp this morning,” said Laura Moquett, assistant trainer to her husband, Ron. “He’s in good order. He walked the shed row today and we’ll get out to the track with him tomorrow morning.”
Third last out in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Whitmore boasts a record of 12-9-3 from 30 starts and purse earnings in excess of $2.8 million. He won his only start at Aqueduct sprinting 6 ½-furlongs in 2016.
“Last time he came to New York we shipped to Belmont and rode the shuttle over to Aqueduct and he was a little too sharp,” said Moquett. “So, we decided to ship straight in here this time. He really seemed to like the track here.”
Whitmore, who captured the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga in 2018, will stretch out beyond seven furlongs for the first time since an off-the-board effort in the 2016 Kentucky Derby.
Moquett said she is confident the talented chestnut can get the job done.
“I always have confidence in him. It’s easy to have confidence in the redhead,” laughed Moquett. “He’s begging for more distance. He always loves seven furlong races and one of his best races was up at Saratoga last year. But, he always seems a little short on mileage when going the sprint route. So, he’ll get a little stretch out here to see how he likes it.”
