The Galloping Hat Rack

Basics:

(Flatter x Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider)

• Trainer: Bill Mott (Cigar, Drosselmeyer, Royal Delta)
• Jockey: Junior Alvarado Joel Rosario
• Owned by: Preston Stables LLC
• Career Record: 27: 8-5-5
• Earnings: $3,195,383

Vital Stats:

• 2013 Record: 7:2-1-2
• 2013 accomplishments: G2 winner, G1-placed
• Santa Anita record: 1:0-0-1
• TrueNicks rating: “A+” Variant 5.58
• Dosage Index: 4.00
• Highest Equibase Speed Figure of 2013: 129 (up 8 from last year)
• Lost last prep [3rd, Jockey Club Gold Cup (I), by 8 ½ lengths]
• 3rd in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (by 7 lengths)
• Trainer excellent at prepping horses for G1s and championships (Royal Delta, Ron the Greek)
• Jockey experiencing better than usual year
• No horse older than 5 has ever won the Classic (Flat Out is 7)

Summary: In his second year under Bill Mott’s tutelage, Flat Out has been the picture of powerful consistency. While not winning every time out, the dapper-looking bay stallion has been showing up to every dance, earning him the title “the Baron of Belmont” after keeping a sharp record at Old Sandy, where until this year he had been undefeated. Alas, he has finished worse than 3rd only twice–both instances occurring earlier this year– and often fell victim to not getting the ideal distance or track conditions.

Prep Schedule: Hot off a 3rd in the Classic last year, Flat Out returned to Gulfstream in February to return a mild 4th in the Donn Handicap (I) won in a romp by Graydar, who also bested him in the New Orleans Handicap (II) next out where he finished 5th. Taking a class drop and a cutback in ground, Flat Out finally won in the Westchester (III) at Belmont as a prep for the Met Mile (I), where he finished a too-late 3rd as the favorite. Getting 9 furlongs again, Flat Out kept his form rolling with an easy win in a lightly-contested Suburban Handicap (II), then ran 2nd in the sloppy Woodward (I) next out at Saratoga, bested by just a head by Alpha. He fell victim to bad luck and a bad break next out in the 10-furlong Jockey Club Gold Cup (I), running a distant 3rd behind stablemate Ron the Greek.

Physique: It comes as no surprise by looking at Flat Out that his horse is an accomplished runner from 8, 9, *and* 10 furlongs. He has a compact yet muscled bullet-shaped body indicative of sticking around when others start to get winded.

Pedigree: While there’s little that’s flashy on the surface, Flat Out is a descendant of the dominant A.P. Indy tribe through his sire Flatter (a full brother to Congrats) and looks to continue the Northern Dancer-Mr. Prospector legacy of winning in classic races.

Running Style: Mid-pack, often moves up late

Pros: Flat Out ran well in last year’s Classic despite track bias that did not favor him, and he arguably looks like a better horse than that this year.

Cons: How many Classic winners can you name that had strong track biases? Flat Out’s biggest issue is probably that he can only win if given the right conditions– the track can’t be too speed-favoring, and can’t be anywhere but in New York– which are the two things that Santa Anita is all about.

Final Word: Everything about Flat Out screams exotic horse. He’s consistent and looks great rolling into the Breeders’ Cup this year, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he comes out on top when he has had just too many issues running well outside of his comfort zone.