Flat Out Annexes Smarty Jones Stakes

Monday, January 19, 2009

Oxbow Racing's Flat Out circled rivals on the turn, then rolled down the middle of the lane to capture the $50,000 Smarty Jones Stakes on Monday afternoon.  The crowd of 12,151 gathered for the holiday performance made the Scooter Dickey trainee a $5.30-1 shot in just his third career start and the handsome son of Flatter pulled away to a three-and-a-half lengths victory over JBS Farm's Silver Bayer.  Courtland Farm's Gresham finished third, while the even-money favorite, Zayat Stables' Professor Z, faded to last after making the pace in the one mile event.

Flat Out, piloted by Julio Garcia, toured the mile in 1:39 over a fast track.  The win was his second from three starts, with the $30,000 winner's share more than doubling his career earnings, now at $55,200.

"He has shown a lot of ability and talent thus far," commented Dickey after the race."We will nominate him to the Southwest Stakes (February 16) and take a look at all our options."

Flat out will not be the first horse in the colors of owner Arthur Preston to make his mark at Oaklawn.  Racing under the stable name, Prestonwood Farm, Victory Gallop won both the Rebel and Arkansas Derby in 1998.  Oxbow's Ermine snared the 2006 Honeybee and the 2007 Apple Blossom Handicap during her successful career.