The hard-knocking Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) captured the 2018 GI Forego S. and, after missing last year's Saratoga meet, he looks to take home the trophy again in this year's renewal Saturday. Runner-up in the King Cotton S. at the start of this term Feb. 8, the chestnut captured the Hot Springs S. Mar. 7 and followed suit with a win in the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. Apr. 18. He completed the exacta behind Volatile (Violence) in this venue's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. last time July 25.
“Pace makes the race as we've seen in a lot of these races,” said trainer Ron Moquett. “He's always good enough to make a big difference but you want him to do it without being put at a disadvantage.”
Also exiting the Vanderbilt are third-place finisher Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) and fourth-place finisher Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior). A Grade I winner at two and three at Saratoga, Mind Control captured in the GIII Toboggan S. Jan. 18 and GIII Tom Fool H. Mar. 7. He was sixth to subsequent GI Met Mile hero Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GI Runhappy Carter H. June 6 prior to the Vanderbilt.
Firenze Fire, whose lone top-level victory came during his juvenile campaign, captured the GIII General George S. at Laurel in his final start for Jason Servis prior to that conditioner's arrest as part of a federal indictment for horse doping. Transferred to Kelly Breen, the homebred was fourth in the Carter, but returned to the winner's circle at Belmont in the June 27 GII True North S.
A Grade I winner at two in the Champagne S., 'TDN Rising Star' Complexity (Maclean's Music) romped in an Aqueduct optional claimer in November and was fourth to Omaha Beach (War Front) next out in the GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita Dec. 28. Subsequently shelved, the bay made a victorious return in a one-mile event at Belmont July 2.
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