Mad Flatter, ridden by Jon Court, took command of the six-horse
field on the backstretch and never looked back while winning Sunday’s $51,284
featured allowance race at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths over Moe Man.
Trained by Jeff Thornbury, Mad Flatter ran 1 1/16
miles over a fast main track in 1:43.95. Moe Man broke alertly and led the pack
through a first quarter mile in :24.78 with Mad Flatter in second and a
hard-pulling Awesome Act, the even-money favorite, in third. Mad Flatter
asserted himself as they entered the backstretch and never relinquished the
lead through fractions of :48.76, 1:13.33 and 1:37.54.
A 6-year-old Florida-bred son of Flatter, Mad Flatter
returned mutuels of $10.80, $5.80 and $4. Moe Man, ridden by Calvin Borel,
paid $4.40 and $3.40 with Valerius finishing another 1 ¾ lengths back in
third under Freddie Lenclud and returning $4.20. Mine Train,
Awesome Act and Gresham completed the order of finish.
The victory was worth
$29,040 and boosted Mad Flatter’s earnings to $265,692 for owners Bonnie
Heath Farm, Holiday Stable, Bright Brook Farm and Hinkle
Farms. His record improved to 7-1-3 from 23 starts. Last October, he
prevailed in the Grade III Spend a Buck Handicap at Calder Race Course and
Slots.