It has been a fascinating, thrilling and at times a frustrating journey through racing for the handsome 5-year-old horse AVIE’S FLATTER, an Ontario-bred for Ivan Dalos.
The Champion 2-year-old in Canada in 2018 was regarded as one of the top Queen’s Plate contenders the following year and in all three legs of the Triple Crown, the son of Flatter – Avie’s Empire, by Empire Maker led late but was caught. He was second in the Plate and Prince of Wales and third in the 12-furlong Breeders’ Stakes. The horse went eight races without a win through his abbreviated 2020 campaign.
Ah, but Avie’s Flatter is in the hands of one of the country’s top trainers, Josie Carroll, and after a year-long layoff, the horse came back in 2021 better than ever. He won two races to begin the season including the Grade 2 Connaught Cup with a lifetime best 97 Beyer Figure before troubled trips messed up runs in the King Edward and Grade 1 Woodbine Mile.
Back to sprinting on Oct. 17, Avie’s Flatter powered to another graded win, taking the Nearctic Stakes (G2) on very yielding turf and became Ontario’s latest millionaire.
Sent off at 7-1, Avie’s Flatter was meeting up with upstart Woodbine Mile winner Town Cruise, the Ontario-bred hero for Brandon and Terry Greer. Town Cruise, who was almost sent to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar and almost retired for the season, was re-routed to the six furlong Nearctic and was made the 2-to-1 favourite.
It was Momos, under Patrick Husbands, who grabbed the early the lead, as Woodbine Mile champ Town Cruise shadowed the pacesetter through an opening quarter timed in :22.72, with Avie’s Flatter positioned fourth by Contreras.
Momos remained a head in front of Town Cruise through a half in :45.95, with Avie’s Flatter moving into third, followed by Turned Aside.
With a burst of speed, Avie’s Flatter took command to lead Momos by a length at Robert Geller’s stretch call. Olympic Runner, well back for most of the race, began to roll on the far outside in a bid for a podium finish.
At the wire, Avie’s Flatter secured a half-length victory over a game Turned Aside. Olympic Runner was third, besting Momos by a neck for the show award.
Town Cruise wound up fifth.
“He handled it perfect,” said Contreras. “I got a great trip and I’m so happy with the way he ran. I got a nice trip in the backstretch, and I was loaded the whole way.”
The final time over yielding ground was 1:10.52.
Avie’s Flatter, whose other stakes scores include the Grade 3 Transylvania, Coronation Futurity and Cup and Saucer, paid $16.50 for the win. The bay has seven wins in 18 races and pushed his earnings over $1 million Canadian with the $180,000 winner’s share for the Nearctic.
“This is a good horse,” praised Carroll. “This horse, from the time he was two, every year he shows up and gets it done. We have him back to sprinting now and he’s thriving on it. It’s wonderful. This horse is kind of a barn favourite so it’s very special for all of us when he wins.”
The incredibly versatile Avie’s Flatter, with wins on Tapeta and turf, short and long, is by the A.P. Indy stallion Flatter who stands for a fee of $35,000 Claiborne Farm. Flatter, a top sire, is also the sire of young stallion Upstart and Flat Out.
Avie’s Empire is a daughter of Dalos’ E.P. Taylor Stakes winner Fly for Avie. Avie’s Empire did not race and has produced Wonder Where Stakes winner Avie’s Mineshaft and graded stakes placed Avie’s Mesa.
Avie’s Empire produced a Tapit colt this spring and is in foal to Curlin.
Dalos, already flushed with stallions of his own – Ami’s Holiday, Gamble’s Exchange, Amis Gizmo, and Amis Flatter – could be adding to his roster with Avies Flatter.
