COUNTRY FLAVOR MUCH THE BEST AT ARLINGTON

Article taken from Thoroughbred Times Today.

County Flavor scored a significant upset in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup Handicap (Gr.3) on Saturday at Arlington Park, rolling to a three quarter- length win at 21.20-to-1 odds.

A four-year-old EMPIRE MAKER gelding making his stakes debut, Country Flavor pushed the pace before seizing the lead near the quarter pole. He responded to Inez Karlsson’s urging in the lane to pull away from the field and easily hold off a late run by runner up Tybalt, covering the one-turn mile on the synthetic Polytrack surface in 1:38.16

A Jim Tafel homebred trained by Greg Geier, Country Flavor received a near-perfect trip under Karlsson. Mad Flatter took the lead through fractions of :24.32 and :48.26 through a half-mile, while Country Flavor raced comfortably in second followed by Wildeydsouthernboy and Recapturetheglory.
Country Flavor (EMPIRE MAKER) pushed his head in front at the quarter pole and capitalized on the ground-saving trip entering the straight as the gelding easily accelerated to the win. Favorite Gran Estreno (Arg) finished third, one length behind Tybalt.

Out of Grade 3 winner Allspice, by Coronado’s Quest, Country Flavor improved to four wins from 13 career starts and earnings of $139,390.

Date: 30 May 2010