Pacific Gale first stakes winner for Flat Out

Pacific Gale drew off willingly in the final furlong of the $60,000 Sorority S. at Monmouth Park on Saturday to become the first stakes winner for Spendthrift Farm’s freshman sire Flat Out.

With eight individual winners and two stakes horses to date from his first crop, Flat Out ranks in the top five on the Freshman Sire list in both categories. His 2-year-olds have performed exceptionally well in the sales ring this year, averaging nearly 13 times his stud fee. Flat Out has a total of 39 lots cataloged in the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Winner of her maiden special weight debut July 29 at Belmont Park, Pacific Gale got away in good order in the six-furlong Sorority, chasing just outside of Little Dipper, who led the field through a half-mile in :44.95. Pacific Gale ranged up alongside in midstretch, then pulled away with authority in the late stages, winning by 3 1/4-lengths in 1:10.54 on the fast main track.

“She broke pretty sharp,” said winning rider Chris DeCarlo. “The outside horse (Little Dipper) looked like she was intent on going to the lead so I sat right off. I asked her around the quarter pole and when I asked, she went. She’s a really nice horse and seems to keep getting better.”

Pacific Gale has now earned $82,000 in her two wins for owner Tobey Morton. The bay filly was bred in Kentucky by Bally Breeders and sold to her owners for $72,000 at the OBS Spring 2-year-olds in training sale in April.