On Travers day why Not Whiskey won an $87,000 allowance race by a length in a field of eleven horses. He broke fifth out of the gate and settled nicely early on along the rail. Whiskey finally had some quick fractions to run at down the lane. They went in 22.99, 46.47, 1:11.19 and 1:34.48 for the mile. Once he pulled along side the front-runner, he went on and finished with confidence.
On July 3, Why Not Whiskey finished second in an allowance optional claimer worth $67,000. He got away second to last in the field of eight with Jose Lezcano in the irons and saved ground throughout. The ½ mile went in a slow 49.31, but that didn’t stop Whiskey from making his usual late move as he angled out five wide down the stretch to secure second place.
The rains washed the Grade-3 Jaipur stakes off the turf at Belmont on 6/7. So, our back up plan for Night Officer was the McSorley at Monmouth Park on 6/9, at 5 ½ furlongs. Our boy didn’t take a liking to the good turf course early on in the race. But, once they turned for home him he was all business. He got his big stride going late in the race and closed smartly to finish third.
On Belmont Stakes day Why Not Whiskey finished a game third in a $67,000 race as the second choice in the wagering. On the yielding turf he saved ground early on and waited to make his move. Unfortunately he found himself boxed in on the rail half way down the stretch. Jose Lezcano eventually found some daylight and maneuvered our boy with a big heart to finish a game third.
On May 16, Night Officer won the $85,000 Around The Cape Stakes at Belmont Park. He was away fifth early on and saved ground with Jose Lezcano aboard. When asked, he was angled off the rail and closed powerfully on the pacesetter. Night Officer made the lead and bravely dug in to hold off the second place horse by a long neck. He’s now being pointed to the Grade-3 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont, on June 7.