Flat Out colt surges late to take Gold Fever S.

Wendell Fong earned his first stakes win in Sunday’s $100,000 Gold Fever S. at Belmont Park, making up three lengths in the final furlong to best Call Paul by 2 ½-lengths.

The 3-year-old colt is the third stakes horse this month for Flat Out, who already has 41 individual winners to date, leading all Third-Crop Sires in the category.

Wendell Fong, who won two of his first three lifetime starts at Laurel Park, was also making his first start on a sloppy track in the six-furlong Gold Fever. Sitting a few lengths off the pace through the first three furlongs, the dark bay swung wide entering the stretch, and wore down a stubborn Call Paul in the late stages to win going away in 1:10.06, earning a very solid Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

“It was a long trip, but it was worth it in the end,” said winning rider Jorge Vargas, Jr., also in from Maryland for the race. “This little horse is so smart and does whatever you want him to do. I’m just really grateful. He has showed ability and I think he’s going to keep going forward.”

Wendell Fong was purchased for $160,000 by his owner Gold Square LLC at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Bred by Nicholas Lotz, Wendell Fong is a half-brother to four-time stakes winner Ruffenuff.