ARCADIA, Calif. (March 7, 2020)–With an avalanche of late money coming his way, the John Sadler-conditioned Flagstaff ran accordingly, as he stalked the early pace and rallied four-deep turning for home en route to a 1 ¼ length victory in Saturday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita. Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Flagstaff got seven furlongs in 1:22.64.
Fourth behind a dueling threesome that consisted of stablemate St. Joe’s Bay, Law Abidin Citizen and McKale, Flagstaff was never threatened by the late running Roadster, who flew to be second.
Off at even money in a field of six older horses, Flagstaff, a 6-year-old gelding by Speightstown, paid $4.00, $2.40 and $2.20.
Owned by Lane’s End Farm and Hronis Racing, LLC, Flagstaff, who is out of the Gone West mare Indyan Giving, notched his first graded stakes win and improved his overall record to 11-5-3-2. With the winner’s share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $403,785.
Roadster, last year’s Santa Anita Derby winner, ran out of real estate, finishing one length in front of stablemate McKale. Off as the second choice with Mike Smith up at 2-1, he paid $3.00 and $2.60.
McKale, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, was off at 7-1 and paid $4.00 to show while finishing one half length in front of Law Abidin Citizen.
Fractions on the race were 22.27, 45.04 and 1:09.54.
Via Santa Anita Press Release
