California Flag romps to a front running victory in the San Simeon Handicap at Santa Anita
Ridden by Joseph Talamo for trainer Brian Koriner in the Grade 3, $100,000 San Simeon Handicap, California Flag, coming off a 5 month layoff looked fresh, and loved being back on the track as he posted an easy front running victory over six other 4-year-old
and up runners at about six and one half furlongs on 21 April, 2012, at Santa Anita Park’s hillside turf course.
Hi Card Ranch owned 8-year-old gelding, California Flag was last seen in action was last fall at Churchill Downs running in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at about five furlongs, but never really got a chance to get going as he fell away to finish
a dull 12th.
California Flag has won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint once in four attempts and after his fourth attempt last year, he was rested through the winter and with another shot at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over his most favoured Santa Anita hillside turf course,
the 8-year-old gelding has a real shot at winning the race twice.
The California bred son on of Avenue of Flags, California Flag was reunited with his long term partner Joe Talamo, who helped the horse win his only Breeders’ Cup event.
Coupled again after one and a half year, the duo broke swiftly from the gate and never looked back. In the early going California Flag surged on the inside of Ain’t No Other to take the lead and open up a three length advantage.
"This horse loves to train and he does it all himself," Koriner told HRTV. "When you put him down the hill, it just happens."
"It brought back memories. It felt just like when we won the Breeders' Cup," Talamo told HRTV
"We love this horse," he said. "If anything were to happen to him, we'd be devastated. But he's really healthy right now."
Out of mare Ultrafleet by Afleet, California Flag covered the six and a half furlong distance in 1 minute and 11.59 seconds and defeated Sayif and Compari, who finished second and third, respectively, after being sent as the fourth choice, carrying the top
weight of 121 pounds.
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