Flagstaff Noses Out Roadster in Damascus Stakes
Description:
Flagstaff stayed on gamely to nose Roadster in a thrilling $98,000 Damascus Stakes at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.
Flagstaff, a 5-year-old gelding by Speightstown , prevailed at seven furlongs in his first outing since finishing third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) behind Omaha Beach . Out of the A.P. Indy mare Indyan Giving and a half brother to champion Game Winner, Flagstaff races for Lane's End Racing and Hronis Racing, and was bred in Kentucky by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Farm.
"Can we count this as a Breeders' Cup win?" asked trainer John Sadler of the undercard event. "This horse has had all kinds of issues—colic, various injuries, and a chip in a back ankle. He's sound now and doing well."
Flagstaff has won four of nine lifetime starts and $243,785 in earnings. Sadler said he might consider a sprint in Dubai down the road.
Speedway Stable's Roadster was returning from a 4 1/2-month break after a runner-up finish in the June 16 Affirmed Stakes (G3). Trainer Bob Baffert said it was a good comeback effort considering Roadster had to come around horses to challenge Flagstaff.
Baffert's other entrant, Comical Ghost, set the early pace in the Damascus, going :22.22, :44.85, and 1:09.27. Turning for home, however, he was tackled by Flagstaff and a wider-out Roadster, and those two kicked down the lane together noses apart. Flagstaff crossed the wire in 1:22.36 on a fast-rated track and paid $4. Extra Hope was third in the four-horse field that saw a scratch of Horse Greedy.