Talk about a loaded field, huh? The California Flag Handicap today at Santa Anita is absolutely jam-packed with talent, featuring five stakes winners among just seven starters. You know this is gonna be one for the books, especially with that downhill turf run in the middle of October. This isn’t just any race, it is a $100,000 sprint for Cal-breds, three years old and up, running 6 ½ furlongs, and it’s named after the legendary horse California Flag, who snagged the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint right here at Santa Anita, winning 11 of his 27 starts, including eight stakes. That’s the kind of legacy we’re talking about, and today’s contenders are ready to add their own chapter.
The Heavy Hitters and My Top Bet
So, let’s break down the main players. **Lonesome Stew** is coming in hot at 6/5 odds, and he is an obvious contender. This horse just won an allowance race over a mile turf course at Del Mar, which, for a downhill sprint, is exactly what you want to see. He also took the 2025 Sensational Star Stakes, a race with the *exact* same conditions as today’s. Yeah, that rail draw makes things a little tougher, but Umberto Rispoli on the saddle for trainer Mark Glatt? You can’t count him out. But for me, the one to watch, the one I’m putting on top, is **Flyover** at 4/1. Trainer John Sadler has him dialed in. Flyover is this year’s winner of the Sensational Star, meaning he knows how to conquer these conditions. He backed that up by winning the Crystal Waters over a mile at Del Mar. He’s been off since July, but Sadler’s horses win off these kinds of layoffs 18% of the time. With Emisael Jaramillo riding, I’m feeling good about this one. Then you’ve got **Steak Fries** at 6/1, one of only two non-stakes winners in the field, but don’t sleep on him. He’s won his last two races and gets champion jockey Juan Hernandez aboard. He’s definitely the most likely of the longer-odds horses to surprise everyone.
The Underdogs and The Wild Cards
Every great race has its curveballs, right? **On The Whim**, at 6/1, has five career wins and took the California Deamin’ in August. But his record going down the hill is, well, poor. He’d need a whole new dimension today. Then there’s **Chromeflash**, a long shot at 30/1, with only two wins in 18 races. One of those wins *did* come down the hill this year, so if you’re looking to spice up your trifecta, he might be your guy. Another interesting entry is **Big City Lights** at 9/2. This is only his second lifetime start on turf. He’s a perennial winner in the Cal-bred ranks, with six stakes wins, but all of them have been on dirt. Trainer Richard Mandella is taking a shot, and he’s got acumen at 7 furlongs, which is close. Jockey Kazushi Kimura has been aboard for all three of his races this year, including a pair of wins. He might be up against it for a win today, but he’s a solid alternative if you’re looking beyond the favorites. Finally, **Boss Sully** at 8/1 has won down the hill before, beating a Cal-bred allowance field back in 2023. He also won the Siren Lure Stakes this year, a flat six-furlong turf sprint. But this race, with its downhill turf, is a different kind of ask than his usual flat sprints.
It’s going to be a truly thrilling race today at Santa Anita, with so much talent going head-to-head. I’ve got my eyes glued on Flyover, but with this kind of field, anything can happen! Get ready for some serious action!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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