Flamboyant Stands Tall in the San Gabriel at 46-1

Obviously looked like a winner for 95% of today’s late feature at Santa Anita, but it was that final 5% that got the speedy favorite beaten by an unlikely candidate. Expertly ridden by Brice Blanc, Flamboyant was the only one close enough to the front runner in the lane to take advantage of any chinks in the armor. Sure enough when Obviously tired just a little bit, the 46-1 was ready and able to pounce, on his way to a measured neck victory over the game front runner in today’s Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes.

With the 5-2 choice of the field of eleven the clear speed, it was Joe Talamo’s task of reserving as much as possible for the stretch drive. Together the pair made every step in front through early splits of :23.26, :46.60, and 1:10.27. Meanwhile, the Paddy Gallagher trained Flamboyant stayed to the inside from his rail post, while back in the second half of the field. Obviously, as is his custom, was winging out on the lead, and carried a clear lead through the entire backstretch and far turn.

By the time the grass lovers hit the stretch, Flamboyant had made steady progress, and was now ready to make his run for a big upset. Obviously was running his race, though, and did not look like he was going to relinquish his position on top. His daylight lead began to diminish inside the final furlong, and Flamboyant was strong after moving off the rail to go after the favorite. The race was on to the wire, and it quickly became clear that the 46-1 shot had his competitor measured. Blanc put away the stick, as his mount powered on by and made it to the finish on top.

The second choice in the wagering, Bal a Bali was forwardly placed throughout but could not threaten for the win, although he was the only one close to the top two at the wire. The South American import finished 2 ¼ lengths behind Obviously, but more than four lengths ahead of Poshsky for third place money. “I speak to him in French, it must work,” exclaimed Blanc. “He’s been working really, really well and I think he cares for this course as well. He ran really well for me last fall and he just didn’t get a chance to run during Del Mar, the race didn’t go; the patience has paid off, though. There was plenty of pace to run at today, which I think is great because he seems like once he settles down, he can finish up and really make a nice run. He has a tremendous turn of foot when he uses it and I think he’s got a lot of back class. This was a tough bunch on paper, quite a few nice horses. I think the mile and an eighth helped me and it didn’t help some of the others.”

The winner of the 2014 La Puente Stakes over this same turf course in his American debut, and then a good third in the $1.25 Belmont Derby two starts later, good results had been seemingly lost for the five-year-old son of Peer Gynt. Coming into the San Gabriel on a ten race losing streak, Flamboyant had come the closest to a victory in a long time in his most recent start when he was third by two noses in an allowance race ten weeks ago at Santa Anita.

Owned by David Bienstock and Charles Winner, Flamboyant raised his record to 18-4-3-4, while raising his career earnings to $288,400. Bred and raced in France, where he won 2-of-6, the bay gelding was imported to California nearly two years ago.

Final time for the nine furlongs over the firm turf course was 1:46.64. The big longshot paid $94.20 for the win, and despite the favorite taking second, the San Gabriel exacta returned a hefty $492.80 for those clever enough to use Flamboyant on top.

By winning today’s featured event, Flamboyant joins an impressive list of San Gabriel winners which includes; Cougar II, John Henry, In Excess, Star of Cozzene, Badge of Silver, three-time winner, Jeranimo, and last year’s winner, Finnegans Wake.