Boozer, Richard's Boy head a field of seven in California Flag
Hillside specialists Boozer and Richard’s Boy head a field of seven California-bred or sired three year olds and up in Saturday’s $100,000 California Flag Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.
Second in their respective divisions of the Grade III Eddie D. Stakes over the course on Sept. 30, Richard’s Boy, who is trained by Peter Miller and Boozer, conditioned by Mark Glatt, have similar styles and will hope to “hold their form” as they each take a significant drop in class.
BOOZER–Second, beaten 1 ¼ lengths in the second division of the Eddie D., this 6-year-old Unusual Heat gelding was mid-pack early in a field of 11 and moved to third, just a length off the lead turning for home en route to garnering a California Flag best last-out Beyer Speed figure of 98. Owned by Al and Sandee Kirkwood, he has a sparkling 9-4-3-2 record over the course and will be ridden for the fourth time in a row by Gary Stevens. Boozer is 27-7-6-6 overall with earnings of $602,096.
RICHARD’S BOY–Attentive to the pace throughout, he finished second, beaten 1 ¾ lengths in the first division of the Eddie D. and earned a 91 Beyer in the process. Blessed with tremendous early speed, he figures to be sent from his rail post position by regular rider Victor Espinoza as he seeks his third win from six hillside starts. Owned by Gary Hartunian’s Rockingham Ranch, the 4-year-old Idiot Proof gelding is 15-6-4-1 overall with earnings of $368,060.
THE CALIFORNIA FLAG HANDICAP IN POST POSITION ORDER WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
Race 4 of 9 Approximate post time 2 p.m. PST
1. Richard’s Boy–Victor Espinoza–123
2. McHeat–Tyler Baze–121
3. Boozer–Gary Stevens–124
4. Somethings Unusual–Drayden Van Dyke–118
5. Mana Strike–Tiago Pereira–116
6. Acceptance–Stewart Elliott–116
7. Big Bane Theory–Joe Talamo–120
Source: Santa Anita Park