Flagstaff out-duels Roadster in Santa Anita's Damascus Stakes

Flagstaff out-dueled the younger foe Roadster in a fervent stretch duel Saturday in a highlight to the Breeders’ Cup undercard, prevailing in a photo to win the $100,000 Damascus Stakes.

They spun three-wide into the stretch with Bob Baffert’s pace-setting stablemate, Comical Ghost, the other main contender. He faded, however, setting up a 1-2 battle: Flagstaff on the inside and Roadster on the outside.

A 5-year-old gelding exiting a third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1), Flagstaff never relented. Roadster, the 3-year-old winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), hadn’t run since June and may have needed the race.

“I’m happy with the effort," Baffert said of Roadster. "It was a shame we had to check on the back stretch. He certainly wants to go long.”

For Lane’s End Racing and Hronis Racing, Flagstaff scored as the even-money favorite under jockey Victor Espinoza, finishing up a neck in front and completing seven furlongs in 1:02.27.

This one hadn’t tried stakes company before the Sprint Championship, winning three races in maiden and allowance optional claiming company in a career that didn’t begin until May of his 4-year-old season.

“He’s had all kinds of stuff – he had colic at 3, and he had been injured several times," said trainer John Sadler. "When he runs, he’s a really nice horse. He’s Game Winner’s older brother, so we’ve always thought he was a good horse, but had just had things not go right for him. He looks the soundest he’s ever been and is doing really well, so we’re excited.”

Extra Hope got up for third over Comical Ghost in the field of four. Sadler’s other entry, Horse Greedy, scratched, leaving Flagstaff to represent the barn.

"Can I count this as a Breeders’ Cup win?" he quipped. "I’ll count it for the day.”