Sirocco Strike Elevated After Distinctiv Passion's DQ in Green Flash

Truline Racing’s Sirocco Strike, piloted by Julien Leparoux, fell a neck short of overhauling  Distinctiv Passion in the featured $100,690 Green Flash Handicap Wednesday at Del Mar, but was awarded victory when stewards disqualified the original winner. 

An inquiry revealed that Distinctiv Passion, the 5-2 betting choice, drifted out in the final yards to bump Strong Wind, who finished third only a head farther  back in a blanket wind-up to the five-furlong sprint over the infield turf course.

Because of the infraction, Distinctiv Passion, who was piloted by Edwin Maldonado, was demoted to third place, with Sirocco Strike inheriting the win and Strong Wind and Gary Stevens  being elevated to the runner-up spot.

Sirocco Strike, a six-year-old son of Forestry, returned $16.40, $6.60 and $3.80 after his fourth triumph in 20 starts. First money of $56,400 increased his earnings to $232,876. He is trained by Jeff Mullins.

Strong Wind paid $5.40 and $3.60, while Distinctiv Passion, winner of an allowance race July 26 over Sirocco Strike, paid $3 to show.

Time for the distance was :55.34.

There were 20 perfect tickets in the Pick Six and each was worth $57,967. The total pool was $1,942,895 - $1,687,187 in “new” money wagered today pursuing a carryover of $255,708 from Sunday.

Attendance Wednesday totaled 12,750.