The $200,000 Green Flash Handicap (G2) is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win, and You’re In” race for the Turf Sprint. The 5-furlong dash, held over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course, runs on the undercard of the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) and was upgraded from Grade 3, with the purse increased by $50,000.
Inaugurated in 2003 as a listed event and elevated to Grade 3 in 2019, the race is a key late-summer target for West Coast turf sprinters.
Notable multiple winners include inaugural Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag (2009–2010), Lieutenant Dan (2021–2022), and three-time victor Motorious, who swept 2023–2025 (the last coming via disqualification of rival Reef Runner). Other winners include Chaos Theory (2020), Mr. Vargas (2019), Stormy Liberal (2018), and Tribalist (2017).
This year’s field of 10 features a mix of proven stakes performers, recent allowance winners, and turf specialists who thrive on the distance.
Motorious (5-2), an England-bred 8-year-old Muhaarar gelding, seeks an unprecedented fourth straight Green Flash victory. He comes off a runner-up finish to Sumter in a July 19 Del Mar allowance. His 2025 Green Flash win came via disqualification; he also won two other graded stakes and finished second in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
He is a consistent late-closing specialist who rallies from mid-pack or farther back with a powerful turn of foot on this course. Antonio Fresu rides.
Hall of Famer Richard Mandella trains Sumter (4-1), a 7-year-old War Front gelding who is a major contender here. He captured a Del Mar allowance on July 19 at 5 furlongs on the turf, defeating top choice Motorious. Earlier in 2026, he earned a high-speed figure after winning the San Simeon Stakes (G3). A proven closer or stalker who tips out and finishes strongly, he thrives at Del Mar and Santa Anita turf sprints. Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith will be aboard.
Wesley Ward ships Irish-bred No Nay Hudson (5-1), who was third in the 2024 Green Flash and fourth a year ago. The Grade 2 winner (last year’s Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine) has a single start this year and makes a long trek for this race from Keeneland, where he’s been regularly working all summer. This No Nay Never gelding’s best trip is to close into a hot pace, and he’ll get it, so expect a late rush under Juan Hernandez and watch the tote board for a decent price.
Man O Rose (5-1) is a versatile California-bred Stanford gelding with multiple state-bred wins on both dirt and turf and was third in the Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita in his most recent start five months ago. The Jeff Mullins trainee often shows natural early speed, leads or stalks closely, and has proven to be adaptable, even winning from off the pace in open company in the Palos Verdes Stakes earlier this year. He brings two wins over this
course into this first graded attempt and will have jockey Edwin Maldonado aboard.
Sorrento Sky (8-1), who will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, finished third behind Sumter and Motorious in the same July 19 Del Mar allowance. The Irish-bred D’Amato trainee is a consistent closer or mid-pack runner and, though he hasn’t won a race in more than 18 months, he does have stakes experience and can produce a late surge on the Del Mar turf.
Virat (10-1) returns after a dismal 10th in last year’s Green Flash, though he is coming off a nice allowance win over this turf course last month. He has shown competitive form in turf sprints, though not always consistent, and typically races mid-pack or as a stalker, looking to improve off recent efforts jumping into these deeper waters. Hector Barrios rides for Dan Blacker.
Jose D’Angelo trains Monster (15-1), who is a 3-year-old Florida-bred who finished a solid third in the Quick Call Stakes (G3) at Saratoga at a furlong farther on July 19 after earlier stakes placings and allowance wins on turf and synthetic. He typically shows early speed or presses the pace and is versatile across surfaces, making the rail draw potentially useful if he can secure a good position under local rider Emisael Jaramillo.
Saratoga Special (15-1) is a late-running type who has yet to win in four starts since being imported to the U.S. last year. He will likely settle toward the rear and need a strong pace setup to close effectively over the short distance. Richard Baltas trains.
Mescalero (15-1), a 4-year-old Into Mischief gelding who will be ridden by Kazushi Kimura, stepped up to win a Del Mar allowance optional claiming race at 5 furlongs on turf on July 26 for Mandella. He pressed the pace from the inside, took control, and held on for a career-high figure and his second career win. The lightly raced colt is improving, and he runs as a presser or stalker who can clear rivals and dig in late. The main question is whether his first foray into graded stakes company will prove to be too much.
Irish-bred Incanto (20-1) finished seventh in the Daytona Stakes (G3) in June and was fifth in a recent Del Mar allowance. His earlier form includes a win in the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park 18 months ago and a handful of solid allowance efforts. The former claimer, who won a starter allowance at Santa Anita back in May at six furlongs on the turf, tends to race mid-pack or close from off the pace and needs a strong late kick on firm turf to contend at this level. Tyler Baze rides for Peter Eurton.
Post time for the Green Flash, race 5, is 7:10 p.m. ET.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
