Cal-bred sprinters take center stage at Santa Anita Oct. 12-13

ARCADIA, Calif. – California-bred sprinters on the Santa Anita hillside will be in the spotlight Oct. 12-13. The $100,000 California Distaff Handicap is Saturday; the $100,000 California Flag Handicap is Sunday.

While the California Distaff could include stakes winners Big Summer, Connie Swingle, Sassy Nature, and Stay and Scam, the California Flag open to both genders will not include the top three Cal-bred males currently racing or training toward a comeback.

Grade 1 winner The Chosen Vron is aiming for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 2 at Del Mar, and stakes winner Man O Rose is more likely for the restricted Lure Stakes on Oct. 19 at Santa Anita than the California Flag. Meanwhile, six-time stakes winner Kings River Knight recently returned to trainer John Sadler after taking the summer off.

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Kings River Knight, first or second in 15 of his 16 starts, is aiming for the Santa Anita winter season. “He’d been training a long time and needed a break,” Sadler said. Kings River Knight will return with a five-race win streak that includes the 2023 California Flag. A 6-year-old gelding by Acclimation, Kings River Knight has earned $649,830. He has won short and long, dirt and turf.

Sadler meanwhile looks forward to the career debut of Miles Finch, a 2-year-old colt by Vronsky who is a sibling to Kings River Knight. The well-regarded Miles Finch is named after a character in the movie “Elf.” Expectations are high for Miles Finch, who is expected to start this month at Santa Anita.

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