Chaos Theory makes first start off claim for Sadler in Green Flash
DEL MAR, Calif. – In recent years, trainer John Sadler has significantly upgraded the overall quality of his stock, with the amount of stakes horses now far exceeding claimers. But Sadler still enjoys trying to find nuggets through the claim box.
Over the years, he’s won major races with horses like Cost of Freedom and Iotapa, among many others, after claiming them. Sadler may have landed another potential strike from that same vein in Chaos Theory, who makes his first start for Sadler, and his West Coast debut, as seemingly one of the top contenders in the Grade 3, $100,000 Green Flash at five furlongs on turf Saturday at Del Mar.
Chaos Theory was a turf sprint stakes winner at Fair Grounds in February 2019, two starts before going on the sidelines for nine months. In his second start following that layoff, the 5-year-old gelding was risked for a tag for the first time in his career on June 14 at Churchill Downs, and Sadler reached in and took him for $62,500 for his primary clients, Kosta and Pete Hronis.
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“He had some good numbers,” Sadler said. “We were there, racing that meet. There’s a lot of turf sprints in California. He looked like the kind of horse who would fit on our circuit.”
Chaos Theory certainly looked like he’d settled in last Sunday morning, when he turned in a sharp half-mile work over the local turf for the Green Flash. With Beyer Speed Figures in the mid- to upper 90s to go back to, a peak performance will make him a formidable player in the five-furlong race.
To prevail, Chaos Theory will have to outrun seven rivals, most notably the quick Bay Area invader Mikes Tiznow, who returned from a one-year layoff to win the Albany on June 6 at Golden Gate Fields. That made him 4 for 5 in turf sprints, including a win over maidens at Del Mar in August 2018, that race following a 13-month layoff.
“He’s a funny horse,” said his trainer, Andy Mathis. “He’s run two of his best races off one-year layoffs. Maybe I’m coming back too soon in 2 1/2 months. I don’t bang on him much between races. He’s told us enough over the years that the fresher he is, the better he is.”
Sparky Ville and Baja Sur were first and third here July 26 in an upper-level allowance, separated by a head and a nose.
Irish Heatwave is an intriguing turn-back play, but still would have to run a career-best to be prominent here. Abel Cedillo sticks with him for the third time in his last four starts.
“He’s been running off a little going two turns, and there’s no second-condition allowance for him, and Cedillo came open, so this all might make sense,” said his trainer, Doug O’Neill, who also starts Torosay.
Mesut, who also is a turn-back play, and the 3-year-old Thanks Mr Eidson complete the field. The Green Flash is race 3 on the 11-race card.
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