Flash Bak getting better with distance, tops Winter Derby

When he finally had a clean trip in a major futurity, Flash Bak nearly won the $1.9 million Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity in December, finishing a half-length behind the brilliant winner Apollitical Patty.

Flash Bak followed that loss with a win in a division of the Los Alamitos Winter Derby trials on Jan. 23. Overcoming a slow start, Flash Bak set the fastest qualifying time for Saturday’s $203,950 final, running 400 yards in 20.02 seconds.

Trained by Jaime Gomez for Jim Streelman, Flash Bak will be a solid favorite in the Winter Derby, the nation’s first major stakes of the year for the age group.

Flash Bak has won 4 of 8 starts and earned $450,467, the highest of the 10 finalists. Last spring, Flash Bak began his career with Gomez before the gelding was sent to Ruidoso Downs and trainer John Stinebaugh.

Flash Bak qualified for the $3 million All American Futurity in September, but had a rough trip in the 440-yard race. Flash Bak finished ninth, but was promoted to seventh after a rival was disqualified for causing interference.

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Gomez told Los Alamitos publicity after the Jan. 23 trial win that Flash Bak has improved by racing at distances of 400 or 440 yards.

“When it comes to distance, he’s one of the best horses out there,” he said. “We knew we had a special horse when we sent to Ruidoso Downs.”

In the Winter Derby trials, Flash Bak finished three-quarters of a length in front of Twostrikesurprise, who qualified for Saturday’s final along with third-place finisher Coronado Kiss.

There were five divisions of time trials for the Winter Derby on Jan. 23. Trial race winners AP a Special Takeoff, CM Dillingham Advice, and Monopolist qualified for the final.

Monopolist, trained by Scott Willoughby, was fourth in the Los Alamitos Two Million, despite breaking through the gate before the start. In the Winter Derby trials, Monopolist overcame a poor start to finish a length in front of Candy Blood, who earned a berth in the final.

Candy Blood, trained by Monty Arrossa, was fourth in the $826,260 Heritage Place Futurity at Remington Park last May and fourth in the $200,000 All American Juvenile, the consolation for the All American Futurity, in September.

In his California debut, Candy Blood won the $20,000 Holiday Handicap at 350 yards by three lengths on Dec. 26.