Flying Scotsman impresses in winning Cecil B. DeMille

DEL MAR, Calif. – The hype surrounding Flying Scotsman appears to be genuine.

After Flying Scotsman won a maiden special weight race at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in late September, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer hoped to run the colt in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2. Those plans were thwarted when the Juvenile Turf oversubscribed and Flying Scotsman was not included in the field.

Hollendorfer’s confidence in Flying Scotsman did not waver. On Sunday at Del Mar, Flying Scotsman won his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at a mile on turf.

“We’ve always liked him,” Hollendorfer said.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Flying Scotsman ($4) stalked pacesetter Vantastic before taking the lead in the final quarter-mile. Flying Scotsman pulled clear to win by 4 1/4 lengths over 4-1 Rijeka, who finished a half-length in front of Vantastic, the 2-1 second choice.

Takeo Squared finished fourth, followed by Sayin Grace in the small field. Irish Heatwave was withdrawn early Sunday.

Flying Scotsman was timed in 1:34.44 and earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

“He had a great trip,” Hollendorfer said. “He thought he could get him to rate today. He was right.”

By English Channel, Flying Scotsman is owned by breeder Calumet Farm and has won two of three starts and $97,200, including $60,000 of the $100,000 purse of the DeMille. Flying Scotsman was third in his debut at Del Mar in August, a maiden special weight race at five furlongs, before winning on Sept. 29.

Hollendorfer said Flying Scotsman will be pointed for turf stakes at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that begins on Dec. 26.

Flying Scotsman was Hollendorfer’s third win on the program, his first hat trick at a single track since the opening day of the summer meeting here on July 18.

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