Flyover dominates Sensational Star Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Flyover has shown an affinity to set the pace since his career began last April. On Sunday at Santa Anita, the tactic led to his first stakes win, in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds.

Facing only four rivals, Flyover ($14.20) was quickly in front by more than a length and never faced a serious challenge, winning by 3 1/4 lengths.

Flyover ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:12.12.

“He’s always been sharp out of the gate,” winning rider Antonio Fresu said. “When he crossed the dirt, he quickened really nicely.”

On the Whim, a 5-1 chance who lost a shoe shortly after the start, closed from last of five to finish second, a head in front of 2-5 favorite Man O Rose.

Man O Rose, the winner of five consecutive stakes from mid-September to mid-February, was second to Flyover to the final furlong, but could not hold second. Edwin Maldonado rode Man O Rose.

“I thought (Flyover) would stop,” Maldonado said.

Maldonado said that when Flyover crossed from the hillside turf course to the main “he rebroke.

“I was disappointed I didn’t run second,” he said.

Drop Um finished fourth, followed by Speedy Wilson.

Flyover set early fractions of 21.92 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 43.45 for a half-mile. He led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining.

A 5-year-old horse by Om, Flyover has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $259,138. The Sensational Star Stakes was Flyover’s fourth appearance in a stakes. His best result was a fifth in the restricted Clocker’s Corner Stakes at six furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 8. Flyover set the pace in that race before fading in the final furlong.

Trained by John Sadler, Flyover races for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, the family of the late Ellwood Johnston and Kenneth Tevelde.

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