Geronimo best in Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif. - Benefiting from a speed duel and a ground-saving trip, Geronimo rallied from last to score his first American stakes win in Wednesday's $76,350 at Del Mar.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Geronimo waited behind Glick, F J's Pace and Giovannetti for the first half-mile while they dueled through fractions of 21.56 and 43.92 seconds. In early stretch, Geronimo emerged on the rail to challenge Glick and won by a neck. Geronimo finished five furlongs in 55.15 seconds. Glick finished six lengths clear of Gray Jag, the longest shot in the field at 31-1. F J's Pace, Giovannetti and Court's in Session completed the order of finish.

Geronimo is owned by a partnership and trained by Mike Machowsky. A Chilean-bred gelding, Geronimo, 5, was claimed by Machowsky for $80,000 last October at Oak Tree. Earlier this year, Geronimo finished third in the Grade 3 Jaipur Handicap at Belmont Park.

A winner of 9 of 23 starts and $220,253, Geronimo will be pointed for the $100,000 Morvich Handicap over about 6 1-2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Oct. 30, Machowsky said.