Hot Rispoli, Chaos Theory combine for Green Flash win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Take a trainer with an eye for claiming horses who go on to win stakes while in his care, and the hottest rider at Del Mar. Put them together with a horse with back class. Watch, and learn.

John Sadler reached in for Chaos Theory on behalf of primary clients Kosta and Pete Hronis two months ago at Churchill Downs. In his first local start, Chaos Theory surged late to win the Grade 3, $101,000 Green Flash Handicap for older sprinters on Saturday at Del Mar, giving jockey Umberto Rispoli his fifth win from the last 13 races run here. He won four races on Friday.

Sadler was hoping it was a preview of coming attractions. Later Saturday, he was to send out Higher Power for the Hronis brothers in defense of his title in the meet’s biggest race, the Pacific Classic.

Chaos Theory ($5.60), sent off as the favorite, was fourth during the early going as Mikes Tiznow led through fractions of 22.65 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.02 seconds for the half.

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“The pace didn’t develop,” Sadler said. “You look at his form and it looks like he needs pace up front.”

Chaos Theory was fourth passing the furlong grounds, but closed powerfully and won by one length, a margin that was expanding as he hit the wire. He was hand-timed in 56.22 seconds for five furlongs on the firm going.

Baja Sur nosed out Torosay for second, and Mikes Tiznow, who tired in the closing yards, was another nose back in fourth. Mesut, Sparky Ville, and Irish Heatwave completed the finish, in that order. Thanks Mr. Eidson was scratched Friday.

Chaos Theory, 5, was risked for $62,500 on June 14 at Churchill Downs, where Sadler had a string of horses this year. He thought the gelding, a stakes-winning turf sprinter in 2019, would fit well here.

“We have a good grass program in Southern California,” said Sadler, who called Chaos Theory “an older horse with a lot of pride.”

Chaos Theory, by Curlin, has now won five times in 11 starts. He earned $60,000 Saturday, nearly recouping his claiming price after just one start.