Indian Peak ($35.80) edges North County Guy in California Flag

ARCADIA, Calif. - Indian Peak won Sunday’s $102,000 California Flag Handicap by a head over North County Guy, giving jockey Juan Hernandez a sweep of the two six-figure stakes for statebred sprinters on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita over the weekend.

Hernandez rode Warren’s Showtime to a win in Saturday’s $100,500 California Distaff Handicap.

Hernandez said after Sunday’s win that Indian Peak was an easy mount. Trained by Peter Miller, Indian Peak ($35.80) closed from eighth in a field of nine to reach the front in the final furlong.

“I had a nice post,” Hernandez said. “Peter said sit and make a run. There was a lot of speed in the race.

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“He picked it up on his own and he took the lead.”

The pace consisted of Give Me the Lute, who was second in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 22. In the California Flag, Give Me the Lute set a relatively moderate pace of 22 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.06 for a half-mile, leading by as many as two lengths.

North County Guy, the 7-5 favorite, stalked Give Me the Lute and was well positioned in early stretch, but ultimately unable to hold off Indian Peak.

“I got a perfect trip,” said jockey Umberto Rispoli, who rode North County Guy.

“Give Me the Lute carried me to the quarter-pole. He got the bob on me.”

Indian Peak took the lead with a furlong remaining, and was fully extended to beat North County Guy.

North County Guy finished a head in front of 9-1 Unbridled Ethos, who was followed by Whooping Jay, Desmond Doss, Give Me the Lute, Tiger Dad, Loud Mouth and Ground Attack.

Indian Peak ran about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:12.52.

A 4-year-old gelding by Comic Strip, Indian Peak has won 6 of 20 starts and earned $333,532. The California Flag Handicap was Indian Peak’s first win for Miller and owners Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable, who bought the gelding privately earlier this year.

Indian Peak started twice for Barber and Wachtel Stable at the Del Mar summer meeting, finishing second in the California Dreamin’ Stakes on July 25, but was last of five behind North County Guy in an allowance race on Aug. 20.