Merit Man gets back on winning track in Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif. - Merit Man rallied from off the pace to win the third stakes of his career, and first in 19 months, in Wednesday’s $94,540 Green Flash Handicap on the Polytrack synthetic surface at Del Mar.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Merit Man was fifth on the backstretch and closed with a wide rally to catch pacesetter Remind Mee in the final yards. Merit Man ($7.20) won by a half-length over 6-1 Remind Mee and ran five furlongs in 57.22 seconds.

Merit Man trailed Remind Mee by three lengths on the backstretch, and was behind by 3 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining. Remind Mee set a quick pace of 21.93 and 44.75 seconds through the first half-mile.

“This is one of the quickest colts I ride, so if they’re in front of him, they’re rolling,” Desormeaux said. “He’s a consummate pro.”

Wine Police, a 3-1 shot, finished third, followed by Mr. Sexy, Caracortado (the 5-2 favorite), Oligarch and No Jet Lag.

Merit Man is trained by Bob Hess Jr. for the partnership of Bruce Chandler, Double Kee, and Purple Shamrock Racing. A 4-year-old colt by With Distinction, Merit Man has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $462,030.

Merit Man won the Tim Conway Stakes at Santa Anita in October 2012, and the Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park in January 2013. He was third behind eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the Florida Derby in March 2013.

The Green Flash was Merit Man’s second start of the year, following a 13-month layoff for surgery to have a bone chip removed from a knee. Merit Man was fourth in an optional claimer over five furlongs on turf here on July 18.

The Green Flash was originally scheduled for turf, but was moved to the Polytrack after Del Mar officials canceled all turf sprints in late July following a series of injuries on the course.