Rocket Heat on home turf for Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif. – Rocket Heat took his act on the road earlier this year, but there’s certainly no place like home for the pure turf sprinter, whose fondness for Del Mar’s grass course – not to mention his formidable speed – makes him a top contender in the $75,000 Green Flash Handicap on Friday.

Rocket Heat has won three times in four starts going the five-furlong distance of the Green Flash on Del Mar’s turf, and his proficiency at that distance is one reason why trainer Vann Belvoir took him East earlier this year. Rocket Heat won the Grade 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in May and two weeks later was a gallant third against the mighty Ben’s Cat at Pimlico, both times going five furlongs. But after five starts in the East, Belvoir brought Rocket Heat home.

“Some of the courses he caught back there were soft or yielding,” Belvoir said. “It rained going into some of those races. It’s nice to be home with him. He’s done well on this course, that’s for sure. He likes the shorter, firmer grass.”

The welcome wagon wasn’t exactly rolled out for Rocket Heat’s homecoming. The Green Flash came up quite tough. Hunt enters the race riding a three-race win streak, the old-timer No Silent adores this course, Holy Lute won the Green Flash a year ago, and Richard’s Boy has dangerous speed.

Eight are entered in the Green Flash, which goes as race 7 on a Friday card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Rocket Heat, by Latent Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 81-85-98

◗ Besides getting firm turf, he should appreciate the cutback to five furlongs after finding six furlongs beyond his comfort zone the last two times.

◗ He’s had just one work since returning from the East, which Belvoir said was by design.

“I wanted to freshen him up,” Belvoir said. “He had a long campaign. Just want to keep him fresh and happy.”

Hunt, by Dark Angel

Last 3 Beyers: 100-94-89

◗ He was an absolute terror on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course, over which he won four times in five starts earlier this year.

◗ The concerns for him are whether he’ll be as effective shortening up to five furlongs and whether he can work out a trip from the rail.

No Silent, by Silent Name

Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-90

◗ A two-time winner on this course last summer, he has been freshened since chasing home Hunt on May 12 at Santa Anita.

Holy Lute, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 87-83-81

◗ This will be his first start since February, when he chased Rocket Heat and Hunt down the hill at Santa Anita.

◗ His victory in last year’s Green Flash followed a traffic-choked trip that resulted in his lone out-of-the-money finish on this course.

Richard’s Boy, by Idiot Proof

Last 3 Beyers: 94-77-86

◗ The main pace rival for Rocket Heat, he won his only start on this course, beating Holy Lute last fall.