Sumter works speedy three furlongs for Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif. - Two weeks after a win in an allowance race at five furlongs on turf, Sumter worked three furlongs in a quick 35.20 seconds at Del Mar on Sunday, leaving trainer Richard Mandella to plan a start in the Grade 2 Green Flash Handicap on Aug. 22.

The $200,000 Green Flash Handicap will have its richest purse this year in its 24th running. The Green Flash is being run as a Grade 2 for the first time. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Sumter, a 7-year-old gelding, has won 2 of 5 starts this year, including the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on March 14.

In the Green Flash Handicap, Sumter is likely to face Motorious, who has won the last three runnings of the Green Flash. Motorious, who worked a half-mile on turf in 51.60 seconds on Sunday, finished second to Reef Runner last year but was promoted to first after Reef Runner was disqualified and placed second for causing interference shortly after the start.

Amorita, a 4-year-old filly, won the first stakes of her career in the Daisycutter Handicap at five furlongs on turf on July 25. Mandella said on Sunday that she is under consideration for the Grade 1 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint, a $1.75 million race on Aug. 29.

The race was won in 2024 and last year by the California-based mare Ag Bullet, who is scheduled to start in the race later this month. Trained by Richard Baltas, Ag Bullet worked five furlongs on turf in 1:03 on Sunday.

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