Tribalist overcomes trouble in Green Flash victory

DEL MAR, Calif. - Three times in Friday’s $104,620 Green Flash Handicap for turf sprinters, Tribalist was stuck in traffic or checked behind rivals by jockey Victor Espinoza. Racing on the inside, Tribalist seemed to have little chance for a win.

In the stretch, Espinoza guided Tribalist to a clear path on the inside. Tribalist went from appearing to be beaten by bad luck to accelerating in brilliant fashion in the final sixteenth. Tribalist flew past five rivals to win his fourth consecutive race in a span of 37 months.

“He had a bad trip,” trainer Blake Heap said. “I thought he wasn’t going to get a chance to run.”

Tribalist ($12.60) ran five furlongs in 56.93 seconds. He finished a head in front of Gutsy Ruler, who led in the final furlong after passing 3-2 favorite Richard’s Boy in the final furlong. Richard’s Boy finished third in the field of 11.

Tribalist bumped with a rival shortly after the start and was as far back as ninth in the opening quarter-mile. Espinoza had to alter course twice on Tribalist before reaching the stretch, eventually closing between horses before resuming his run on the inside.

“He’d been training so well and working behind horses,” Heap said. “I was hoping to have him behind, but I didn’t want to get left at the gate.”

The Green Flash was the stakes debut for Tribalist and his fourth win in six career starts. He had his first start in August, 2013. Friday’s race was the first start for Tribalist since a win in an allowance race here on July 30, 2016. Tribalist has been plagued by tendon issues that have led to frequent layoffs, and forced Heap to take a patient approach to the 6-year-old gelding’s career.

“I knew he could run since he was a 2-year-old,” Heap said. “What if he can improve off that?” He’s such an athlete.”

Tribalist, who is by Tribal Rule, has earned $220,900 for owners Robert Abrams, Mitchell Dutko and Michael Paran.