Tribalist ready to lay it down again in Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif. – The first time Tribalist ever ran, almost exactly five years ago here at Del Mar, he came back with injuries to the tendons of both front legs.

Thus began one of the more remarkable achievements of both horse and trainer on the Southern California circuit, as Tribalist has been nursed along through repeated interruptions owing to those tendons by trainer Blake Heap, who sends out Tribalist in defense of his title in the $75,000 Green Flash Stakes on Friday at Del Mar.

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Tribalist, now 7, has been limited to just 10 starts. He ran once in 2013, twice in 2014, was off for a year before a lone start in 2015, was off for 51 weeks before another single start in 2016, but since returning from a 53-week absence last summer has managed to race five times. It’s taken a herculean effort on the part of Heap and his staff, but Tribalist has rewarded them, with four victories and a continued position as one of the best turf sprinters around.

“He’s come back really good now,” Heap said at his Del Mar barn. “The first time he ran was when they had the synthetic here, and he came back with bumps across both tendons. One year to the next start, one tendon had an issue, then another year off, and it was the other tendon. Sometimes it’s barely, barely there, but you have to stop. Now they’ve gone down so much you can hardly notice.”

Tribalist lost a heartbreaker in his last start, dropping a nose decision to Stormy Liberal in a high-level allowance July 25 at the same five-furlong distance on turf as the Green Flash. Tribalist has to face Stormy Liberal again Friday, as well as Richard’s Boy. Stormy Liberal and Richard’s Boy finished one-two over this course last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

“Kind of a tough spot,” Heap said. “It should be a $150,000 race.”

The Green Flash drew a field of eight. It goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Tribalist, by Tribal Rule

Last 3 Beyers: 100-86-95

◗ He owns three wins and a second in four starts on this course.

◗ He was off from Jan. 1 until his last start owing to a quarter crack, Heap said.

Stormy Liberal, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 100-97-NA

◗ He is 2 for 2 going five furlongs on this course, including a determined victory last time out over Tribalist.

Richard’s Boy, by Idiot Proof

Last 3 Beyers: NA-79-98

◗ He is making his first start since finishing sixth in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, a race in which Stormy Liberal was second.

◗ He was third, beaten a half-length by Tribalist, in last year’s Green Flash.