Why Two wins Green Flash Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – A little more than a month ago, jockey Kent Desormeaux suggested to trainer Mike Machowsky that he run Why Two on turf going the abbreviated distance of five furlongs. Machowsky took the rider’s advice, and two starts later, Why Two is unbeaten in grass sprints and a stakes winner.

The stakes win came Friday at Del Mar, where Why Two scored a 6-1 upset in the $84,525 Green Flash Handicap for older turf sprinters, giving Why Two his second victory of the meet. Desormeaux was aboard for the first win July 20, but because of a three-day suspension, he had to miss the Green Flash, so Norberto Arroyo Jr. subbed.

Why Two ($14.40) was fifth in the eight-horse field during the early going but closed sharply to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths over Richard’s Boy, who set a sharp early pace while hounded by Rocket Heat yet still finished second, a half-length in front of Horse Laugh.

No Silent was fourth and was followed by Holy Lute, Hunt, Sawyer’s Hill, and Rocket Heat.

Why Two, a 4-year-old gelding by Colonel John, was timed in 56.01 seconds for five furlongs on firm turf.

“Kent said, ‘Run him five furlongs on grass,’ ” Machowsky said. “I just went off what Kent said.”

Why Two won the Turf Paradise Derby last year at age 3 in only his third start, then was sixth in the Sunland Derby.

“He’s always been a talented horse,” Machowsky said. “We tried him two turns because with a 3-year-old, you’re always dreaming, but two turns isn’t him.”

Why Two has now won four times in 11 starts. He is owned by a partnership that includes Machowsky’s Lo Hi Stable.

Machowsky said Why Two would make his next start in the Grade 3 Eddie D. Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. A victory there could put Why Two in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on the same course five weeks later.

“Now we’ll have to see if he can handle 6 1/2 furlongs,” Machowsky said, “and go from there.”

One thing’s for sure: Why Two is going in the right direction right now.