From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2021) — Nick Alexander’s homebred Lieutenant Dan was just too fast for seven rivals in Sunday’s $101,500 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar, running five furlongs on turf in :55.98.
The 5-year-old California-bred gelding by Alexander’s prime stallion, Grazen, shook off pressure early, then cleared late to finish two and a quarter lengths best in the dash for 3-year-olds and up. He picked up a check for $60,000 for the win and pushed his bankroll to $543,740.
Geovanni Franco rode the winner for trainer Steve Miyadi.
“In this day and age you’re always worried about the bounce. I didn’t train him particularly hard for (a win here July 23), because I was thinking about this race and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he ran,” said Miyadi. “That’s when you worry about the bounce. He overcame my training.”
“Since he’s come back from his layoff (was away from June 2020 to July 2021), he’s more puffed up. He’s acting like a bully,” said Franco. “He’s doing good now. When I made the lead in the straight, I wasn’t worried about the others behind me coming to get us. But I wasn’t going to wait for them either.”
Finishing second was Hogan or Hogan’s fellow Cal-bred Give Me the Lute, a neck in front of Slam Dunk Racing, Old Bones Racing Stable and Nentwig’s Gregorian Chant.
Lieutenant Dan paid $6.00, $3.40 and $2.60. Give Me the Lure returned $7.40 and $4.80 and Gregorian Chant paid $3.60 to show.