Motorious Seeks Green Flash Repeat at Del Mar

Motorious , an assertive winner of last year’s Green Flash Handicap (G3T), returns to defend his title in the five-furlong turf sprint Aug. 31 at Del Mar.

One of four Phil D’Amato trainees in the $150,000 Green Flash, Motorious has been winless in two starts during his 6-year-old campaign. Since his 2023 Green Flash victory, the British-bred gelding put in a creditable effort when finishing fifth in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Santa Anita Park, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths as the 5-2 favorite. He was seventh in his season debut in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs and fourth in a June 16 Santa Anita allowance.

Cutting back to five-eighths and racing at Del Mar, where he is 2-for-2, could lead to a favorable showing from Motorious. Antonio Fresu rides the son of Muhaarar  for owner Anthony Fanticola.

Chief among Motorious’ rivals in the Green Flash, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series event for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 2 at Del Mar, is his stablemate Connie Swingle .

Kyle Frey has the call on Swingle, who exits a 1 3/4-length score over the Del Mar lawn in the July 27 Daisycutter Handicap.

Kentucky-based trainer Wesley Ward ships in stakes-winning grass sprinter No Nay Hudson  in search of firmer ground in the Green Flash. The son of No Nay Never  blazed a :54.60 five furlongs on the turf in allowance optional claiming company at Gulfstream Park two starts back and was a troubled fifth in a 5 1/2-furlong allowance optional claimer at Saratoga Race Course July 28 last time out.

The winner of the Green Flash will receive an all-expenses-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Baffert Duo Strong in Torrey Pines Stakes

Trainer Bob Baffert’s Nothing Like You  and Hope Road  loom a formidable force in the $150,000 Torrey Pines Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies earlier on the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) undercard.

Nothing Like You, a dominant winner of the 2023 Starlet Stakes (G2) at 2 and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) this year, appeared to be the top filly on the West Coast before her shocking defeat in the June 8 Summertime Oaks (G2). Sent to post at less than even money, the Malibu Moon filly was soundly beaten by Sugar Fish , who is not among the eight fillies entered in the Torrey Pines.

While Nothing Like You is on the comeback trail for Baffert, her stablemate Hope Road is out to prove she is stakes-quality material after finishing 11th in her prior black-type try in the 2023 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1). The regally bred Quality Road   filly has racked up impressive back-to-back wins since breaking her maiden June 15. In her most recent outing, a six-furlong allowance optional claimer at Del Mar, she romped by 5 1/4 lengths in front-running fashion with a 109 Equibase Speed Figure. She has never been beyond seven furlongs in five career starts and will need to navigate the mile.