California Flag and Tale of a Champion, two contenders for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IT), worked over the grass course at Santa Anita Park Oct. 28 in preparation for the Nov. 3 race.
Trained by Brian Kohner, California Flag worked a half-mile on turf in :46 1/5, fastest time among four working that distance over the grass. Tale of a Champion went the same distance in :47 for trainer Kristin Mulhall.
Winner of the Turf Sprint in 2009 over the same downhill Santa Anita turf course at 6 1/2 furlongs, California Flag has participated in the race four times previously, with finishes of 10th, eighth, and 12th to go along with the win. From 26 lifetime starts, the California-bred 8-year-old gelding has 11 wins and two thirds, with earnings of $1.2 million.
Tale of a Champion, a Kentucky-bred son of Tale of the Cat , has won three of seven starts, including the Eddie Delahoussaye Stakes (gr. IIIT), also at 6 1/2 furlongs over Santa Anita's turf course, in his most recent effort.
Other turf workers at Santa Anita Sunday included Bridgetown (Turf Sprint) and Doubles Partner (Mile) for Todd Pletcher. They went four furlongs in the identical time of :46 4/5.
