POWELL RUNS 1-2 AS DICEY MO CHARA & FLASHIEST FINISH A HALF LENGTH APART IN GRADE II, $200,000 SAN GABRIEL STAKES

RACE IS ONE OF SIX GRADED STAKES ON CLASSIC MEET’S OPENING DAY

ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 26, 2022)—Trainer Leonard Powell was understandably beaming following Monday’s Grade II, $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita, as his Dicey Mo Chara and Flashiest ran one-two, separated by a half length, in the Grade II, $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes. Ridden for the first time by Juan Hernandez, Dicey Mo Chara, who saved ground at the rail to the top of the lane, got a mile and one eighth on turf in 1:47.78.

Unhurried while fifth, about four lengths off the lead turning up the backside, English-bred Dicey Mo Chara settled into a nice rhythm into the far turn, angled three-deep turning for home and overhauled Masteroffoxhounds in deep stretch while clearly best on the day.

Although he was graded stakes placed on five different occasions dating back to this past March at Santa Anita, Dicey Mo Chara registered his first-ever stakes win today in his 17th career start.

Most recently fourth in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar Nov. 25, Dicey Mo Chara, a 4-year-old gelding, was off at 7-2 in a field of seven and paid $9.60, $5.40 and $3.20.

Owned by the Cohen family’s Red Barons Barn, LLC and Rancho Temescal, Dicey Mo Chara picked up $120,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $430,277 from an overall mark of 17-4-4-3.

Ridden for the first time by eastern-based Tyler Gaffalione, Flashiest was next to last, about six off the lead turning for home and rallied well while widest to be second by a length in front of favored Masteroffoxhounds.

The biggest price in the field at 21-1, Flashiest paid $16.00 and $5.00.

Ridden by Mike Smith and off at even money, Masteroffoxhounds paid $2.40 while finishing one length in front of Prince Abama.

The early pacesetter, longshot Rip City, checked in last.

Fractions on the race were 24.58, 48.67, 1:11.55 and 1:35.59.