Motorious Wins Third Straight Green Flash In the Stewards’ Room

[Wandering Eyes]

East Coast shipper Reef Runner (The Big Beast) crossed the wire narrowly first in Saturday's GIII Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar, but was disqualified and placed second, as MOTORIOUS (GB) (g, 7, Muhaarar {GB}–Squash {GB}, by Pastoral Pursuits {GB}) was elevated to the victory, completing a three-peat in the 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint over the same course and distance on Nov. 1.

Reef Runner was one of the first away from his double-digit box, but came over on Queen Maxima (Bucchero) and in the process caused Motorious to be pinched back and steadied, losing significant momentum before taking up a position at the back of the pack. Traveling just ahead of midfield while a bit off the rail, Reef Runner was guided back down towards the inside into the stretch, skimmed the fence in the final furlong and won a photo from Motorious. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner-up was pulled to the outside and exploded in the final eighth of a mile to just miss before ultimately being promoted.

Saturday, Del Mar
GREEN FLASH H.-GIII, $153,500, Del Mar, 8-30, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.90, fm.
1–MOTORIOUS (GB), 125, g, 7, by Muhaarar (GB)
                1st Dam: Squash (GB) (MGSP-Eng),
                                by Pastoral Pursuits (GB)
                2nd Dam: Super Midge (GB), by Royal Applause (GB)
                3rd Dam: Sabina (GB), by Prince Sabo (GB)
(55,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; 220,000gns 3yo '21 TATAHI). O-Anthony Fanticola; B-Kirtlington Stud & Mrs Mary Taylor (GB); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Antonio Fresu. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GISP, 23-10-5-2, $957,604. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Reef Runner, 120, g, 4, The Big Beast–Paradise Bay, by Blame. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alex Lieblong & JoAnn Lieblong (FL); T-David Fawkes. $30,000.
3–Beyond Brilliant, 119, h, 7, Twirling Candy–Summer On the Lawn, by First Defence. ($50,000 RNA Ylg '19 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '20 EASMAY). O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III, John D. Fielding & Robert L. Tribbett (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs. $18,000.
Margins: 1, NO, NK. Odds: 1.80, 18.50, 47.20.
Also Ran: No Nay Hudson (Ire), Book Smart, Queen Maxima, Sorrento Sky (Ire), Sumter, Boss Sully, Virat, First Peace, Wound Up. Scratched: Coppola, Mucho Del Oro, Re Armed Jon.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Hit the wiiiiiiiire together!

Reef Runner crossed the finish in front but the CHRB Stewards named Motorious the victor in the Grade III Green Flash Handicap. pic.twitter.com/Y86OIls2Nw

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) August 31, 2025

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