Del Mar, CA (September 4, 2022) – Courtesy of Del Mar. Nick Alexander’s homebred Lieutenant Dan waited and waited for room on the turn for home in the five-furlong Green Flash Handicap Sunday at Del Mar, then fired big when the rail came open and he slipped through under leading rider Juan Hernandez to win his second consecutive edition of the 3-year-old and up turf stakes.

The 6-year-old gelding by his owner’s home stallion Grazen clicked by a length and a quarter in the end to earn a first prize of $90,000 from the gross purse of $152,500 in the Grade III test. The race also is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” affair giving its victor assured admission – with all fees paid – to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which will be conducted this year at Keeneland in Kentucky in early November.

Ten months ago Lieutenant Dan ran in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which was held at Del Mar. The bay ran second that day to champion Golden Pal and it was the last time he’d started until today’s 20th edition of the Green Flash.

Finishing second in the turfer was My Racehorse’s Lane Way, who had a head on Jay and Julie Manoogian’s Coulthard.

Fractions for the dash were :21.77 and :44.54 with a final time of :55.87.

Lieutenant Dan’s prize today pushed his bankroll up to $923,740. It was his ninth tally in his 18th start.