CALIFORNIA FLAG RIDING HIGH
By Gloria Karlak
California Flag is riding high ― again.
A couple of months ago, California Flag flaunted his superior speed and dominated the running of the $1 million Breeder’s Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.
In the prestigious race, California Flag sped to an early lead, angled in after the right hand curve and set the pace inside. An ESPN television announcer conveyed the excitement of that November day: “It’s all California Flag ― in the race of his life!”
California Flag owner Barbara Card was asked about the prize-winning horse, the thrill of winning the prestigious Breeders’ Cup, and the prospect of future challenges. Keith and Barbara Card are the owners of Hi Card Ranch in La Cresta, where California Flag was bred and trained.
“The Breeders’ Cup was such an incredible experience. It was an amazing day with the best horses from around the world in each race. The excitement in the air was catching with everyone rooting for their favorite horse. I expected California Flag would run a good race and luckily my daughter and I were right at the rail when he took the lead…. We knew then he was not going to let another horse pass him. I have never yelled so loud in my life and couldn’t wait to find Keith for a huge hug. This was the biggest win yet for our horse racing career and people came out of the woodwork to congratulate us,” said Card.
She added, “Keith has been waiting for a horse like Flag for many years. It’s the most thrilling thing imaginable for a horseman to see his home-grown horse do so very well.”
Following the Breeders’ Cup victory, California Flag was invited to participate in the International Turf races in Hong Kong in December. “I thought our horse ran a wonderful race … he just went out too fast with a Japanese horse and ran out of steam as the Hong Kong horses passed him at the end. That racetrack is the most beautiful track I have ever seen … Santa Anita could fit in the infield! The most incredible thing is that in Hong Kong, horses run in the reverse direction of racetracks here in the U.S. and Flag didn’t seem to mind.”
California Flag was recently selected as the 2010 California Turf Horse of the Year by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA). The award was conferred in Oakland late in February.
The next international entry for California Flag will be in Dubai on March 28. “From friends who have gone before, I understand it is a fabulous experience. This turf race will be a straight run for 6 furlongs and the horse is ready!” said Barbara Card.
The future for the prize-winning horse is bright. “As long as California Flag remains sound, we will let him run. I believe we will race him a few times following Dubai and then have him ready for next year’s Breeders’ Cup in Churchill Downs,” she commented.
In conclusion, Barbara said, “We feel the people of Bear Creek have helped too. So many people want to hear all about our experiences ― what a thrill! We are so lucky to live where we do and belong to such a wonderful club as Bear Creek.”