Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint favorite California Flag throws rider, heads for barn

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California Flag, the 7-to-2 favorite in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, added a bit of excitement to this morning’s workouts at Santa Anita when the 5-year-old gray gelding threw exercise rider Colleen Hartford and took off the wrong way down the track, heading for the barn area.

The horse, winner of its last three races and five of its last six, was caught without incident by jockey Aaron Gryder and neither California Flag nor Hartford were injured in the incident, which occurred while the gelding was being schooled at the starting gate.

Joseph Talamo will ride the Brian Koriner-trained favorite in Saturday’s $1-million race.

-- Grahame L. Jones