$100,000 CALIFORNIA FLAG HANDICAP

JOCKEY QUOTES

TIAGO PEREIRA, ON THE WHIM, WINNER: “Last time I rode this horse down the hill (June 16, Allowance) I got trapped. Today I looked at the race and knew we had a good space in between horses, and I would have a good chance. I had a safe trip with no traffic, I put him in a good position and at the straight I asked him to push hard and he responded very well. It was a nice win.

“Every time your good horses retires, you hope to pick up another. Hopefully he continues, he has won two stakes, hopefully he continues to win.”

TRAINER QUOTES

DEAN PEDERSON, ON THE WHIM, WINNER: “Maybe they run better when I’m not there and should try it more often. But no, the horse ran well. He’s really maturing and has come into himself nicely.

“Both of his previous starts down the hill weren’t as bad as they looked. The first one it seemed like he was about 12 wide going into the stretch. The second time he clipped heels and almost fell.”

NOTES: The winning owners/breeder is Harris Farms.