Why Two, piloted by Norberto Arroyo, Jr., closed strongly on the outside in the stretch to overhaul pacesetting Richard’s Boy and win the featured $84,535 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs over the infield grass course Friday.  

 

In mid-pack early in the contest, Why Two entered contention in the upper stretch and powered to the lead in the final sixteenth to score by a length and one-quarter, the four-year-old gelding’s second straight victory at five-eighths on the grass this summer at Del Mar. He was a narrow winner July 20.

 

Richard’s Boy was a half-length ahead of third-place Horse Laugh, with No Silent fourth in the field of eight turf sprinters. Hunt, the 9-5 favorite, was sixth.

 

Why Two, owned by Kagele Brothers, Marchosky and Shaw and trained by Mike Machowsky, stepped the distance in :56.01 and returned $14.40, $6 and $4.60 after his fourth victory in eleven starts. First money of $47,400 increased his earnings to $210,665.

 

Richard’s Boy, who was ridden by Victor Espinoza, paid $4.80 and $4 while Horse Laugh, a 50-1 shot, returned $10.40 to show.

 

Why Two provided Arroyo with his second success of the afternoon, the rider also winning the first race on Shakti at $8.60.

 

Racing resumes Saturday, featuring the Grade II $200,000 Best Pal Stakes for two-year-olds. First post is 2 p.m.