The Painted Desert selected Higgin to direct the film, as well as naming the stars of the film, William Boyd and Dorothy Burgess. Later in the month it was reported that Higgin would head to Arizona to begin location scouting for the film, accompanied by fellow director, Tay Garnett, however in August Higgin began scouting in the Arizona desert with the screenwriter, Tom Buckingham. It was announced that the film would employ over 300 extras. Higgin was familiar with the area, having working in and around Flagstaff, Arizona as a lumberjack prior to his entering the film industry. Towards the end of August
U S Navy Flag a bit, wasn’t he? He’s a tough, hardy horse. A very exciting horse really." On his final appearance of the season U S Navy Flag was sent to California to contest the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar Racetrack on 4 November. Racing on dirt for the first time he led for most of the way before dropping back in the last quarter mile and finishing tenth of the twelve runners behind Good Magic. U S Navy Flag made his seasonal debut in the 7 furlong Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes on 14 April. He was sent off at odds