Ambitious Brew, Holy Lute point to Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – They’ve conquered the locals, now bring on the world.

Ambitious Brew and Holy Lute are bound for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5 after winning divisions of the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on Friday’s opening day of the autumn meeting.

Trainers Marty Jones and Jim Cassidy said on Saturday that the BC Turf Sprint figures in the plans for their runners.

Ambitious Brew won the $101,725 first division of the Eddie D for his first graded stakes win in his 20th career start. Ambitious Brew was seventh in the 2014 BC Turf Sprint, but Jones said he is ready to try the race again.

“Things haven’t gone right for him on the big days,” he said. “Hopefully, that will change.”

Holy Lute won the $102,070 second division of the Eddie D for his first graded stakes win in his 27th start. A 6-year-old, Holy Lute has won consecutive starts, beginning with an optional claimer at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 31.

A start in the BC Turf Sprint will be more difficult but is worth the challenge, Cassidy said.

“If everything is good, I’ll be more than happy to run him,” Cassidy said.

Holy Lute ($23.40) won his first stakes in more than 13 months on Friday. Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Holy Lute finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of 5-1 Boozer, who finished a head in front of Guns Loaded, the 3-1 favorite. The stretch run was the subject of a lengthy inquiry concerning a bumping incident involving Boozer, but the order of finish was not changed. Holy Lute was not involved in the inquiry.

Holy Lute ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.23. Theriot guided Holy Lute from off the pace in early stretch to take the lead in the final furlong.

Holy Lute, by Midnight Lute, has won 6 of 27 starts and earned $507,332. Owned by Class Racing Stable, Holy Lute won the 2015 Green Flash Handicap.

Two years ago, Ambitious Brew finished second by a nose in the Eddie D Stakes. On Friday, Ambitious Brew ($13.20) ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:11.57, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Richard’s Boy, a 6-1 shot. Hunt, the 5-2 second choice, finished third.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Ambitious Brew was always well placed and dueled with Richard’s Boy through the stretch before gaining an advantage. Ambitious Brew was fourth on the hillside and was third when the field crossed onto the main turf course.

“He gave him such a good trip,” Jones said of Smith’s ride. “He was able to break and get comfortable.”

Owned by Pamela Ziebarth, Ambitious Brew has won 3 of 14 starts in stakes and 7 of 20 starts in his career. He won two stakes for California-breds in 2015 and 2016.

“He’s such a good horse,” Jones said. “I’m embarrassed that this is his first win in a graded stakes.”

The disappointment in the first division was Lady Shipman, a five-time stakes winner this year at Gulfstream Park, Belmont Park, Woodbine, and Parx Racing. Lady Shipman was fifth early in the race and finished sixth as the 8-5 favorite. She was beaten 6 1/2 lengths by Ambitious Brew.