Ambitious Brew, Holy Lute win divisions of Eddie D Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ambitious Brew and Holy Lute won divisions of the Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Friday’s opening day of the autumn meeting. The wins leave both runners as candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 5.

Holy Lute ($23.40) won his first stakes in more than 13 months in the second division of the $102,070 Eddie D Stakes, Friday’s ninth race. 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.

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.

The Eddie D Stakes was Holy Lute’s third start following a layoff. He was fifth in the Green Flash Handicap on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 12 before winning an optional-claimer at five furlongs on turf there on Aug. 31.

“I thought I had him fit enough to win first time out,” trainer Jim Cassidy said. “After his last race, I thought, I’ve got to try him in this race. He’s such a nice horse.”

The stewards conducted a nine-minute inquiry, focusing on the stretch run of Boozer, Guns Loaded, and Toowindytohaulrox. In the end, the order of finish was not changed.

Holy Lute, a 6-year-old horse by Midnight Lute, has won 6 of 27 starts. 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 Grade 3 Eddie D Stakes. In Friday’s sixth race, the 6-year-old gelding finally won his first graded stakes in the first division of the $101,725 Eddie D Stakes.

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.

The win left trainer Marty Jones considering the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint here on Nov. 5 for Ambitious Brew, who was seventh in the 2014 BC Turf Sprint here.

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. “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 field 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.