Artislas' flexibility pays off in Lure Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Flexible race tactics led to a third career stakes win for Artislas in Saturday’s $86,000 Lure Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Trainer Jeff Mullins gave jockey Juan Hernandez options of where to position Artislas early in the race, depending on whether Nesso’s Lasthurrah set the pace.

“I told Juan, you can’t go with him and you can’t let him go,” Mullins said of Nesso’s Lasthurrah. “Leave there with the intent to get the lead. If he goes, then tuck in behind him.”

Nesso’s Lasthurrah did not go. He was third early, tracking Artislas, who set a modest pace of 23.62 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.24 for a half-mile, leading by at least a half-length over Astronomer.

Entering the stretch, Astronomer moved closer to Artislas, who repelled the threat and won by 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off favored, Artislas ($5) was timed in 1:34.30.

Astronomer (5-2) finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 9-1 Twirling Point. Endlessly and Nesso’s Lasthurrah completed the order of finish in the field of five.

Artislas has won 4 of 13 starts and earned $285,600.

Owned by the partnership of Dutch Girl Holdings, Irving Ventures, William Meathe, and Jeanne Tumanjan, Artislas finished first in his first three starts, including a win in the Grade 3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf in 2024. He finished first in the Grade 3 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita in October 2024, but was disqualified and placed third for a bumping incident in deep stretch.

The Lure Stakes, restricted to nonwinners of a stakes worth at least $60,000 at a mile or more, other than statebred stakes, was his fourth start of this year, all on turf.

Artislas was third in the Siren Lure Stakes for sprinters at Santa Anita in May, third in the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar in July, and sixth by two lengths in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile in August.

Mullins said he has to be selective in planning a campaign for Artislas.

“He can’t run back to back like some of the big, stout horses can,” Mullins said. “You have to plan his starts.”

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