Big Runnuer wins pace battle and Sire Lure Stakes

Big Runnuer kicked off the 12-race closing-day card Sunday at Santa Anita with a big effort, as he got the best of an early pace duel and safely held off a late-runner to capture the $83,100 Siren Lure Stakes for older turf sprinters.

Big Runnuer ($5.40), the favorite in the field of seven, moved quickly to engage Torosay leaving the gate. They sped through an opening quarter in a sharp 21.28 seconds, and then Big Runneur disposed of Torosay, leading through the half-mile in 43.56.

But the comebacking Mesut, making his first start since May 2019, made a late bid, though not strong enough to jeopardize the race’s outcome, as Big Runnuer got home 1 1/4 lengths best under Ruben Fuentes in 1:01.05 for 5 1/2 furlongs on the firm course. The time was just .05 of a second shy of the course record set by Jolie Olimpica in January.

Mesut finished a neck in front of Torosay. Yes I Am Free was fourth, then came, in order, Sparky Ville, Ultimate Bango, and Portrando.

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Big Runnuer, 5, did not make it to the races until October of his 4-year-old year. He has now won three times in six starts for Victor Garcia, who trains Big Runnuer for his father, Juan Garcia.

Big Runnuer, by Stormy Atlantic, has scored all his wins at Santa Anita, all sprinting on turf, all under Fuentes. He is 2 for 2 this year, his previous win coming May 25 in a first-level allowance in his first start in nearly six months.