Easter surges late to take Lure in Dettori's return

ARCADIA, Calif. — From a disqualification in the fifth race to a stakes win in the last race, jockey Frankie Dettori had a memorable comeback day at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Riding in California for the first time since the spring, Dettori won the $96,980 Lure Stakes on Easter, who rallied from behind horses in the final furlong to win the one-mile restricted race on turf by a half-length over pacesetter Bally’s Charm.

The Lure Stakes was the ninth and final race.

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In the fifth race, Dettori rode Circle of Trust who won a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf, but was disqualified and placed last of eight for causing interference on the turn.

Easter ($6) was sixth on the turn, seemingly buried behind rivals before Dettori found space in early stretch.

“I thought I still had a mountain to climb,” Dettori said. “The horse got the job done.”

Bally’s Charm, who set early fractions of 24.06 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.52 for a half-mile, was unlucky to lose as the 3-1 second choice. Bally’s Charm finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of 11-1 Cabo Spirit.

War At Sea, Shortman, Hit the Road, Visitant, and Irideo completed the order of finish.

Easter, a 5-year-old gelding by Exosphere, was timed in 1:33.40, winning for the fifth time in his 17th start. He has earned $327,910.

Easter earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

The Lure Stakes, restricted to non-winners of a stakes worth $60,000 at a mile or over to the winner other than statebred races in 2023, was Easter’s first stakes win, and his third win since arriving from France in the winter of 2021-2022.

Trained by Graham Motion, Easter races for Madaket Stable.

Dettori, 52, is one of the world’s most recognized riders. He announced earlier this month that he was postponing a scheduled retirement this fall to continue his career in the United States. He will be based at Santa Anita over the winter.

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