Ex-claimer Boule d'Or steals San Luis Rey

ARCADIA, Calif. - The race for claimer of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting is over. Boule d'Or, taken for $50,000 on Jan. 20, won his first stakes in his 48th start in Saturday's Grade 2 San Luis Rey Handicap at Santa Anita.

Boule d'Or took control of the $200,000 San Luis Rey Handicap after a half-mile, led by as many as 10 lengths on the backstretch, and held off a late rush from Porfido to win by three-quarters of a length. Porfido finished a nose in front of Warning Zone in the field of seven. On the Acorn, the 6-5 favorite finished sixth, never threatening the leader.

Ridden by Tyler Baze for trainer Jeff Mullins, Boule d'Or ($10) ran 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:25.48.

The San Luis Rey was worth $120,000 to Boule d'Or. A 7-year-old Irish-bred horse by Croco Rouge, Boule d'Or won a $62,500 optional claimer, in which he was eligible to be claimed on Feb. 29. It was his first start for the owners Bob Bone, Jim Robinson and Don Johnson.

Overall, Boule d'Or has won 7 of 48 starts and $544,981.