Finnegans Wake seeks fourth straight win in San Luis Rey

ARCADIA, Calif. – Finnegans Wake has emerged over the past three months as the best long-distance turf horse in California, and he will seek to retain that position when shooting for his fourth straight victory Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Luis Rey Stakes, the highlight of the weekend’s stakes action at Santa Anita.

Finnegans Wake was 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last fall but since then has captured three straight Grade 2 races – the Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar, plus the San Gabriel and San Marcos here. The San Luis Rey is at 1 1/2 miles, the same distance as the Hollywood Turf Cup.

Concurrent with those three wins has been partnering with jockey Victor Espinoza, who is a perfect 4 for 4 on Finnegans Wake. They also teamed to win the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap last July.

In addition to Finnegans Wake, the San Luis Rey field is expected to include Amen Kitten, Joes Blazing Aaron, Life’s Journey, Lucky J Lane, Power Foot, and possibly Abbey Vale, Ashluvssugar, and Play Hard to Get.

Also Saturday is the $75,000-added Pasadena Stakes, for 3-year-olds at one mile on turf. Bench Warrant, who won the Baffle Stakes down the hillside course Feb. 15, will try to stretch out around two turns. His rivals are expected to include Daddy D T, Ernest Shackleton, Papacoolpapacool, Stand and Salute, and Temple Keys. Jazzy Josh and Soul Driver also are possible.

The $100,000 Dream of Summer Stakes on Sunday, for older California-bred females at one mile, drew just seven nominations, with Grazenette, Sudden Sunday, Sweet Marini, and Wild in the Saddle expected. The best horse in that division, Warren’s Veneda, won the Grade 1 Santa Margarita last Saturday.

Sweet Swap staying put

Trainer John Sadler won allowance races with the grass horses Sweet Swap and Talco on consecutive days last week and wants to run both in stakes next time, but the local schedule might allow for just Sweet Swap to stick round.

The plan for Sweet Swap is obvious. He’s a downhill turf sprinter, his wins including last year’s San Simeon Stakes. He will defend his title in this year’s running of the Grade 3, $100,000 San Simeon on April 19, Sadler said.

As for Talco, the lack of stakes races here between a mile and 1 1/4 miles in the next month has Sadler looking out of town. He said one possibility is the Grade 1, $300,000 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 10.

Both Sweet Swap and Talco are owned by Kosta Hronis.