Franco-Barocio take Siren Lure again, this time with Lovesick Blues

ARCADIA, Calif. - The $98,000 Siren Lure Stakes for turf sprinters at Santa Anita is becoming a springtime payday for jockey Geovanni Franco and trainer Librado Barocio.

Last year, Franco and Barocio won the race with Johnny Podres. On Saturday, they were back in the winner’s circle of the six-furlong race with Lovesick Blues, who had an ideal trip.

Franco had Lovesick Blues alongside pacesetter Bran for the first five furlongs before taking the lead in the stretch. Lovesick Blues ($6) was timed in 1:08.50 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

Franco, who had two wins on Friday, said racing near the front was a benefit for Lovesick Blues, who broke from the outside in a small field of four.

“The horse was very cooperative and competitive,” Franco said. “He was smooth and relaxed.”

Bran, a 7-year-old gelding who won the 2022 Siren Lure Stakes, finished second as the 7-5 favorite. Air Force Red (2-1) finished third, beaten a length, and was followed by 5-1 Final Boss, who was beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

Air Force Red won the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course on March 8 by closing from sixth of seven. In the Siren Lure, Air Force Red was third throughout, chasing a relatively slow pace of 23.50 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.71 for a half-mile.

“There wasn’t enough pace,” said Leonard Powell, who trains Air Force Red. “He ran out of ground.”

Eye on Ry and Noble Reflection were scratched on Saturday morning. Barocio trains Noble Reflection.

Lovesick Blues, a 7-year-old California-bred gelding by Grazen, races for Barocio’s Mia Familia Racing Stable. Barocio acquired Lovesick Blues privately last November, well before the gelding finished second in his 2025 debut in the San Simeon.

Lovesick Blues was later third in the Sensational Star Stakes for statebreds on the hillside turf course on March 30.

In his 39-race career, Lovesick Blues has won eight races and earned $524,000. The Siren Lure Stakes was the first stakes win for Lovesick Blues in his seventh appearance in such a race.

Johnny Podres was nominated to the Siren Lure but did not start. Johnny Podres, an 8-year-old gelding, was transferred by owners David Bernsen and Rockingham Ranch from Barocio to Florida-based trainer Jose D’Angelo over the winter. Earlier this year, Johnny Podres finished fifth in two starts at Gulfstream Park.

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