Kulik Lodge looks ready to step up to stakes

Kulik Lodge ran his win streak to three in an optional claimer over 1 1/8 miles on turf on Friday at Santa Anita and may run next in a stakes.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Kulik Lodge ($5) stalked pacesetter Ethnic Dance to the final furlong before winning by a length. Ethnic Dance is best known for winning a division of the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby in September 2013.

Kulik Lodge, by Curlin, is trained by Tom Proctor for Stonestreet Stables. The colt beat maidens for trainer Todd Pletcher at Gulfstream Park last November and won his California debut in his first start for Proctor in an optional claimer at Del Mar on Aug. 9.

Aimee Dollase, Proctor’s assistant, said on Saturday that she wasn’t sure where Kulik Lodge will run next.

◗ After Monday’s nine-race program, racing resumes on Thursday for the first of four days of racing through next Sunday.

Originally, racing was not scheduled for Thursday, but two days were added to the calendar in late September. There will also be racing on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the first of five days of racing during Breeders’ Cup week.