Lane Way, after taking Eddie D, targets Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. - Lane Way won his first major stakes in Saturday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes in what may be an autumn of firsts in turf sprint stakes for the 6-year-old gelding at Santa Anita.

The $203,000 Eddie D Stakes was run at 6 1/2 furlongs on the oval turf course. Lane Way’s next objective is the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

Lane Way, trained by Richard Mandella for the My Racehorse syndicate, is winless in three career starts at five furlongs on turf, including a second in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar in 2022 and a fifth in the same race this year after a wide trip.

“I like six and a half better,” Mandella said on Sunday. “We’ll have to sharpen him up.”

Lane Way was omitted from the 2022 BC Turf Sprint at Keeneland, but has a stronger chance of gaining a berth in the field following his win on Saturday. The BC Turf Sprint will have 12 starters. Mandella is banking on a quick pace to Lane Way’s stalking style.

“If they go fast enough, we’ll track,” Mandella said.

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