Lane Way seeks clean trip, BC spot in Eddie D Stakes

Lane Way was relegated to a lengthy list of also-eligibles when pre-entries were announced for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland last year. He failed to draw into the race.

The BC Turf Sprint will be run on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita, and Lane Way will be all but assured of a spot in the field provided he can win Saturday’s Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

“That’s what we’re hoping for,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

The key for Lane Way in the $200,000 Eddie D Stakes is a clean trip. He was outstanding on the course last fall and earlier this year, finishing second in the 2022 Eddie D Stakes and winning the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on the hillside in January.

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Lane Way was turned out a month later when a minor injury surfaced, Mandella said at the time. In his comeback, Lane Way finished fifth after a troubled start and a wide trip in the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf on Sept. 2 at Del Mar.

“I thought he could have run better,” Mandella said.

The Eddie D Stakes, named for retired Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, has a different distance than the BC Turf Sprint, which will be run at five furlongs on the oval course.

The Eddie D Stakes drew a strong field of 11, but does not include Motorious, winner of the Green Flash Handicap. Motorious is scheduled to have his next start in the BC Turf Sprint.

Lane Way, owned by the My Racehorse syndicate, will be ridden by Mike Smith, who is likely to have the 6-year-old gelding in a stalking position.

There are several other runners expected to have similar trips, notably Bran, a three-time stakes winner in 2022 who closed from last of 12 to finish seventh by 3 1/4 lengths in the Green Flash Handicap in his 2023 debut.

“He’s had a race and he should be set up,” trainer John Sadler said.

The Eddie D Stakes will be the first start in a turf sprint in the United States for I’m A Gambler, who was sixth by 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Sept. 2 after leading in the stretch.

I’m A Gambler won the minor Guisborough Stakes at seven furlongs at Redcar Racecourse in northern England last October.

“Shortening up may be right up his alley,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “I think he’ll take to the downhill course. I think he’ll be in a tracking position.”

Trainer Phil D’Amato starts Unconquerable Keen, who won an allowance race at five furlongs on turf on Aug. 31 at Del Mar, and Balnikhov, winner of three one-mile turf stakes since the summer of 2022.

Balnikhov, a closer, was second in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf on July 30 at Del Mar, but only eighth in the Del Mar Mile.

“He should get a nice amount of pace to run at,” D’Amato said.

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