Lure Him In tries to earn spot in graded stakes by winning starter allowance

Lure Him In was very nearly the first winner of 2021 at Santa Anita.

On New Year’s Day, Lure Him In was beaten a nose by Goalie in an allowance race at 1 1/4 miles on turf. Lure Him In had trouble in early stretch. It was not until later that trainer Bob Hess Jr. saw the extent of the traffic.

“I wish I would have claimed foul,” Hess said Thursday.

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Lure Him In, claimed for $40,000 at Gulfstream Park in July, is entered in a competitive starter allowance at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Saturday. The race is for 4-year-olds and up who have started for a claiming price of $40,000 in 2019, 2020, or 2021.

The race drew a field of nine and awards the winner a berth to the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf May 29 or the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf June 19.

This is the first time such an incentive has been offered at Santa Anita. Saturday’s race is the first of four starter-allowance races on turf at graduated distances in the next three months, with stakes berths available to the winners in each race.

Lure Him In, owned by a partnership that includes David Bernsen, Jeffrey Lambert, and Gary Jacobs, drew the rail and is one of several runners with strong credentials. A 4-year-old gelding, Lure Him In has won 4 of 12 starts.

“It’s a tough little spot,” Hess said. “He’s a somewhat lightly raced horse. He’s gradually improving and he’s extremely healthy.”

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Saturday’s starter allowance is the first race since September for Kiwi’s Dream, who was second in four stakes at Del Mar and Golden Gate Fields last year.

Trainer Victor Trujillo said Kiwi’s Dream probably wouldn’t run in the Whittingham or San Juan Capistrano even if he were to win Saturday. A long-range goal for Kiwi’s Dream is the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on April 24 at Golden Gate Fields, he said. Kiwi’s Dream typically shows speed and could be tough to catch Saturday.

Saturday’s field includes Noble Thought, winner of a $40,000 claimer on Nov. 20 at Aqueduct; The Stiff, who won an optional claimer at 1 1/8 miles on turf here in October when eligible to be claimed for $40,000; and Vegas Kitten and Shadow Spinx, who were first and third in a $50,000 claimer at a mile on turf Jan. 3.