Luscious Lonna tries to upset Golden Poppy again

Trainer Nick Sloan is hoping for history to repeat itself in Saturday’s $50,000-added Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields. Last year, Luscious Lonna posted a $26.80 upset in the Golden Poppy, and she is back to defend her title against seven other fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

Not only was the Golden Poppy Luscious Lonna’s first stakes victory, but it was also Sloan’s. In fact, it was the first time he’d ever entered a runner in a stakes.

“I was excited to win,” he said. “She’s ready to go defend her title.”

Luscious Lonna has not won since last year’s Golden Poppy, and she comes off two seconds and a third in turf allowance races here. All three of those races were won by Curvy Cat, who is not in Saturday’s field.

Sloan considered running Luscious Lonna with California-breds in the Fran’s Valentine at Santa Anita last month, but opted to wait for the Golden Poppy, in part because he doesn’t think she ships very well.

Because Luscious Lonna tries so hard in her races, Sloan prefers to space her races and doesn’t try to overwork her.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the way she’s coming into this race,” he said. “We couldn’t have hoped for a better timeframe.”

Just as in last year’s race, Luscious Lonna will break from the rail, and graded stakes winner Halo Dolly will again be the one she’ll have to beat.

Last year, Luscious Lonna had everything go her way as she opened a quick early lead and was never headed. Lady Aspen and favored Halo Dolly ran second and third.

While Luscious Lonna was cruising up front, Halo Dolly was pushed out five wide on the first turn and lost ground she could never make up.

She figures to get her preferred stalking trip Saturday and should be tough in her third start following nine weeks on the sidelines. She won the Dream of Summer Stakes in her comeback and then ran third in the Fran’s Valentine two weeks ago.

Irish-bred Macaabra and 3-year-old Full Ransom, a Grade 3 turf winner last year, could provide the toughest competition for Luscious Lonna and Halo Dolly.