Old-timer Sunrise Journey will try to wire Siren Lure Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. – The complexion of Santa Anita weekend sprint stakes gained clarity from the decision to switch front-runner Sunrise Journey to turf for the $100,000 Siren Lure Stakes on Sunday, rather than keep him on dirt for the Grade 3 Kona Gold Stakes on Saturday.
Sunrise Journey’s pending scratch from the Kona Gold softens the pace scenario for heavily favored Brickyard Ride, who is expected to lead the Saturday dirt stakes gate to wire. Sunrise Journey will try to do the same Sunday on turf.
Five entered the Siren Lure, a hillside sprint in which front-runner Sunrise Journey is the key entrant even if he is not the most probable winner. Graded winners Whatmakessammyrun and Air Force Red are the class; Indian Peak and Burnin Turf make their second start following layoffs. They will all chase an 8-year-old front-runner in peak form.
Sunrise Journey moves up in class seeking his third straight since he was claimed for $20,000 by trainer Librado Barocio. The gelding’s weapon is his speed. A pure front-runner whose rider is Edwin Maldonado, Sunrise Journey can control his destiny on turf in the Siren Lure.
“I think the pace sets up better for me” in the Siren Lure, Barocio said. “I think he can make the lead. That’s what we want to do, that’s what we’re going to try to do. If he can relax a little bit, then turn on the afterburners, that’s his number.”
Barocio initially claimed Sunrise Journey for $20,000 in February, but the claim was voided after post-race inspection. Barocio went back for the same price in March, the claim stuck, and Sunrise Journey immediately improved. He wired a $50,000 claiming sprint, followed by an allowance/optional $100,000 claiming sprint. Both races were on dirt.
“He likes the grass, he’s 4 for 11 on grass,” Barocio noted. “He’s acting like he wants to run again. I think he’ll show his stuff and score some points for the old guys.”
Sunrise Journey, 15 for 44, would be the first 8-year-old to win the Siren Lure, being run Sunday for the 10th time.
Air Force Red may start favored, shortening to a sprint and dropping from a Grade 1 mile in which he led to deep stretch before finishing fifth. Leonard Powell trains Air Force Red, a 5-for-12 front-runner/presser who won the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez on the hill in December. Juan Hernandez rides Air Force Red, who could get a cozy trip positioned second behind the speed.
If wagering value can be found in a five-horse field, Whatmakessammyrun might be worth backing as a non-favorite. Mark Glatt trains Whatmakessammyrun, who won the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes under Joe Bravo on the hill in October, but finished off the board two subsequent hillside starts.
“He doesn’t care for the ground that is a little wet,” Glatt said, referring to good ground two back and his most recent start on a firm course that still had moisture. “I don’t know if it’s a valid excuse or not, but we’ll see if he can bounce back if the turf course is dried out.”
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