Oliver's Tale wins three-way photo in Siren Lure

ARCADIA, Calif. - Two noses separated the first three finishers in Sunday’s $77,950 Siren Lure Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita, with Oliver’s Tale edging Holy Lute after a stretch-long duel.

Pure Tactics, who won the 2014 Siren Lure Stakes, closed six lengths in the final furlong to finish a nose behind Holy Lute.

The Siren Lure was the stakes debut for Oliver’s Tale, who set the pace under jockey Tyler Baze. Oliver’s Tale led by a length after a half-mile – through early fractions of 21.79 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.29 seconds for the first half-mile - and was joined by Holy Lute when the field crossed over the dirt to the main turf course.

Oliver’s Tale, racing on the inside, led by a head over Holy Lute with a furlong remaining and won by a bob of the noses.

“He dug in,” Baze said. “He wasn’t letting that horse by him. We were nose and nose and I guess I got the bob.”

Oliver’s Tale was timed in 1:13.88 for about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf. County Lineman finished fourth, a length behind Pure Tactics. Bobby Z Man was last of five.

Oliver’s Tale has won 4 of 9 starts and earned $179,950 for owner and trainer Mark Tsagalakis. A 6-year-old horse by E Dubai, Oliver’s Tale has won three of his last four starts and is unbeaten in three starts on the hillside, including an optional claimer on March 20 in his 2015 debut.

“He loves the hill,” Tsagalakis said. “You always hope they’re good enough to step into better competition. This was the spot to run in.”