ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2016)—In tight quarters at the rail turning for home, veteran Holy Lute proved best in Friday’s second division of the Grade III, $100,000 Eddie D. Stakes under Jamie Theriot, as he negotiated 6 ½ furlongs down Santa Anita’s newly installed hillside turf course in 1:11.23. Trained by Jim Cassidy and owned by Class Racing Stable, the 6-year-old horse by Midnight Lute notched his second win in a row and won with authority over course specialist Boozer.
A neck winner of a five furlong turf allowance at Del Mar Aug. 31, Holy Lute was off at 10-1 in a field of 11 three year olds and up and paid $23.40, $9.00 and $7.60.
“I knew if this horse had a good break, a clean trip, he’d run well,” said Cassidy. “It was a little awkward at the start, but it turned out very well. More than likely, I’d say the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Nov. 5 at Santa Anita) is where we’re headed.”
In his ninth try over the course, Holy Lute notched his second win to go with four seconds. Holy Lute improved his overall mark to 27-6-6-3 and with the winner’s share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $507,332.
“He ran phenomenal today,” said Theriot. “I told Jim he would run big. I told him I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t, but he did.”
Boozer and third place finisher Guns Loaded survived a claim of foul for interference in mid-stretch by the rider of second choice Ohio, with Boozer securing the place by a head.
Ridden by Gary Stevens, Boozer was off at 5-1 and paid $6.80 and $4.00.
“He ran great, my horse ran great,” said Stevens before it was announced that the stewards ruled there would be no change to the original order of finish.
Guns Loaded, the narrow 3-1 favorite with Rafael Bejarano, paid $4.60 to show.
Fractions on the race were 21.38, 43.14 and 1:05.31.
First post time for a blockbuster 11-race card on Saturday is at 12:30 p.m.