Despite being away from action for more than a year, multiple grade II winner Surf Cat presents a formidable obstacle for Siren Lure, who attempts to defend his title in the $300,000 Triple Bend Invitational Handicap at Hollywood Park Saturday.
The seven-furlong Triple Bend also attracts El Roblar, who defeated Siren Lure by two lengths in Hollywood's 7 1/2-furlong Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) June 9.
The Art Sherman-trained Siren Lure, a 6-year-old Joyeux Danseur gelding, has dropped five in a row since putting together an impressive three-race win streak last year -- taking the Los Angeles (gr. III), Triple Bend and Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup (gr. II) handicaps in succession -- prior to an eighth-place finish in the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). His second to El Roblar in the Ack Ack was his best showing in three starts in 2007. Siren Lure has won 12 of 25 starts lifetime and with earnings of $824,521, a victory Saturday would propel the former claiming horse over the $1 million mark in purses for owners Stuart Kesselman and Tony and Marilyn Melkonian.
Richard Migliore takes over on Siren Lure as regular rider Alex Solis reunites with Surf Cat.
Aase Headley’s and Marsha Naify’s Surf Cat carries top weight of 123 pounds and spots El Roblar and Siren Lure three pounds apiece. He comes into the Triple Bend on a four-race win streak for trainer Bruce Headley, but has not been seen since capturing the 1 1/16-mile Mervyn Leroy Handicap (gr. II) in May of 2006. Surf Cat's streak also included wins in the 6 1/2-furlong Potrero Grande Breeders' Cup (gr. II) and the seven-furlong San Carlos Handicap (gr. II). The 5-year-old son of Sir Cat has won seven of 11 lifetime starts with three seconds and earnings of $562,420.
Stonestreet Stables' El Roblar earned his first graded win in the Ack Ack after just missing by a head in the Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf at one mile two months earlier. Richard Mandella trains the versatile son of War Chant, who will be ridden back by Victor Espinoza.
Silent Name, a four-length winner of the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup (gr. II) on the Keeneland Polytrack April 14, tries to bounce back from a dismal showing in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28 when the Japanese-bred son of Sunday Silence finished eighth, 23 lengths behind the victorious Corinthian.
$300,000 Triple Bend Invitational Handicap (gr. I, Race 9, 4:10 p.m.), 3 & Up, 7 Furlongs (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, ML Odds
1. Sailors Sunset (KY), Martin A. Pedroza, 116, 15/1
2. Raise the Bluff (MD), Tyler Baze, 114, 30/1
3. Battle Won (KY), Michael C. Baze, 116, 8/1
4. El Roblar (KY), Victor Espinoza, 120, 3/1
5. Surf Cat (KY), Alex O. Solis, 123, 9/5
6. Siren Lure (KY), Richard Migliore, 120, 4/1
7. Gotaghostofachance (MD), Jon K. Court, 115, 20/1
8. Silent Name (JPN), Corey S. Nakatani, 119, 4/1
9. Bilo (CA), Joseph Talamo, 114, 30/1
Surf Cat, last seen winning the Mervyn Leroy in May 2006, returns Saturday in the Triple Bend.
