Siren Lure, carrying top weight of 122 pounds, seeks his fourth consecutive win in Saturday's $100,000 San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT) at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita's hillside turf course.
The San Simeon drew nine entrants.
Siren Lure, a 5-year-old gelded son of Joyeux Dancer, has five victories, one third, and one fourth since he was claimed by trainer Art Sherman for $50,000 last May 8. Siren Lure has three wins from four starts on Santa Anita's downhill course and will be ridden by Alex Solis.
The 5-year-old gelding won Oak Tree's Blue Jay Way Stakes in October and the Jan. 25 Imperial Luck on turf before taking the Feb. 19 Daytona Handicap, which was moved to 6 ½ furlongs on dirt due to weather conditions.
"The horse has turned out to be a runner," said Sherman, who tagged the horse on behalf of owners Stuart Kesselman and Tony Melkonian. Siren Lure's overall record is 9-0-2 in 16 starts for earnings of $336,781.
"He's got the breeding and the pedigree to be a decent horse," Sherman said in explaining the claim. "I just think I got lucky in getting him. It's like anything else. You claim a horse and sometimes you get lucky."
The 69-year-old Sherman, a former jockey, is enjoying one of his best campaigns, both in the Bay Area, where he is headquartered, and in Southern California.
$100,000 San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 7, 3:30 p.m.), 4 & Up, About 6 1/2 Furlongs (Turf)PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Pure as Gold (WA), 114, Patrick Valenzuela
2. Grafton (FL), 113, Garrett Gomez
3. Siren Lure (KY), 122, Alex Solis
4. Diamond Fury (KY), 113, Tyler Baze
5. Margaritalosflores (KY), 111, Aaron Gryder
6. We All Love Aleyna (FL), 117, Victor Espinoza
7. Seattle Buddy (KY), 112, David Cohen
8. Moth Ball (GB), 113, David Flores
9. Saint Buddy (FL), 114, Jon Court
