SANTA ANITA PICKS

ARCADIA, CA — After finishing one-two in the GIII San Simeon Stakes going about 6 furlongs on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course in March, Air Force Red and Lovesick Blues meet again Saturday but this time on Santa Anita’s flat turf course in the $100,000 Siren Lure Stakes for older horses.

In the San Simeon, Air Force Red rallied from second-to-last under Armando Ayuso to score by a length over Lovesick Blues, who led inside the final furlong after attending the pace. For Air Force Red, a 7-year-old gelding by Air Force Blue, it was his fourth stakes win and upped his record to 25: 7-3-2 with $711,574 in earnings for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightly.

After the San Simeon, Lovesick Blues came back in the Sensational Star Stakes for California-breds on March 30, also at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course, and finished third after again leading inside the final furlong. Both starts came for trainer Librado Barocio and owner Mia Familia Racing Stables after previously being trained by Steve Miyadi for owner-breeder Nick Alexander.

In both of Lovesick Blues’ most recent starts, Geovanni Franco was aboard and he again has the call. Lovesick Blues, a 7-year-old gelding by Grazen, is 38: 7-10-8 with $464,000 in earnings.

Trainer John Sadler has two entered, Bran and Final Boss, who are both coming off extended layoffs.

Bran, owned by Hronis Racing, hasn’t started since last July when he won a high-level allowance going a mile on turf at Del Mar. It was his only start in 2024. In 2022, Bran won the Siren Lure when it was contested at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.

Bred in France, where he made his first 13 starts, Bran has an overall record of 24: 8-5-4 with $768,032 in earnings. He will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli.

Final Boss, a 4-year-old American Pharoah colt, hasn’t started since last August in the La Jolla Stakes at Del Mar. In the La Jolla for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on turf, Final Boss set the pace and led at the furlong marker before weakening to a fourth-place finish. Prior to that effort he won the Cinema Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

Final Boss is 8: 3-1-0 with $157,500 in earnings for owners By Talla Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. He’ll have Juan Hernandez in the irons.

THE SIREN LURE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 5 of 9 Approximate post time 3 p.m. PT

1. Noble Reflection—Antonio Fresu—122
2. Final Boss—Juan Hernandez—124
3. Air Force Red—Armando Ayuso—124
4. Bran—Umberto Rispoli—124
5. Eye On Ry—Hector Berrios—122
6. Lovesick Blues—Geovanni Franco—122
7. 
   

First post for a nine race card Saturday is at 1 p.m. PT. Admission gates open at 11 a.m.