POWELL’S AIR FORCE RED PROMINENT IN SATURDAY’S $80,000 LURE STAKES AT ONE MILE ON TURF

*RESTRICTED LURE IS ONE OF SEVEN STAKES ON 10-RACE CARD WITH FIRST POST AT 1 P.M. *

ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2022)—In what appears to be a wide-open affair for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on turf, the Leonard Powell-trained Air Force Red figures prominently among a field of six in Saturday’s $80,000 Lure Stakes, which is restricted to horses which have not won a stakes of $55,0000 at one mile or over other than statebred in 2022.

With three wins from eight starts this year, Air Force Red, winless in his last three tries, comes off a fifth place finish going about 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf in the Grade II Eddie D Stakes Oct. 1. Fourth, beaten 3 ½ lengths by rising star Hong Kong Harry two back in the Grade II Del Mar Mile (turf), Air Force Red will be reunited with Juan Hernandez, who rationed his considerable speed to a half length allowance win coming down the hill four starts back on June 12.

With Hernandez apparently taking off California-bred Carmelita’s Man, with whom he had won three consecutive races, Air Force Red could garner some additional pari-mutuel notice. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Holly Golightly, Air Force Red, a 4-year-old ridgling by Air Force Blue out of the Mizzen Mast mare Mesana, is winless in two tries at one mile on turf, but all three of his lifetime wins have come over the Santa Anita lawn.

Although winless in six tries at one mile on turf, Phil D’Amato’s Gregorian Chant is a well accomplished sort who may go favored on Saturday. Third, beaten two lengths while finishing three quarters of a length in front of Air Force Red as the 2-1 favorite in the Oct. 1 Eddie D, this 6-year-old English-bred gelding has five wins from 12 tries over the Santa Anita turf, including a victory in the Grade III San Simeon at six furlongs out of the turf chute in March, 2021.

Owned by Old Bones Racing Stable, LLC and Slam Dunk Racing, Gregorian Chant, winless in his last four starts, will be ridden for the third time in a row by Umberto Rispoli. With an overall mark of 23-7-1-5, he has earnings of $428,623.

THE $80,000 LURE STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 1 of 10 Post time is 1 p.m. PT

1. Carmelita’s Man—Mike Smith—126
2. Prince Abama—Hector Berrios—122
3. Gregorian Chant—Umberto Rispoli—124
4. Lambeau—Victor Espinoza—124
5. Air Force Red—Juan Hernandez—122
6. Mr. Impossible—Joe Bravo—122

First post time for a 10-race card that includes seven stakes on Saturday is at 1 p.m.