Siren Lure Gives Trainer Steve Sherman First Stakes Victory in Sausalito Stakes

Edited Golden Gate Fields report

Siren Lure snapped a 12-race losing streak Saturday when he charged powerfully down the stretch to score a 1 1/4-length victory over 2-to-5 favorite Indyanne in the $75,000 Sausalito Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, giving trainer Steve Sherman his first stakes victory. Sherman went out on his own in 2008 after serving as an assistant trainer to his father, Art, for many years. Art was the trainer of record for all of Siren Lure's previous 32 starts.

“It’s exciting,” said Steve Sherman of his maiden stakes win. “I saddled many stakes winners for my father but it’s great to get my first one.” The victory was Siren Lure’s first since Aug. 20, 2006, when he captured the Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Del Mar.

A stone cold stretch-runner, Siren Lure received a great set up in the six-furlong Sausalito as four horses, including Indyanne, battled for the lead through fractions of 21.37 and 44.23.

Indyanne, a 3-year-old filly facing male rivals for the first time and making her first start since Oct. 4, was a little too aggressive early, according to jockey Russell Baze.

“She was a little too fresh today,” said Baze of Indyanne, who lost for only the second time in seven starts. “We had planned to let the other speed go and sit behind them but she wouldn’t have it. I tried to ease her back but she wanted no part of that.

“We were caught up in a speed duel and it set up for Siren Lure,” continued Baze. “Take nothing away from that horse – he ran a big race. My filly ran hard to the wire and he caught us.”

Frank Alvarado rode Siren Lure, who stopped the timer in 1:09.40 and paid $12.60 as the second choice in the wagering.

“I just wanted to keep my horse outside and out of trouble,” said Alvarado. “From the three-sixteenths pole to the wire he was just flying. I mean he was rolling. I thank Steve for giving me the chance to ride this horse. It’s his first stakes win and I’m glad I was a part of it.”

Siren Lure is a 7-year-old gelding owned in partnership by Stuart Kesselman and Tony and Marilyn Melkonian. The Sausalito victory was worth $45,000 and increased Siren Lure’s earnings to $913,844.

Two Greg Gilchrest Fillies Entered in Saturday's Sausalito Stakes at Golden Gate Fields

Trainer Greg Gilchrest has entered his two very special 3-year-old fillies, Indyanne and High Resolve, against older males in Saturday's Sausalito Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, for 3-year-olds and up at 6 furlongs on the main track. High Resolve races for the Estate of Harry Aleo, Gilchrest's longtime owner and friend who died on June 21st after a battle with cancer, and for whom Gilchrest conditioned Lost in the Fog and Smokey Stover. Indyanne is owned by John Sikura.

The possibility remains that either, or both, of the two fillies will be scratched from the Sausalito and instead aim for the $65,000 Playa Del Rey, a sprint for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park on Thanksgiving Day.

Indyanne, by Indian Charlie, is a multiple graded stakes winner who has won 5 of 6 starts including the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland last month -- a race that earned her a spot in the $1 million Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She was withdrawn from the BC Filly & Mare Sprint after developing a cough and low-grade fever.

High Resolve, by Put It Back, has won 6 of 8 starts including 4 stakes. She was a 5-1/4 length winner of the $150,000 Joe O'Farrell Juvenile Fillies Stakes on the Florida Millions card in 2007.

Here's how the field looks for the Sasalito:

Golden Gate Fields - November 22nd, 2008 - Race 8
$75,000 Sausalito Stakes

PP Horse               Age  Sex Wt.  Jockey
1  Return of the King  6    g   123  Alex Bisono
2  Bound to Be MVP     5    h   123  Omar Figueroa
3  Assessment          4    g   123  Kyle Kaenel
4  High Resolve        3    f   117  David G. Lopez
5  Indyanne            3    f   117  Russell A. Baze
6  A Cat Named Snipe   3    c   120  Roberto M. Gonzalez
7  Siren Lure          7    g   123  Frank T. Alvarado
8  Esperamos           4    g   123  William Antongeorgi III