Hess Hopes to Steal San Luis Rey

Bob Hess Jr. is hoping Joes Blazing Aaron catches a flyer in Saturday’s San Luis Rey Stakes and can carry his speed a mile and a half to victory in the grassy Grade II race for older horses that offers $200,000 in purse money.

Claimed for $62,500 from his last start, Joes Blazing Aaron is a committed front-runner, having won seven of 37 career starts and $393,491.

“(Joe) Talamo worked him Sunday (five furlongs on the main track in 1:01) and he’ll ride him,” Hess said. “The horse is an old, classy individual, very healthy. I think he likes the turf course here.

“He’s coming off a real good race (third at 1 ¼ miles on turf Feb. 27, beaten just over a length when he went the first six furlongs in 1:09.60).

“Hopefully,” Hess said, “he doesn’t have to go nine and change this time.”

The field for the San Luis Rey: Raise Your Gaze, Tyler Baze, 12-1; Play Hard to Get, Kent Desormeaux, 6-1; Diamond Bachelor, Martin Pedroza, 10-1; Power Foot, Flavien Prat, 4-1; Buymeabond, Iggy Puglisi, 20-1; Joesblazing Aaron, Joe Talamo, 6-1; Fly Lexis Fly, Edwin Maldonado, 20-1; Finnegans Wake, Victor Espinoza, 6-5; and Ashleyluvssugar, Gary Stevens, 9-2.

Source: Santa Anita Park