Lane Way Gets 2024 Campaign Rolling in San Simeon

Downhill turf course specialist Lane Way  takes on eight other veteran campaigners in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (G3T) March 9 at Santa Anita Park.

Owned by MyRacehorse and trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, Lane Way will make his first start since a third-place finish in the Dec. 2 Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar over a five-furlong trip perhaps too short for the gelded son of Into Mischief  . The 7-year-old enjoyed his best season in 2023, capturing the Eddie D Stakes (G2T) and Clocker's Corner Stakes, both on the Santa Anita lawn.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith, his rider over his last eight starts, will be aboard for Saturday's 6 1/2-furlong contest down the hill.

Mandella will also saddle Perry and Ramona Bass' homebred Sumter  in the San Simeon. The 5-year-old, winless since a victory in the 2022 Singletary Stakes at a mile trip, was a rallying third last time out in the Jan. 28 Clocker's Corner to Argentine import Irideo .

One to watch in the San Simeon is the Richard Dutrow-trained Dancing Buck . A graded winner turf sprinting in New York, the War Dancer   gelding finished a gallant second in his West Coast debut to Forbidden Kingdom  in the Dec. 30 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park.

The field also included graded stakes-winning comebacker Air Force Red , a five-time winner at Santa Anita.