by Ron Parker

Stuart Kesselman’s and Tony and Marilyn Melkonian’s Siren Lure, winner of last year’s Triple Bend Invitational Handicap (G1), will be back to defend his title in this year’s running of the $300,000 race on Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Siren Lure, who has competed in graded stakes races in his past nine starts, will try to snap a five-race losing stretch that followed his victory in the 2006 Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) on August 20 at Del Mar. Among those losses was an eighth-place finish in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.

Despite not having raced since May 13 of last year, Surf Cat’s credentials resulted in his receiving the high weight assignment of 123 pounds, conceding three to nine pounds to the other eight competitors in the seven-furlong race.

Aase Headley’s and Marsha Naify’s Surf Cat was undefeated in his three starts last year, winning Santa Anita Park’s San Carlos Handicap (G2) and Potrero Grande Breeder’s Cup Handicap (G2) before moving over to Hollywood Park to take the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2). He won those three events by a combined eight lengths and boasts a career record of seven wins and three seconds in 11 career starts.

Stonestreet Stable’s El Roblar enters in off a victory over Siren Lure in Hollywood’s Ack Ack Handicap (G3). Earlier this year he finished seventh, 4 1/2 lengths back of Lava Man in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Stronach Stables’ and Alain and Gerard Wertheimer’s Silent Name (Jpn) won the Commonwealth Breeder’s Cup Stakes (G2) on April 14 on the Polytrack at Keeneland Race Course, but was no match for Corinthian in his previous start, the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) over the main track at Belmont Park.

Jay and Gretchen Manoogian’s Battle Won, second in last year’s Triple Bend, is winless in his past 11 starts, but enters off a nose second in Santa Anita’s San Simeon Handicap (G3), besting Siren Lure by almost a half-length.

Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer

The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, weight, and trainer:

1. Sailors Sunset (Petionville), Martin A. Pedroza, 116, Marcelo Polanco;

2. Raise the Bluff (Pine Bluff), Tyler Baze, 114, Doug F. O'Neill;

3. Battle Won (Honour and Glory), Michael C. Baze, 116, Mike R. Mitchell;

4. El Roblar (War Chant), Victor Espinoza, 120, Richard E. Mandella;

5. Surf Cat (Sir Cat), Alex O. Solis, 123, Bruce Headley;

6. Siren Lure (Joyeux Danseur), Richard Migliore, 120, Art Sherman;

7. Gotaghostofachance (Silver Ghost), Jon Kenton Court, 115, Roger M. Stein;

8. Silent Name [JPN] (Sunday Silence), Corey S. Nakatani, 119, Gary Mandella; and

9. Bilo (Bertrando), Joseph Talamo, 114, Martin F. Jones.