Distinctiv Passion wins Midnight Lure

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Distinctiv Passion went to the front from his outside post and kept on going to win the $100,000 Midnight Lure Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Hall of Famer Mike Smith, Distinctiv Passion ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.55 and paid $15.60, $9 and $10 at 6-1 odds.

Heir of Storm returned $22.20 and $22.40 at 28-1 odds, while 33-1 shot Appealing Tale was another nose back in third and paid $22.40 to show. Secret Circle, coming off second-place finishes in the Breeders' Cup Sprint and Cigar Mile, finished fourth.

"I was happy he drew outside," winning trainer Jeff Bonde said. "Historically, I've never trained a horse that's quicker up the backside. He wants to lock on the bridle like an alligator, and over the last six months in the mornings, he started to relax and then kick and run late."

The victory, worth $60,000, increased Distinctiv Passion's career earnings to $336,180, with six wins in 13 starts.