Ashleyluvssugar has plenty of gas in the tank for the John Henry
ARCADIA, Calif. – Cursory analysis of Ashleyluvssugar’s past performances might suggest he was tired horse last out in winning a Grade 2 stakes at 1 3/8 miles.
Ashleyluvssugar was in front by five lengths on the far turn, two lengths in the stretch, and only a nose at the wire of the Del Mar Handicap. It looks like he was fading fast.
But the line is deceptive, which is a key consideration Sunday when Ashleyluvssugar starts favored in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita. In fact, video of his Del Mar win shows Ashleyluvssugar ran a lot better than the line looks.
Trainer Peter Eurton saw it.
“When they came to him at the head of the stretch, he took off,” Eurton said. “Then he pulled up, didn’t see [runner-up Metaboss], and when he did see him, he took off again. He opened up two or three lengths again on the gallop-out.”
Eurton is probably correct in his belief Ashleyluvssugar had more in the tank.
“That was good to see, because we’re running against Metaboss again,” he said.
Yes, and there are others.
The field for the John Henry, at 1 1/4 miles on turf, includes Twentytwentyvision a Grade 1-placed gelding who has had a solid prep; A Red Tie Day, vastly improved since he was gelded; and Grade 2 winner Messi from the East. Even locally based Flamboyant has run races that are good enough.
Ashleyluvssugar and jockey Gary Stevens will be forwardly placed Sunday, and so will A Red Tie Day. He was gelded prior to his Aug. 26 allowance win at Del Mar.
“I think gelding really helped him,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “He was the type horse that was always on the muscle, super aggressive, and hot. His neck was real thick, and his testicles were really big. A couple guys breezed him and said his nuts were killing him.”
A Red Tie Day has changed since being gelded, trained well, and enters with an upset chance under jockey Norberto Arroyo.
John Henry, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Ashleyluvssugar, by Game Plan
Last 3 Beyers: 102-103-102
◗ He is a three-time graded stakes winner in the best form of his career at age 5. He won back-to-back Grade 2’s at 1 1/2 miles in 2015, and improved with each start this year.
“I know he’s a better horse this year; he’s stronger,” Eurton said.
Twentytwentyvision, by Pollard’s Vision
Last 3 Beyers: 93-100-98
◗ Richard Mandella trains the gelding, who was freshened following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile. Mandella sent him to Golden Gate Fields for a prep on Sept. 5, which he won.
◗ He stretches out to 1 1/4 miles. “I think he always wanted to do that,” Mandella said. “He came back good. I think he’s in good shape.”
◗ Flavien Prat rides.
Metaboss, by Street Boss
Last 3 Beyers: 102-101-85
◗ Both of his starts since transferring to trainer Phil D’Amato were super – a second-level allowance win and a closing second to Ashleyluvssugar.
◗ Rafael Bejarano rides.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Metaboss. Trainer Phil D’Amato is 27-2-7-3 with a $0.57 ROI over the past five years in turf route graded stakes following a career-best Beyer Speed Figure. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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DRF FORMULATOR FACT:No. 8 Messi. Trainer Graham Motion is 15-4-3-1 with a $4.38 ROI over the past five years with last-out winners in turf route graded stakes in Southern California. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan