Ashleyluvssugar likey to prep for BC Turf with John Henry
DEL MAR, Calif. - Ashleyluvssugar led Saturday’s $252,415 Del Mar Handicap by five lengths going into the turn, a point in the race trainer Peter Eurton sensed defeat.
“I thought they’d swallow me at the quarter pole,” Eurton said.
Ashleyluvssugar had led by six lengths on the backstretch and Eurton feared the gelding would have little left for the stretch.
Ashleyluvssugar had just enough, winning the Grade 2 race by a nose over Metaboss for his first stakes win in 15 months.
The win gave Ashleyluvssugar a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 5 through the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program. Eurton’s mind was very much on the BC Turf on Sunday morning.
“If he’s healthy, you’ve got to go,” Eurton said.
Ashleyluvssugar is likely to have a prep race for the BC Turf in the $200,000 John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 2. The timing gives Ashleyluvssugar six-week gaps between the Del Mar Handicap and the John Henry Turf Championship and the BC Turf.
The Del Mar Handicap was the first stakes win for Ashleyluvssugar since the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita in May 2015. At 5, Ashleyluvssugar is in better shape than he was in 2015, Eurton said.
“He’s sounder and he’s put on some weight,” he said.
Owned by Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable and Joe Ciaglia, Ashleyluvssugar has won 7 of 16 starts and has earned $727,504. The BC Turf would be by far the toughest race of Ashleyluvssugar’s career.
“He’s done so much for us already,” Eurton said.
Metaboss is a possible candidate for the BC Turf, trainer Phil D’Amato said. In the Del Mar Handicap, Metaboss closed from last of 12 to just miss, making up more than 15 lengths. D’Amato said an assessment on a start by Metaboss in the BC Turf will be made in coming months.
“We may have a Breeders’ Cup horse this year or next year,” D’Amato said. “He’s only 4.”