Ashleyluvssugar may be past his prime, but don't count him out of Unusual Heat Turf Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Not much is missing from the 30th edition of the California Cup on Saturday at Santa Anita, unless you’re talking about Ashleyluvssugar, a five-time graded stakes-winning millionaire who is the oldest and most accomplished horse on the card.

“He’s missing a step,” trainer Peter Eurton acknowledged. “He’s 9 years old. He hasn’t won in 14 races. So, he’s kind of telling us he’s missing a step or two. All we can do is to go one race at a time. If he doesn’t run well, we might think about retirement.”

If the $200,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic turns out as the final start of his career, it was quite a ride – Ashleyluvssugar has won 10 races and $1.4 million over 36 starts in a storybook career that began with a debut victory as a juvenile way back in summer 2013.

But age eventually catches up, and the reality is Ashleyluvssugar is up against it. Though he won the Turf Classic in 2017 and may improve Saturday second start after a layoff, the gelding’s figures are in decline and his most recent win was nearly three years ago.

Meanwhile, his sharp rivals include allowance winner The Hunted, resurgent 7-year-old Ward ’n Jerry, and potential lone speed Wound Tight. The 1 1/8-mile Turf Classic is race 6 on a nine-race Cal Cup program with five statebred stakes.

Race 3 is the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, and streaking Just Grazed Me will be among the most heavily favored runners on the card. In race 5, the $150,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, Baja Sur can settle the score with Fashionably Fast.

Race 6 is the Turf Classic, followed by 3-year-old route stakes that feature the top two progeny of hot stallion Clubhouse Ride – Club Aspen and Warren’s Showtime. Race 7 is the $200,000 California Cup Derby on dirt, led by Club Aspen. In race 8, the $200,000 California Cup Oaks on turf, Warren’s Showtime is a top contender in a wide-open race.

The Turf Classic attracted eight older horses. The top four entrants are The Hunted, Ward ’n Jerry, Ashleyluvssugar, and Wound Tight. The four longshots are Cono, Accountability, Desmond Doss, and Mobou.

Like him or not on Saturday, Ashleyluvssugar commands respect based on achievement and longevity. Not many horses start in eight successive seasons.

“He’s like family,” Eurton said. “You feel good about having a horse stay in your barn until they’re 8 or 9. You feel like you’ve accomplished something keeping him healthy. And you have to give him the credit. A lot of it is DNA.”

Sired by Game Plan, Ashleyluvssugar is owned by breeders Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable owner Michael Mellen, and Joe Ciaglia. Flavien Prat, who rode Ashleyluvssugar to victory in the 2017 Turf Classic, regains the mount.

Ashleyluvssugar was off from July to November due to a sore back after a tough trip in a Del Mar stakes. He finished a respectable fifth in his synthetic-surface comeback at a 1 1/16-mile distance shorter than he prefers at Golden Gate, and has trained well since.

“He’s acting so youthful,” Eurton said last Sunday after Ashleyluvssugar worked five furlongs, a drill designed to sharpen his speed. If he reproduces his most recent start at Santa Anita, a third in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham last May, Ashleyluvssugar could win the Turf Classic.

Otherwise, the race is likely to be won by either The Hunted, Ward ’n Jerry, or front-runner Wound Tight. Richard Baltas trains The Hunted, a gelding by Unusual Heat and the only entrant by the late stallion for which the race is named.

The Hunted returned to form last out. The key? “Tiago,” Baltas said.

The Hunted scored a sharp victory in a second-level allowance when reunited with jockey Tiago Pereira.

Baltas recognizes a key challenge facing The Hunted on Saturday: “He’s best at a mile.”

A reverse concern applies to Ward ’n Jerry, a Lucky Pulpit gelding whose recent improvement coincides with longer distances. He finished third by a neck last out in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles. At a 1 1/8 miles, the Turf Classic is not ideal for him.

“He moves up at a distance,” trainer Mike Puype said. “I wish this race was a little farther. He’s 2 for 2 at a mile and quarter, he won at a mile and three-eighths, and was third at a mile and a half. I have to hope he can cut back in distance and still be effective, but I have concerns.”

The upside is that Ward ’n Jerry is dropping significantly in class, from graded stakes into a statebred stakes race. Umberto Rispoli rides the gelding.

Although none of the first six turf routes this winter at a 1 1/8 miles or longer was won by the pacesetter, Wound Tight merits a shot. He could find himself loose on the lead. Bob Hess Jr. trains Wound Tight, whose rider is Abel Cedillo.