Ashleyluvssugar sets sights on Del Mar Handicap

The California stakes winners Ashleyluvssugar, Bolo, and Spanish Queen were back at Santa Anita on Tuesday after disappointing performances in Grade 1 stakes in New York and New Jersey last weekend. At least two of them are likely to start at the Del Mar summer meeting, which begins July 16.

Ashleyluvssugar, the winner of the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita on May 24, was sixth in Sunday’s $500,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park. Trainer Peter Eurton said Ashleyluvssugar emerged from the race with a cut on a hind leg that was being treated with antibiotics.

“The race had a different class of horse, but I don’t think he was at his best,” Eurton said.

Ashleyluvssugar is likely to start in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 22.

“He’ll be back in with his friends,” Eurton said.

Bolo, who was third in the Santa Anita Derby and 12th in the Kentucky Derby, finished last of nine in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby last Saturday as the 2-1 favorite. Bolo was vanned off after the finish, but trainer Carla Gaines said no injuries were immediately detected.

Gaines said Bolo will be given a more extensive nuclear scan this week.

Spanish Queen, who won the $400,000 American Oaks at Santa Anita on May 30, finished 10th of 14 in the $1 million Belmont Oaks on Saturday. On Wednesday, trainer Richard Baltas said Spanish Queen did not have an ideal trip from the back of the field.

“She never got a chance to run,” he said.

Spanish Queen will make her next start in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on turf Aug. 15.