Cheekaboo using Sandy Blue as stepping-stone

DEL MAR, Calif. – Cheekaboo and Pacific Heat have led trainer Peter Eurton’s 3-year-old filly division on turf this year, each winning two stakes.

Fortunately for Eurton and the fillies’ owners, there are enough stakes on the first two weekends of the Del Mar summer meeting to keep them apart. Cheekaboo starts in Sunday’s $75,000 Sandy Blue Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Pacific Heat is a candidate for the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap at a mile on turf July 23.

The races can be considered semifinals for the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, a Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 20.

“They could both go,” Eurton said.

Cheekaboo won the most prestigious race of her career in the Grade 2 Honeymoon Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on June 19, closing between horses to score at 23-1. Cheekaboo has progressed in the last four weeks, Eurton said.

“Her energy level is high, and her weight is good,” Eurton said.

The Sandy Blue drew a field of 11. The race will be the stakes debut for seven runners, including Nine Point Nine, the winner of an optional claimer at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on June 19.

Barleysugar is the lone import in the field. Barleysugar was second in a minor handicap at Chelmsford City racecourse in England on June 1, losing to Persuasive. On June 15, Persuasive won the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Edward Freeman said Barleysugar could be withdrawn in favor the San Clemente to allow her an additional week to acclimate to California.