Closethegame Sugar enjoying the move to dirt; wins second straight stakes in Kelly's Landing

About 21 months after his racing career began, Closethegame Sugar ran in his first dirt race. About two months on from that surface switch, Closethegame Sugar looked a lot like a dirt horse winning the $235,000 Kelly’s Landing Stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Returning from a 7 1/2-month layoff in May, Closethegame Sugar finished second making his dirt debut in a Churchill allowance race that turned out to be a springboard to higher-level performances. Closethegame Sugar scored an 18-1 upset June 1 in the Aristides Stakes over six furlongs on dirt, but surprised no one in the Kelly’s Landing, winning by 1 1/2 lengths as the 7-5 favorite.

“This surface has treated the horse great,” said trainer Adam Rice.

Rice has been stabled at Keeneland since spring, and while Closethegame Sugar won a turf sprint stakes and placed in a synthetic stakes during his 2023 campaign, riders, Rice said, consistently got off the horse saying he could run on dirt. He can.

Irad Ortiz Jr. gave Closethegame Sugar a perfect trip, sitting third along the rail as Anarchist and Ryvit stoked up a speed duel, splits of 21.93 and 43.98 too hot for either to handle. Closethegame Sugar pounced in upper stretch, quickly took command, carried a 2 1/2-length lead at the stretch call, and held firm convincingly. Angkor ran late to finish second, a half-length in front of third place Hoist the Gold.

Closethegame Sugar ($4.88) was timed in 1:14.89 over a fast track producing quick times. Rice also is part owner of the 4-year-old gelding with Sugar Diaz. Closethegame Sugar was the second stakes winner Saturday for the sire Girvin, whose Belle’s Blue Bell won the Maryfield at Monmouth Park. Closethegame Sugar is out of the Magna Graduate mare, Casual Cocktail. More dirt races surely lie ahead of him.

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