Eurton hoping Ashleyluvssugar will respond to more ground

DEL MAR, Calif. – Two years ago, Ashleyluvssugar was the top turf marathon runner in California, having won consecutive Grade 2 races at Del Mar and Santa Anita.

Now 7, Ashleyluvssugar is winless in three starts this year, at a mile and 1 1/16 miles, leaving questions as to whether the gelding can regain past glory. An appearance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf should provide answers.

This is the fourth consecutive year Ashleyluvssugar has run in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap, the leading turf marathon of the track’s summer meeting. Owned by Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Joe Ciaglia, Ashleyluvssugar was second in the 2015 Del Mar Handicap, won the race in 2016, and was sixth last year, fading from the lead in the final furlong to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind the winner, Hunt.

Ashleyluvssugar did not race again in 2017 after the Del Mar Handicap. Earlier this year, Ashleyluvssugar was fourth, beaten a half-length in the Crystal Water Stakes for Cal-breds at Santa Anita on May 20, sixth in an optional claimer on June 17, and sixth in the California Dreamin’ Stakes here on July 28.

“There is a chance he has lost a step,” trainer Peter Eurton said on Wednesday.

“His first race was a good race. The second race was against open milers, and we tried to get involved early. The last race he got hampered leaving there.”

Fly to Mars won the California Dreamin’ Stakes in 1:39.50 for 1 1/16 miles, lowering the course record by 2/100ths of a second. The firm condition of the course did not suit Ashleyluvssugar, while the final time was a surprise to Eurton.

“It was too hard for him and they didn’t stop,” Eurton said. “Those weren’t track-record horses.”

The winner of the Del Mar Handicap receives a fees-paid berth for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. Ashleyluvssugar was fifth behind Highland Reel in the 2015 BC Turf at Santa Anita.

Getting away from one-mile races and into longer-distance races suits Ashleyluvssugar, Eurton said.

“I hope he can get in his rhythm,” he said. “The distance is the main thing.”

The Del Mar Handicap has a projected field of 12. Itsinthepost and Flamboyant, second and third in the 2017 Del Mar Handicap, also are expected to start along with Cashman, Colonist, Fashion Business, Kenjisstorm, Multiplier, Ritzy A.P., Unapologetic, Whoop Whoop, and Ya Gotta Wanna.