Gray Attempt leads all the way in Sugar Bowl Stakes

Trainer Jinks Fires can only hope his 2018 Sugar Bowl Stakes winner is as good as the colt that won the race for him in 2010.

Fires captured the Sugar Bowl eight years ago with a colt named Archarcharch, who went on to win the 2011 Arkansas Derby. This year’s model is Gray Attempt, who jumped up from the maiden ranks with a sharp front-running score in the six-furlong Sugar Bowl.

Shaun Bridgmohan, riding his third stakes-winner on the card, broke Gray Attempt on top and the two were never headed. Setting splits of 22.23 for the quarter-mile and 45.90 for the half, Gray Attempt pulled clear with a fifth furlong in a snappy 11.88 seconds, staying straight and strong to a one-length victory. He was timed in 1:10.45, an above-par clocking on a somewhat tiring surface, and beat the experienced and at least moderately capable Manny Way by one length.

Hog Creek Hustle broke a step slow but wasn’t winning regardless given his one-paced stretch run for third. Super Steed, the even-money favorite, wore front bandages for the first time, was slow into stride and struggled the entire trip, finishing a tame fourth.

Gray Attempt, who paid $12 to win, was a decent fourth in his career debut before winning a Churchill maiden race second time out. By Graydar and out of the Consolidator mare Attempt to Name, he’ll get a chance to race around two turns at Oaklawn Park after turning 3.

“We’re going to try and run him in the Smarty Jones [Stakes] and see where we’re at going long,” said Fires, who trains Gray Attempt for Dwight Pruett.

Archarcharch also went on to the one-mile Smarty Jones after his Sugar Bowl win. He finished a fading fourth but turned out all right in the end.

Make it three for Bell’s the One

Bell's the One ran her career mark to three wins from three starts with a rallying victory in the $75,000 Letellier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.

Bell's the One ($9) looked as though she would win easily at the quarter-pole, looming four paths off the fence while still in hand for jockey Florent Geroux. But Bell's the One didn't produce any more run when Geroux set her down and she had to work to hold clear of staying-on pacesetter Idle Hour, who ran well for second in defeat.

Running even better than Idle Hour was Unholy Alliance, who totally blew the break and spotted the field many lengths before commencing a strong, steady rally to finish a close third.

Winning time for the six furlongs on a fast track was 1:11.80. Neil Pessin trains Bell's the One for Bob Lothenbach's Lothenbach Stables.

ell's the One, by Majesticperfection out of Street Mate, by Street Cry, won her debut over Arlington's Polytrack and captured a first-level allowance at Keeneland before her victory Saturday.

Bell’s the One, though she had to fight to see out six furlongs Saturday, likely will get a look in the Silverbulletday Stakes around two turns on Jan. 19.

“She’s 2 turning 3 so you have to try it, I think, even if you don’t think you’re going to make it,” Pessin said.