Sugar Jones looks to turn tables on Generous Touch in Eternal Search Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sugar Jones was a half-length shy of remaining undefeated in the Passing Mood Stakes on July 2 and will now look to record her first stakes victory in Wednesday night’s $125,000 Eternal Search Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on Woodbine’s Tapeta.

Sugar Jones went into the Passing Mood Stakes on the grass as the even-money favorite, but she bumped with Little Christmas at the top of the stretch and came up a half-length short of Generous Touch at the wire. Trainer Michael Mattine chalked the loss up to bad racing luck.

“I think they both swerved at the same time,” he said. “One was coming out, and the other was coming in. It was just racing luck. That happens. She came back good. That’s the main thing. She’s been training forwardly going into this race. Hopefully, she’ll run big.”

Sugar Jones breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60 on the Tapeta on July 20.

“She worked really good,” Mattine said. “It was a real nice work going into the race. She’s doing well. It’s her first time two turns. She’s done everything right except for that mishap last time, but she’s doing really good.”

Key Contenders

Sugar Jones, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 77-76-71

◗ Mattine said he had no concerns about Sugar Jones’s ability to stretch out around two turns in the Eternal Search. He noted that the filly galloped out well in 1:14 during the July 20 work.

Generous Touch, by Philanthropist

Last 3 Beyers: 78-76-58

◗ She was able to hold off Sugar Jones in the stretch in the Passing Mood after stalking the quick early pace.

◗ Trainer Sid Attard has been on a strong run at Woodbine since July 8, recording seven wins from his last 13 starters.

Crumlin Spirit, by Court Vision

Last 3 Beyers: 78-76-75

◗ She made up ground in the stretch after a four-wide move into a slow pace in the Bison City Stakes on July 10. Prior to that, she ran fourth in the Woodbine Oaks and is by far the most experienced horse in this field, as this will be her ninth stakes start.

Pure Purity, by Perfect Soul

Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-72

◗ She was supplemented into the Eternal Search and will run without blinkers for the first time.

◗ She ran second to the promising Moonlit Promise in an open allowance over seven furlongs July 8 and will go around two turns for the first time.