Mott Takes First Spa 2-Year-Old Race with Sugar Hi
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Sugar Hi wins her career debut at Saratoga Race Course
Winning first time out with a 2-year-old is hardly the forte of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, partially explaining why CJ Thoroughbreds' Sugar Hi was listed at 8-1 in the morning line for her career debut in the second race at Saratoga Race Course on July 13.
So when the daughter of Twirling Candy was bet down to a 2-1 favorite at post time, it was a clear sign that this might be a highly promising juvenile.
It took only a little more than a minute to confirm the message in all those wagering dollars as Sugar Hi, who was second early on, took charge in midstretch and rocketed to a six-length victory in a $136,500 maiden special weight for fillies, the first 2-year-old race of the prestigious 40-day Saratoga meet.
"She's been a nice filly from the very beginning," Mott said. "She's been with us since March down at Payson Park and she's never taken a step backward. She's done everything right. A good disposition and she's shown she can run. With her disposition and stride she seems like one who I can imagine getting a mile. We'll see."
Bred by Fred Hertrich and John Fielding in Kentucky, she is the third of four foals from the unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare Laughing Matters and her second winner. She was bought for $180,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
BC Stables' Lady Moscato , a daughter of Quality Road bought at Keeneland September for $800,000 and trained by D. Wayne Lukas, was second. Second in her debut at Ellis Park, she was the 2-1 second choice with about $8,000 less in win money than Sugar Hi.
MyRaceHorse's Lady Blitz , a daughter of Audible , was a half-length back in third for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Sugar Hi ($6.30) covered the 5 1/2 furlongs under Junior Alvarado in 1:05.14 on a fast track.