Ashleyluvssugar Digs in to Win John Henry
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Ashleyluvssugar wins the John Henry Turf Championship
Ashleyluvssugar continued his roll toward the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) with his second straight game victory Oct. 2 in the John Henry Turf Championship (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Park.
The California-bred son of Game Plan once again found just enough in the stretch to hold off a host of closers in the 1 1/4-mile test, following his tight victory last time out in the Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT).
This time it was longshot Texas Ryano who checked in second behind the Peter Eurton-trained gelding, a half-length back at the wire. Another nose back was Twentytwentyvision, who held off the last-to-fourth closing effort from Metaboss.
Under jockey Gary Stevens, Ashleyluvssugar tracked pacesetter El Huerfano through speedy fractions, took over the lead exiting the final turn and dug in during the stretch run.
"You gotta think this horse is full of heart," Eurton said. "When he's healthy like he is right now, he's great. Last year he was a little body sore and I think the trip back east (for the United Nations Stakes, gr. IT) got to him, but when he's healthy, he's tough to get by."
The 5-year-old clinched his fourth turf victory in his last six graded starts at 1 1/4 miles or longer.
"I'm excited about the Breeders' Cup," Stevens said. "He's stepping up in company, but he loves a mile and a half."
El Huerfano set fractions of :23.55, :46.93, 1:10.96, and 1:34.83 through a mile, but Ashleyluvssugar took over and opened up a 1 1/2-length advantage with a furlong to run, and outlasted his rivals to the wire in 1:58.35 on a Santa Anita turf course that has been very speedy early in the fall meeting.
Off as the 3-1 second choice, Ashleyluvssugar paid $8.80, $5, and $3.40 across the board. Texas Ryano brought $15.80 and $10, and Twentytwentyvision delivered $4.80 to show.
A Red Tie Day came in fifth, followed by Ralis, Wanstead Gardens, Flamboyant, El Huerfano, and Messi to complete the order of finish.
Out of the Urgent Request mare Ashley's Folly, Ashleyluvssugar now has an 8-2-3 record from 17 starts with $847,504 in earnings racing for breeders Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Ciaglia Racing.