Ashleyluvssugar (right) leads the way to victory in the Del Mar Handicap — Benoit Photo.
Under regular rider Gary Stevens — yet in completely untypical fashion — multiple graded stakes winner Ashleyluvssugar seized the lead early on and held gamely to win the 1-3/8 mile Del Mar Handicap (Grade-2) in a photo finish. On turf rated as firm, the five-year-old son of Game Plan was not having any part of the slow opening quarter in 25.27, set by eventual 4th-place finisher El Huerfano, causing Stevens to allow the bay gelding to relax on the lead while opening up 6 lengths on the field. In a thrilling stretch run, the Peter Eurton trainee prevailed by a nose over fast-closing Metaboss.
With a recent second place in the Grade-2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar and the winner’s share of $150,000 in the Del Mar ‘Cap, Ashleyluvssugar has bankrolled $727,504 to date. He is now the second-highest earner for his late sire Game Plan, behind Grade-1 stakes winner Mistical Plan with $816,790.
Bloodhorse.com article and race replay here.